A weird week of
chilly weather and lots of cleaning projects. I'm at that place where the clutter
is driving me bonkers, but I don't have enough hours in the day to really focus
on a good cleanout. So … I'm tackling small areas to at least make a little
progress.
Lots of work
projects landing in my inbox. A few have been quick turnarounds, which I enjoy.
I love having a project that I can finish up in a few hours. That type of work
helps when I also have three difficult manuscripts that challenge my brain and
one that requires a lot of focus.
Had a solid week of
viewing. I'm still trying to finish up an episode of Peak Practice, but
I made it through a full round of shows.
Started with Mr.
and Mrs. Murder, an Australian mystery series. I've seen several episodes
but not in order and I'm looking forward to watching this one from beginning to
end. Thoroughly enjoyed the first episode, which I had not seen.
Also started a
new-to-me British crime drama called London Kills. Loved the first episode
and look forward to watching this series.
Caught another episode
of Death in Paradise introducing the new DI. Enjoyed the interaction
between the commissioner and his new lead detective. Interesting to have
someone Patterson doesn't particularly like as part of the team.
Started a new
two-part Silent Witness. I'm intrigued by the premise of this one. I
thought the episode felt a little disjointed and I'm hoping the initial murder
somehow ties into the other two. Kind of happy to be guessing on this one.
Watched a fun
episode of Elementary with the return of Lestrade. I love the actor, so
I love the character. Plus, he's much less annoying than Mycroft.
Enjoyed an episode
of The Batman. Finally got a return of Batgirl. I'd forgotten Firefly
powered up in a big way and almost blew up Gotham. Great episode.
Caught another new-to-me
episode of Classic Rugrats. I'm not a great fan of the three-vignette
format but I do have a lot of love for this series.
That's pretty much
it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Veritas, a
novella that reunites a couple after a bad breakup.
Here's the
miniblurb:
Tillie Cruz has a moment of veritas when she shoots Faxon
Jarvis in a friendly fire incident. The realization she wants a life with him
may be too late because Faxon has a new relationship, and Tillie doesn't want
to mess it up. But she may not have to—her bullet may have done the trick.
And a snippety peek…
Maisie pulled into Faxon's drive
and shut the engine off. "Stay there. Let me get the door for you."
She hopped out and dashed around the front of the car.
Faxon shook his head. "I
could've opened it myself." Maisie didn't hear the muttered words, and he
mustered a smile when she insisted on getting the small bag the hospital gave
him along with his after-discharge instructions.
He had a full week of follow-up
appointments with his primary care physician and a physical therapist. Pain
meds were being delivered by the pharmacy and a grocery delivery would be on
its way as soon as he had five minutes to order from the app on his phone.
Maisie unlocked his door and opened
it wide, so he didn't jostle his injured side. She placed his bag on the coffee
table and darted from the kitchen to the bathroom then back with some water and
over-the-counter tablets, which she placed on the end table beside him.
He settled on the sofa, wincing
when he jarred his wound. Agitated, Maisie paced back and forth, a ball of
pent-up energy. She'd pause to glance out the window then go back to walking
the length of his living room.
Faxon straightened up on the couch.
"I'm getting dizzy. Why don't you sit?" He looked for the television
remote thinking she might calm down if they watched something.
She settled on the edge of the
chair. "I can't do this." Her fingers twisted in her lap. "I
know you think it's nothing, but you got shot." She huffed out a breath. "By
one of your own, no less." Her knee bounced up and down.
Faxon got completely serious.
"I did, yes. But it's rare. Even by someone who's not on the other
side." He could give her the statistics, but decided she didn't need or
want numbers.
She wanted reassurance, and he
really couldn't give her any.
Maisie shrugged. "Maybe it is,
but we've only been together for a few months." She met his gaze. "I
can't imagine how I'd deal if we stayed together and it happened again."
Faxon lifted his chin. "So
that's it? We end it now?" He didn't mince words or make things harder for
her.
She nodded. "Before I fall
deeper, yes." Her eyes watered a little, but she didn't cry.
Faxon reached out and clasped her
hand. "I'm sorry." He really couldn't say anything else.
Maisie squeezed his fingers.
"Don't be. There's no fault here." Her lips twisted in a sad smile.
"Not like I didn't know you were a cop from the beginning. I just didn't
realize how hard it would be."
Faxon's head bobbed up and down.
"I understand." He did … especially since he couldn't offer any guarantees.
She leaned in and kissed him.
"Goodbye, Faxon." She got to her feet and quietly left.
Faxon took stock. He should
probably be more upset. Getting dumped on the heels of getting shot should
sting a lot more than it did. Yet he didn't blame Maisie for bailing and he couldn't
find the ache of loss he should have.
Because of Tillie. She'd taken up a
lot of space in his mind since her impromptu visit at the hospital. He couldn't
shake the idea she'd wanted to say more or that she'd chosen her words
carefully when he called and asked to see her.
Leaning his head against the
cushions, he stared at the ceiling. "We need to talk, Tillie. Soon."
He had a lot he wanted to say.
And he'd find a way to make her
listen.
I like writing
reunions when a conflict has to be resolved. Faxon hopes he'll be back on track
with Tillie in the near future … if she doesn't end up running scared.
That's it for this
week. Happy reading!
Skylin
