Waving hello on this first Saturday in September. How is it September? Remember, we only have to deal with thirty days this month.
I haven’t shared a Short Snippet Saturday Post for some time. This week, I brought Judy Carlson, our ranch matriarch at the Double Dutch Ranch, back into the limelight. I’ve made two modifications in this snippet to avoid spoilers. See more about this series here.
NOTE: My books are complete with happily ever after endings and no cliffhangers. Reading out of order can give things away pertaining to the other characters and situations in the series. If you only want to read one book, you will still have a complete and satisfying story in itself.
Return to Canyon Junction with Book Five.
Heartaches, hot flashes, and new beginnings.
Content with her family and new grandbabies on the way, Judy Carlson is happy—despite day-to-day struggles of running a ranch and memories of sadness they share. Menopausal changes remind her birthdays arrive too doggone soon. On sleepless nights, she longs for a partner to snuggle up beside. She never minds gazing at a strong cowboy, a man with a handsome smile, or with an intellectual touch of silver in his hair. She observes this daily in their seasoned ranch foreman, Selva Rosado. Though she won’t admit to an attraction until an emotional and physical warming encompasses her when he’s around.
However, after dancing a night away with Dale Connor three years ago, she’d considered settling down again. Then he disappeared on a clandestine trip, only to return with intentions as mysterious as his journey, and trouble from his past. She learns how right her family is to worry and how wrong she is to ignore intuition. Yet she can’t overlook their loyal foreman in the background who waits and watches with his own mysteries.
Two men vie for her hand. How can a cowgal decide which one will park their boots beside hers at the end of each day? Before making any decisions, she aims to discover all of their secrets.
Tristan grabbed his head with both hands. “Mom. Don’t go digging into things you don’t want to know about.”
“I already did. A couple glasses of wine got him to talking. You know about his addiction. I see why you shun him.”
Tristan sat again. “He told you?”
“He owes money and could be in trouble.”
“Dammit, you need to stay away from him. If trouble has found him, none of us want you in the middle of it. You have more to lose than he does. I swear to God, if you—”
Judy stood and narrowed her eyes. “If I what?” Tristan’s Adam’s apple moved up and down. She sat again before either of them said things neither of them wanted to say or hear. Hating to bring up Tristan’s past, she had to set him straight. “Why do you think me a foolish woman? I’ve been through this once. There is no chance in Hades I want to do it again with a man I barely know.”
He strode toward the door and grabbed his hat. “I know. I know. I know. How many times can I apologize?”
“Zero. The past is over, albeit I’ve learned my own lessons along with you, son.”
“Don’t get involved with him. We all know the truth about Dale. The guys he borrowed money from in Nevada aren’t guys to take no for an answer.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this? H-how do you know about the men. From Nevada, you say?”
Tristan sighed. “There it is. Friends know him. Me and the guys wanted to see if it went anywhere with you and Dale before popping your balloon.”
“Balloon, huh? In any case, it’s my decision whether to get involved with Dale. I didn’t want you involved with…” Judy sighed and took a breath to regroup. “It’s too early in the morning for this.”
“I know you didn’t want me to go back with Destiny’s mom. None of that matters now, and why are we bringing this up? I have a beautiful daughter. No one can regret she happened.”
“No one is sorry you and Rachel had a child, but the woman broke your heart. Love is blind.”
“Yeah, it is. That’s why we’re concerned for you.” Tristan barged out the door.
Judy pulled it open. “I love you, son.”
He whirled. Nodded. “Me too, but we all want you to be safe…”
End of snippet.
Well now. I’ve had a few heated conversations with my boys including slamming doors.
Learn more about the series on the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight page. Thank you for visiting.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
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