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

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “I’ll contact you when I get to town.” The call dropped.

  Sophie hoped he hadn’t meant it. She checked for messages but there were none. Emmett must’ve had a fun night. She went back upstairs, pulled the gown over her head, and crawled in next to wade, snuggling her breasts up against his warm back. He smelled like alcohol, but she wriggled her nose trying not to think about it.

  Her eyes popped open as Fletcher’s words streamed through her brain like a banner. It wasn’t true what he’d said about Rhett. She was happy now. Emmett was happy. He couldn’t be here to share their life, but he’d be thrilled for them. He would. Rhett was gone and now a memory.

  Wade rolled over and slid his arm around her waist. “Mmm, I’m naked and you’re naked. Something big must’ve happened last night. Ouch, I have a bitchin’ headache.”

  “Something big did happen, darlin’. You’re still drunk. Just so you know, you perform well when you’re out of it.”

  “Fabulous.” He sat up but lay back down and brought her closer. “Did I do or say anything stupid?”

  “Not to me but who knows if you still have friends. You dragged me down and almost crawled on top of me in front of Dane in my short robe, you naughty, naughty man.”

  Wade’s brow furrowed. “Why was he in our bedroom?”

  “Because I couldn’t carry you upstairs.”

  Wade chuckled then his hand shot to his forehead. “Note to self. Don’t laugh. I’m going back to sleep.”

  Sophie yawned. “I’ll make breakfast.”

  He held her tight and wrapped his leg around her. “Uh uh. Stay here.”

  Sure, why not. There was no place she’d rather be. “I love you when you’re naughty.”

  “Don’t get used to it,” he muttered against her neck. “Wait. Yeah, the naughty will stay. Not the drunk.”

  Her body shuddered as his warm breaths through sleepy sighs tickled her skin.

  ***

  Sophie woke when the sun raged through the blinds on the door to the deck. She slipped out of bed, picked up her clothes from the chair, and strode to the downstairs bathroom for a shower, but first she needed to make coffee.

  While waiting for it to finish, she set out two mugs with a bottle of aspirin beside Wade’s. They’d kissed so much and so hard last night, she still tasted beer. She checked her phone for a message from Emmett. Nothing. Instead of waiting, she sent a text. She’d allowed him to have a phone for emergencies for them to stay in touch. When the coffee was done, she took a mugful into the bathroom.

  After her shower, she came to a halt before entering the kitchen off the great room where Wade sat at the table in the nook. His eyes were closed—one hand wrapped around a mug, the bottle of aspirin opened, and two pills beside it. The other hand propped up his head, his elbow near the edge of the table. Sophie nudged it off the table then chuckled when he popped his eyes open.

  “This is another reason I don’t get drunk. I’m half sick.”

  “No breakfast?”

  “I’ll try if the smells don’t send me running.”

  Sophie got eggs, ham, butter, and jam from the fridge. At that moment, a text arrived from Emmett. At least she thought it was Emmett replying. It was Fletcher: Have you changed your mind about meeting? I’ll be there by Monday.

  Well, he didn’t know where she worked nor did he know anything about her being in Canyon Junction. Sophie peered at Wade. He wasn’t too hungover to lift his eyes in question. She tried to wipe the frown off her face, but it was too late, and he’d noticed.

  “What’s wrong? Who is it?”

  She’d tell him later when he recuperated. Sophie lay ham slices in the cast iron skillet. “Someone I used to know. Do you remember anything about last night?”

  He finished what was left of his coffee then got up for another one. He wrapped his arms around her at the stove. “Yeah, driving into the bar parking lot. Rob saying a toast for our engagement and someone threw in a toast for me being a dad.” He squinted. “Um and waking up with you in my arms once when it was still dark. Oh, and the question you never answered? Did I say or do anything stupid last night?”

  “I did answer but don’t know yet. I’m sure I’ll hear about it from one of the other ladies if their guys blab.”

  Wade pulled away from her. “Um… There wasn’t much to blab about.”

  “That you remember.” Sophie turned the ham then faced him, sliding her arms around his waist. “I love waking up with you. It’s too bad you don’t remember what happened after you got home. You wanted me to remind you today… In your words, ‘how wonderful it was.’ It’s true. Last night in bed was fantastic, fun, exciting…passionate.”

  “I missed all that? Can we do a repeat?”

  Sophie smiled but tended to the ham. She laid it onto a paper towel on a plate, then whipped up eggs to scramble. “Wanna pop the bread into the toaster?”

  He unwrapped the loaf of bread and dropped it in. “Have you heard from Emmett?”

  “Not yet. I’m ready to call him. I sent a text with no reply. He has to be up by now.” Sophie glanced at the clock.

  “Give me his phone number. My phone’s upstairs. Can I text him from your phone?”

  She got it off the table and handed it to him. He clicked to send a message. “Who’s this you’re meeting? This is who you ‘used to know’? What’s he want?”

  “How do you know it’s a he?” Sophie narrowed her eyes at him when he frowned. “Yeah, it’s Fletcher from the army base. He was Rhett’s good friend.”

  “I’ll send Emmett a message.” He read it after he typed: This is Wade. Your mom’s worried because she hasn’t heard from you. Answer your mother.

  “Don’t send that.”

  “Too late.”

  “Are you still that drunk?”

  “Maybe. What’s this Fletcher guy want? I don’t want to read his message, so why don’t you plain out tell me.”

  “Give me my phone, Wade.” Another text came in. He handed it to her without looking. This time it was Emmett’s reply. She read: Hi Wade. Sorry. Tell Mom i’m okay. He followed up with another text asking to be picked up at two o’clock.

  Wade lifted his eyes. “I saw how worried you were. That’s why I sent it.”

  “It’s okay. Let me finish breakfast then we’ll talk.”

  “I’ll go shave.”

  Sophie touched his arm to halt him. She smiled. “No, leave it. I like the look on you and the mustache you’re starting.”

  “I’m not starting it, honey. That’s about all I got in that department.” Wade laughed then held his head again. “Let me get my phone then get the horses fed and out.” He padded upstairs.

  What would she tell him about Fletcher? Should she see him with Wade in tow? She didn’t want to keep anything from him, nor give Fletcher the wrong idea.

  She dished eggs onto the plates she’d set across from one another. This way she could look into his eyes to tell him what Fletcher wanted, making it easier for her to read his mood. She added two more pieces of bread to the toaster and buttered the slices that had cooled. The toast popped up and she buttered them.

  Wade came out, pulled out her chair, but gave her a hug before letting her sit down. “I’m glad you’re here. Thanksgiving weekend is too far away, darlin’. Don’t wait that long to move in.”

  “It’s only a month. I can’t be packed and ready much before that. Neither can Emmett. We started this week though. I’ve never seen that boy work so hard.”

  “Wow. I’m proud to hear that. We can move in what you have packed. The bedrooms down here are ready. Did you talk to Emmett about it?” He released her and moved to the other side of the table to take a seat. Sophie sat.

  “I did,” she said, taking a slice of ham from the plate. “Emmett picked out the largest of the three bedrooms down here. Is that all right?”

  “Sure. I told him to choose. For the beginning, maybe we’ll have the guys sleep upstairs close to us. The couch up there is a slee
per.”

  “Emmett will want to sleep in the sleeping bag anyway. We’ll make sure the gate is secure across the stairs, and everyone will sleep tight.” Wade was eating a piece of toast, but it didn’t seem like he wanted much more. “I’m sure Noah will go along with whatever you tell him.”

  “Whatever we tell him, Soph. I’m picking Noah up this Wednesday. Shouldn’t he get used to us right off? I mean to consider you and Emmett part of the family and the other way around?”

  She nodded. “You’re right.”

  “Leaving for Vegas this week reminds me of you leaving in California.” He squeezed her hand across the table. “I hated to see you leave. My heart sank to think it might’ve been good-bye. Honestly, I needed more time with you and couldn’t understand my own heart over those days together. I had hoped I’d see you again, but then you—”

  Sophie got up and went around the table. She nuzzled his neck then kissed his cheek. “Shh. Here we are now. Look how far we’ve come.”

  Wade cupped the side of her face, coaxing her to meet his kiss. “Here we are,” he whispered and kissed her waiting mouth.

  “I denied that I’d been attracted even after we almost hooked up—almost.” Sophie returned to her seat and clasped his outstretched hand. She sighed. “About the text. Like I said, Fletcher is a friend of Rhett’s. He’ll be passing through the area and wants to meet for coffee. I’d like you to come. He knows I’m engaged. He…” Sophie paused.

  “What is it, babe?”

  She cast her eyes downward then raised them to meet his gaze. “He told me Rhett wouldn’t like that I was engaged.”

  They continued to stare at each other but neither spoke at first.

  “How do you feel about that?” he asked. “I’m sure it hurt, but I would’ve hit him.”

  “It hurt. Besides, there isn’t anything anyone can do about it. He’s gone. I wear your ring on my finger. I love you. I’m not going to meet him.”

  Wade remained silent for a few moments. His eyebrows pulled together, but she bet he hadn’t wanted to show his dislike of Fletcher. “Go ahead and meet him, but I shouldn’t go with you. If it starts to go bad, slug him, then text me, and I’ll be right there to rip the stripes off his damn sleeve.”

  Oh, but she loved this man. “I’m not sure, but if I do, which I doubt, I’ll remember what you said. Breakfast is cold, but when you look at me like that, it makes everything warm.”

  ***

  After school on Monday, Sophie entered the lounge to get her lunch bag from the fridge. “Hi, Brenna. Is it a full moon? The kids were wired all week.”

  Brenna and a couple other teachers in there laughed and nodded in agreement. “I believe it is,” Brenna replied. Bambi burst through the door laughing with other younger teachers who worked there. Sophie ignored Bambi’s scrutiny, and made her way to get her bag. Darlene, the pregnant teacher hung up the phone and smiled at Sophie. She returned it. “It won’t be long before you can keep your feet up all day, Darlene.”

  Darlene laughed. “Counting the minutes.”

  Bambi strutted away from the group, past Sophie with her nose in the air, saying, “Wow, Darlene, you’re so lucky to be pregnant. It’d sure be awful to marry a guy, and then not be able to give him a child. Isn’t that right, Sophie?”

  Sophie gasped and widened her eyes. The scent of Bambi’s perfume brought the memory of Friday night in bed. Wade had smelled like that. My God. She brought her closed fist to her mouth. No, he wouldn’t have. Bambi had finally found a way to retaliate because Wade loved her.

  Brave Brenna stomped over to confront big mouth. “What the hell is the matter with you, Bambi? Why’d you say such a thing?”

  Darlene glanced at Sophie with sympathy in her eyes. Sophie did everything she could not to burst into tears. It was no one’s business. She couldn’t get any words out, thankfully, because if she could, she’d spill her guts about Bambi’s alcohol-filled first and only date with Wade. Wade? What had he done that night?

  He had told her the guys congratulated him on the engagement and fatherhood. Had he told them she might not be able to have kids? Why? How else would Bambi have known? “It’s true,” Sophie said to those waiting. “I’m marrying Wade but didn’t know until recently if I’d be able to give him any children. Turns out, I can, after all.” Sophie scanned around the lounge as everyone stood silent with their eyes on her, some with their mouths open. “This isn’t how I wanted to tell everyone.” She glared at Bambi. “Because it isn’t anyone’s business but mine and my fiancé’s.”

  “He has his own kid, anyway,” Bambi blurted out.

  Sophie glared. “Yes, luckily for him he does and so do I, but regardless, we’re going to be a family.” Sophie snatched her lunch bag from the fridge and tore out the door. Brenna followed.

  “Sophie, wait.”

  She couldn’t hold the tears back any longer. “Wade didn’t have to stick around but he chose to.”

  Brenna put her arm around her shoulder as they continued down the hall. “That’s the kind of guy he is, Soph. He’s a winner. You’re the first one who finally realized that. You make him happy. How did Bambi find out? I’m so sorry I had set them up for a date in the past.”

  “I know about their date, Bren. I don’t think anyone knows what Bambi’s like outside of work. I’ve always tried to stay on the good side of her, but then she found out that Wade and I had been dating…”

  “Don’t worry about her. Everyone in there knows what a bitch she can be.”

  Sophie had a text and took a minute to read it. Fletcher wanted to meet. Well, she needed to get out. She replied: Okay. Now. She gave the name of a pub and directions. It’d be easy to find. She tucked her phone away. “Thanks, Brenna. Don’t get on her bad side. I have to go.” Sophie rushed off to her dad’s truck in the parking lot. On the way toward home, she reflected on Bambi’s hurtful words. She pressed harder on the accelerator. He had smelled like her when he came home. They’d been at the bar together. However, she refused to believe they’d been there together. Why would he let something like that slip though? Sophie slapped the steering wheel. “Damn you, Wade.”

  She waited in the parking lot until she spotted Fletcher going inside. She got out of the truck. “Hey, Fletcher.”

  He turned and smiled then clomped up to her. “I expected you to still have Rhett’s truck.” He wrapped her in his arms. She couldn’t return the hug and pulled away ignoring his comment. Was this a sign of where their conversation headed? “Wow, look at you, girl. You look great.”

  He looked bedraggled. It would’ve been better if he hadn’t had that gleam in his eye. “Thanks. Are you hungry?”

  “Starved.”

  “You’ll like this place.” As soon as she got inside, she spotted her brother coming from the direction of the rest room. She ducked behind Fletcher, not to hide from him, per se, but more to spy on him, but there was no getting around it.

  “Sophie?”

  She pretended she hadn’t seen him. “Clay? I’m sorry I haven’t been to the ranch—”

  “It’s all right.” Clay hugged her tight and held her head against his broad chest. “I’m so sorry, sis. So, so sorry for wrecking your truck. Is Emmett really okay?”

  They broke from their embrace. Clay gave Fletcher an evil eye, so she introduced them. “This is an old Army friend of Rhett’s. Fletcher, meet my brother, Clay.”

  The two of them shook hands. Clay invited them to join him and the woman at a table he nodded toward.

  She blurted out, “We can’t.” And why was he in a bar if he no longer drank? “I’ll call you. I promise.” She urged Fletcher to a table away from her brother’s, but she glanced back as Clay took a seat. Wade had been correct. Clay looked good. She’d forgotten how handsome a man he was. Today his good looks overshadowed the ruddy complexion and unkempt stubble on his face from the past. His near black hair had been cut and combed neatly. He’d lost a lot of weight.

  Clay picked up a soda glass
and took a drink. The woman with him had coffee. This must’ve been the woman Wade had mentioned. The thought of Wade at the moment angered her for opening his big mouth. She damned him again. “What are you doing here, Fletcher? Where are you headed?”

  “I’m on a cross-country trip to unwind and remembered you lived in Arizona. It’s been suggested I take a leave. Hell, I don’t need the Army’s bullshit. I gave them too many of my good years, and this is what they give in return.”

  “It’s nice to see you again.” She ordered ice tea while Fletcher had a draft beer. He was nothing like he used to be.

  Before the server got away, he stopped her. “Let’s order some food. I’m famished. What’s good here, Sophie?”

  “Anything. Burgers are fabulous.” She browsed the menu, settling on seafood tacos. Yum, she’d had them here before. Fletcher ordered an original special burger.

  The server brought their beverages over with some nachos. Sophie had to say what was on her mind. Since the rude incident at school, she wasn’t in the mood to hold anything back. “What you said to me on the phone was hurtful. I know Rhett wouldn’t want me to wallow in sadness though I did for coming up on more than four years now.”

  Fletcher munched on nachos, took a drink of beer, then said, “You think so because of that letter he wrote you? We all do that. Do you honestly think we want to see our loved ones move on without us?”

  Sophie narrowed her eyes at the shock of what he’d said. “Yes. I know my husband better than you. He’d want me and Emmett to be happy.”

  “Another man is going to raise his boy like it’d be his own son. Rhett wouldn’t like it. I know he wouldn’t. I’d raise Emmett as my son. I was his buddy. It’d be different.”

  Sophie gasped. Wait? What? “Don’t say that. It’d be worse! What happened to you and Suzanne? You two were so much in love.”

  “So. It changed and died. No big deal. I want to date you.”

  “Excuse me?” Sophie straightened her back and leaned against the cushioned booth. She licked her dry lips. “Don’t talk like that. Suzanne was, is, my friend. I couldn’t date you. Ever. I’m engaged. You have no right to come here saying something like that.”