short snippet Saturday: You can Hurt People Without Touching Them

Welcome back to Canyon Junction! We’re here with another Short Snippet Saturday post, but first… My heart goes out to all of you affected by another hurricane in the U.S. Many of you are still suffering from Florence and now Michael. Prayers and hugs are sent to everyone in need, and for those of you who are experiencing nature’s forces around the world.

Well, the business of the day here is:

It’s no surprise that I’d soon be posting another snippet from my new release, Hooked by Sundown, #3 in Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series. I’m happy to say the first review came in with a five star rating. It made my day. By the way… There is nothing short about this snippet today. Not even the title. ❤

Sheesh, I need shorter series names though.

I don’t think an explanation is necessary for this snippet. It involves, Wade, Sophie, and her brother in Wade’s POV. It’s rather long. Not as long as it nearly was though before I cut some out. 🙂 Pour yourself another beverage and take a seat.

Wade set his cup down then cranked his neck to be sure she remained out there while he said his piece. “I warned you about hurting your sister.”

“Shut up, dude. I didn’t touch her. Who said I had to listen to you, anyway?”

Dumbass. He came close to grabbing him around the throat. “You can hurt people without touching them. Look at her. You need a job? Straighten up, and I’ll give you one where I work. We have a guy on his way out. He doesn’t know it yet. Let me know when you’re ready, and you got a job.”

“Why?”

“I don’t like seeing her distressed over you.” Sophie rose from the chair and headed inside. “Keep the job in mind. It’s your choice.” Wade removed a skillet from the bottom cupboard, turned the stove on, and added bacon. He warmed up his coffee and observed Sophie’s face when she came in. She glanced at Clay then back to him as if she expected new blood and bruising.

“Do you have ice?” she asked.

“Yep.” All this reminded him too much about his own brother. Regardless, Wade missed him. Accepting his death hadn’t happened yet. How long would it take?

She got ice out and found a baggie in a drawer. “Here, bro. This will make you feel better.”

Clay glanced at Wade then applied the bag to a knot on his forehead. “Can I get out of here?” he asked Sophie.

“Not yet, I’m making breakfast. Take those aspirins.”

Wade had to get out of the room. He understood family issues better than most, but he was about to gag at the way she babied Clay. A couple big breaths later, he reentered the kitchen.

Clay headed down the hallway but came back, gripped the doorway, saying, “Thanks. Both of you. I appreciate it. Don’t fix anything for me.” He turned toward the bathroom. “Let me know when you can take me to get my truck.”

Sophie sighed. “I don’t know why I do this to myself.”

She’d hid her turmoil well. Wade got up to hug her. “This is what I wanted to do last night. You’re afraid of losing out again and don’t trust me.”

She returned his embrace. “Aren’t we all? I’m afraid of a lot of things like my boy being hurt again, me…”

Wade held her at an arm’s length. “Didn’t you hear me say I don’t want to hurt anybody? You need to stop hearing only what you want.”

“It’s a promise you can’t keep.”

“Yes, I can. The part I can keep. Yeah, I’m gonna die one day. We all are, but I hope it’s not too soon. Between now and then, I can promise.” Wade peered into her eyes. “You gonna hurt me? It works two ways.”

She sniffled, but tears didn’t fall. “I’m afraid I already did.”

Yeah, she did, but he allowed it to dig at him. “Will you hurt me again?”

“It isn’t my intention.”

“Let’s move on then. Stop dwelling on the fact that you’re going to lose again. Maybe the other loss was also your gain.” Damn, but that sounded cold-hearted. He grabbed a fork to turn the burning bacon.

“Oh no, it burned. I’m sorry. Go on. Get out of here so I can concentrate on feeding you.”

“I can take Clay to get his truck if you want to finish breakfast.”

She turned down the heat. “Sure. Let me ask him.”

He took her arm, but she shook it free with a glare. “No. Tell him instead of asking.”

She gave him a weird look. “Ah…”

“Sophie…” He wouldn’t say she needed to stop acting like Clay’s mother. That decision was hers. She’d have to find her own escape from his dominance and to stop enabling him.

“You’re right. Thank you for taking him in last night. If not, I’d be waiting at the hospital.”

Wade strode into the great room and headed to the stairway. “I need to get my keys and wallet.” He went upstairs and stood at the rail. He couldn’t hear their voices, which was a good thing, meaning Clay hadn’t argued or raised his voice with her. Wade got what he came up for and went back downstairs.

Clay waited at the door. “I’ll pay for your gas. I don’t suppose you smoke.”

He shoved his wallet into his back pocket and attached a knife in a sheath to his belt. “Not anymore. It’s not necessary for you to put gas in my truck.”

“It’s the least I can do. That’s a damn big knife.”

“That’s the way I like them.” He gave Sophie a hug before leaving. “See you soon.”

At Wade’s truck, Clay held the door before getting inside. “You’re good for my sister.”

Wade nodded in agreement, got in, and drove away in silence. You’re damn right he was good for Sophie. Maybe she’d figure it out sooner than later because he didn’t plan on waiting until later.

Thank you for reading. Visit the page HERE to read more about this Spin Off Series to the Double Dutch Ranch Series.

I hope your weekend is off to a great start. The weather here went from the high 80s to the 40s within a couple days, but it’s beautiful here. Each day I see new trees changing color in the wooded area right outside my bedroom window. My car has turned yellow due to small leaves falling from the tree in the front yard. I don’t know what kind of tree it is.

Soon, when the leaves are all down, I’ll be able to spot where the turkey and deer live. Eight or nine turkeys come out on occasion to strut across my parking lot. The Tom usually stays behind until later then he squawks and screams trying to find them. (I guess.)