Torch Snippet

Our reader’s group (Unbreakable Readers) got this little snippet a couple of weeks ago. It’s a short, unedited glimpse of one of my favorite chapters in Torch. And yeah, it’s kind of cute. Cute and Snow…not the usual combination. We couldn’t resist. 😉

Snow opened the door before he knocked. He looked comfy in his loose, faded jeans, a red T-shirt and thick, white socks. Damn socks. Rowe frowned.

“It’s that kind of visit, huh? Come in.”

Snow had changed since he’d been with Jude. He still had the wicked sense of humor, could still be a complete ass at the drop of a hat, and he certainly didn’t give a crap about proper social subjects—not that Rowe had ever cared either. But he smiled a hell of a lot more than he used too. He grinned now as he grabbed the beer Rowe had stopped to pick up and walked toward the kitchen.

Rowe paused to admire the wide, wooded staircase at the end of the entry. The house had two floors, all covered in dark hardwood. The walls, a warm beige stucco, complimented the exposed dark wood beams lining the living room and kitchen. The doors all over the house as well as the cabinetry in the kitchen were the same color and some of the doorways had black trim. The combination gave the entire home an elegant yet comfortable feel and it suited the men who called it home.

Snow grabbed them a couple of beers, then set them on the island in the kitchen. “Hungry? Jude and I found this cool place with imported meat and cheeses. Some of this shit is amazing.”

“I’m not hungry.” Rowe jumped when something squeaked and scampered past his feet. “What the hell?” Rowe squatted and peered at the amber eyes peeking at him from the side of the island. “You got a cat. You.”

“I know.” Snow sighed. “I’ve obviously lost my mind. We went to lunch in Covington last weekend and Jude couldn’t resist this little girl giving away kittens on the street.”

“And you can’t resist Jude. For shame, doc. You’re nothing but mush these days.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

The gray and black cat inched closer and made a high-pitched mewling noise that pierced Rowe’s ears.

He held out his hand, sure the creature wouldn’t come close to him because he had to smell like his dogs. “What’s its name?”

“It’s a boy.” Snow mumbled something after that.

“What did you say?” Rowe stood, unable to stop the welcome laugh building in his chest.

“Jude named that damn thing Sergeant. He thinks he has a sense of humor.”

The laughter escaped. He couldn’t help it because he’d repeatedly heard Jude refer to Snow as General. Personally, he thought the nickname fit the surgeon to a T. He’d seen him lording it over the ER a time or two.

“It’s not funny.” Snow came around the bar and handed Rowe a beer. The tiny kitten trotted to him and leaped, claws attaching to Snow’s jeans. “Ow! Shit!” He set his beer back on the island and used both hands to pry the kitten gently off his leg. He held it up to his face and it mewled again. He shook his head and set it back on the floor. It immediately curled up on his sock-clad foot. He nudged it off and nodded toward the arched doorway into the living room. He strolled to the couch and folded one leg beneath him on one end. “Come on. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Why do you think something is wrong?”

“Because you have a friend staying with you and you’re over here. And from your expression, you’re either upset or seriously constipated. Sit.”