Sunday Snippet: Fireworks

Another long week and part of it has been spent wondering exactly how many US senators are still with us. One passed last night and another appears to be not recovering. I've been alive long enough to acknowledge how bananapants it is that we don't know for sure. I mean, when an elected official can take four months off and still get paid by taxpayers, not explain what's going on, or be seen in public, there's something wrong. The FMLA allows for twelve weeks without a threat to employment. Sixteen weeks is not cool. Just saying.

Weather cooled down enough to not be miserable. I have to make space in my garage for some things my daughter needs to have stored, and it's been cool enough at night that I can make headway. We were supposed to have rain most of the week and didn't get as much as predicted.

Work continued to be steady. I'm moving along on two ongoing projects, and I finished up a proofread and started a new copy edit. Also touched a back burner project and hope to dive in a little more this week. Writing is also going well right now and I'm happy about that.

Had a fairly decent viewing week. I made it through my usual list of shows and also did a binge marathon of Death in Paradise on Ovation.

Started out with a bonus episode of Foyle's War with the writer and creator along with the show's historian. Very interesting conversation.

Caught another episode of Tales of Irish Castles and moved into a more modern age. I think I have one episode left and have to say I've enjoyed this series.

Watched a new episode of Death in Paradise. Gotta say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Mervin interact with his brother and loved how everyone, including Catherine, came together to find Mervin. Seeing the punk-ass faux commissioner again kind of put the icing on the cake, even if he's still a punk-ass policeman now.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. The later movies are fun to watch but I do miss Hastings and Miss Lemon. And, of course, Japp. But it's also entertaining to dive into mysteries that have an intriguing premise.

Elementary had a great episode. Loved seeing Marcus put everything together with his girlfriend's ex. Really hated the ending though. I have a feeling all will not be as it seems.

Watched an episode of Young Justice and kind of liked seeing Connor and Megan in their regular joe roles. Also rather enjoyed Red Arrow asking Aqua Lad for help. And it looks like the overall mystery is starting to fall into place, with the behind the scenes machinations being revealed.

Also caught another episode of Star Trek Lower Decks. Really loved seeing a different vibe with Rutherford and Mariner teaming up and Boimler and Tendi being together.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Fireworks, a novella that features a sibling rivalry and family drama before things work out for the couple.

Here's the miniblurb:

Military pilots Adelle Lizt and Zander McKibbet are a volatile mix—neither gives quarter when they know they're right. But with two sides to every situation, they find some common ground in a very interesting place—the guest quarters on base.

And a sneaky peek…

Adelle entered her office and got the immediate sense someone else had been there.

She moved toward her desk. "That's not where I left my calendar." She always had it on the left side for a quick glance when needed.

The daily log sat in the center of the surface with a piece of notepaper sticking out from under it.

She pulled the page out and her eyes narrowed as she read the scrawled missive. "Lieutenant Lizt, you are hereby ordered to report to base guest quarters, room 225 at your earliest convenience after eighteen hundred hours to discuss the situation regarding Cadet Keith McKibbet." The signature had her seeing red. "Captain Zander McKibbet. Son of a bitch." Keith followed through on the threat to use his pull.

Adelle didn't know what pissed her off more. The fact that a clearly unqualified candidate decided to use his family connections to get something they didn't deserve or being ordered, ordered, to report to the fucking guest quarters on base by Captain McKibbet.

She yanked her chair back and dropped down onto it. "Who the hell does he think he is?" Crumpling the note, she tossed it into the trash bin, very tempted to ignore the captain.

Instead, she retrieved Keith's file and made a copy of his test scores. After making sure she didn't have a hair out of place, she left her office and made the trek over to the guest quarters on foot. Zander McKibbet better be ready to get a piece of her mind. She didn't care if he didn't want to hear how annoyed and angry he made her.

Arriving at the assigned room, she rapped twice on the door and stepped back, squaring her shoulders just as he opened the barrier. "Lieutenant Lizt reporting as ordered even if pulling rank in such a shitty way is beyond abuse of authority." Then she shoved Keith's test scores into his chest. "I should tag you for harassment, but I'd rather not escalate this situation." She folded her arms across her chest and met the elder McKibbet's gaze.

Zander apologized. "Yeah, sorry about that. It was a dick move." He moved to the side and waved his arm, inviting her into the room. "But … I've run the gauntlet myself. My old man didn't rise through the ranks without pissing people off sometimes. And I had a few instructors who used that against me." He closed the door behind her and nodded toward the sofa. "I wanted to gauge your reaction to the request." When Adelle perched on the edge of the cushion, he flipped the file open and started reviewing Keith's scores.

Adelle took that time to study the older McKibbet brother. He wore his dark hair in a standard military cut, high and tight on the top. There were many who couldn't pull off the style, but Zander had the features to do so. His eyes were intensely brown, and she could imagine them snapping and crackling with anger or in softer moments going deep liquid chocolate. He clocked in at six foot or little over, which fit her five ten well. Neither would have to suffer getting kinks in their neck by having to look too far up or down. All in all, he rated higher in the looks department than his brother. Then again, Adelle hadn't seen Zander sneering or pouting … something Kieth did on a regular basis.

A terrible thought hit her. Gah. Zander is exactly my type.

Followed by rational thinking. No, bad idea. Very bad.

Zander let out low whistle. "I gotta agree with your assessment. My brother isn't pilot material." He tucked the scores into a case on the coffee table.

Adelle relaxed. "I don't have it in for Keith. Or any of my students for that matter." She met his gaze again. "If I feel like there's going to be a conflict of interest, I ask to have cadets moved to another class with a different instructor." She didn't know why she offered her personal code of ethics, other than a need for Zander to understand she checked her baggage at the door.

Zander took a seat in the chair perpendicular to the sofa. "To be honest, I didn't think you did. My brother suffers from … what's the opposite of imposter syndrome?" He snapped his fingers. "Toxic overconfidence. He's used to sailing through challenges and when he can't, he…" Zander paused a moment.

Adelle filled in the statement. "Uses his family influence to get what he wants?" She didn't doubt Keith played that card before her class.

Zander snorted. "Yeah, let's go with that. I mean he's actually quite intelligent and I think he thought flight school would be a slam dunk." A sigh escaped before he continued. "It's not like Dad and I didn't warn him. Not everyone is cut out to fly."

Adelle blinked in surprise. "Gotta admit I didn't think this conversation would go as smoothly as it has." Which pleased her more than it should.

Zander's lips curved. "In that case, and at the risk of being inappropriate again, do you have plans for tonight that weren't in your calendar?" He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

Adelle shook her head. "Um, no."

Zander's mouth widened into a grin. "Then maybe we could have dinner together?"

Adelle laughed. "Really didn't expect that one either." She shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

This story gets very twisty and turny and I love how the vibe between the couple is so carefree at the moment.

 

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

ML Skye