Hooked By Sundown (Canyon Junction: Hearts In Love Book 3)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “Didn’t pay attention after all these years. I guess it’s a good thing Paige isn’t here. I was engaged to her before Jake picked her out in the crowd. He and I were competitors on the circuit.” Clay observed Jake. “That wasn’t all.”

  “Him going after her isn’t the story I know. You didn’t know Paige as well as you think.” Wade removed his hat and scratched his head. “If you can set the past aside, then let’s get a move on. Jake isn’t the same man he used to be.”

  The two of them went back into the barn. Clay studied Wade’s face. “I knew I’d seen you before, but I couldn’t place where. You used to hang out with Jake at shows.”

  “Yeah, sometimes, but it’s like you said… ‘It’s been over for years.’ Paige did him wrong if it’s any consolation to you.” Wade brought out, brushed, and saddled Firelight, a palomino Jake had recently purchased at an auction. An unpredictable gelding at times, but Wade liked working with and riding this horse. Clay must’ve been young when he’d started bronc riding because he was younger than he and Sophie.

  Clay had Blue brushed and saddled before Wade. “You still going to my dad’s tonight?”

  “Yep. I got a job to take care of to make this engagement right.”

  “Sure, I’ll go along. If my dad chases you off, don’t leave without me.” Clay smirked.

  ***

  Later that afternoon, Wade returned from town with lunch for himself and the guys.

  Jake met him when he got out of the car and walked with him to the office. “I’ve been thinking about Clay working here. How well do you know him?”

  Wade set the bags on the table and sorted out the meals. He sent a text to the guys to let them know lunch had arrived. “I don’t know him well at all. What’s up?”

  “I’m not sure I can have him working here.”

  Wade laughed. “Retaliation on Clay’s part? That’s crazy talk.”

  Jake folded his arms but brought his hand up and smoothed it over his jaw. “I guess you’re right. Just so you know, I’ll be keeping an eye on him.”

  He handed Jake his carryout. Wade took a seat and opened his meal, taking a bite of his cheeseburger. “Be my guest, but I’m giving the guy a chance.”

  Jake picked up a napkin. “Why?”

  Wade shrugged while dipping a French fry into ketchup.

  “It won’t bring your brother back, Wade.”

  “It isn’t about that.” Yeah, it was. The other three guys and Clay sauntered in through the back-barn door, all of them laughing.

  Jake left out the front door with his carryout in hand. “Here’s lunch guys.” Wade thought about Jake’s comment and trailed up to Clay to hand him his lunch.

  Clay took it. “Thanks for this. Take it out of my pay.”

  “Nah, it’s on me the next couple days. Listen, knowing what I know about your history with Jake, things here are going to be cool, right? No hidden agendas?”

  “I don’t know what you’re getting at, but I’m here to work. No hidden anything.”

  “Good. Let’s keep it that way.” Wade returned to his desk. Clay left with two of the other guys.

  That night after work, Jake caught Wade before he left. “The guys want to throw you a party after work Friday. Meet us at Rob’s Place.”

  Wade shifted his stance, removed his hat, then wiped sweat from his face with his sleeve. “Sophie’s coming over. What the hell for? It’s not my birthday.”

  Jake shoved his shoulder. “You got engaged, idiot. Remember? Sophie said yes?”

  Wade smiled. “Yeah, sure. I didn’t forget. Is she invited?”

  “No. They insist it’s only us.”

  “What about Clay?”

  “If he’s still here by then… His choice.” Jake lifted his hands then walked away. “Better eat some greasy food for lunch Friday. They plan on getting you drunk to celebrate.”

  That wouldn’t happen. He didn’t need to be drunk to celebrate.

  ***

  Clay had a productive week and made it through. He’d worked hard and remained sober. Wade put him on the payroll on Wednesday as he had planned. The screw-up better not make him sorry. Friday after work, Wade took care of his outside chores at home then showered and changed. Sophie would be here when he arrived home tonight.

  Emmett had a two-night sleepover plan with his one and only buddy from school. Wade wouldn’t spend too much time at the bar. As soon as the rest of them had one too many, he’d head for home. Clay had declined the invitation. While getting ready, he thought of last Monday night when he’d approached Sophie’s dad. It had started out casual as Aaron washed dishes at the sink.

  While they conversed, Aaron had told him that Sophie had removed Rhett’s footlocker from the house and put it in the barn loft to save it for Emmett. It had surprised Wade to also hear she’d put an ad in the paper for Rhett’s truck, selling it as a whole or to be used for parts. ‘As soon as my daughter took care of those two important items from her past, I knew something was up,’ Aaron had said to Wade Monday night.

  After getting ready for the bar party, Wade grabbed his hat and keys and hit the road to Rob’s Place. The guys were already there, including Dane and his oldest brother Jase. A beer had been poured for him at a table along the wall. Tristan, Dane’s middle brother showed up next with Randy Drake, a friend of his and the Carlsons. Yep, this would be a loud party. “Hey, guys, thanks a lot for this. Y’all are invited to the wedding, but Sophie wants to send formal invitations.” Wade pointed at Dane and chuckled. “You know you’re my best man.”

  “Hell yeah, I am.” Dane threw down a shot of tequila.

  Jase Carlson came over to razz him about keeping his fiancée hidden. “None of us got a chance to know this woman. That’s not even fair, Wade.”

  Wade attempted to give his rebuttal, but Tristan jumped in, saying, “You know who she is. Mrs. Price-Daniels…excuse me, Ms. Price-Daniels from the kids’ school.”

  Then a few whistles started. No doubt all the fellas at school had noticed her. How much had these guys had to drink before getting here?

  Jake Lawton had to get in his share. “He had to go all the way to California to meet her. All the women around here know him too well.”

  Dane stuck up for him. “Aw, come on, Jake, that ain’t fair.”

  “Thanks, Dane, but I can take care of myself.” Wade gave Jake the evil eye. Jake might’ve still held a grudge because he’d hired Clay.

  The guys all said cheers and downed their beer or shots, as he had. He picked up his beer mug with the second beer and held it high in a toast before taking a drink. Wade nearly spit it out. “Holy shit!” They’d tossed in a shot of whiskey. They all knew better, or at least Jake did, and Dane especially knew better. Damn, it had tasted good.

  So good that he’d ordered another shot, and then another and dropped it into his fourth mug of beer and drank it down. “I outta call every one of you to work at six o’clock in the morning, hangover and all. You know I don’t drink that hard stuff.” They all laughed at that one because the way he drank tonight made it hard to believe. “Screw all of you.” He didn’t care right now.

  Rob Adams brought a round of Scotch for all of them. “Drink up, guys. This is a special occasion.” They did, including Wade. Rob hung his arm over Wade’s shoulder. “Never thought I’d see the day when you became engaged. Hip, Hip, Hooray! But this isn’t the only thing we’re celebrating tonight. Wade’s a dad now, too,” Rob blurted out to the whole bar.

  Wade swayed next to Rob. “Thanks. Yeah, me either, but man, Sophie’s a keeper. I’m crazy about that woman. Hell yeah, I’m a dad and proud of it. I got a cute little boy. Apparently, what happens in Vegas, doesn’t always stay in Vegas.” Wade roared and so did the guys. “Hell, I’ve been a dad for more than two years and found out a few months ago. He’ll probably be the only one I ever have besides Sophie’s boy. Sophie might not be able to have kids.”

  He no sooner got the words out than his gaze landed on Bambi with a f
ew other women at the bar smiling at him. If only the others from his past didn’t walk in now like they had at school. Of course, Cynthia wouldn’t. Would she? That woman was full of surprises.

  Bambi left the stool and made her way over. Oh, no. This isn’t what I need. The worse part was he hadn’t had a buzz like this for a long time and had little control of himself. It was time to leave, but Bambi wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his, kissing him, trying to get her tongue into his drunk-ass mouth before he knew what hit him. The guys with him howled. He shoved her away. “Go back to the bar, Bambi. Leave me alone.”

  “Congratulations. I wonder when Sophie will tell everyone. I didn’t know she couldn’t have kids. Maybe she’s keeping it a secret for a reason.”

  Shit, no. He did not tell this whole bar his fiancée couldn’t have kids. He was a dead man and deserved to be shot in the fucking head.

  She smirked and did the Bambi strut toward the barstool but glanced back with a satisfied smile. The guys with him got dead silent for about two minutes, and then he and others in the bar raised their glasses to his son and whooped it up. What else could he do? Dane gave him a warning look. Too bad Dane hadn’t stuffed his fist down his damn throat to keep him quiet. Sophie would know about his stunt, and his big mouth, Monday morning if not sooner. She’d not be happy about that, either. Note to self: Send flowers Monday. He ordered another Scotch.

  After a couple more rounds of beer—minus the shots—he removed keys from his pocket. “I have a hot woman waiting at my house, guys, I gotta go. We’ll have a party one of these days so you can all see what an angel my girl is.” He stood, but Dane did too.

  “I’m taking you home, buddy. You aren’t driving. Sheriff Thompson will be waiting for someone like you to drive by.”

  “Like me? You mean drunk?” Wade hooted in laughter and almost fell on his ass.

  “Exactly.” Dane steadied him on his feet.

  “You don’t need to drive me home. You’re drunk on your ass, too.”

  Dane held Wade’s arm when he swayed to the side. “No, I’m not. I only had a beer and a shot.”

  “I don’t want to leave my truck here.”

  Dane seized his keys. “Don’t worry about it. I’m driving. I came with Jase in case something like this happened. He’ll pick me up from your place.” He nodded Jase toward the door.

  “Y’all think you have me figured out, huh? If you did, you wouldn’t have let me drink whiskey and tequila.” Wade laughed. “I forgot what I was missing.”

  “Don’t forget the Scotch, too. Maybe you’ll remember it in the morning. Maybe you’ll remember you blabbed something personal about your bride-to-be.” Dane shoved him toward the door.

  Wade stopped and staggered back to the table. “Thanks, guys.” He picked up his glass and finished what was still in there. Sleee ya all Monday.”

  Dane came back to help him out the door and into his truck. “You didn’t need to do this, Dane.”

  “Yes, I did. Sophie wouldn’t want to bail her fiancé out of jail.”

  Wade laughed and took out his phone. “You’re probably right. It’s bad enough getting her brother out. Thanks, old friend.”

  Dane swiped Wade’s phone. “You saw the sign at Rob’s Place. No Drunk Dialing.”

  “At least nobody got in a fight. Yet.” He snorted in laughter then sagged against the window.

  Chapter 19

  Sophie went upstairs to turn the covers down. She had an idea the rest of Wade’s night once he got home would be spent in bed. Downstairs, she settled in with a glass of wine, popcorn, and a romantic movie on her favorite channel. After watching the first one, she yawned and stretched, debating on getting involved with another, but then a thud took her breath away. A second later, the sound of a key in the door and laughing drew her to open it. Wade almost fell in. “Did you change the locks on me, angel?” He laughed like she’d never heard before. Angel? Her fiancé was more than a little drunk. She pulled her robe closed and glanced at Dane. “Thank you so much.”

  “Want me to get him upstairs?”

  One look at Wade slouched against Dane told her the answer. She nodded and followed behind them. How had this happened?

  Dane got him to the bed and pushed him over until he lay across it. “He’s all yours. You got it from here?” he asked Sophie.

  “I’ll do my best,” she replied then chuckled. “Do you need a ride? You can take Wade’s truck home.”

  “Hey, don’t go giving my truck away.” Wade caught Sophie’s hand and dragged her down to the bed and embraced her, attempting to crawl on top of her, but she pushed at his shoulders.

  “Stop!” she demanded, giggling.

  Dane laughed. “I have a ride. Thanks. Night.” He left the bedroom in a flurry but yelled from the stairway. “I’ll lock up.”

  “Let me up, you. Omigod, Wade, you’re sloshed.” She attempted to pull herself away.

  “Yeah, and it feels great, but not as great as you. Take your clothes off. You’re smokin’ hot beautiful. C’mere.”

  “Am I? Good. Let me go so I can get your boots off.” Sophie pulled out of his clutches and removed his boots. She undid his belt, button, and lowered his zipper while trying to fight his hands off at the same time. Then Wade lay in surrender, his arms up above his head. He raised his hips so she could pull off his jeans and trunks.

  “Yeah, baby that’s it.”

  She straddled his naked hips to unbutton his shirt and pulled him to each side to get it off his arms. With his hands appearing everywhere on her body, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Will you stop?”

  “No.” Wade grabbed for her when she moved, but she got away, still laughing. At the edge of the bed, she placed her hands on her hips and stared at the comical grin on his face.

  His gaze traveled over the front of himself. “Come on, my darlin’ little angel. You can see I’m ready for you. Jump on and come…along for the ride.”

  “I have a feeling I’m taking the lead tonight, partner.” She shook her head. “Isn’t this kind of taking advantage of you in your drunken state? What have I turned into?”

  “You are taking me by my order.” He tossed his head back and laughed but then held his arms open to her.

  “I’m going to regret this, but you won’t remember in the morning, anyway.” Sophie removed her pink silk robe and let it drop. She sat astride his thighs.

  Wade grasped the hem of her gown and drew it over her head and dropped it. “Come on, baby. I dreamed of this all day, minus the whiskey part. I want you.”

  “I can tell.” Sophie smiled then leaned forward to give him a long, wet kiss. Wade returned it, but as sloppy as it was, she didn’t care. He smelled like…perfume and she did care about that. She sat up and took up his shirt from the bed to sniff it. “Where did you guys go tonight? A strip club?”

  “Hell no. I don’t do strip clubs, and they don’t wear perfume, anyway,” he said laughing. “Get back here.”

  “You don’t do whiskey, either, but here you are.”

  “Shush. Kiss me.” He drew her to his lips and kissed her like she’d expect a drunk to kiss, forcing his tongue between her lips but in an erotic and persuasive way that heated her from head to toe. Sophie couldn’t deny his moaning and moving against her. She took him, tossed her head back, and gasped. “Mmm, does whiskey make you bigger? I dreamed of this all day, too, honey.” She moved rhythmically with him until the yearning in the pit of her stomach and center cried out for more, more, and more. Her tempo increased, and she heedlessly gave him and herself, more…and more, and even more.

  Wade kept up, driving into her not like a man out of his wits but like an experienced lover who had nothing on his mind but giving her pleasure. She screamed out in an overwhelming desire… “Ohhh, this is all of you.” Wade drew her to his chest, one arm embracing her while the other hand squeezed hers. He released a sigh upon coming down from his high. His head lolled to the side and he smiled like a silly c
lown, not like a sexy lover, but he was. A moment later, he mumbled, “Thanks, baby. Tell me again in the morning how wonderful this was.”

  The smile slowly left his face and he fell into slumber. Sophie leaned in to kiss his beer-soaked lips. “I love you. Good night, honey.” She padded into the bathroom. Sophie went back to bed, remaining naked, and curled up beside him. She turned to her side and Wade spooned her, his warm breath against her neck. He moaned a soft, “I love you” against her ear then settled back down. Sophie pulled his arm tighter around her and smiled.

  ***

  She woke to someone blowing up her phone which rang from the living room. She grabbed her gown and donned it on the way down. “Hello? Emmett?” She turned off the TV.

  “Hey, Sophie.”

  She hesitated at the sound of a man’s voice. “Who is this?”

  “Man, my feelings are hurt. It’s been too long. It’s Fletcher.”

  “Fletcher? Oh, I didn’t recognize your voice. Where are you?” Fletcher had been a good friend of Rhett’s and lived on the base with his wife. “Is Suzanne with you?”

  “Guess you haven’t heard. Ah…” He hesitated. “Um, we got divorced.”

  “What? No. I’m shocked. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I wanted it. Can I see you?”

  See me? She flattened her lips and frowned at his lowered and intimate voice. “Then I’m sorry for Suzanne if you wanted to divorce her. Shame on you.”

  “Can I see you?”

  She didn’t remember him being a persistent man. A decent husband, a great soldier, but he had never acted like this with her. “Queen Creek is a long way to come, Fletcher. I don’t—”

  “I’m driving through your area. Come on. Lunch? Dinner? A glass of wine? Coffee. I’m not choosy.”

  “I’m engaged.” The line went silent for too long.

  “Rhett wouldn’t like that.”

  Huh? Sophie’s eyes welled. What was he up to. “I have to go.”