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

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Clay came to the table on his way out to introduce her to the woman with him. Sophie inhaled and let it out to relax after sparring with Fletcher. She scooted over and smiled, saying she was glad to meet Winona—a lady a few years older than her brother, well, more than a few. More like their mother’s age. Winona was pretty with coal black hair and deep brown, almost black eyes, similar to their mom’s. She yearned to know more about her.

  Winona spoke to Sophie, “It’s nice to meet you, too. Clay speaks highly of you and his nephew.”

  That surprised her. “Would you two care to have a seat?” she asked Winona.

  “We can’t right now, Soph.” Clay turned his body toward the door but smiled over his shoulder. “Tell Wade hi and thanks. Stop by the JL Ranch sometime while I’m there. It’s working out.” Clay glanced at Fletcher but said nothing to him. Winona smiled at Sophie and Fletcher and the two of them left.

  Her brother hadn’t been drinking. Why had he come to a bar when it was so hard for him to avoid alcohol? A good thing had come over her brother she hadn’t recognized. Their food arrived. Sophie waited for the server to leave. Her tacos smelled delicious. She’d eaten a small lunch at eleven-thirty, and now she was starved. All right, back to the topic at hand. “Even if I wasn’t engaged, I wouldn’t date you. You were my husband’s close friend. I couldn’t. Emmett would be so confused.”

  “That’s bullshit.”

  “No, it isn’t. You can’t lay a guilt trip on me. Believe me. I’ve laid enough on myself since we lost Rhett.” Sophie motioned the server over.

  “What can I get ya? Is anything wrong with the food?” the server asked arriving at their booth.

  “No, the food is delicious I’m sure. Would you add another order of the same? Then can you wrap them to go, please? I have to leave.”

  “Sure.” Sophie handed her the plate. She’d eat with Emmett when she got home.

  “Aw, come on. Don’t leave. I’m sorry, but you’ve been on my mind a lot lately. Maybe because it’s getting close to the anniversary—”

  Sophie brought her fist down on the table, getting attention she didn’t want. She scooted back in the booth to steady herself against the cushion. It’d be best if she kept her mouth shut.

  Finally, after calming down a bit, she had to set Fletcher straight. “It’s not an anniversary. An anniversary is a happy occasion. It’s already passed. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. I’m sorry Rhett died. I will always love him…” Her eyes filled with tears. “But I had to move on, and I have and with a great man.”

  The server returned with her carryout and Fletcher asked for a box. Sophie removed money from her purse and laid it down near his plate. “Have a safe trip, Fletcher.” She picked up her bag and purse and rushed out the door, tossed them in the front seat of her truck, then leaned against the door. Sophie dried her tears, took a few breaths in and out, then called Emmett. “How are you, hon?”

  “Hi, Mom! When you coming home?”

  “I’m on my way. I’m close. I picked up some seafood tacos.”

  “Grandpa made a yummy pot pie!”

  “You mean he popped one into the oven?”

  “No, his girlfriend made—”

  “She’s not my girlfriend,” her dad yelled in the background. Sophie smiled. How long would he deny it?

  “I’ll be home soon, honey. Love you.”

  “Love you, Mom. Wait. You have flowers from Wade.”

  She frowned. “Okay. See ya.” Well now. Before she had a chance to open her door, Fletcher grasped her from behind and whirled her around, trying to kiss on her. He grasped the back of her hair and held her tight, pressing her up against her door. “Get away from me!” She kicked at him but he had her pinned. “Get away!”

  “No, come on, Sophie, give this a try. You don’t know what you’re missing. Rhett used to read parts of your letters to me. I never had that with Suzanne.”

  “Liar!” She shoved and shoved, but she couldn’t get him away from her. “Stop, Fletcher. Stop!” She tried screaming but he held his hand over her mouth. Omigod…

  “Don’t do that, Soph. Come on. Don’t scream. I won’t hurt you.”

  She took in a breath and with all her might, she raised her knee as hard as she could. Fletcher backed away, bent over.

  “Damn, bitch, why’d you do that.” He went for her again…

  In a blur, her brother came out of nowhere, grabbed a hold of Fletcher, and knocked the hell out of him until he took off stumbling toward his truck. Clay’s chest heaved and his fists were still clenched. “Are you okay? Should I finish him off?”

  Sophie stared at Clay in shock.

  “Sophie?” he asked.

  Her heart pounded to where she could barely catch her breath. Winona put her arm around her. She leaned forward with hands on her knees to catch her breath. “I don’t know. I think so. Omigod. Thank you.” She grabbed Clay into her arms. “Thank you.”

  “Where’s Wade?” Clay asked.

  “Home, I guess. I... I met Fletcher for dinner. He stopped on his way West. Wade knew. I can’t tell him about this. Clay you can’t either, please. Wade will go looking for him.”

  “And he should. Where’s he live?”

  “Not around here I told you. He’s driving cross country. He’s probably on the highway out of town now.”

  “He better be on his way outta here. Do you want me to drive you home?”

  “I’m okay. Thank God, you were still here. Thanks, Winona. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

  “It’s okay, sweetie. I’ve seen a lot in my life. Looks like you got a good one in on him.”

  Clay nodded to Winona. “We’ll follow you home, Sophie. I don’t trust that guy.”

  She shuddered thinking about what could’ve happened. How could she tell Wade? Sophie gave Winona a subtle smile. “You’re right. I’d be happy to know you were following. I appreciate it.” Her brother had truly changed.

  Clay opened her door and waited while Winona went to get her truck. Sophie patted Clay’s hand on the frame. Her words were shaky now. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “You don’t have to. You’ve done so much for me. You ready?”

  She nodded. Before she shifted into gear, another text came in. This time it was Wade. Maybe by now Brenna had talked to him about what had happened at school or he’d expected a thank you for the flowers. They were to make up for something. Now she knew what. What the hell had his friends let him do when he was drunk out of his mind? She had half a mind to call Dane, but she wouldn’t. Blood was thicker than water, and even though Dane wasn’t blood, the two of them had a strong bond.

  Against her will, but too stubborn not to do it, she searched for Dane’s phone number before pulling out. There were two. One for his home and one for his business. She took the chance he’d be in the barn. “Hey, Dane,” she said when he answered. “This is Sophie. You know, Wade’s fiancée? Could I ask you something?”

  Sophie detected his sigh on the other end. “Sure. Is this about Friday?”

  Well, wasn’t that just dandy? “Yes.”

  There was silence on the other end, then… “You need to talk to him.”

  “He doesn’t remember.”

  “I believe it all came back to him today. Talk to him. Brenna stopped by after work to inquire about Friday. Said something happened at school today.”

  “Was Wade there at the time?”

  “No, but I called to remind him. He didn’t do anything wrong, Sophie. Do you think I’d let him do something stupid when he’s in love with every hair on your pretty little head?”

  Dane shocked her with those words. “I didn’t think you would.”

  “Good. Talk to him.”

  “Thanks. Um… I know you two are best friends, but can this call stay between us?”

  “Roger that. Night.”

  Now what? She glanced into her rear view mirror for her brother and Winona. They followed her all the way into the driveway at
home. Calm down. Oh, damn. Now what would she do? It seemed she’d soon find out… Wade’s truck sat in the driveway. Emmett ran out the door, glanced at Wade’s truck, then rushed over there. Sophie called him, “Emmett? Come here.” Her brother flashed his lights and he and Winona turned around to leave.

  Emmett skidded to a stop in his boots and came up to her truck, jumping up on the side bar. “What do you want? I didn’t know Wade was here.”

  Her dad came to the door, nodded, then went back to whatever he was doing. Sophie said to Emmett, “Look, honey, I need to talk to Wade in private. Do you mind?”

  “Okay. Am I in trouble?”

  Sophie chuckled. “No, of course not. I love you, son. You can say hi to Wade first.”

  He hopped to the ground landing hard, and all Sophie thought about was him damaging the meniscus in his knee. “Be careful.” Oh, shit. A text came in from Fletcher: I’m sorry. That’ll never happen again. Have a happy life. There was no need to reply to him but tomorrow she’d make a call to Suzanne to get to the bottom of this behavior.

  Chapter 20

  Wade peered at Sophie in the rear view mirror. Shit was going to fly. He should’ve called her. He got out of his truck, closed the door, and leaned against it to talk to Emmett. “How ya doing today, kiddo?”

  “Good. Are we coming to your house this weekend?”

  “I don’t know. Your mom said you were packing.”

  “Did she tell you I want the big room downstairs? I can put all my junk in there, do my homework, and play video games. Is it okay?”

  Wade removed his hat and shoved his fingers through his hair. “It’s okay with me but let’s keep the video games out of your room.”

  “Yousa!” Emmett threw his arms around Wade. “Thanks.”

  Emmett’s hug shocked Wade, but he returned it and glanced at Sophie as she got out of her dad’s truck. She didn’t look none too happy, but she came over. Emmett left Wade’s embrace then hugged his mom. “See you when you come in, Mom. I love you guys.” He ran inside.

  “Don’t run.”

  Hmm, she’d missed Emmett saying he loved them? Well, he sure hadn’t let it slide by. The boy loved him? The glow in his heart grew bigger. He loved the kid…the kids, both of them. “He’s a boy, Sophie. You can’t keep him down.”

  “He’ll hurt his knee.”

  “Yep, he probably will. Was that Clay following you in?”

  “Yeah. We talked for a minute earlier. He wanted to see me get home safely.”

  Wade brought his hands out from his sides. “Get in the truck. I know we need to talk.” Sophie attempted to put up a fuss, but he held his palm up. “Do you want an explanation or not?” He grasped the torn top of her shirt where a button had been ripped off. She’d never go to work that way. “How’d your shirt get torn?”

  “It just did.”

  That was bullshit. She kept something from him. What the hell had she been doing to give such a cryptic answer and to get her shirt ripped? He slogged to the passenger side and opened the door. “Get in.”

  “Hold on.” She rushed to her truck and got a bag and her purse then came back and got in. “Do you like fish tacos? I have extra. I met Fletcher after work, so you can let your own imagination run wild. You deserve it. I’ll text Emmett and my dad to let them know we’re leaving.”

  He got in and they drove off in silence, but his brain spoke loud and clear. She’d met Fletcher when she said she probably wouldn’t. It sure as hell better not have anything to do with the torn blouse.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I don’t know. Is there a park or a place around here to pull off?”

  “Yeah, keep going this way and I’ll direct you. Do you have any water?”

  He peered into the back seat. “There might be a bottle in the cooler. It’s been there since we did some fence work out on the ranch.”

  Sophie removed her seat belt and leaned over the seat to check it. “Yes, here’s a couple.” She brought them both up and set them in drink holders in front of the seat. “They aren’t too warm. Oh! Turn right here. I mean left right here. Left!”

  He jerked the wheel to make the turn.

  “How was it, Wade, that you were able to talk to Bambi Friday night? She was at the same place you were? Did someone invite her?”

  “Yeah, Robs Place. I guess she and friends went there after work. I didn’t notice her until I was half-wasted.”

  “Half? I’m betting you were a little more than half-wasted to smell like her.”

  “Maybe I was.” Hell, soused is what he’d call it.

  “You told everyone I might never be able to have kids? Turn into the park up here. Right.” Sophie brought her hands to cover her face. “How could you? You know how personal and upsetting that is to me.”

  Damn, give him time to defend himself. The heel of his boot might as well kick his ass now. It wouldn’t condone what had happened. He pulled into a parking space and got out. “Bring the tacos.” She exited and they trod over to sit on the top of a picnic table under a pavilion.

  “How’d your shirt get ripped?”

  “I’m not the one on trial here, you are.” She spread napkins over the tabletop then opened the Styrofoam container. “Have at it. Eat some of these nachos too. I didn’t know she added these.”

  Why’d she have a carryout if she went to meet Fletcher?

  “I couldn’t sit with Fletcher any longer. I left his ass sitting alone in a pub but he followed me outside. I’m only telling you this because my brother was there, and he’ll tell you.”

  His muscles tensed at what she might say. He gazed at her shirt again. “Did you slug him?”

  She gave a quiet sigh. “No. I gave him a knee…a damn hard knee where it counted.”

  Wade’s blood pressure rose. “Why did you have to knee him? Sophie? What the hell happened?”

  “Clay took care of him. My brother was there with the woman you must’ve seen. She’s nice.”

  “I’ll dig it out of your brother if you don’t tell me.” Wade stood. “Tell me what happened, Sophie. Where the hell is this guy?”

  “He’s driving across country. He’s gone, and there’s nothing you can do about it now.”

  “What did he do to you? Talk to me.”

  “He grabbed me in the parking lot…more than a little forceful.”

  “Get in the damn truck. What direction is he headed in?” He took a step toward his truck.

  “Never mind. He’s gone. I’m okay.”

  “I’m not okay.” Wade’s heart beat hard enough for her to see it under his shirt if she’d look. “Are you sure you’re okay? Why the hell did you meet him when you said you weren’t.”

  “Because I was pissed and hurt after Bambi told everybody I couldn’t give my future husband any kids.”

  Wade grasped her hand and the bag and they walked around the path. “If I find out he isn’t gone, he’s a dead man. That’s all I’ve got to say. Don’t lie to me, Sophie, because I have ways of finding out.”

  “I’m not. I promise. To the best of my knowledge, he’s gone.”

  They continued to walk in silence until they came back around to the pavilion.

  They sat and Sophie opened the bag. “I’m starved. Have some of these. They’re great from that place near where I live.”

  Wade accepted one of the tacos, took a bite, and nodded. “That’s an understatement. These are good.”

  “Clay’s friend’s name is Winona. She’s pretty. She resembles my mom. I bet that’s what Clay sees, too. You should tell Rob to put fish tacos on the menu.”

  “He does have them. I don’t think your brother is in a relationship,” he said before taking a drink of water.

  Sophie shrugged and picked up a taco.

  Wade sat his food down. “Clay was at a pub, huh?”

  “He wasn’t drinking or drunk. He looked good. Can we stop putting off the inevitable? Tell me how Bambi fits into your Friday.”

  He had to answer
questions, and she didn’t? “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  Sophie laid her hand over his forearm. “I’m okay, honey.”

  Wade finished the taco and went for the nachos. “She doesn’t fit into my Friday. I had nothing to do with where we went, and I didn’t know or give a damn if Bambi was there. You know I don’t care about anything she does.”

  “She blabbed it to the teachers. Right in front of everyone, she said…”

  Had she paused to maybe cry? “What the hell did she say, Sophie?”

  “I can’t repeat it again because it hurts, but dammit, why did you tell her?”

  “I didn’t tell her.” Wade got up and paced around the tables in the pavilion then sat across from her. He dropped his hat to the table. “After the guys congratulated me with a toast, and brought up Noah, I told them…” Wade dropped his head to his folded arms on the table. “I told them he might be the only child I have besides Emmett because you weren’t sure if you could have any more.”

  He lifted his head and peered into her eyes. “I don’t remember saying it, Sophie, I swear I don’t. I’d never hurt you on purpose like that. Dane told me I said it. Bambi and other patrons must’ve overheard me. She came over to congratulate me with a disgusting hug. I didn’t hug her back and shoved her away when she kissed me—”

  Sophie jumped up. “The bitch kissed you? I’ll kill her.”

  “Go ahead.” He came around and grasped her hands. “Go ahead. I’m sorry she hurt you. It is all my fault, and I’m sorry.”

  “Stop saying you’re sorry.”

  “But I am. I never should’ve let myself get drunk. I did it willingly, and this is where it got me.” Sophie drew her hands away and sighed. Her eyes softened and Wade relaxed. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you.”

  “You didn’t, she did.”

  His heart broke at Sophie’s sniffling. He took her into his arms, although she put up a fight to prevent him from getting close. She succumbed to his embrace, thank God. “I love you. You know how much I do. I’d kick anybody’s ass for you. That guy better never show himself around here.”