Sunday Snippet: Wind It Up

Another heavy workload this week followed by some snow and really cold temperatures. Of course, we're supposed to be in the seventies by Thursday, which means my sinuses are going to hate me. Fun times.

Had a slower viewing schedule this week with television. Needed to focus on one of my projects to get it finished up in quick fashion.

I did get quite a few of my regular shows watched. Caught two episodes of Snoopy in Space: The Search for Life. One featured information on Europa and the other on Venus. I'm quite enjoying the mix of sciency goodness with the antics of the Peanuts gang.

Started a new-to-me show with Cuffs and liked the first episode. This one should be interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Got two episodes of Silent Witness in, finishing up a two-parter and starting another. I'm very curious about how this will end as the next show will be the season sixteen finale. I'm a little worried about Leo.

Enjoyed two episodes of Classic Who. I'm kind of dizzy with the loss of Peri and a new companion rolled into the overarching main story. I'm still a fan of how this season is playing out though.

Completed the last episode of The Alaska Triangle and rather enjoyed the focus on a haunted fairground. I wouldn't mind seeing more from this region of Alaska.

Finished up The Muppets and have to admit I really ended up enjoying the season. I'm not sure if I'll start a new muppet series or move on to some of the Marvel universe shows.

I started season two of Harrow and, wow, it got off with a big bang. I'm very intrigued about how the main mystery is going to play out. I like having a case of the week mixed with the background intrigue of who wants Daniel dead.

Enjoyed an episode of Peak Practice and like the sort of slow burn going on with Andrew and the receptionist. I have a feeling that could go to some interesting places.

I watched two MasterClass lessons with Es Devlin. I love her ideas and insight into putting huge projects together by starting with small-scaled ideas. This shouldn't be confused with the ideas being small, more like imagining them in miniature scale and then creating a huge piece from that.

I watched the last episode of Paranoid and ended up loving this series. The ending wrapped up everything and the evildoers got theirs. Can't ask for more.

Snuck in two episodes of Classic Rugrats. I'm close to finishing up season two and need to decide if I'm going to move up to three or switch over to new Rugrats. Stay tuned.

Caught an episode of Chicago Med and I really, really dislike the new chief of the ED. The guy is a complete ass. Here's hoping he'll get a big helping of something not nice in the near future.

I finished up Queens of Mystery and loved the final episode. Lots of new threads to explore in the next season, which I hope is soon. I even ended up not hating the fiancé by the end. I hope if she'd in the next series, she's a lot less obnoxious.

Started a new series with Aliens in Alaska. I'm not quite ready to let the big state go. So far, I'm enjoying the show and look forward to more.

Caught another episode of Blue Heelers and got a kick out of Hugh Jackman guest-starring as an attorney. Honestly, he hasn't changed much in the thirty years since this show aired. Amazing.

Also started Young Wallander based on a recommendation from my brother. I'm almost through the first episode and, so far, enjoy it. Season two came out recently so I have some good stuff to look forward to.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Wind It Up, a novella where a past relationship collides with a present relationship and combines to make a future one.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Garner Mason enlists in the military and leaves Rae Manilow behind—breaking her heart. Rae meets Sheriff Felix Reynolds and falls hard, settling down with him in his mountain cabin. When Garner rolls into town intent on making amends with Rae, she's trapped between two men she deeply loves and can't see a way out of her predicament.

And a snippety peek…

Felix took a breath, letting her wrath wrap around him a moment. "Is that it? All you have to say?" He pushed a little, because he needed to have his turn. "Are you done now?"

She gave an angry little nod. "Yes. Yes, I am." Her arms stayed wound tightly around her middle.

Felix pushed away from the wall. "Good. Now you can shut up and listen. This is how things are going to go from here." He moved steadily forward and eased her arms loose, getting her to relax a little. "You hold the power here, Rae. And you can choose to cut Garner out of your life, but you still have very strong feelings for him and he loves you, whether he can stay or not." Cupping her face, he waited until she met his gaze. "Do you really want the what-if to haunt you?"

Hell, Felix's gut clenched with the idea of the ghost of Garner haunting them for the rest of their lives if she didn't face how she felt.

Rae stepped back and flung an arm out. "What about you? Am I supposed to just date—spend time, whatever—with Garner while I'm living with you? How do you see that working?" She shook her head.

Felix shrugged. "I don't know, yet. But I won't hold you back. I have no need. He's gotta report back to base in a month. So, yeah, I'm willing to step aside, or hell, share if it comes down to it." At the moment, he didn't care what it took and Penelope's words echoed in his mind.

Rae blinked. "I'm sorry. What?" She walked away and paced back and forth. "I can't wrap my head around anything you're saying right now."

Felix followed, wrapping his arms around her. "Rae, can you honestly say who you love more right now?" When her head whipped around, his breath caught at the anguish and emotion in her gaze.

She glanced away. "No. I'm sorry but no, I can't." Her voice broke.

Felix turned her to face him. "Then go with me on this. Take the rest of the night and think about my suggestion." He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

She nodded, too overcome to speak. But her eyes held the promise she would give his idea consideration. Crazy as it might be.

Felix grabbed a throw and settled on the couch. He didn't plan to crowd her and wanted to give her space and time. The decision had to be all hers.

Rae crossed the floor and leaned down to catch his mouth in a gentle embrace. "I love you, Felix. That won't change." Easing back, she brushed her lips over his temple then headed up the stairs to the bedroom.

Felix rose and loosened his belt then shed his pants and shirt. He settled back down on the sofa, kicking his feet up on the cushions. He draped the blanket over his thighs and hunkered down for a long, strange night.

The idea for this story came pretty fast and both Garner and Felix demanded to have a spot in Rae's life, which makes writing this a lot of fun.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin