Page 38 of Coveted Justice

“I stand by it,” Lizzie replied tartly.

“You haven’t met him more than a few times.”

“It was more than enough. Now tell me why you called. Talking about Derek Billingsly is not my idea of fun.”

Amanda outlined the last few days, omitting the hug from Josh but including the news that she had a long-lost aunt somewhere out there.

“Wow, you’ve had a busy weekend. That much stuff hasn’t happened to me all year. Is your mom okay?”

“Well…that’s another thing. I may have lost my temper at her and my dad, accusing them of treating me like a child and keeping secrets from me. They said they only learned about it last night and that they hadn’t had time to process the news before I overheard them talking about it.”

“You accused them of treating you like a child while you were in the process of acting like a child? That’s a bold move. Girl, apologize to your parents, especially your mother. They’ve got enough on their plate right now between the campaign, Abby and Marty, and now your mother’s dad having a clandestine out of wedlock child. It’s practically a soap opera. Give them a break.”

“I was way out of line,” Amanda said. “I’m not proud of myself. I came home this summer wanting to prove to my parents how much I’ve grown up this year in college. I guess that’s a major crash and burn.”

“Everyone says shit in the heat of the moment. Just say you’re sorry and it will all be forgotten. Your parents aren’t the type to hold a grudge, at least not in the past.”

“That’s true. But that doesn’t help the whole campaign issue. Hudson calling my dad a drunk.”

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. Down and dirty, if you know what I mean. He’s going to throw everything he can at your dad, and he won’t care if it’s true. You’re going to have to shine up that spine of yours and not let it get to you. That’s what Hudson wants. He wants to get under your skin and get a reaction. Don’t give it to him.”

“I’m trying but damn, he doesn’t make it easy. I’ve always known that politics can be like this, but I guess I never thought what it would be like for my dad. His other campaigns weren’t like this. Or maybe I simply didn’t see it. Since I’m working with them this time, I’m seeing it all up close and personal.”

“That’s probably it. You’ve just never seen it like this before. How is it going working on the campaign? Are you liking it?”

“I do like it although sometimes it can be boring. I was stuffing envelopes this morning. Hundreds of them. Maybe thousands.”

“Sounds like a job that needs to be done. How’s Josh doing? Are you and he having fun?”

Just the name had Amanda on edge. It hadn’t been that long since their hug.

“Josh? Why do you ask? He’s fine. Why wouldn’t he be? Why are we talking about him?”

“Because he’s working with you this summer?” Lizzie sounded puzzled at Amanda’s question.

“Of course, I’ve seen him. But we’re just working together. That’s all.”

There was a long silence before Lizzie responded.

“Sure, that’s all. You’re just working together. So he’s fine, then?”

“He’s fine. Can we change the subject? Let’s talk about you. How’s your new job?”

Well aware that she sounded a bit crazy, Amanda couldn’t discuss Josh with Lizzie. She wasn’t even sure herself what had happened between them. Was it a one-time thing? A moment that had passed between them but was gone forever?

She was sure he’d felt it, too.

What she didn’t know was whether it was a good thing or a terribly bad one.

Mike and Cindy Burke were a middle-aged couple living in the house next to Abby and Marty a few towns over from Springwood. The neighborhood was extremely upscale, the houses going for at least a million, if not more. Their home was a Tudor-style with immaculate hedges and trees in the yard, along with a winding driveway that led to a four-car garage near the back of the property.

“They’re suing Abby and Marty?” Logan asked, as they walked up the cobbled path to the front door. “Do you know for what?”

“I haven’t seen the paperwork, but Abby said it was for damages to their property,” Tanner replied, pressing the doorbell. “Some plants and the driveway, I think.”

The door opened and a dark-haired woman stood there dressed casually for the warm weather. She gave them a tentative, nervous smile but stepped back so they could enter the home.

“You must be Tanner Marks and Logan Wright.”

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