#WeWriWa: Truth or Consequences . . . An Untarnished Hero

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Sunday, May 30, 2021

#WeWriWa: Truth or Consequences . . . An Untarnished Hero


Consequences . . . the pesky result of taking a hard stance. But in the case of our hero in my WIP, the risk is worth the result . . . or so he believes in this scene where he’s trying to find a place to fit into the life his estranged wife has returned to . . . without him.

“Matteo can find plenty for you to do.”

His side glance, a teasing bright break-of-day blue, suggested all sorts of mischief. “Nothing you personally need me to see to?”

“Can’t think of a single thing. Been seeing to them myself for a long while now.” With that clipped declaration, she pushed off the fence and marched back up the house, spine stiffening at the sound of his rumbling chuckle.

Watching her walk away, always a particular delight, couldn’t ease the knot of tension growing in Jimmy’s gut. Maybe Matteo was right. Perhaps he should come clean with his reason for being there. But part of his plan was for everything to look normal at TheCut Above, encouraging that trouble he was here to prevent to sneak up close enough for him to put a very final end to it.

(and the rest of the scene . . .)

But dangling the woman he loved as bait came a far second to keeping her safe from the threat sure to come . . . fast and hard from any unexpected direction. Him not being up to par was worrisome. But being a minute too late and a second too slow was not going to happen again. He knew what was out there, waiting to threaten his future at the cost of those here on this ranch. He had to be ready, without distraction, without mercy or hesitation. The next soul planted in the lovingly tended family cemetery, if he had any say, would be from old age, not his poor judgment or failure to act to the full limit of the law. And perhaps, this time, beyond it.

To hell with the consequences.

I wonder how that’s going to work out for him? While he’s trying to figure it out, I’ve been enjoying my final edit through AUH, smoothing out the bumps and raising the stakes. And I’ve even come up with a way to spin this book into a series by introducing a new character at the end!

Little by little, I’ve been taking baby steps outside my pandemic bubble, this time with a trip to the mall and dinner afterwards to celebrate my birthday. First stop – bookstore!! Then my favorite clothing store to actually try things on. Pleased to report no COVID damage to my regular size – in fact, things are a bit looser! But after taking no prisoners in my first forage into the real world of shopping in a year and a half (!), it’s still a case of I can get all dressed up and have no place to go other than a series of friend gatherings in the upcoming months. Still I’m planning to hit the gym to tone up this old sedentary bod starting tomorrow and am busy making playlists to put on my phone – if I can figure out how to do that.

After returning home like a band of pillaging pirates with all our mall bounty and leftovers, I find this lovely surprise waiting for me from my wonderful D-i-L:


I’ve decided that getting a year older is okay with me!

But I haven’t forgotten to appreciate the past and those who gave all so we could have so much.


Have a wonderful Memorial Day, hopefully with your families this year, but if not in person, then at least in your heart and in your memories!


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.

21 comments

  1. Great line - he next soul planted in the lovingly tended family cemetery, if he had any say, would be from old age, not his poor judgment or failure to act to the full limit of the law.

    And Happy Belated Birthday.
    Tweeted.

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  2. Ouch! She's already as tough and cool as they come. She is going to be so tee'd off when she finds out he's using her as bait!!

    :-) Love her reaction to his chuckle. And I love that after her words, his reaction was to chuckle.

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    1. After years of marriage, they're FINALLY just getting to know one another . . . and liking what they see.

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  3. Lovely flowers! As to the snippet, smoothly written as always. I wish he'd trust the heroine with the full set of facts but of course there'll be all sorts of fascinating plot complications this way. Great excerpt!

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    1. Heroes don't always make the best choices when it come to trusting in the grit of the women they love, do they?

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  4. To hell with the consequences--famous last words, anyone? He should be more afraid of his wife than whatever outside threat is coming!

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  5. What beautiful flowers!

    I have a feeling not coming clean with her is going to land him in even more trouble. Great snippet!

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    1. They've got more than one unspoken problem to deal with. Thank goodness for all those pages!

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  6. Happy Birthday, Nancy! Wonderful snippet. I agree, keeping her in the dark as to his intention is going to bite him in the butt, but some mistakes you just have to make for yourself. :)

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    1. Thanks, Jenna!! If H/Hs always started out trusting one another, how many good books would we have to read?

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  7. He's really determined, but not telling her may come back to bite him.

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    1. And he knows it, but is willing to take the risk of losing her to save her.

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  8. Happy Birthday! Beautiful flowers.

    I love an determined man and a woman special enough to be a distraction. Perfect line line about being a bit too late and too slow. Love it!

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    1. Thanks, Liz!! She's impossible to ignore, that's for sure!

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  9. His motivation is very strong indeed. Good job building it up.

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  10. Interesting. I'm wondering about the threat he's alluding to.
    I have no interest in stepping outside my pandemic bubble.
    Your book is included in this week's Roost Recommendations, featuring a link to this post, a buy link, and a blurb. I share the Roost Recommendations posts on Twitter with readers looking for their next read.
    https://ornerybookemporium.blogspot.com/2021/05/roost-recommendations-26-may-2021.html

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    1. Thanks! AUH us still in the final edit stage but when it's up for sale I'd appreciate the boost!!

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  11. I love how cool she is. He's going to have to work extra hard to convince her of his plan.

    Sounds like you had a great birthday. Congrats for venturing out post-Covid. The flowers are lovely.

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