Sunday Snippet: Wind It Up

Ohio is back to being contrary with its weather. Super cold days in the teens followed by a warmup of midfifties. My sinuses hate this kind of back and forth.

Had a fairly busy work week with a new project landing in my inbox. It's one of my favorite authors to edit and proofread for. Also spent a lot of time pulling my tax stuff together. I realized last week I hadn't filed for 2023 yet. Better late than never.

Not a bad week of viewing. I didn't make a full round of my usual slate of shows, but I got most of the way through. Again, my sleep schedule is playing havoc with my brain.

Watched another episode of Mr and Mrs Murder and thoroughly enjoyed it. A lot of familiar faces in this one, which is always fun.

Caught another episode of London Kills and I'm kind of excited about Rob and Vivienne teaming up to investigate David. Of course, there's more to the story and I can't wait to find out what's really going on.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. I'd seen most of this one but it's nice to follow the whole story from beginning to end instead of catching bits and pieces all the time.

Finished up season twenty-seven of Silent Witness. Gotta say, I really enjoyed the finale. Jack proposing to Nikki made my heart happy. And I'm interested to see what happens with Jack's place. Maybe Kara and Velvy will stay there.

Watched another episode of Elementary and enjoyed it. Still not a Mycroft fan even if he had extenuating reasons for being an ass. I am kind of glad Sherlock isn't going to throw his brother under the bus. At least I don't think he is. The next episode should reveal what will happen.

And that's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Wind It Up, a novella that features a past and present dilemma for the main character.

Here's the miniblurb:

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 sat at the bar in Maguire's Saloon, nursing a beer.

The door whooshed open and, didn't it figure, Rae's ex strolled in. Garner made a quick scan of the interior—something Felix recognized from his military training—then ambled up to the bar and ordered a draft. The bartender pulled a mug from the shelf, filled it, and set it in front of Garner. Felix observed, trying to decide whether to confront the other man or stay on the sidelines.

Confrontation won.

He swiveled around on the stool and cleared his throat.

Garner glanced toward Felix and recognition flared in Garner's gaze. His fingers tightened on the mug, but otherwise, his face remained neutral. Felix took that as a good sign.

He nodded toward a table in the corner. "Got a minute?" He didn't wait for a response, sliding off the stool and heading for the alcove.

Mason would follow or not. Instinct said the other man would face Felix. Rae's recollections of their time together hinted at a strong streak of honor in Garner. Sure enough, booted footsteps sounded on the polished floor behind Felix.

Felix settled atop one of the chairs. Garner took the opposite one and both set their mugs on the surface at the same time. Garner slouched down, angling his legs to one side and crossed his ankles.

Felix took a moment to assess the other man. Rae loved him. She always would. And Felix loved her. His conversation with Penelope replayed in his mind. Love is what we make of it. It can be narrow and clearly expressed or expansive and hard to define. She'd nailed the issue on the head.

Garner met Felix's gaze. "Your minute is half gone. Say your piece." He took a long swallow of his beer.

Felix didn't mince words. "What are your intentions? You planning to pull Rae back into a relationship?" He arched his brow. "Or just stopping in for a quick screw? If so, think again. A fast pit stop won't work here. She's a hell of a woman and deserves better." And she'd probably be pissed if she could hear him now.

Garner straightened up and crossed his ankle over his knee. "You mean with someone like you?" His lip curled but his tone lacked heat.

Felix grunted. "Like with whoever she wants. If that's you, I can step aside." He wouldn't like it or make it easy, but he'd get out of the way if he had to.

Garner snorted. "As if."

Felix leaned in. "Rae and I have a lot of discussions where your name pops up. I can live with that." He loved her pure heart. "But don't make promises you can't keep. If you're not going to stick around, don't stir shit up." Or leave her in tiny pieces.

Garner clenched his fist. "I can't stick around. But I love her, man. I always have. Coming back here … facing my past … I needed to do that. And I still love her. Always will." His shoulders slumped and he heaved a sigh.

Felix leaned back. "But you won't stay." Would he really wreck Rae again?

Garner gave a swift back and forth of his head. "I can't. I know it's not fair. But I'm special forces and damn good at my job. I made a promise to my CO to stay in. He's the closest thing I've had to an actual dad." He exhaled slowly. "I won't let him down. Not after he pulled me up straight and gave me a purpose."

Felix lifted his chin. "Yeah, I get it." He waited a moment. "So, how do you see this playing out? Because a quick romp for old time's sake will only hurt Rae."

Garner sighed. "Yeah. I know." He took a long sip of his bear. "I don't know, man. This was a terrible idea. Probably be better all around if I get the hell out of town and finish my leave somewhere else."

Felix shook his head. "Don't even think about it unless she asks you to. You don't get to decide what's best for her." Hell, I don't get to make that choice either. Even if that's what I'm doing right now.

Garner arched a brow. "If she decides I'm best for her? You willing to walk away?"

Felix gave a terse nod. "I love her enough to get out of the way." He shot Garner a look. "I also love her enough to stay."

Garner blew out a harsh breath. "Harsh. But point made." He scooted back. "Look, I've been as honest as I can. I've got thirty days leave. I'll be around that long. Rae can contact me if she wants." He got up to leave.

Felix stopped him. "I'm going home to her now and I'll be telling her we talked." Then brace for impact because she'd be unhappy.

Garner shrugged, a smirk playing across his mouth. "Can't stop you, and I've been gone a long time, but not long enough to forget she won't be happy about our discussion."

Felix snorted. "No, she won't be." And damned if he didn't like Garner a hell of a lot—even with that blast of honesty.

I love this story so much. It's so much fun writing a throuple.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin