Sunday Snippet: Yarn Spinning

Another month end is almost in sight. August is gearing up to be a busy month for me and I'm excited and exhausted at the same time. I love being busy and having projects on my calendar but also have to remember to take time to decompress.

Cleanout project stalled again. I had deadlines to meet and also got a new office chair that needed assembly. Have to admit it's comfy.

Had a solid work week with several projects ongoing and two that needed to be finished. I got those out of the way and started a new one that's a long procedural.

Pretty good week of viewing. Made it through a full round of shows and started both of my back-burner ones.

Started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the backstory of Janie and Phryne. Almost through the first season.

Started the new season of Madame Blanc Mysteries and a holiday episode. Looking forward to more of this show.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. Kind of sad to see Marlon go. He ended up growing on me. Thrilled to see JP back for a brief appearance. The mystery also gave Marlon time to shine, which is nice for his final ep.

Watched another episode of Poirot, which is the first of two parts. Looking forward to seeing how this one ends. A super-young Polly Walker is a guest star!

Enjoyed an episode of Elementary. I haven't quite decided how I feel about Moreland sticking around for a while, but I did like his interaction with Sherlock. The case also proved to be interesting.

Caught another episode of Batman Beyond and have vague memories of this one the first time around. Always fun to have Shriek back.

Watched another episode of Lower Decks. This show annoys and charms me in equal measure. I did quite like the interaction between mom and daughter even when I rolled my eyes several times.

Started an episode of Peak Practice. I didn't quite manage to finish it but will get it done this week. I hope!

Also started and got most of the way through another episode of Reacher. I only stopped because I couldn't keep my eyes open. That's what watching a show at four a.m. will do.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Yarn Spinning, a novella that puts a couple together in an awkward situation.

Here's the miniblurb:

Torrin Becks and Gaelan Van Zant pull duty on the same scout ship, which creates a good bit of tension in the five-man crew. Torrin and Gaelan have something of a history and when the yarn spinning—who has the greatest exploit—starts, Torrin has to decide if she'll call Gaelan out on a big fat fib or let the story stand as the winner.

And a sneaky peek…

Torrin lurked in the corridor hoping to run into her female crewmate, Emlee Natch. If she could talk Lieutenant Natch into trading quarters, Torrin wouldn't have to suffer through the awkward situation with Gaelan. Seriously, who did she piss off to land this duty assignment?

Humming preceded footsteps on the deck. Torrin pushed away from the bulkhead and walked toward the musical sound.

Her first look at Emlee, dark hair, friendly face, and welcoming eyes, eased some of the tension in Torrin's shoulders.

Emlee grinned. "You must be Lieutenant Becks." She thrust her palm forward. "Welcome aboard."

Torrin clasped the other woman's palm. "I am, yes. It's nice to meet you." She nodded toward the bunkroom across the corridor. "You're Lieutenant Natch?"

Emlee nodded. "Yep. But call me Emlee. Except for the captain, we're on a first name basis here. So much easier with this small crew and it's distracting to use rank when we're all lieutenants." She propped a shoulder on the bulkhead. "You getting settled in?"

Torrin would take that opening. "Uh, about that. You wouldn't be interested in switching sides with me, would you?" She hesitated to say more because she didn't want to put Gaelan in a bad light.

Emlee tilted her head. "I sense a story here … one you're not ready to talk about, yeah?"

Torrin grimaced. "Wouldn't be appropriate, but it's not anything terrible. More like awkward." She left her reasoning there to avoid diving too deep.

Emlee gave her a commiserating look. "Understandable. But I won't be able to help." She leaned in and pitched her voice low. "Craig … Lieutenant Lawler … and I are, well, involved. If we weren't, I'd've been happy to switch quarters."

Torrin's head bobbed. "Ah. I see. And I get it. Thanks anyway." She dipped her chin. "Really great to meet you. Looking forward to working with you." Easing back, she turned and reentered her quarters.

Emlee paused at the hatch. "If it helps, I'll trade shifts with you once we're out in the black."

Torrin smiled. "Thanks. Can I get back to you on that?" She might take Emlee up on the offer if Gaelan made things too weird.

Emlee nodded. "Absolutely. Let me know." She stepped away and crossed the corridor to her quarters.

Torrin sat down on the small sofa against the bulkhead.

Gaelan rapped on the door to her side of the bathroom.

Torrin sighed. "Yeah?"

He poked his head inside her space. "Are you moving across the corridor?"

She shook her head. "Sorry, no. We'll have to make do." She drew her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them.

Gaelan grunted. "Right. Okay then. I'm going to grab a shower. Captain wants a quick briefing in thirty." He closed the door, and the water turned on.

Torrin let out a long exhale. "At least he told me." Something Eric wouldn't have done…

She didn't want to think about him. And her newly formed plan would see her avoiding Gaelan as much as possible. Which pissed her off because he based his opinion of her on Eric's description of their breakup.

She had a good reason to split up with him. "And it wasn't easy." No matter what her ex probably told his best friend.

I'm pleased with how this story is coming together. Torrin takes the upper road and it should end up paying off for her.

 

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

ML Skye