Sunday Snippet: Open Shelter

Well… it's kind of fitting the finale for The Last Ship is on the anniversary of 9/11. I have no doubt the end of season three will blow my mind. The previous episode has so much packed into it. Chandler knows what's happening on US soil. And it's not what he expected. The Greens were FINALLY reunited. If Blonde Ambition tries to do anything to their kid, I'm going to reach through the television and bitch slap her. Just saying. Pretty sure she'll focus on Chandler's family instead. Which means I'll still want to bitch slap her. LOL

I missed the double header of Dark Matter so I'll be playing catch up this week. I hope. I've got a crazy schedule through the end of the month so who knows.

No time to work on recaps of Killjoys season one. Maybe next week. I did get to watch a few episodes of Strike Back and should finish out season two soon. Might have to add recaps for this one to my list also. There's so much to love.

That's it for now. Should have few new shows to chat about soon.

Tonight's post is from Open Shelter, a novella that got a start with the prompt of a character meeting the other character when one was eight years old. I love childhood friends becoming more later in life.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jay Hestwick meets Weslee Noss at the open shelter his mom operates and sees through her sarcastic rogue front to the scared kid underneath and decides to be her new best friend. Fifteen years later, Jay runs the program and Weslee comes home, ready to assist, but she doesn't realize she's bringing a dangerous menace out of hiding now that she's back.

And a snippety peek…

She looked better than ever. Her clothes gave her a willowy appearance, but the garments hid a toned and fit body ready to rumble if necessary. Weslee could always handle herself in almost any situation. Hell, she'd saved his ass a time or two.

Her bemused gaze met his. "Yeah, it's good to be back. I missed you, too." She glanced around the kitchen and relaxed when she realized they were alone. "I hope you don't greet all your long, lost friends with a hot kiss." Her lips curved in a smirk.

Jay snorted. "Most of my long, lost friends are dudes, so, no. There isn't any lip action going on with them." He pointed toward the connecting corridor that led to the office area. "Your name's on the door if you'd like to start getting settled. I'll finish up with Ralph and check in before we get lunch started." Brushing his lips over her temple, he turned and pushed through the café doors.

He didn't want to read too much into her response, but the way she accepted the kiss and her teasing banter kicked his libido into high gear. Weslee didn't make any promises when she agreed to become his head of social programs and he wouldn't expect more. Yet he wouldn't regret planting a hot one on her if for no other reason than to let her know he'd be open to whatever she wanted.

Ralph quirked an eyebrow when Jay returned. "That's a fine looking woman, Jay. Where've you been hiding her?" He slapped the clipboard on top of the produce boxes.

Jay lifted a shoulder. "Upstate at the university. She just finished her masters in social welfare." He grabbed the pen attached to the board and scrawled his signature on the document.

Ralph let out a low whistle. "Wow. I'm impressed. She seems young to be finished with grad school." He tucked the delivery receipt under his arm and pulled the dolly out from under the cases.

Jay grinned. "Weslee writes her own rules. When they said it would take six years to complete her program, she decided she'd do it in five." He laughed. "And she did."

Ralph chuckled. "Sounds like a go-getter. Exactly what you need around here." He started toward the entrance. "Want me to stop back after I've made my rounds? See if I have anything left?"

Jay nodded. "You know I won't turn down produce at a reduced rate." Ralph's boss would rather have cash in his hand than inventory he couldn't sell.

Ralph gave a thumbs up and exited the shelter.

Jay directed two of his volunteers to put the fruit and vegetables away, keeping a box of potatoes and apples off to the side. He had two more helpers start peeling and slicing to make mashed potatoes and applesauce.

A warm hand on his shoulder drew his attention. "That Weslee Noss come back to the fold, Jay?" Big Bertha Sanderson squeezed her fingers into his skin.

Her name belied her stature, compact and tiny, but her heart and voice earned the moniker. Big Bertha started helping at the shelter when Jay's mom ran the place. She stuck around when Jay took over and he'd be lost without her. She kept order in the kitchen and knew every trick to stretching their supplies. Big Bertha also shared her knowledge with many of the shelter inhabitants.

Jay wrapped an arm around her small frame. "Yeah, Bertha. Weslee's home."

Big Bertha quirked an eyebrow. "For good this time?"

Jay hedged his bets. "I hope so, Bertha. She's got her name on an office."

Bertha inclined her chin. "'Bout damned time our girl came home."

Jay couldn't agree more.

I'm hoping to find time to get moving on this one. The sages are starting to cooperate.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin