Sunday Snippet: Down the Middle

May the Fourth be with anyone who celebrates! And, wow, a shiny new month that's off to a wild start so far. Our weather has been crazy intense with loads of rain. My daughter graduated with a master's in arts administration, and I unfortunately had to miss due to being under the weather. But I'm so proud of her!

Work projects kept me very busy. I'm getting to a finishing point on one that's been difficult to get through and I have a new one getting ready to start. The weather has been wreaking havoc on productivity because the possibility of losing power is a constant concern.

I did have a decent week of viewing and made a full run through my regular slate of shows. I started a movie but didn't have time to finish it.

I caught an episode of Dark Winds and I'm still intrigued by everything that's happening in this show. I love that the FBI agent's cover is blown by episode two and I can't wait to see what happens with the fallout from that.

Also watched another episode of Brokenwood Mysteries. This is truly one of my happy place shows. I'm rather curious about whether Gina is still rooming with Kristin or not and if not, what happened there.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. Very curious where things might go with the Sophie and Neville thing and also where the whole last prepper standing thing will end up going since he's watching Neville.

Loved the season two finale of Beyond Paradise. Humphrey and Martha are so much fun, and the surrounding cast of characters is so good. I'm not always sure about Anne, but she's growing on me.

Caught another episode of Elementary and rather enjoyed Sherlock's attempt at taking care of Joan. And her solution to having her own space is genius.

Watched an episode of Batman Beyond with the beginning of season two. Ended up remembering most of this one. This is such a good follow up to the original series.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. I have some vague memories of both vignettes, which is so weird because most of the ninth season is new to me.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Down the Middle, a novella about a couple that comes together while on the trail of a fugitive.

Here's the miniblurb:

Bounty hunter Ursa Goode always gets her man … if Jake Weatherwax doesn't beat her to him. But when a target escapes and comes after her, Ursa has to take Jake up on his offer to work together and split the reward right down the middle. The need for a partner rubs her wrong, but Jake definitely doesn't.

And a snippety peek…

An incessant buzz from her phone woke Ursa from a deep sleep.

Trying not to disturb the arm draped around her waist, she carefully reached for the device and checked her notifications. Looks like one of my sources got the goods. Gently easing out from under Jake's embrace, she got up and headed for the bathroom to read the text.

According to Baldy, one of her better informants, whispers were scattering that Llewellyn Cavil had holed up in an abandoned gas station over in the flats. "Hope you're right, Baldy." She splashed cold water on her face, running the odds that Cavil planted the location to lure her out against his overconfidence that she would take longer to track him. She figured about fifty-fifty even chance.

Exiting the bath, she dressed quickly then started for the door, with a fleeting thought about pulling a bitch move on Jake by leaving.

The sheets rustled. "Going somewhere, Ursa?" He sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the mattress.

Her shoulders slumped. "Shit. I'm sorry." Guilt didn't sit well with her. "But, look, I don't even know if this will pan out."

Jake angled his head toward her. "Okay, let me ask you something. Does any of this seem familiar?" His brows arched in question.

Ursa sighed. "Dammit, yeah." She went back to the bed and settled at the edge. "How do you want to play the angle?" Weird, how quickly she'd come to rely on his insight.

Jake got his jeans on—commando—and stood up. "We go together. You drop me about three blocks from the meet and I come in as backup." He yanked his shirt over his head and snagged his boots from the floor.

She nodded, got up, and started for the door, but turned back and collided with Jake. He steadied her and she leaned in, kissing him hard on the month.

Jake's eyes widened. "What was that for?"

Ursa rolled a shoulder. "Because. I'm not used to this working with someone thing. You could've made that something more than you did. Thanks for not." If the roles were reversed, she might not have been as giving.

He dropped a kiss on her nose. "I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm a pretty nice guy." He moved past her and pulled the door open. "Unless I have to be not nice." His meaning clear—he'd have her back—he swept his arm out, motioning for her to go first.

She sent him a wide smile and exited into the hallway.

This was a fun scene to write. I love Ursa's choice to be bluntly honest when she's caught out by Jake.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin