Finding Justice (Dancing Moon Ranch Book 12) by Patricia Watters

Author:Patricia Watters [Watters, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Lawman, Law Enforcement, U.S. Deputy Marshal, Oklahoma City Bombing Survivor, Dancing Moon Ranch Series, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Animals-Horses & Cattle, Beautiful & Feisty, Cowboy & Western Romance
Publisher: Patricia Watters
Published: 2015-04-17T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Mario scanned the faces of the people in the room—Roberta and Bill, and Howard and Maureen Barker—wondering exactly what this was all about. Roberta told him earlier that Maureen and Howard wanted them to come for a 10:00 Christmas Eve brunch, and left it to her to pass on the invitation to him, since he'd made himself scarce, as Roberta put it. But he had a gut feeling this wasn't about having a pre-Christmas meal with Julia's grandfather and his wife, which Howard Barker confirmed, after they'd finished eating, and they were sitting around the table drinking coffee.

Looking at Mario, who was opposite Howard at the round table in the dining area, Howard said, "I appreciate everything you're doing for Julia, and what you did for her at the Oklahoma City bombing, but I'm concerned about her and want to make sure you understand my concerns."

"I'm concerned about her too," Mario said, "which is why I'm trying to push her out of isolation, or else she could stay where she is indefinitely, and it's no place for a healthy, intelligent woman, capable of living a productive and satisfying life. Right now she's living a productive life writing video games, but she's far from satisfied."

"She's also a fragile, vulnerable woman," Howard said.

"Vulnerable, I agree, but she isn't fragile. I know a side of her others don't," Mario said, with complete confidence, remembering the power behind Julia's punches when she attacked the bag and he had to pull her away. "If you saw her boxing, you'd know what I'm talking about."

"She was punching the bag you got her when I stopped in to see her yesterday," Howard replied, "so I did see her boxing. But punching a bag doesn't mean she's not vulnerable."

"I already agreed with you that she's vulnerable," Mario said, then realized he was challenging Howard, who was operating in protective mode for his granddaughter. "I would never take advantage of her vulnerability. My sole goal is to get her out of that box she's been living in for twenty years. Has she talked about what else we've been doing, besides punching the bag?" he asked.

"Yes, and she's enthusiastic about the progress she's made since you started pushing her into doing things she never would have done," Howard replied. "But you must also be aware that she's in love with you."

Mario stared at the man, not sure how to respond. This was not something he wanted to talk about with a group of people that included Roberta. "Julia told you that?" he asked.

"She didn't have to. It's obvious," Howard replied. "You're the man who dug her out of the rubble, and now you're the man who's freeing her from her self-imprisonment. But she also sees in you a man who will keep her safe once she returns to the world she left behind. What are your feelings for her?"

Mario glanced at Roberta, whose facial expression was flat, a clear indication that she'd shared information about him with the Barkers,

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