So I thought I’d share a snipped from Coyote Law as well as the cover. I’m almost done polishing this up and when I do it’ll be off to my editor. I don’t have a release date yet but I’ll be sure to shout about it when I do.
*disclaimer – totally unedited ๐
โIโll be back. I need to find Tatum.โ Dale held his gun in front of him even though his gut said he wouldnโt need it. Instinct told him Marcus worked alone.
Back in the hall, a few feet deeper into the clinic, a sound behind had him spinning around, aiming his weapon. Registering old Doc Monroe and Mrs. Monroe, Dale lowered his gun and nodded toward the morgue. โIn there.โ
Satisfied, Steve would get the help he needed Dale moved through the clinic toward the front door, checking each room as he went. Other than the morgue nothing was disturbed. The only noise came from the rear of the clinic where Steven and the Monroeโs were taking care of Doc.
Stepping into the reception area the sight of Tatum crumpled against the far wall had Dale sprinting across the room and dropping to his knees. โTay!โ Placing his gun on the floor beside him, he searched for possible injuries.
โS-okay. Fainted.โ She moaned, her head rolling toward him.
He pulled her up into his arms. โFuck. Tay.โ Cradling her against his chest, he rocked, his heart pounding against his ribsโinside his skullโhard enough to hurt.
โDoc?โ she mumbled.
โSteveโs with her.โ He wasnโt telling her anything else. Not that he knew Docโs condition, but Tatum didnโt need to concern herself with that just yet. Not when she went limp in his arms and her head flopped to the side.
Holding her close, he climbed to his feet, and made his way back to the morgue and medical help. His basic first-aid training wasnโt enough for this situation.
Entering the room, Dale couldnโt stop his voice from quivering when he spoke. โDoctor Monroe?โ
โJesus, Mary and Joseph. What went on here?โ The old man turned to his wife. โJackie, go with Dale and see about that one for me. Iโll bring Gordana in a minute.โ
Brogan and Quinn came through the back door as Dale reentered the hallway.
โWhat do you need us to do, Sheriff?โ Brogan asked, coming toward him.
Dale hadnโt even thought about his role as sheriff. And right now he didnโt care if his lack of professionalism got him fired. All that mattered was the semi-conscious woman in his arms.
โA couple of deputies pulled up as we came inside,โ Quinn offered.
He needed to thinkโฆ โTheyโll need to secure the sceneโฆcollect evidence.โ There was something else he needed to tell themโฆ Why was it so hard to think? โOh. My gun. Itโs on the floor where I found Tatum. Out front. In reception.โ
Quinn moved around them saying, โOn it,โ as he passed.
Brogan gripped Daleโs shoulder, gave him a squeeze. โTake care of Tatum. Weโll take care of everything else.โ
He nodded and let Mrs. Monroe guide him into an exam room. Lowering Tatum to the bed in spite of every instinct screamed not to let her go, Dale reluctantly moved out of the way. He had to so she could get the attention she needed. But he didnโt leave her side, he remained close, his hip pressed to the bed, his hands holding one of hers.
Mrs. Monroe seemed to understand his need to be near because she worked around him when she needed to, checking Tatumโs limbs for possible breaks, her head for bumps, her eyes with one of those tiny lights.
It seemed like years but was probably not even a minute before Tatum roused enough to talk to them. Mrs. Monroe asked questions and Tatum answered, her voice growing stronger with every word.
As Tatum revealed what had happened he became more and more glad Marcus was dead. If he wasnโt Dale couldnโt be sure heโd be able to stop himself from grabbing his gun and shooting the man.
โHowโs Doc?โ Tatum asked.
Mrs. Monroeโs gaze met his. โHer dad is taking care of her.โ The non-answer seemed to appease Tatum.
โAndโฆโ She swallowed, licked her bottom lip. โMarcus?โ
โDead,โ Dale growled, his hands tightening around hers.
She glanced up at him, a world of emotion in those green eyes of hers. โDead?โ
Mrs. Monroe distract Tatum from further questions by saying, โAll right, let me check on that baby.โ
โBabies,โ they said together.
Dale stared down at his wife. It was a small thing, except theyโd done that all the time in the pastโspoken the exact same thing at the exact same timeโback when they werenโt this fractured version of themselves. The smile gracing Tatumโs lips delivered another bubble of hope.
They could do this. They could find their way back to each other, could learn to be a duo instead of a trio.
Heโd do anythingโeverythingโto make it happen.
A thump thump thump beat broke the silence in the room.
โThere now, thatโs oneโฆโ Mrs. Monroe moved the instrument she pressed to Tatumโs bare belly to the other side.
Thump thump thump.
The older woman smiled. โAnd thereโs two.โ
โThey sound fine,โ Tatum said, her words filled with certainty.
โThey do.โ Mrs. Monroe switched off the device and reached for another. โIโm going to take your blood pressure now youโve had a chance to settle some. All that excitement could lead to a false reading.โ
She went to work but Dale couldnโt pay attention. All he could think about were those little beating hearts inside Tatum. He knew they were real. Heโd felt them moving the other night except hearing themโฆ
He closed his eyes. Thanked the universe they were okayโthat Tatum appeared to be okay.
โDale?โ
Opening his eyes he found Mrs. Monroe looking at him with a knowing smile. โYou can take Tatum home whenever your ready. Iโll have Doctor Monroe give you a call later but other than a couple of bruises, she and the babies are fine.โ
He swallowed, the lump in his throat all but chocking him. โT-thank you.โ
She patted his arm, her smile growing wider. โYouโre welcome.โ
Together they helped Tatum to her feet and Dale wrapped an arm around her waist to be sure she stayed on them. She didnโt argue and he hoped that meant sheโd be as compliant when he took her home.
***
So, what do you think? Ready to dive back into the Coyote Hunger world? And if you missed the first three books in the series they’re available now and the first one is FREE! You can get all the info HERE!

This sounds great!! Definitely ready!!
๐ I’m glad. It’s fun playing in this world again. Hopefully I’ll have some news on release dates soon.
Is this a new Coyote book or a refurbished, re-release?
Brand new Shirley. ๐ This one is Dale (the sheriff) and Tatum who showed up in Steve’s driveway in Coyote Whispers.