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

  He hesitated but told her. “Not long before I picked you up for breakfast before going to the airport—”

  “And you didn’t say anything?” Sophie gave her head a slight shake. “You should’ve told me. You could have cancelled breakfast and driving me to the airport. I wish I’d known.”

  “I didn’t want to cancel. I needed to see you that morning. It’d been a rough night.” He ushered her to a chair. “After two weeks, I wasn’t expecting to hear anything from you. I wrote it off as a one-night stand.”

  She’d widened her eyes. “You did? But…”

  “It doesn’t matter now. Neither of us do one-night stands, but there’s a first time for everything. Right? It wasn’t my intention.”

  “Nor was it mine.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” The more he thought about the two weeks absence, the more perturbed he became though he had no right when he’d expected it, anyway. Wade leaned against the railing, peering at her in dress pants and a nice top. She wore low heels, but when she hugged him, it put her at the right height to lie her head on his shoulder, if she’d wanted to. The height felt different than when she wore flat sandals on the beach. “You look nice. What were you doing in this area? Hey, do you want something to eat or drink?”

  “No thanks. I had a mandatory in-service at the board of education.”

  Wade reflected on what he’d heard about why Brenna couldn’t be here today—she’d had a mandatory in-service. “You’re a teacher?”

  A moment later, Brenna came out to the patio. “Excuse me for interrupting—” Her mouth fell open. “Sophie? You know Wade?”

  “Brenna? Oh, boy. We met in California this summer.” Sophie stood and lowered her eyes a few seconds before lifting them. She explained to Wade, “I work at the elementary school here in town. That’s how I know where Canyon Junction is.”

  Bambi’s face flashed before his eyes. There’s a nightmare waiting to happen. Shit, they’d know each other? Wade smoothed his hand over his jaw. He couldn’t speak and glanced back and forth at Brenna and Sophie.

  Brenna came over to hug him. “I’m sorry I missed your service today.” Over her shoulder, Wade observed Sophie looking uncomfortable. Was it because she and Brenna didn’t get along? Everybody got along with Brenna. “It’s okay, Bren. I heard why you couldn’t make it.”

  Brenna smiled. “Wow, Sophie, small world. I’m going to grab some food. My little sister wants to get going, but I’m eating first.”

  Wade called to her, “Take some home, too. It looks like there’s plenty left.”

  “I might. Talk to you later. I’ll see you around school, Sophie.”

  Sophie smiled. “Hey, Brenna, take care.”

  “Have a seat.” Wade motioned his hand toward the chair on the patio. “What a coincidence, huh. We would’ve met sooner or later.” Wade took a seat beside her. “Back to where we were…”

  She pointed toward the doorway. “Are all these people your family?”

  “No. I’m all there is other than a couple cousins scattered around.” Hadn’t he told her that?

  “Your parents—”

  “Passed away. What grade do you teach?”

  “For now, I’m a teacher’s assistant, but I need to be at most of the same meetings the teacher’s attend. This in-service was for a new reading program my students will be using. I have a teaching degree. Being an Army wife, no one hired me because of moving around. I took the first job I could get when I came back home while I wait for a teaching position.”

  “Ah, yeah, that’s what you meant about having summers off. How’s Emmett doing now that you guys are home?”

  “The usual boy issues. He doesn’t like school, so isn’t looking forward to it. He won’t try so the teachers never see his true potential.”

  “Typical boy. They have other things to think about like in his case, horses.”

  “Not only horses but he’s into Army stuff. Speaking of, I better get home. My dad is there, but I like to be home when Emmett arrives when I can. He spent the night with his friend last night. Grandpa likes to feed him junk.”

  “Isn’t that what grandpas are for?” He smiled.

  “He thinks so.” Sophie grinned. “Now there’s the smile I remember.” As if nervous, she pulled her gaze away. “This is a fantastic home. It’s huge, and you’re so close to Superstition. It’s right there.”

  “Well, it’s some acres away, but yeah, it’s like a big wall.”

  “I like it.” Sophie stood. “It’s time for me to go now.”

  “I’d show you around my house, but since you’re leaving… It’s better without so many people in it, anyway.”

  “It was nice of them to come to be with you. Text me sometime.” She tucked her purse under her arm. “Walk around with me?”

  “Yeah, come on.” He pointed toward the door, but Sophie glimpsed the walkway around the house.

  “Can we go this way instead of through your house?”

  “We can, but those people won’t hurt you. Don’t you get along with Brenna?”

  “Yeah, she’s sweet and about my best friend there. I love working in her classroom.”

  “I appreciate you coming by.” They walked around the house to her truck. He liked a woman who drove a truck. Had it belonged to her husband? The Army decal in the rear window of the red Dodge Ram with chrome bedrails, said it all. A camo cap sat in the backseat. He opened up the door for her. “Why’d you wait two weeks before contacting me?” He debated on asking, but why not pay attention to the damn big question mark in the yard.

  Before getting in, she glanced downward. “I don’t know. Many times I did write a text but deleted it.”

  “Why? Was it only me who thought we hit it off in California?”

  She lifted her remarkable brown eyes. “It was two-sided.”

  “I figured when you got home you’d realize you’d made a mistake.”

  “That isn’t it at all. I’m… Oh, shoot. I’m embarrassed if you must know.”

  Still? That’s the last thing she should be. They had a good time together, and he didn’t only mean in the bedroom where he’d observed a passionate woman. “Do you want to get that coffee we talked about? Or a drink sometime?”

  Sophie removed a big ring of keys from her purse. “I’d love to.”

  “All right but let me know when you’re ready. I’ve been busy lately since I returned. Lots of maintenance to catch up on. Ranchers are stocking up this month. Work’s been steady. It’s time to catch up the books.”

  She got inside and rolled the window down, resting her hand on the frame. “I’ll let you know.”

  Wade bent down and laid his hand over hers. In a flash, he visualized them tangled up in the bed. Warmth washed over his body. He wanted her as much now as he had that night. His insides still burned for what never happened. “Why don’t we set a time now for that drink before two weeks go by again. How about dinner?”

  “I like that idea.” She got her phone out. “Where? When?”

  “Give me directions to your house. I’ll pick you up. We can go somewhere you like, or I’ll choose a place.”

  “I have a favorite bistro in town, but…” She paused.

  “Let’s make it over this way.” He suspected she didn’t want those she knew to see her out with someone, but she knew people here.

  “Okay. Is Friday too soon?” Her face brightened with a smile he hadn’t expected to see.

  Wade thought a minute. Friday, he had committed to working with another rancher’s horse. “Can we make it Saturday?” She peeked at her calendar.

  “This Saturday works. Can I meet you there?”

  “So you’re afraid to be seen with me? You think people are going to talk? Do you ever plan on having a life?” He straightened and took a step away from the truck. Crimminy, what a big mouth he had.

  She laid her head against the seat and peered out the other window.

  Yep, he was right. “That came out a little diff
erent than I intended. But I can understand you being afraid of what others will think. It’s been over three years. Wouldn’t they want you to be happy again?”

  “They would.” She sighed. “They do. I need to talk to Emmett and my dad instead of having you show up unannounced. I’ll text you before Saturday.” She fastened her seat belt. “It’s good to see you again, Wade. You fit in this environment better than on the beach.”

  “Hmm, whatever that means.”

  Her gaze cruised over him. “It means you look better as a cowboy with that western shirt and boots. I know you have a cowboy hat or two around here.”

  Or five. “I’m glad you approve. I look forward to hearing from you.”

  Wade leaned forward. Sophie placed her palm against his shoulder. “You will. You know, text messaging works both ways.”

  “So do phone calls.” He grasped the door frame and leaned in. Sophie did too, but they both stopped. He wanted to kiss those desirable lips again. Now they acted like strangers, except the heat building up in his groin remembered what his body felt like lying beside her. She never said where she lived or if he was picking her up. He wasn’t big on secrets though the beginning of her mysterious ways crept out in Huntington Beach. Then, he chose to ignore them.

  She slipped the truck into gear. “So long. Until the next time.”

  “That’s right.” He liked the sound of the mufflers on her truck. She followed his circle drive around to the road. The distrusting voice inside continued to doubt this would go anywhere. For now, it’d do him well to act sensible. At the end of the driveway she waited. A text came in: Could I bring Emmett over to see your horses one evening?

  He dialed her number. “You can bring Emmett over any time you want. Some nights I work late, so call first, and I’ll give you the address to the ranch. Should we have a kid date, Saturday?”

  “Not this time. I’m looking forward to dinner with you. How about I bring him over Sunday after church?”

  “That would be fine, ma’am.”

  Sophie snorted a laugh. “Okay, sir.”

  Wade laughed. “See ya on the weekend.”

  Chapter 5

  Wednesday morning, Wade glanced around his office. It was time to clean and organize the area. A complete overhaul would be better. On his way to check the lumber yard supply section of the ranch, his phone rang. “Hey, good morning, Sophie. Are you at work?”

  “Hi. Is it too early?”

  “Not for me unless it’s Sunday. What’s up?”

  “I’m in the classroom getting organized. About dinner. What time do you want to pick me up?”

  Pick her up? He smiled. She’d had a change of heart. “You sure?”

  She chuckled. “You better pick a time before I change my mind.”

  Wade set his hat on the desk and swept his fingers through his hair. “Let’s make it somewhat early. How about four o’clock?”

  “Okay. Where are we going if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “Dress casual. You might want to wear boots.”

  “That doesn’t tell me where we’re going.”

  “You aren’t the only one who’s mysterious, missy. See you at four on Saturday. Will I be coming to your door, or are you hopping in on a roll?”

  “Come to the door. I’ll make sure my dad unstraps his holster.”

  Would her brother be around? “Hmm, you will, will ya. Good thing. Have a great rest of the week.”

  “Wade?”

  “Yeah?”

  Her voice lowered. “I’m excited.”

  He grinned but raised his eyes to find Jake standing near. He was excited too but he wasn’t about to say it now. “Talk to you later.”

  Jake Lawton smirked. “I haven’t seen you grin like that for a while. Who you talking to?”

  “Sophie’s her name. You missed her by leaving early the day of the memorial. I wasn’t grinning.”

  “Ear to ear.” Jake chuckled.

  “Smartass. Leave me alone about her. I’m not rushing into this one.”

  “If you say so. I have to take a load over to Tristan at the Double Dutch. Will you be around here, or do I need to get a hold of one of the other guys?”

  “I’m not going anywhere. I’m about to rebuild my office.”

  Jake nodded toward the cork board filled with receipts, notes, flyers, and whatever else had been pinned up beside Wade’s desk. “Anything to do with that horse drawing you got hanging there?”

  “Aren’t you late with your delivery?” Wade walked away but turned at the door. “Will Trace be practicing Sunday?”

  “Maybe after church. Why?”

  “Sophie might bring her boy over to see my horses. I thought I’d bring them here afterward. Emmett mentioned he’d like to watch Trace practice. He’s almost nine.”

  “You never said she had a kid. My boy likes an audience. I’m sure he’ll be out there Sunday, probably with Destiny at his side.”

  “Like father like son with a buckle bunny, huh.”

  “Shut up before I wipe that silly grin off your face.”

  “Come on, Jake you wouldn’t hit a lifelong buddy.” He continued on his way laughing. If he had a few too many beers in him, Jake sure as hell would try. After all, Jake had married a buckle bunny in a past life. He nodded to Jake while driving out of the barn with a load of hay.

  Jake flipped him off then stopped. “Want some advice?”

  “Nope.” Wade kept walking.

  “If I were you, I wouldn’t let Tristan Carlson hear you call his daughter a buckle bunny.”

  Wade saluted him. “Yes, sir. Come on. I wasn’t talking about Destiny. I’m imagining your kid’s future is all.”

  “Well, don’t. I’d like to see him in a different career.” His tires kicked up dirt leaving.

  ***

  On Saturday, Wade borrowed Jake’s horse trailer, cut work early, and headed to the store to buy the last few items for dinner—buns, nachos, salsa, potato salad, and carrot cake. Last night he’d made barbeque sauce.

  He brushed his horses—Abacus, a grey roan gelding and Bender, a bay gelding. “Time to load up, guys. No fussin’ now.”

  No one appeared to be at home when he arrived. He double checked the address. This was the right place. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the front door of the large Spanish styled adobe home. There was no activity around the barn.

  Sophie opened the door. He removed his hat and smiled. “Hi there. Are you ready?”

  “Come in. I’ll be ready in a couple minutes. You look nice.”

  “I was about to say the same thing. Where is everybody?”

  She spoke from another room. “Dad took Emmett riding.”

  So, that’s why he was allowed to pick her up. “Tomorrow’s a go. I’ll take you two to Jake’s after church.” The interior of the home had Spanish decorations hanging on the walls.

  Again, she spoke from another room, “Sure. He isn’t the guy I met at your place, right?”

  “You met Dane Carlson. Jake is my business partner.”

  “Ah, the one you texted from Huntington Beach.” Sophie came out with her hair long, loose, and smooth. “You look great, Sophie.” He moved closer, tossed logic aside, and hugged her. She snuggled into him, making his day worth getting up this morning.

  “Let me get my boots.” She sat on an ottoman to pull her brown boots over black socks with pink bunnies, picked up a denim cloth purse with fringe, and held out her hand. “I’m ready if you are.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Outside, she opened her mouth wide. “Whoa. You brought a trailer. Your horses?”

  Wade nodded at the trailer with the slider window screens open to let in air. “Yep. I made you dinner.”

  “Aww, how surprising. You cook. Okay.” She strolled to the truck.

  He took longer strides to open the door. “I hope you don’t mind pulled beef sandwiches and the fixings.”

  “Mmm, not at all. Where are we going?”

  “Up the t
rail as far as I can drive. After we eat, we’ll ride. I have a place all picked out.”

  Smiling, Sophie rubbed her hands together. “Now I’m doubly excited.”

  Wade grinned at the playful twinkle in her eyes. “We barely know each other, but I took a chance with the beef brisket. After seeing you eat pepperoni and ham on your pizza, I knew you weren’t a vegetarian.” He liked the tight light blue jeans, and a thin material top with a rose print and a slit up each three-quarter length sleeve. In his dreams she was pretty, but in person she defined gorgeous. “What time do you have to be home?”

  She chuckled and shoved him in the arm. “I don’t have a set-time. I’m not a teenager.”

  “The other day you had to be home when Emmett arrived. I didn’t know if now was any different.”

  “That was a different night. Now we’re on a date.”

  “How long’s it been since you’ve had a date? You don’t have to answer.” What a tacky question.

  “Do you mean like a date, date? Because I haven’t been on a date like this since Rhett died. I have a male friend who is nothing more than a friend. We’ve gone to dinner a couple times. Emmett doesn’t like him. On occasion, I’ve been out with girlfriends.”

  “I’m the first guy you’ve dated?”

  “You know you are. In reality, you’re the second guy I’ve ever dated. There’s something special about you, Wade.”

  Damn. “Thanks.” She didn’t seem like a wallflower. He liked the way his name sounded when she said it. “I’m looking forward to tonight.” On the way, they sat quiet. He turned on the radio to fill the silent void. “What kind of music do you like?”

  “Regular.”

  Wade glanced at her. “What the hell is regular? I’ll listen to whatever the current stuff is.”

  “Country.”

  “Of course, you do.” He chuckled then scanned through channels to a local country station, which got a big smile out of her. She tapped her foot. Before long, he caught himself bouncing his toe and rapping his fingers against his thigh. “It’s not so bad. Some country doesn’t sound like country anymore.” His old girlfriend, Cynthia, got him into the current pop stuff they played at the fancy bars they’d go to in Las Vegas. It stuck.