Absence can make the heart grow fonder. But when weeks become months and more months without word, that separation can lead to anxiety . . . and worse things, like insecurity. When Willamina stayed in West Texas after her father’s funeral to handle the family’s horse breeding ranch while her U.S. Marshal husband, Jimmy Redbone returned to his job in San Antonio, she didn’t think there’d be trouble until separation stretched out into silence. When he shows up out of the blue expecting a welcome, she’s run out of patience and excuses. Here’s the final line from last week’s excerpt to pull you into today’s peek at my modern-day western romance: “Do I need a reason to come home to you, Willamina?”
That question, issued in a low, almost caressing drawl, kindled her fraying temper, a match strike to dry scrub. “Apparently you do since you haven’t thought up any other excuse to make the trip for going on six months.”
He squared up in the saddle. “Been working, Will. You know that.” Weathered features tightened as he added more softly, “And you know why.”
Yes, she did, and that gut-twisting knowledge took some of the starch from her temper. Turning her attention from him, she gripped July’s bridle, smiling at the affectionate butt of his head. Her neutral tone gave nothing away as she spoke without looking up. “Step on down and wash off the miles while I see to this ole boy.”(. . . and the rest of the scene . . .)
“You don’t have to do that.”
Those words rubbed the bristle of hair up on the back of her neck all over again. She all but bit off his head with her fierce, “I’ve got no reason to let this animal stand wet and hungry since he’s never been anything but faithful.”
The trail-worn lawman had nothing to say to that.
His failure to argue pierced a too long lonely heart as she wondered if the opposite had been true in his case.
Dayum, girl! You sure know how to make a fella feel right at home!
At least, I’m feeling comfortable heading into Chapter Sixteen at 45K and am really enjoying the ride these characters have been taking me on – without a full synopsis to blaze the trail! I hope they know where they’re going!
After days of dragging out decorations, I’m finally feeling the holiday spirit (must be the sugar high from the Mackinaw Island fudge I ordered for the family!). As you might know, being OCD I’m an avid collector of anything that catches my ADD attention. For more than 20 years, I’ve been buying an annual Christmas nutcracker to add to my burgeoning collection. I didn’t think I’d find one to commemorate 2020 until I came across THIS perfect guy!
He’s the embodiment of my journey through these Stay-at-Home months in Michigan (I may have gotten some gray since my last trip for hair color, but I’ve got a long way to go to catch up to him – especially with that full beard!).
I’m off to see what you’ve been doing . . .
Happy fast approaching Holidays and Happy Writing, fellow Warriors!!
At least, I’m feeling comfortable heading into Chapter Sixteen at 45K and am really enjoying the ride these characters have been taking me on – without a full synopsis to blaze the trail! I hope they know where they’re going!
After days of dragging out decorations, I’m finally feeling the holiday spirit (must be the sugar high from the Mackinaw Island fudge I ordered for the family!). As you might know, being OCD I’m an avid collector of anything that catches my ADD attention. For more than 20 years, I’ve been buying an annual Christmas nutcracker to add to my burgeoning collection. I didn’t think I’d find one to commemorate 2020 until I came across THIS perfect guy!
He’s the embodiment of my journey through these Stay-at-Home months in Michigan (I may have gotten some gray since my last trip for hair color, but I’ve got a long way to go to catch up to him – especially with that full beard!).
I’m off to see what you’ve been doing . . .
Happy fast approaching Holidays and Happy Writing, fellow Warriors!!
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.
Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.
I think after silence for that long, she has every reason to question his faithfulness. It's one thing to work away from home, but another to make no attempt to stay in contact.
ReplyDeleteYep, he's got 'splaining to do, big time!
DeleteShe's doing an admirable job of not shooting him. That long of a silence requires a much better reason than "been working". Let's hope he has one!
ReplyDeleteThat "work" has everything to do with the past that brought them together in the first place.
DeleteThe "wash off the miles" bit and the "faithful" line got me hard in the feels. This story is all kinds of awesome! Love the new nutcracker addition! I went 37 blissful years without a grey hair on my head, but then 2020 was all, "Hey, girl." Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! Yes, though I highlighted my hair, I never had a reason to want full color until this summer. Grey is the new black for 2020.
DeleteA tense meeting - and I liked the faithful horse.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who likes animals is okay in my book (literally, in this case!).
DeleteYou've created a relationship that's nicely nuanced rather than shallow. I like the idea of a nutcracker collection, too, though it makes me a bit sad. This is the first time in nine years I won't be playing oboe in the orchestra pit for a performance and that feels horrible.
ReplyDeleteOh, Ed! I feel your pain. My sister has performed with the symphony every Christmas for as long as I can remember (even when she was recovering for cancer!) and this year . . . All I can say is we have 2021 to look forward to!
DeleteI'm thinking these two need to have a heart to heart talk. They seem very much like real people to me and their situation is poignant all right. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean! Thankfully, they have a couple hundred pages to fit in a conversation!
DeleteI'm with Veronica. A serious heart to heart. Although silence is never good, especially to one whose mind can slip into expecting the worse. Also, I like the San Antonio tie in. (I am in S.A. well, just outside of it)
ReplyDeleteOoooH, goodie! A research source!
DeleteYes, they need a heart to heart. Though sometimes it's hard to open your mouth and do. Glad you found a nutcracker for your collection.
ReplyDeleteMy collection runneth over . . . all over the house!
DeleteYes, they need a heart to heart, but sometimes things get in the way, and it isn't so easy.
ReplyDeleteEspecially when the truth is dangerous.
DeleteHer anger and insecurities really came through in this.
ReplyDeleteI just decorated this weekend too. We finally got our first snow that decided to stick around for more than a day, so it really helped set the mood.
We pulled out only a few of the decoration tubs, limiting things to one tree instead of two (sigh . . .) but the mood is still there. Ho HO!
DeleteThey definitely need to talk, don't they?
ReplyDeleteLove the nutcracker. I have a few of my own.
I don't know what it is about them but I'd have enough to open my own store if it wasn't for my self-protection one-per-year rule.
DeleteI love the nutcracker!
ReplyDeleteI have a huge collection of stuffed animals.
I'm interested to follow along and find out what happens for this couple.
Writing more for you to read as soon as I finish this reply . . .
DeleteI'm left wondering if she has any reason, other than his long absence, to wonder if he's been faithful or not. Or does she think that's why he hasn't been home. Sounds like a great beginning to this story!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenna! Just worry, anger and angst!
Delete