Sunday Snippet: Lonely Heart Mountain

Happy Valentine's to those who celebrate. We're supposed to get blasted with more snow but I definitely won't gripe about it because I have family and friends in Texas that will no doubt have it so much worse.

Semi-busy week again with a new work project. Things are picking up a little and I'm grateful and happy to have work still coming in.

I started a new episode of Blue Heelers and have a feeling it's going to be an interesting one. I love getting slice of life glimpses into the town and how it operates.

I finished up the first part of Silent Witness's last two episodes of season eight. I'll be starting the second part this week. Then it's off to season nine.

Caught another episode of No Offence and I'm still liking the show. I'm not a big comedy fan, which is probably evident in my weekly recaps, but I will give dramedies a shot. Glad I stuck with this one.

New seasons are starting of shows I normally watch but I'm so far behind. I haven't been in the mood or the right headspace to really absorb some of them. Maybe I'll get there during the blizzard that's supposed to be headed our way.

I also caught my usual fare of mystery shows this week, but that's pretty much it for television. Tonight's post is from Lonely Heart Mountain, a novella that will hopefully be ready for Valentine's Day 2022.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Author Hettie Blackwell returns home to care for her ailing mother, because her two brothers aren't up to the task. But when Hettie bumps into Winslow Whittaker—the hot new sheriff—she's got more trouble, especially when her younger brother lands in county jail on Valentine's Day.

And a snippety peek…

Winslow Whittaker melted back into the shadows of the trees. The Blackwell woman—he'd had the distinct displeasure of an introduction to her brother already—dragged Hank to her SUV with sheer strength of will. He had to give her credit—she had science to getting her bigger sibling inside.

She hooked her fingers into his belt loops and hefted him upright, throwing his torso onto the seat. Then she crossed to the other side, opened the door and dragged him inside. She left him facedown, came back around, folded his legs upward, then strapped him in—with bungee cords no less.

Win chuckled. "Guess she's done this a time or two." He moved along the edge of the trees, staying back.

He mainly wanted to make sure the bikers didn't harass her anymore and to make sure she got headed home okay. He almost started forward again when she rested her head in her hands on the steering wheel. When she straightened, she looked tired, pissed, and unhappy.

She absolutely fascinated him.

After she started her engine, she began backing out of the line of parked vehicles. Win hung back—only to make sure she got started off the hill. Or so he kept telling himself.

She crept forward then braked and backed up a little. The passenger window rolled down and she stared in his general direction. The inky darkness wouldn't let her see him, but she obviously sensed his presence.

She leaned forward, raising her voice above the music playing. "Hey, Mr. Helpful, come on out where I can see you." She waited only until he emerged from the shadows again before letting him have it. "Next time, and there will be one, you might wanna buy tickets for the Blackwell behaving badly show." Her voice wobbled with frustration and anger.

He had no idea if either or both were directed at him, but he walked steadily toward her vehicle. "Look, I respectfully kept my distance and let you handle your own. But I didn't want to take the chance Bands might get twitchy and cause trouble. Not something you need more of right now." And something he didn't need at the moment either but he couldn't share that information with her.

She cocked her head. "Are you for real? Why would you give two shits about my dumbass brother or me?"

His mouth curved. "Just my nature." He waited a beat. "And I'd love to spend some time with you, if you can make it back here in the next day or so." He pushed his luck with the invitation, but what the hell … she intrigued him.

She shook her head. "Don't hold your breath." Her gaze slid to the prone figure of her brother then back to Win. "But I'll think about it." She eased off the brake and started down the hill.

Winslow followed her progress with his gaze until he couldn't see her taillights anymore.

Letting out a slow breath, he shook his head. "Damn, she's something else." He turned and started back toward the concert area. "Gotta talk to Tim and get the lowdown on the Blackwell woman."

A very interesting start to my tenure in Coshocton County.

I'm not sure where this story will end up being located, but the outdoor concert is based on one that happened for several years in my hometown.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin