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Hitch
Toby took the conductor’s hand as he stepped from the train in the dark night unsure of why his mother had sent him away. The conductor had his travel bag in his hand and Toby looked at the shadowy, unlit buildings as he was led down the street.
After five minutes, the conductor guided him to a bench on the boardwalk of the sleeping town, then left his bag on the bench with him.
“Now, son, I gotta leave you here. You stay there until the sheriff comes and he’ll find your aunt for you. Okay?”
Toby nodded, said, “Thank you, sir,” then the conductor patted him on the head, turned and left.
Toby was more confused than afraid as he sat in front of the jail. No matter what else happened, he knew that he would have someone go back to the farm and bring his mother back to him.
Three hours later, the sheriff led him into the diner where he introduced him to his uncle, Hitch Nelson.
After five minutes, the conductor guided him to a bench on the boardwalk of the sleeping town, then left his bag on the bench with him.
“Now, son, I gotta leave you here. You stay there until the sheriff comes and he’ll find your aunt for you. Okay?”
Toby nodded, said, “Thank you, sir,” then the conductor patted him on the head, turned and left.
Toby was more confused than afraid as he sat in front of the jail. No matter what else happened, he knew that he would have someone go back to the farm and bring his mother back to him.
Three hours later, the sheriff led him into the diner where he introduced him to his uncle, Hitch Nelson.
- GenresWesterns
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 21, 2019
1857 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Petit
104 books220 followersMost biographies start with birth and then roll through the years as they drift by but that would bore me to death, and I lived through it.
The interesting part of my life began on September 23rd, 1995 as we were driving back to Omaha after watching the Notre Dame - Texas game in South Bend with relatives. The #21 Irish beat the #13 ranked Longhorns 55-27; and in a real oddity, scored points in just about every way conceivable in the game of football. They scored touchdowns on passes and runs, kicked a field goal, intercepted a pass for a TD, returned a punt for a touchdown and even added two points for blocking a Texas extra point.
As we were driving along westbound I-80 somewhere in Illinois in our Jeep Cherokee, I absent-mindedly rubbed the left side of my neck under my chin.
My very astute wife asked, "What's wrong with your neck?"
Now I had been an Air Force medic for twelve years; and as evident in my descriptions of outlaws' agonizing deaths in my stories, have a good working knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But that knowledge is offset by being a guy and thinking that we all live forever. My neck lymph nodes had been enlarged for around three months when my wife asked that question.
I obfuscated as if I was a lawyer and replied, "Um, a few weeks or so." (Note: Twelve or thirteen weeks does qualify as a 'few' weeks if one chooses to be generous.)
"And what did the doctor say?"
"I'll ask him when we get back."
"Yes, you will."
I do not want to make my wife out to be a harpy or a nag, because she is neither. She's an incredibly patient woman who could only put up with so much stupidity by yours truly.
Three days later, after the doctor copped a quick feel of my lymph nodes, he said, "I don't know what it is, but I don't like it," which was an honest, albeit an imprecise diagnosis.
So, we trotted over to a local ENT specialist. She didn't like them either and took me into surgery a few days later where she yanked one out, so the lab could dice it and slice it, then look at it under a microscope.
The pathologist who looked at the cells through his microscope reported his findings as 'lymphoepithelioma'. That meant that it was a secondary tumor and there was a primary tumor somewhere else in my nasopharynx that was the original problem.
Back I went into the operating room where the ENT doctor did an extensive examination and found nothing. She was so sure of her reconnaissance of the back of my throat that she told me that the pathologist was wrong, and it was just a lymphoma.
Now, being a computer geek, even way back in the dark ages of the internet in '95, I did some searching and found that if the primary tumor wasn't found, then the survival rate plummeted to about a fifth of the already lousy survival rate for the advanced Stage IV cancer. My wife and I decided that a second opinion might be a good idea.
Off we went in her Jeep to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as the lousy weather descended across the Midwest. It's been known to happen, you know.
They had a problem getting the doctor here to release the specimen she'd yanked out of my neck, which I thought was odd because I don't remember selling it and figured I still owned it. Anyway, they eventually got the lymph node, did their own peek and confirmed the pathologist's diagnosis.
It wasn't until Halloween in 1995 that they finally found the original little bugger. It was just a tiny bump in the back of my throat that must have been there for a long time before it sent its friends marching into my lymph nodes.
They wanted to treat the cancer there, but I opted to have it done in Omaha and was sent to the care of Doctor Patrick J. McKenna (a name you may recognize from Max). Doctor Mac was the perfect man for the job as he was very personable, optimistic, had a good sense of humor and wouldn't put up with my constant whining. It helped that he knew his job, too.
(Read the full bio on Amazon)
The interesting part of my life began on September 23rd, 1995 as we were driving back to Omaha after watching the Notre Dame - Texas game in South Bend with relatives. The #21 Irish beat the #13 ranked Longhorns 55-27; and in a real oddity, scored points in just about every way conceivable in the game of football. They scored touchdowns on passes and runs, kicked a field goal, intercepted a pass for a TD, returned a punt for a touchdown and even added two points for blocking a Texas extra point.
As we were driving along westbound I-80 somewhere in Illinois in our Jeep Cherokee, I absent-mindedly rubbed the left side of my neck under my chin.
My very astute wife asked, "What's wrong with your neck?"
Now I had been an Air Force medic for twelve years; and as evident in my descriptions of outlaws' agonizing deaths in my stories, have a good working knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But that knowledge is offset by being a guy and thinking that we all live forever. My neck lymph nodes had been enlarged for around three months when my wife asked that question.
I obfuscated as if I was a lawyer and replied, "Um, a few weeks or so." (Note: Twelve or thirteen weeks does qualify as a 'few' weeks if one chooses to be generous.)
"And what did the doctor say?"
"I'll ask him when we get back."
"Yes, you will."
I do not want to make my wife out to be a harpy or a nag, because she is neither. She's an incredibly patient woman who could only put up with so much stupidity by yours truly.
Three days later, after the doctor copped a quick feel of my lymph nodes, he said, "I don't know what it is, but I don't like it," which was an honest, albeit an imprecise diagnosis.
So, we trotted over to a local ENT specialist. She didn't like them either and took me into surgery a few days later where she yanked one out, so the lab could dice it and slice it, then look at it under a microscope.
The pathologist who looked at the cells through his microscope reported his findings as 'lymphoepithelioma'. That meant that it was a secondary tumor and there was a primary tumor somewhere else in my nasopharynx that was the original problem.
Back I went into the operating room where the ENT doctor did an extensive examination and found nothing. She was so sure of her reconnaissance of the back of my throat that she told me that the pathologist was wrong, and it was just a lymphoma.
Now, being a computer geek, even way back in the dark ages of the internet in '95, I did some searching and found that if the primary tumor wasn't found, then the survival rate plummeted to about a fifth of the already lousy survival rate for the advanced Stage IV cancer. My wife and I decided that a second opinion might be a good idea.
Off we went in her Jeep to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as the lousy weather descended across the Midwest. It's been known to happen, you know.
They had a problem getting the doctor here to release the specimen she'd yanked out of my neck, which I thought was odd because I don't remember selling it and figured I still owned it. Anyway, they eventually got the lymph node, did their own peek and confirmed the pathologist's diagnosis.
It wasn't until Halloween in 1995 that they finally found the original little bugger. It was just a tiny bump in the back of my throat that must have been there for a long time before it sent its friends marching into my lymph nodes.
They wanted to treat the cancer there, but I opted to have it done in Omaha and was sent to the care of Doctor Patrick J. McKenna (a name you may recognize from Max). Doctor Mac was the perfect man for the job as he was very personable, optimistic, had a good sense of humor and wouldn't put up with my constant whining. It helped that he knew his job, too.
(Read the full bio on Amazon)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
September 5, 2025
I just finished listening to “Hitch” by C. J. Petit, a classic old-fashioned Western with familiar themes and settings. While the story follows the traditional arc of the genre, I didn’t find it quite as compelling as some of Petit's other works. The middle and ending felt drawn out, and I think the overall narrative could have benefited from tighter pacing and more emphasis on the dramatic moments.That said, it’s still a pleasant escape: a light, easy listen for when you want to step away from the everyday.
I experienced this book as an audiobook from Audible, which runs for eleven hours and thirty minutes. Michael Alan White delivers a solid performance, bringing a steady and fitting tone to the narration.
September 24, 2019
This is one of your classical westerns. It is a good story, with interesting twists. I would call the romance wholesome and did handle some moral issues for that time. The characters were strong and well conceived. If you want one of those westerns that we grew up watching on TV this is a good one.
February 29, 2020
This was a struggle. Weird editing mishaps, repetitive dialogue and really shallow character development. I didn’t care about any character by the end. I was excited the dive into the world of western fiction which I have never done before. I’m hoping this is not a true representation of the genre. Is it?
October 13, 2019
I've read this author before and I like his style, hence I bought this one based more upon my previous experience. I enjoyed the characters and plot but there are so many grammatical errors, missing words, extra words, and in at least one instance, misidentifying the character, that it made leisure reading work. I believe the author wrote it for pure pleasure and was persuaded to provide it for others. For that I'm grateful, but it needs a thorough review for editing before it is ready for prime time.
August 31, 2019
Hitch
Hitch was a cowboy working on his Father's ranch when he went to town to pick up his new rifle and just as he was having breakfast, the Sheriff came in with a small boy who had been sitting in front of his office that morning. His name was Toby and he had two letters on him, one for his aunt that he had never met, and one for the Sheriff, if his aunt could not be found. It just so happened that his aunt was married to Hitch's brother, Jack. The only question that Toby has is can you go and get my Mom? Can he? This is another one of CJP best books, of course I say that about all of them,, and I re-read the ones that I own over and over. This author just never puts out anything bad. He's done it again my highest praise! BRAVO 👏👏BRAVO 👏👏
Hitch was a cowboy working on his Father's ranch when he went to town to pick up his new rifle and just as he was having breakfast, the Sheriff came in with a small boy who had been sitting in front of his office that morning. His name was Toby and he had two letters on him, one for his aunt that he had never met, and one for the Sheriff, if his aunt could not be found. It just so happened that his aunt was married to Hitch's brother, Jack. The only question that Toby has is can you go and get my Mom? Can he? This is another one of CJP best books, of course I say that about all of them,, and I re-read the ones that I own over and over. This author just never puts out anything bad. He's done it again my highest praise! BRAVO 👏👏BRAVO 👏👏
August 24, 2019
Sit back and enjoy
Hitch is the latest offering in the CJP Western of the Month Club. If you are a frequent reader then you will be satisfied with an entertaining familiar tale...flawed but good Heroes, abused/redeemed ladies, villains with no redeeming qualities and prairie justice meted out in various ways (crocodiles and quicksand is a first). If this is your introduction to the Way the West Was according to CJP don't look too close or the story starts to fall apart. Instead sit back from afar and just enjoy an evening of entertainment and then go enjoy the other 55.
Hitch is the latest offering in the CJP Western of the Month Club. If you are a frequent reader then you will be satisfied with an entertaining familiar tale...flawed but good Heroes, abused/redeemed ladies, villains with no redeeming qualities and prairie justice meted out in various ways (crocodiles and quicksand is a first). If this is your introduction to the Way the West Was according to CJP don't look too close or the story starts to fall apart. Instead sit back from afar and just enjoy an evening of entertainment and then go enjoy the other 55.
October 5, 2019
Good story line
I really like your writing but you should spend more time and effort on PROOFREADING! It sounds like being picky but please do something. Part of the joy of reading a good story is being lost and absorbed in the moment and being shocked out of the moment by some stupid flub not once but many times really stinks. Clean it up people!
Dave
I really like your writing but you should spend more time and effort on PROOFREADING! It sounds like being picky but please do something. Part of the joy of reading a good story is being lost and absorbed in the moment and being shocked out of the moment by some stupid flub not once but many times really stinks. Clean it up people!
Dave
September 12, 2019
4 stars
An excellent story. Sophie and Toby are delightful characters. I really like the families and their interactions. The murder was a surprise. The perpetrator was an even bigger surprise. Word misuse bother me. Though/through, lead/led, etc.
An excellent story. Sophie and Toby are delightful characters. I really like the families and their interactions. The murder was a surprise. The perpetrator was an even bigger surprise. Word misuse bother me. Though/through, lead/led, etc.
September 24, 2019
Not that good
I really liked the beginning of this book. But the last two thirds just really sucked. Sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield. This book was the bug.
I really liked the beginning of this book. But the last two thirds just really sucked. Sometimes you're the bug and sometimes you're the windshield. This book was the bug.
October 7, 2019
Another Good One!
I chose a 4 because there is a lot to like about this story, but, as with other books I've read by Mr. Petit, the proofreading/editing appears non-existent. There are just too many errors to ignore and the reason I won't give a 5.
I chose a 4 because there is a lot to like about this story, but, as with other books I've read by Mr. Petit, the proofreading/editing appears non-existent. There are just too many errors to ignore and the reason I won't give a 5.
October 27, 2021
Hitch went into town for lunch and the sheriff probably handed him a little boy named Toby
Hitch was supposed to deliver Toby to his sister Louise so after lunch off they went. Turns out his mother was in a bad situation and needed to be rescued and that job fell to Hitch and his best hand Frosty. They had to go rescue them from Three outlaws who had them and it turned out they also had to rescue another lady and her daughter Sophie. How they were going to do that was going to be very interesting and dangerous.
Hitch was supposed to deliver Toby to his sister Louise so after lunch off they went. Turns out his mother was in a bad situation and needed to be rescued and that job fell to Hitch and his best hand Frosty. They had to go rescue them from Three outlaws who had them and it turned out they also had to rescue another lady and her daughter Sophie. How they were going to do that was going to be very interesting and dangerous.
May 19, 2020
As others have noted, the lack of proofreading resulted in so many errors as to make the "flow" of the book halt several times. I have never experienced this with any other authors...The character was a bit too much larger than life, as was his home environment. The book started out awesome and gradually was a slope downhill. If I read another of his books and the same type of errors are there, that's it for me.
March 17, 2020
Hitch
Hitch was a twin born on a ranch. Everything was normal until he was having breakfast and the sheriff drops off a six year old boy with two letters. His whole life changed from that point on. Many adventures followed. Great story.
Hitch was a twin born on a ranch. Everything was normal until he was having breakfast and the sheriff drops off a six year old boy with two letters. His whole life changed from that point on. Many adventures followed. Great story.
July 29, 2020
I have enjoyed books by CJP. Reading his list from bottom up! The Evens Famly was great 👍. Hitch was no exception. How do so many typos happen??? The swap of names and locations drives me to distraction! I am sure this is not the authors falt. Keep writing, Linda Nell
May 21, 2021
Hitch Twists and Turns
Enjoyed the mystery, but not of the short time passing between the mistaken hanging and the quick relationship that developed between the two main character.
Enjoyed the mystery, but not of the short time passing between the mistaken hanging and the quick relationship that developed between the two main character.
July 22, 2021
A very good story.
I enjoyed your story very much. I have read most of your stories and look forward to each new one. Thanks for writing such enjoyable stories, can't wait for the next one.
I enjoyed your story very much. I have read most of your stories and look forward to each new one. Thanks for writing such enjoyable stories, can't wait for the next one.
August 23, 2021
Another amazing book by this author!
Once again I have to say that I love this author's writing! Each book has a incredibly good storyline and a romance in it along with a bit of a lesson in life. I loved the quicksand ending for one of the killers too!
Once again I have to say that I love this author's writing! Each book has a incredibly good storyline and a romance in it along with a bit of a lesson in life. I loved the quicksand ending for one of the killers too!
September 5, 2021
A great book again by C.J.Petit
C. J. Petit wrote another great book. You never know what is going to happen with Hitch. A lot of action with some love and kids mixed in. You need to read the whole book,it is really
A great story!!
C. J. Petit wrote another great book. You never know what is going to happen with Hitch. A lot of action with some love and kids mixed in. You need to read the whole book,it is really
A great story!!
March 9, 2022
Life is great yet hard (C J PLEASE READ)
As I think of our parents grandparents and great grandparents the life they had to live and fill . I thank God and them for my life for they struggled yet never going gave up . I loved lived and learned because of them !
As I think of our parents grandparents and great grandparents the life they had to live and fill . I thank God and them for my life for they struggled yet never going gave up . I loved lived and learned because of them !
June 5, 2022
A totally enjoyable read
Another great adventure that completely satisfies my imagination. The stories are always raw with real action that make me feel as if I'm in the story itself. Good stuff!
Another great adventure that completely satisfies my imagination. The stories are always raw with real action that make me feel as if I'm in the story itself. Good stuff!
September 18, 2022
This makes 14 books by C.J. Petit...
And I've enjoyed every one of them! Once I start one, I can't put it down!I
On to # 16! Thank you for writing such great adventures Mr. Petit! You're an amazing story teller with a very creative mind.
And I've enjoyed every one of them! Once I start one, I can't put it down!I
On to # 16! Thank you for writing such great adventures Mr. Petit! You're an amazing story teller with a very creative mind.
June 29, 2023
Hitch
Good characters and great story plot. The editing on this book needs to be redone. Missing words that would make the sentence complete. The, an it this in. Cant stand the English language not being used properly in sentences..
Good characters and great story plot. The editing on this book needs to be redone. Missing words that would make the sentence complete. The, an it this in. Cant stand the English language not being used properly in sentences..
December 15, 2023
A timely account of how psychopathic minds think they can't away with just about anything. Strong characters on both sides of good and evil. Nice twist on emotional recovery through a worthy romance. A great read by CJP. PKB
December 25, 2023
This one didn't go on without a Hitch
It's refreshing to see folks who the the integrity to take care of business and not put up with bad. Petit puts together another masterpiece of good over evil! And the shared celebration goes on!
It's refreshing to see folks who the the integrity to take care of business and not put up with bad. Petit puts together another masterpiece of good over evil! And the shared celebration goes on!
November 5, 2024
Errors are annoying
Petit writes good stories. And they are affordable. But sometimes I get tired of the errors... character names that change mid story, extra words in the sentence, and other small things. I do report some of them.
Petit writes good stories. And they are affordable. But sometimes I get tired of the errors... character names that change mid story, extra words in the sentence, and other small things. I do report some of them.
June 20, 2020
Excellent
Death by alligator and quicksand for a bad guy. How appropriate! The rest is good western story. It's a fine man
Death by alligator and quicksand for a bad guy. How appropriate! The rest is good western story. It's a fine man
September 4, 2020
Good story, eddy reading
Good story, easy reading. CJ Petit does a good job of telling a story. Will keep on teafkng his books.
Good story, easy reading. CJ Petit does a good job of telling a story. Will keep on teafkng his books.
September 22, 2020
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy it. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy it. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
November 26, 2020
Great
I have read all of your books. Some of them twice now. Can't wait for a new one. All though all are simular all are different. Very enjoyable. Thanks
I have read all of your books. Some of them twice now. Can't wait for a new one. All though all are simular all are different. Very enjoyable. Thanks
December 23, 2020
Question
I didn't believe this story line had t punch of his other stories. I felt a if drug during the first and finally picked up later.
I didn't believe this story line had t punch of his other stories. I felt a if drug during the first and finally picked up later.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews