Sunday Snippet: Midnight Promise

Our temperature warmed up again but didn't get super-hot, so the week ended up being very nice. The leaves are starting to turn and are already falling to the ground. I'm sad the colors aren't nearly as bright as they used to be.

Had a busy work week with lots of potential new projects. I also had some extra time to finish up a fall holiday short story, which makes me so happy! I ended up getting a good chunk of writing done and hope that continues this week.

Ended up with a decent week of viewing television. I got a little distracted with writing so about one full round of my current lineup. Not bad all things considered.

Watched two episodes of My Life Is Murder. So far, I'm enjoying the series. I feel like I might get a little annoyed with Alexa, but it's early days yet and that might change. I do love the supporting characters and how Alexa's backstory is unfolding at a slow drip.

Got almost two episodes of Agatha Raisin watched. I'll be finishing the second one up later today. Another show where I love the supporting characters so much. And Agatha is a lot of fun.

Finished up the second half of Silent Witness, which finished out season twenty-two. I thoroughly enjoyed Nikki knowing in her gut she hadn't made a mistake and then following that through to prove it. I was kind of bummed the assistant ended up being the reason for the problems. Also loved the additional case of the drug-trial testing and how that one played out.

Started season three of Death in Paradise. I've watched the episode before, but it's a great example of how to bring in a new character while giving the original a proper send-off. Looking forward to Humphrey's tenure.

Finished up Fantasy Island's second season. I ended up being fairly pleased with the lack of extended angst between Elena and Javier. So nice to see Ruby's daughter and follow that story. The wives' club fantasy ended up being pretty great also. If and when the writer and actor strike is over, I'll look forward to a season three if the show is renewed.

Caught another episode of The Batman and it's one I'd forgotten. I like having some different or lesser-known rogue characters. And the Alfred and Bruce interactions are fun in this series.

Watched a double-header of Battlestar Galactica with "Lay Down Your Burden," the season two finale episodes. So much to love and so much to not love about these two episodes. And I'm still completely amazed with how prescient this series ended up being. It's freaky sometimes.

Enjoyed an episode of Classic Rugrats, which ended season five and ushered in the first movie and baby Dil. I'd completely forgotten about Charles's parents being in this one. Kind of cool to see them.

Also caught another episode of VIP. It's one I remember from way back in the day and a fun one, where Tasha actually give Val kudos. This is an over-the-top wild show but so much fun to watch.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Midnight Promise, a holiday-themed novella that got a start with brainstorming story ideas session.

Here's the miniblurb:

Lance Norris leaves the military just in time for Halloween and he can't wait to get home where he reconnects with Melba Johnson, his recently divorced high-school sweetheart and the owner of a popular hometown bar. Determined to win Melba back over, Lance embarks on a whirlwind courtship throughout the holiday season and plans to propose at midnight on New Year's Eve. The only stumbling block? She still has close ties with her ex.

And a snippety peek…

Melba Johnson turned from her spot on a ladder when someone rapped on the door of her bar. "Hey, Tani, can you let Jake in?" She nodded toward the entrance.

Melba's employee stopped painting the window and let Jake Hawkins—Melba's ex-husband—in.

Jake darted over. "Need some help?" He took the black, orange, and purple bunting Melba had draped over one arm and widened it out.

Melba smiled. "Thanks. I'm going all the way across with it." With both hands free, she stapled the fabric as far down as she could.

Tani put the finishing touches on the witch's hat taking up most of the window. "How's it look, boss?" She stepped back, waving her arm with a flourish.

Jake nodded. "I'm not the boss, but that looks spectacular." He glanced up to Melba. "Are you using the black light paint again? People loved that last year."

Melba climbed off the ladder and moved it down to the center of the bar. "We are. Tani's adding a black cat on the other window. Should look amazing from the outside." She gave Tani a thumbs-up. "The hat is perfect." She angled around to get back on the ladder, but Jake had the rest of the bunting hung.

He came down. "Figured my arms are longer." He handed her the stapler. "Need help with the lights?" He nodded toward the strands she had sitting on the bar.

She tilted her head. "Didn't you just get off work?" He had a twenty-four-hour shift at the fire department.

Jake shrugged. "Yeah. We had a slow night. So, I don't need to head home and crash." He took one set of lights. "Where are you thinking for the green ones?"

Tani stopped painting the outline of the cat. "You two blow my mind. I've never seen a couple get divorced and become best friends." She shook her head.

Melba laughed. "Helps that we were best friends before we got married." Something they shouldn't have done in the first place.

Jake started winding the green lights around the pillar at one end of the bar. "You've worked for Melba since she took over the bar. You know the history." He met Melba's gaze and flashed a smile.

Melba grinned back. "Our biggest mistake was trying to keep up with the Joneses." As in, getting married because all their friends were tying the knot.

A really bad decision, which they discovered last year. If anyone would've told her she'd get married at twenty-two, separated at twenty-five, and divorced by twenty-six, she'd have called them a liar. But she also wouldn't have met Jake, who truly had been her best friend before their ill-fated nuptials.

Tani laughed. "You also had the most amicable breakup ever." She went back to filling in the outline of the hair-raising cat.

Jake finished winding the lights and came around for another strand. "There's one part of the story she doesn't know, does she?" He picked up the purple lights.

Melba lifted her chin. "No, she doesn't. No one knows except you, and you deserved to know why we couldn't stay married." And why she'd probably never say I do again.

Because … she'd already given her heart away to someone else and they still had it.

I'm so happy with how this scene came together. I'm having fun exploring how an amicable parting of the ways can work well for a character.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin