Sunday Snippet: Domestic Partners

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas, mentors, fur baby mothers, aunties, found moms, and mother figures. I hope this day is joyful and everything you want it to be. For all those out there who have a hard time with this day, I hope peace and serenity find you.

Coming off a super-busy week with a lot going on between work and home. There are times I really wish I could split myself in two so I could get more accomplished.

Work projects ended up being chaotic. A bunch are finishing up, which is great. But they're also closing out with little things that need attention and happening all at once. Whew! I'm actually not sure how I made it through the week.

I have a couple of new projects starting this week and they're fairly normal, which is good for my executive function. I at least feel like I'll be able to breathe.

Even with all the chaos projects, I ended having a decent viewing week. Made it through my usual slate of shows. I didn't get to watch any extras, but I'm okay with that.

Started out with Brokenwood Mysteries and really enjoyed the mystery. I rather like Reverend Green and Doctor Plummer and seeing them work through a rough patch kind of made the whole show.

Got started on an episode of Foyle's War and need to finish it up this week. I'd forgotten how twisty the last two seasons were with the spy thrilled angle.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. Thoroughly enjoyed Mervin and Solomon interacting. Kind of curious where they'll go with things and I have a feeling it won't be to a good place.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot and loved having Hastings return. The twisty, twisty tale also made for great viewing. Love it when Poirot almost stumbles then catches himself before he faceplants.

Elementary ended up being really good. I love Joan having Marcus's back. Getting the dirt for him made me so happy. Also loved the mystery they had to solve.

Watched another episode of Young Justice and I'm pretty interested in where things go. I like the team figuring out how to interact and I look forward to seeing their new member.

Finished up the third season of Star Trek: Lower Decks. Gotta say for someone who really disliked Mariner well into the second season, I'd probably die for her now. That's a great character arc. Just saying.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Domestic Partners, a novella that explores a second chance at romance for a couple.

Here's the miniblurb:

Tabby and Hale pretend to be domestic partners to keep the man who killed her husband from getting his hands on her. But when they're forced to live together, sparks and tempers fly, because Tabby broke a promise she made to Hale and he's not going to let her forget it.

And a sneaky peek…

Shock filled Hale. Her marriage had been for convenience? And it never worked?

Hale wondered what pushed Tabby to come clean. "Why tell me now?" Concern for him couldn't be the only deciding factor.

Tabby got up and paced again. "Because I'm dangerously close to breaking my promise to never fall again, and you and I"—she waved between them—"can't ever be." She whirled around and gazed out the small window.

Hale prodded again. "Why?" He might be poking an open wound, but he really needed to understand her mindset.

Tabby's fingers curled into her palms. "Argh! I hate that question." She faced him again. "Because I betrayed your trust and, even though I had a damn good reason, you've never forgotten. Nor will you." Her gaze dared him to deny her statement.

He wouldn't unravel the fragile thread being woven between them by lying to her.

Hale gave a short nod. "No, I won't." He moved to the edge of the bed. "But I can put it aside and move forward." At least start from a fresh perspective.

Tabby huffed out a breath. "I somehow doubt you can." She turned back to the window again.

Hale bit back a sigh. He wouldn't try to convince her otherwise. Not when she couldn't get out of her own way.

Hale stood up and gathered his gear. "That's your prerogative, Tabby, but it's also your problem." He hoisted his duffel over his shoulder. "If you can't get beyond your past actions, there's no hope for a future. Not just with me but for yourself." He paused for a moment. "It's bleak and lonely when you can't let anyone in."

Tabby remained quiet, not agreeing or disagreeing. 

Hale sighed. "Look, I'm going on standby for a two-day recon trip to the other mine." He started for the door. "Think about what you want and when I get back, we'll go from there." He left their yurt and headed for the dorms.

He hadn't planned on staying there tonight but giving Tabby some space couldn't hurt. And he could use a little distance himself after her revelations. She'd married Sam for convenience.

And she'd never loved him.

What do I do with that information?

Very pleased with how this one is coming along. Looking forward to finishing it up.

 

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

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Come Back to Me

We're having unseasonably warm weather for January. The temperature hit seventy degrees today. I'm pretty much planning on having a blizzard during prom season and possibly during my daughter's graduation in May. Just saying.

I've had the unique experience of being project-free for a whole week. I can honestly say it's actually been kind of nice to have the downtime. It's good to catch up on mundane things like clearing my inbox and deleted items files.

Had a semi-decent week of television viewing. I finished up the episode of Frankie Drake and watched a new one. I really love this show.

Caught an episode of Midsomer Murders and finished out the twentieth series. I have a behind the scenes thing to watch then off to series twenty-one. Looking forward to starting it.

Finished the Sapphire and Steel series. I can honestly say the way ended surprised me but not in a bad way. The unique spin on how time functioned ended up being fun to watch.

Also caught the Three Doctors arc of Classic Who. Very interesting to go watch this one because I didn't get to watch during its original run.

Watched two more episodes of Gargoyles. Started the second season, which is a lot longer than I originally thought it was. I've also discovered I'm pretty sure I missed the entire third season of this show. New stuff!!

Started a new episode of Murdoch Mysteries and I'm enjoying it so far. I feel like fans are on borrowed time because sooner or later the shoe is going to drop on William and Miss Hart will be the one to wield it. Not sure how I feel about that, to be honest.

Finished up a Blue Heelers episode and started a new one. Still enjoy this show so much. I love getting a look at how law enforcement works in another country, even if it's fictionalized.

Finally, I've been waiting and waiting for a very long time for an old British show to make its way to the streaming services. It's finally here! I watched the first episode of Peak Practice and I can't wait to watch the episodes with one of my favorite actors. Of course, he doesn't show up until the final season and it's a solid bet I won't be able to wait to watch his episodes, but I'm trying to view in chronological order. We'll see what happens.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Come Back to Me, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Tania and James love each other deeply, but have a complicated relationship. When Tania has a chance to right a wrong, James has to trust she'll keep her promise to come back to him.

And a sneaky peek…

Tania Greene stood at the memorial wall on the Gretna when she caught the reflection of James Lagersall. "Incoming. Brace for impact." She didn't have the heart to do battle with him right now.

Not after losing the man she more or less called husband even when her heart belonged to someone else. The same someone standing behind her now. The one moving in her direction.

Tania traced her husband's name with her fingertips before turning to face James.

He paused less than two feet away and studied her for several long moments. Tania refused to squirm under the scrutiny… not that James wanted her to. But their complicated history usually made her uncomfortable when things got personal.

His gaze went to the wall. "I'm sorry about Denny." Sincerity tinged his voice.

And Tania couldn't deal with it. Anger she could handle. Contempt, definitely doable. But compassion? From James? Not so much.

Because once upon a time, she'd had so much more with him.

She met his gaze. "Are you really? Because his loss clears the path for you. Wanna pick up where we left off?" As if… he'd made it clear when she moved in with Denny they were over and done.

James shook his head, the flash of hurt in his eyes quickly masked. "You know what? Think what you want. You always do." He turned on his heel and started down the corridor.

Tania winced. Dammit. Why did she trash everything?

Because she didn't deserve the peace offering. Yet she needed to mend fences.

She grabbed his arm. "James, wait." Her eyes slid closed. "I'm sorry." She drew in a ragged breath. "You don't deserve my scorn and Denny certainly didn't deserve to get tangled up with me." Her face crumpled and the tears she hadn't been able to shed finally started falling. "And now I can't do anything to make up for what I put him through." Her voice broke on a jagged whisper.

James wrapped her in his arms and held her close. Tania leaned into the comfortable embrace she knew so well. She didn't deserve this either, but she'd damned well take the momentary safe haven.

This one is tricky. The goal is to show how characters often end up with someone they should be with but also keep them sympathetic. Relationships can be messy and writing the ways people grow and learn is something I thoroughly enjoy.

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

ML Skye