Sunday Snippet: Elective Campaign

I spent the past week wondering where half the year has gone quickly followed by feeling like it's been a decade since January. Anyone else have that experience? It's kind of insane how weird this year has been.

I did get a few shows watched while I worked on several projects. I had a week where I wanted some good background noise and got multiple episodes of Danger Man in. I truly enjoy this classic show.

I also started another episode of Blue Heelers. I'm almost through the second season of the show and I'm enjoying how things get changed up. I also love seeing how rural Australia is portrayed.

Have almost all of Riverdale's "Tangerine" in the watched column. Man, lots of reveals and good stuff in this episode. As much as I loathe and dislike Hiram, I kind of loved how Veronica sticks it to him. That said, I dread her storyline revolving around one-upping her dad all the time … if that's the direction the story goes in. Cheryl's situation with her mummy dearest ended up being a load of fun to watch. Archie's vigilantism biting him on the ass ended up being better than I thought it would be. Also loved Jughead finally getting to the bottom of the whole deal with his grandfather and the mystery books. And Betty … not quite sure how I feel about everything going on with her. I do have a theory about who's doing what to whom and I can't wait to see if I'm right.

Last but not least … I finally watched "Fadeout", the finale of Arrow. I have to say I couldn't have asked for a better end to the series. I'm so sad to see this chapter of the Arrowverse close but I'm also thrilled to have been a part of the experience from the very beginning. I got to watch the characters grow and change and become who and what they're meant to be. I think my favorite thing about this whole season are the callbacks to previous seasons and the cavalcade of familiar faces from the past—seriously, I don't think they missed anyone—and how they made Oliver's send-off worth its weight in green arrows. The fadeout with Oliver and Felicity in Moira's office ended up being pretty much a perfect endcap to the entire series. My glass is raised and my pile of tissues is testament to the emotional journey I took with the cast and crew of one of my very favorite shows ever.

Whew. I'm actually getting a kick in the feels all over again.

And that's a good note to wrap up television for this week. Tonight's post is from Elective Campaign, a novella that's been a lot of fun to write, especially the mother / daughter relationship.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Mac is running for reelection and needs a logistical planner on his roster to win. Yancy has the training and background but she presents a problem … Mac is very attracted to her. They fight the pull but give in and once it's discovered, he might lose more than the election.

And a snippety peek…

Mac exited his vehicle outside the municipal building and nearly collided with a stunning woman. "Whoa." He grasped her elbow, making sure she didn't lose her balance. "Sorry about that. Is there something I can help you with?" He definitely didn't recognize the beauty.

Her brows furrowed. "Uh, maybe. I'm looking for the municipal court." She waved a piece of paper. "I got a speeding ticket and would like to pay the fine." Her cheeks colored a little.

Mac inclined his chin. "Ah, the court is on the lower level. I'll walk you around. I'm stopping in to see the city attorney anyway." The converted school building served as city hall and housed the municipal court. "I take it you're not from around here?" She couldn't be if she didn't know the odd setup of the building.

She shook her head. "No, I'm from Illinois." She didn't add more but fell into step beside him. "Nice little city here."

His chest puffed out a little. "Thanks. I'll pass that along to the city council. We've got a meeting later tonight." He loved hearing praise from nonresidents.

She tilted her head. "You're on the council?" She gave him a slow once-over.

His lips quirked. "Not on the council, no. I'm the mayor." He stuck out his hand. "Mac Davison." He chuckled when her eyes widened.

She grasped his palm. "Yancy Malloy, alleged speed demon." Her lips curved. "I missed the lower limit posted just outside the city limits. Got caught going fifty-seven in a fifty zone."

Mac chuckled. "I'll bet Deputy Stonemark wrote your ticket. He's a stickler for enforcing the speed limit close to the traffic ramps." The ordinance passed two years ago to help with the lake quadrant project.

Yancy nodded. "He would be the one, yes. He was very kind about the whole thing. Said I could come and pay the fine today, so here I am."

They'd reached the entrance to the municipal court. Mac almost hated to end the conversation. Something about Yancy Malloy sparked his interest.

He opened the door and ushered her inside with a sweep of his arm. "If you head straight down this hall, you'll find the clerk's office. Someone there will be happy to help you settle your fine." He paused by the short set of stairs leading to the law director's office. "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Malloy."

She gave him a wide smile. "It's Yancy, and very nice to meet you too." She headed toward the clerk's office.

Mac only spent about five minutes with the city attorney, dropping off some zoning committee questions for the council meeting. He trotted down the stairs and almost bumped into Yancy again.

She flashed a quick grin. "We need to stop meeting like this."

He laughed. "I take it you're all set then?" He couldn't believe his lucky timing.

She nodded. "Quick and painless … except for the hit to my bank account." She started toward the exit.

He quickly followed. "Would you mind if I walked along with you? I'm headed back to the upper parking lot too."

She gave him a shy sideways glance. "Not at all. Pleasant company is always welcome."

He got a kick of the low-key flirting they were engaged in. When they reached the sidewalk leading to the parking lot, a teenage girl hopped off the hood of a car, waving two bags of takeout.

"Mom! You'll never believe it. They have a quaint Victorian house that's been turned into a restaurant. It's gorgeous."

Mac's heart sank a little. It never occurred that Yancy might be married. And from the looks of her daughter, she would've been very young when it happened.

He recovered quickly. "English Charm. Best chicken salad sandwiches on the planet." He pointed to the east. "The family's owned the house for generations."

Yancy grinned and took a bag from her daughter. "And you're in love with the place, aren't you?" She gave her daughter an indulgent smile.

The girl gave an eager nod. "This is such a cool town, Mom. We should think about staying here." She shot Mac a side-eye. "Who's your new friend?" Curiosity filled her tone.

Mac liked her. The teenager had vibrancy and sass but didn't cover it up with lots of attitude. She also had respectful air about her.

Yancy quirked an eyebrow. "This is the mayor, Mac Davison." She glanced in his direction. "Mr. Davison, this is my daughter, Vivian."

Vivian thrust her hand outward. "Viv, please. Vivian is usually reserved for when I do something exasperating." She shot Yancy a smirk.

Charmed beyond measure, Mac shook hands with Viv. "It's nice to meet you." He picked up the thread she'd dropped earlier. "Did you mention something about staying? Are you considering a move from Illinois?" He directed the last part of the question to Yancy.

Viv answered. "We're settling somewhere in Ohio, just don't know where yet." She waved her bag and headed for the car. "I'm starved. Drinks are inside, Mom. But don't rush." She met Mac's gaze. "Mom and I aren't in a big hurry and we have no one else to worry about." With a head tilt and sly grin, she ducked inside the vehicle and closed the door.

Yancy heaved a sigh and shook her head. "My daughter lacks any kind of subtlety, as you've probably figured out." Her cheeks bloomed with color again.

Mac chuckled. "Her roundabout way of informing me you're single?" He really hoped so.

Yancy snorted. "Not so roundabout, but, yes. I've always been single. And, yes, to answer your earlier question, we're making a move. I have some extended family here in Ohio."

Mac stuck a foot on the lower rung of the wood fence and folded his forearms on his knee. "Are they close by?"

She shook her head. "Not really. And we're not all that close, but I loved visiting when I was a kid. Viv and I needed a change of scenery and she's all for the adventure."

Mac hoped they'd consider sticking around. He wouldn't be doing his due diligence if he didn't make an attempt to garner new residents.

Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew his wallet and fished out a card. "Sheri Campbell is our chamber of commerce director." She also happened to be his step-sister. "Give her a call and she'll get you set up with a place to stay … if you're really interested in sticking around." He handed the card over to Yancy.

Sheri loved helping new people get their bearings.

Yancy eyed the card. "I might just do that." With a smile, she turned and headed for her car. "It really was nice meeting you."

Mac waited until her vehicle left the parking lot before he whipped out his phone and made a quick call to his step-sister.

I like Viv and Yancy's relationship. They're close but not completely in each other's pockets. Mac adds a really fun layer to their dynamic too.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin