Sunday Snippet: Napalm at Night

Happy St. Patrick's Day! It's been a chaotic week with work projects and life stuff going on. And my distraction levels are making me frustrated. But … I'm still getting stuff done so I can't really complain.

I definitely didn't make a full round of shows this week. Just didn't have the bandwidth with my focus being all over the place.

I did catch an episode of The Batman and had vague memories of watching this the first time around. Joker episodes are hit and miss in the version of the dark knight.

Watched an episode of My Life Is Murder and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm almost finished with this show, and I'll miss it when I'm done. Such a fun cast of characters.

Caught another episode of Midsomer Murders and again enjoyed the mystery. I'd seen something of a similar nature of the plot based on a true story, so this episode ended up being a lot of fun.

Finished up the final episode of Silent Witness season twenty-five. I'll be starting season twenty-six this week. Ended up really enjoying the limited episode run.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Napalm at Night, a novella that mixes a Viet Nam War vibe into the plot.

Here's the miniblurb:

Napalm at night is dangerous stuff. Jensen Wallis, an extraordinary helicopter pilot, makes her fair share of early dawn rescues after enemy forces unleash the potent explosives on her fellow soldiers. She comes to the aid of Rip Rafferty's squadron and gets them to safety, but not before the enigmatic man sets her curious nature on fire.

And a sneaky peek…

Rip spun his empty shot glass on the table, trying to decide if he'd order another. A shadow fell across the surface, but he didn't glance up. He hadn't made up his mind yet and the private would wait a few moments before heading back behind the bar.

The smoky voice that haunted his dreams broke the quiet. "Can I buy you a drink, Gunny?"

Rip's gaze shot upward, and he blinked … not quite certain the vision standing before him wouldn't disappear. She still invaded his dreams every night but, of course, never stuck around when the light of dawn broke every day. When her smile spread slowly across her face, his heart kicked hard against his ribs. She's really here.

And a decision to have another suddenly appealed greatly.

He couldn't contain a grin. "Damn. You're an incredible sight to brighten the surroundings." He remembered his manners. "And a welcome distraction." He pushed the chair opposite him away from the table then held up his glass. "Another drink sounds great."

She turned toward the bar, but the private already had two shots on a tray and headed their way.

Jensen smirked and settled across from him. "Terrific service. You don't even have to get the bartender's attention to place an order." She tilted her head, her gaze roaming over Rip.

He didn't mind, because he looked his fill, too. She surpassed his fantasy dreams. Of course, she'd opted against the standard-issue ponytail. Still damp hair grazed her shoulders, and the fresh scent of something light and airy tickled his nostrils. His body reacted more to her than the entertainment troop full of gorgeous women that pulled out yesterday.

Something extremely sexy about imagining what her fatigues covered instead of a full-on display of her assets.

His lips curved. "It's really good to see you. In person, I mean."

She shot him a confused look.

He dropped his chin. "Uh, apparently when my fever kept spiking, you were in my dreams." The part about her not leaving them could wait.

Her eyes widened. "I heard you insisted on waiting until your men were treated and your wound got infected." She shook her head. "You're lucky sepsis didn't set in."

Rip grunted. "They were in worse shape. But it got a little sketchy for a while." More than a little, but he'd survive.

She placed her hand on his. "You're pretty damned amazing."

Rip didn't agree, but he wouldn't ruin her compliment by arguing. Not when he craved her company so badly. Something about Jensen Wallis intrigued the hell out of him.

So far, this story is chugging along at a wonderful pace and the characters are following their expected trajectory. We'll see if that holds.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye