Well, 2026 is off
to a wonky start. It's like it looked at 2025 and decided to say, "Hold my
beer." Not sure that's a good thing.
Weather stayed very
cold, which I'm totally okay with. We got a bunch of snow on New Year's Eve and
I'm happy to have stayed in and enjoyed ringing in the new year at home. It
ended up being a super-busy week with a lot going on but at least I didn't have
the crazy back and forth temperatures to deal with. My sinuses really hate
that.
Another slower work
week, but progress on the three projects I'm working on at the moment. The
unexpected stuff kind of messed up my groove, but I got back on track. I'm
hoping this week is a little smoother.
Didn't quite make
it all the way through my round of shows, but I did get the remaining holiday
special in. I also have some new seasons of shows I'm excited about.
I started with Miss
Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and I'm almost finished with my rewatch. I think
I have two more episodes left. Then I'll probably watch the fan-funded movie,
which is quite excellent.
Finished up the episode
of Foyle's War and enjoyed it. I'd forgotten Andrew and Sam split up in
this one and I kind of mourn their breakup.
Caught the holiday
special of Death in Paradise. Such a good one! Having Selwyn in England
added a really nice layer to the whole mystery and tied the episode of Beyond
Paradise in nicely.
Started a new
two-part Silent Witness and it's a very twisty and turny case. Looking
forward to the second part to wrap things up. I also really enjoy the newest
addition to the Lyell.
I began season four
of Poirot and enjoyed the first episode. Interesting mystery and a lot
of fun with Hastings really wanting to talk about his shooting of the alligator-like
creature and no one being interested until the very end.
That's all I got in
this week on my television shows.
Tonight's post is
from Breaking Through, a follow up to Guarded Chance that kind of
insisted to be written.
Here's the
miniblurb:
Race Markinton finally has Echo Dart, the woman he wants
to spend the future with. His one problem? She's been brainwashed by the enemy,
and he has to find a way to break through and get his Echo back.
And a sneaky peek…
Echo tried to quell the nervous
roil of her stomach after Race sent his extraction team back to the base then
asked for a secure communication with their CO.
Race spoke quietly with his dad.
"We're coming in under medical quarantine. It's the only way to limit
exposure." He frowned then flipped the comm to within the ship. "All
right. Go ahead."
Rick addressed Echo. "You
understand that medical quarantine means you'll be recalled to active
duty?"
Echo tilted her head. "Will
be? I assumed from the moment you sent Race, I already was." How else
could he justify sending anyone?
Okay … she could see him skirting
the edges of protocol because of, well, history. But not even their
long-standing relationship gave him completely free rein.
He cut into her thoughts.
"Echo, I can't make you active duty until you're cleared. And you may not
be. We're in a gray area here. You're an unknown element at the moment, and
I'll give it to you straight. You're in for a bumpy return." He paused,
giving her a moment to wrap her head around everything. "You need to know
I'm happy to have you back in the fold, but until we know more about what's
going on with you, I have to stand back and keep some distance."
Her heart sank a little. "I
understand, sir. If I'm not considered active duty, what's my status?" She
really hoped it wouldn't be prisoner.
Rick sighed. "For now, you'll
be listed as reserve standby, which gives you full access to medical but keeps
you out of day-to-day operations."
Race glanced in her direction. "Which
means you'll be contained but not locked down." He rolled his eyes.
Echo shrugged. "At this point,
I only care about fixing whatever they did to me." She met Race's gaze.
"Then I can fix what I've done to myself." And fully re-pair her
heart and mind.
Race's lips quirked but he didn't
comment.
Rick signed off. "Medical will
meet you in bay five. I'll be down after Echo's assessment." A brief burst
of static ended the call.
Echo awkwardly turned toward Race.
"Before we leave the transport, I need you to do something for me."
He wouldn't like her request.
Race grunted. "You want me to
use ankle restraints, don't you?" His grip tightened on the throttle.
She blinked, surprised. "Uh,
yeah. Figured you wouldn't be happy about it."
Race snorted. "I'm not. But the
old man called it. You're an unknown element." He lifted a shoulder.
"For everyone's safety … especially yours … we're not taking any
chances."
She nodded. "Bumpy return."
At least until she got her head back on straight.
And he'd stick beside her. Which
meant he'd have a target on his back.
She reached out with her pinky
finger. "Thanks."
Rafe glanced over then hooked his
finger with hers. "For what?"
Echo's lips twisted into a smile.
"For getting it. Getting me."
Rafe lifted his chin. "From
now on … I'm with you."
Echo couldn't ask for more … having
him back in her life might prove to be the greatest gift she'd ever received.
Echo has a bit of a
journey ahead of her, but she's exactly where she needs to be.
That's it for this
week. Catch everyone on the flipside.
ML Skye
