Sunday Snippet: Weathering the Storm

Welcome, December! I'm truly not sure what this month will bring. I'm at a weird place where I feel kind of stuck and a little buried under the weight of needing to get things done … but I have no idea where to start.

Work slowed down a little, which isn't a great thing. But it did give me some time to spend with my daughter when she came home for Thanksgiving break. I'm so grateful for that time. And December still looks to be booked with projects for the most part.

The temperature did drop but didn't quite dip into the teens. I'm really not ready for the arctic blast yet. But it does help get me in a mood for the holidays.

Had a semi-decent week of viewing. My sleep schedule is all over the place again and that doesn't always make for a good attention span.

Watched the season two premiere episode of London Kills. Nice to see Billie back in action. I'm interested in the ongoing arc from season one. This cast is stellar, and I love the changing dynamics between them.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. I'm starting to find some redeeming value in Neville. I liked the way he kind of helped Florance. Really not sure about Marlon.

Enjoyed part one of Silent Witness. Loving some inside looks at Jack and Nikki and the mystery is kind of amazing. I have no idea where things are going and that's always fun.

Watched another episode of Elementary. Mycroft is an ass and maybe that's a good thing. He definitely has some explaining to do. I do give him kudos for being able to manipulate Sherlock even if I hate that he could. And I'm going to be really pissed if Sherlock decides Joan is his weakness and starts acting like a bigger ass than Mycroft.

Caught an episode of The Batman and it's one I don't remember watching previously. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Having a team that is completely opposite of Batman and Robin was fun.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. I think it's the final one where the whole episode is one story. I kind of wish there were more of those.

And that's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Weathering the Storm, a novella where the characters are prepping to be snowed in.

Here's the miniblurb:

Gabby Carns and Tim Appleby live in a remote, mountainous region. When the weather report warns of massive snow fall, the couple prepares for the coming blizzard. But instead of being fearful, they're looking forward to the alone time—nothing brings out the steamy romance like a plunge in the temperature.

And a snippety peek…

Tim stacked the last of the chopped wood. "Better get a fire going." The gray sky looked hazy from the falling white stuff.

He stomped the flakes from his boots and slid them off just inside the door. Hanging his flannel on the hook, he headed over and lit the logs in the fireplace grate then in the woodburning stove. He found the PB and B sandwiches and wolfed them down before making sure the hurricane lanterns were filled and ready.

He puttered in his workspace. "I hope Gabby makes another hearty stew." Not much could beat strip checkers by the fire and Gabby's cooking.

She joked about lacking skill, but he didn't want a gourmet chef. She made simple recipes then elevated them with twists on tradition. Her grilled peanut butter and apple sandwiches had been a first for him. And they were actually pretty tasty.

"Not as good as peanut butter and banana, though."

He checked the clock. "Should have enough time to grab a shower and get the guideline secured for the generator before Gabby gets back." He'd help her unload and get everything put away.

He didn't take long and stood at the window, toweling his hair dry. The clouds were darker, and the snow fell harder. It still scrabbled across the ground, not quite sticking yet. But it would soon. The wind had picked up and the flurries danced in little whirlwinds.

Dragging on a pair of jeans, he threw a waffle-knit shirt over his shoulder and snagged a pair of thick socks from his drawer. He shrugged the shirt over his head and slid his feet into the socks then his boots. After retrieving a length of rope from his workspace, he knotted one end to the railing on the back porch. He'd lowered the tarps to act as a windbreak and to keep most of the snow off the porch. The generator sat close to the AC unit about fifteen feet away from the back door. Never a problem if they lost power when a thunderstorm blew through.

"Definitely not fun when we've got blizzard conditions." He pulled the rope taut and tied it off on the post between the house and the generator.

He huffed out a breath. The last time they'd been snowed in, they struggled to not get turned around in the whiteout conditions. Gabby suggested the guideline and didn't have to work to convince him. "We should think about adding a solar-powered generator next year." No need for gas cans.

While the weather held, he made his way to the shed and loaded up a canvas bag with rolled-up papers. "Love recycling the store ads we get in the mail." The skinny logs made great kindling.

He deposited them beside the stacked wood then went back to putter in his work area until Gabby got home.

Tim and Gabby are fun to write, especially with building anticipation for weathering a huge snowstorm.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin