Sunday Snippet: Rescue Me

Wow, another rough week on the home front. My middle kiddo is really struggling right now and I hate not being able to help him even though he's an adult. He's really tired of landing in the emergency department but we might be getting closer to figuring out what's going on with him. A few specialist appointments in September might help even more.

Didn't get as much television viewed but had a decent amount nonetheless. Started out with The Brokenwood Mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed the episode. I really like seeing previous characters in their recurring roles.

Finished up Silent Witness's second episode and don't remember watching it during my first viewing. Glad I got to see it.

Watched an arc of Classic Who and should be finished up with the season eighteen soon. I think it might be the last one for Four.

Got another episode of UFO Witness viewed and rather enjoyed this one. Still feels staged but I liked the deep dive into whether there's a secret underground base of operations for aliens.

Caught two episodes of The Muppet Show with Raquel Welch and James Coco as the guest stars. About halfway through season three and looking forward to more.

Finished out McCartney 3, 2, 1 and would love to see more. So many great moments and songs in this brief look into Paul McCartney's journey as a musician.

Watched another episode of Peak Practice and ended up liking it a lot. Will can be such a prat sometimes but I like that about his character.

Enjoyed another lesson on Master Class. LeVar Burton focused on reading to children and interacting with them about the source material. Very interesting!

Started Inside the Episodes: The Witcher and loved going back to revisit the first episode. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Caught another episode of New Rugrats and loved it. I really enjoy the updated version of this show.

Finishing out the week with Chicago Med and it's a heatwave episode. I'm totally feeling that this week. It got hot again.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Rescue Me, a novella that has the characters surviving a crazy-busy day and looking forward to a sexy anniversary celebration.

Here's the mini-blurb:

After twenty-four hours of nonstop runs in two busy station houses, Skylar Darns and Hayes Parrison, two extremely good paramedics, are ready to throw in the towel and have someone rescue them. The one saving grace? They spend the day planning their anniversary celebration—one they may be too exhausted to attend.

And a snippety peek…

Hayes wrapped up the fifth call of the day. "Going for a record, I think."

On the way out to the rig, he bumped into Kevin Wayne, one of the ED doctors.

Dr. Wayne lifted his chin. "Heard you guys have been busy today."

Hayes rolled his eyes. "You heard right. It's been nonstop since we logged on shift." He pushed the cot over to the ambulance.

Kevin followed. "It's been quiet lately. We're probably overdue for a full-on fright night." He propped a shoulder against the metal surface of the vehicle.

Hayes shrugged. "Fright night without a full moon? Not sure I want to see what that looks like." The running joke about calls increasing on the monthly lunar event often proved accurate.

Wayne laughed and held up his hands. "Yeah, same. Hence the reason I'm preparing for the worst." He pushed away from the rig and shook his head. "I'm headed in … I'm sure I'll see you in the near future."

Hayes chuckled and finished loading the cot. He liked Kevin and appreciated the friendly exchange. "Took some time to get there." Mainly because Wayne happened to be Skylar's ex—fly in the ointment of an almost perfect beginning.

Two years ago, Hayes got a two by four to the gut when he brought a patient in and bumped into Skylar. She flashed a bright smile and waved. She'd been on his mind since their steamy kiss a week prior.

He handed off the patient and strolled back out into the corridor headed for the nurses' station. He stopped short when Kevin came up behind Skylar and wrapped his arms around her waist, his lips nuzzling her neck. Her eyes widened and a second later her gaze met Hayes's.

Guilt reflected back in his direction. She's seeing someone. It figures. Angry and disappointed, he turned and left the hospital, climbing in the back of the rig to check supplies.

Grabbing the inventory board, he slapped it against his leg. "Another woman too good to be true." With terse movements and less than gentle handling of the equipment, he ran down the checklist.

The image of Skylar and Doctor Wayne popped up in his mind again. He squeezed the IV bags between his fists. Why did she even meet me last week?

A throat cleared behind him. "Uh, just guessing here, but I assume it's my neck you're feeling between your fingers right now?"

He swung his gaze sideways. "More like my own. For being stupid enough to think I had a shot with you." He tossed the bags back into their designated spot.

Skylar stepped up into the back. "I realize I'm entering at my own risk here, but we should talk." She dropped down onto the bench seat.

Hayes snorted. "You're fine. All the sharps objects are safely stored." He pulled the seat down on the captian's chair and perched on the edge. "The worst I could do would be to restrain you with a five-point harness."

Skylar's eyes widened. "Kinky. I'll file that one away for later."

Hayes shook his head. "Don't bother. Call me old-fashioned but I'm not one to share." He huffed out a breath. "I'm selfish that way."

Skylar leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "To be frank, I'm not much into sharing either. And I'm not a fan of two-timing men. Doctor Wayne has been gone and only returned today. As in literally just got back when you saw us." She met his gaze. "I'm meeting him later to let him know I'm interested in someone else—that would be you—even if you'd rather not speak to me again." She glanced away. "That kiss we shared rocked my world in a way Kevin's never has."

So she didn't lead me on. He wanted to kiss her but respected the fact she needed to be free from entanglements first. Instead, he slid down to his knees in front of her.

He cupped her face with one hand. "I think I'll be talking to you a lot in the near future." He waggled his eyebrows. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

She laughed. "Hopefully making out with you." She put her palm over his for a moment then eased off the bench. "I'll call you."

And she had … the next day after she'd explained things to Dr. Wayne. Kevin took the news well but stayed cool toward Hayes for several weeks. Not that Hayes blamed the guy. Hard to be friendly to the new man in Skylar's life.

But … Kevin bounced back with a sweet-natured radiologist and they were still together.

Closing the doors to the ambulance, Hayes logged back on for calls. Dispatch immediately responded with an emergency at the car dealership three blocks over. Hayes whistled for his partner and slid behind the wheel of the rig.

"Off to call number six."

This one has been so much fun to write. Skylar and Hayes are a great couple and I love writing an established romance with interesting conflicts.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin