Sunday Snippet: Liar's Lament

Still chugging along on various work projects, but I'm at the in-between stages on a few. I like having some free time to focus on writing.

Not a bad week for viewing television. I had to create a workaround for one of the shows I watch, but I'm happy I managed to remember how to set things up.

Caught another episode of Fantasy Island and, wow, I love the unexpected surprise. I'm cautiously optimistic the reveal won't trash things between Elena and Rafael. I'm not holding my breath though. One of the writers is known to mess things up to ramp up the angst factor.

Watched another episode of Strangest Things. I'm always interested in the ancient things they review, but I'm also fascinated by the crazy contraptions featured.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. The puns and play on words are always fun. One of the greatest things about this show is the appeal to all age groups.

I finally finished the Passionflix original, Resisting Roots. I ended up really liking this one. It's not quite as steamy as some of the other movies, but I'm okay with that.

Caught another episode of Madame Blanc Mysteries. Enjoyed this one. Very glad Dom is back in good form.

Watched another episode of Cannes Confidential. I love this show! Camille and Harry are fun, and the underlying, sinister vibe is present but also subtle. Such a great show.

Continued my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica. This week we did a double header of "Resurrection Ship Part One and Two". The next few episodes are solid, but the show stumbles a little leading up to the season two finale. Too many threads that needed some loving care got dropped.

I also started another episode of Peak Practice and need to finish that one up later tonight.

That's it for this week's life update. Tonight's post is from Liar's Lament, a contemporary novella that reunites a couple after a nasty breakup.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Harper Scrytch kicks Rhett Barrison to the curb and runs like hell to avoid a romantic entanglement. Four years later she arrives back in town to make amends only to discover Rhett has moved on … unless he hasn't.

And a snippety peek…

Harper entered the city limits and braced for nostalgia to hit. Nothing like coming back to where life really began.

She traveled down the road toward her hotel. "With my tail between my legs no less." Pulling into the drive of the hotel chain, she sat for a minute, thrilled to be done with long-distance driving for the foreseeable future. "Okay, I'm not exactly crawling back. I have a plan and I'm not running scared anymore." She got out and handled getting checked in, paying for a week's stay.

Depending on how things went, she might extend the reservation.

After she parked close to her end of the wing, she grabbed her camera case and her overnight bag then key-carded the exterior door. She had a top-floor room and took the stairs to the fifth story. She needed the exercise after driving all day. Once inside her room, she deposited the bags on the bed and crossed over to the window.

Retrieving her phone, she hit send to call her mom, then gazed out across the river to the twinkling lights of downtown.

Abigail answered on the third ring. "Harper? Did you make it there? Everything go okay?"

Harper smiled. "Yes, Mom. Just got in and everything isn't okay, but it will be." Her confidence wobbled on the will be part, but she chalked it up to the long drive.

Abigail tsked. "Of course it will. You can't go anywhere but up, Harper." Her voice held no censure. "You've had a rough year."

Man, what an understatement. But Harper wouldn't change anything. Well, not much. Watching her dad lose his life to cancer didn't inspire joy. Having time to mend their fractured relationship, though … meant everything.

Abigail got it. "What you did for your dad, Harper…" She paused a moment. "I'm so proud of you."

Harper basked a little with the praise. And she'd said the same to her mom—four years ago when Harper finally stopped for the night. As promised, Abigail's news hadn't been about another stepparent. She'd found her true calling and opened Mystic Crystal, a shop catering to all who craved everything from crystals to homeopathic supplies. And Abigail had never been happier.

Harper turned from the window. "How did the new store opening go?" Harper couldn't wait to see the new shop.

Something she couldn't imagine happening when she'd split with Rhett. Getting to know her dad and taking care of him healed a hole in Harper's heart. The one left behind when Carlin chased after building his empire by dumping his family and not looking back. But mending the situation with her parents, by learning to accept them for what they were—flawed humans who needed time to figure themselves out—gave Harper a completely new perspective.

Hence the reason she returned. Getting her shit together by dealing with her biggest fears gave her the opportunity to move forward. Hopefully by rekindling a relationship with Rhett. If nothing else, she owed him the truth about the reason she'd left and an apology for the lie she'd told.

Abigail chattered on. "Have you decided what you'll do with the money from Ben's trust?"

Harper settled into a club chair. "My plan hasn't changed. I'm meeting with an agent tomorrow"—her old roommate Lily—"to find a space where I can live and work."

Her dad left everything to Harper. His previous three wives received prenup settlements at the time of their divorces—Abigail included. The myriad of live-in girlfriends had walked away with smiles on their faces—except the last one. She'd driven away with a fingery wave in Ben's sporty coupe.

Abigail broke into Harper's train of thought. "I'm glad you got the time to resolve your issues with him—especially after you and I got things settled. It's good he took care of you."

As the mother of his only child, Abigail expected Ben to leave his estate and trust to Harper. But … she hadn't counted on anything. Ben went through women quickly and spent lavishly. Harper didn't know if he'd have anything to leave. But he hadn't only run multiple venues and two stadiums, he'd invested in all of them, giving him part ownership.

His will stipulated she could do whatever she wanted with the trust, which she hadn't known until after he died. Their finance-focused conversations made so much more sense now. She wouldn't trade any of the time they had, even if she didn't get why he talked about money so much then.

Abigail voiced a quiet question. "Are you sure about returning to Pointe Grand?"

Harper's lips curved. "I am." She loved her mom for asking, especially because Harper hadn't been certain when they spoke last time.

Abigail clucked assurances. "And you also know you always have a place to call home if it doesn't work out for you."

Harper grinned again. "Thanks, Mom."

Who would've guessed five years ago, she'd be happy to hear Abigail offer a welcome place to stay?

They ended the call a few moments later.

Getting up and stretching, she gave in to the urge to crash into bed. "Eight a.m. meeting with Lily is going to come really damn early." Crawling between the sheets, Harper figured she might end up with nostalgic dreams of Rhett. "Which would be better than erotic ones."

Because those made her toss and turn all night.

Harper is fun to write. I love exploring a character that has regrets and she has a few where Rhett is concerned.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin