Sunday Snippet: Follow Intructions

Getting a late start to my day because my sleep schedule is out of whack. This has affected my great cleanout project, and I'm still determined to get back on track and at least do small things each day. Stay tuned!

On a different note, I did get about ten pounds of ground beef cooked and in the freezer. Also got three bags of grapes cleaned and in the fridge. So, the cleanout project took a back burner, but I did get other things done.

Work is still busy with new projects coming in and I'm enjoying the variety of things I have right now. I've also been able to do some catchup on my own stuff. I've been striving for better balance between my editing work and my writing.

Had a solid viewing week and made a full round of my regular shows and my two back burner shows. I'll be starting a new one this week, I think. Looking forward to picking up with a new season of something.

Started the week with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the episode and getting some Dr. Mac backstory.

Think I finished up the first season of Art Detectives. I really enjoyed this show and hope to see another season. They left enough seeds to pick up if they get one.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise and ended up really loving the mystery. Not a standard path and the twists were good.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. It's one I'd seen most of before and I remembered most of the plot. Good episode.

Watched an episode of Elementary. Gotta say I love Joan being totally unafraid of the elder Holmes. Their interactions were very fun. And her getting the goods on him rocked the entire episode.

Caught an episode of Batman Beyond. It's one I remembered but forgot about. Does that make sense. Great episode too.

Enjoyed an episode of Lower Decks. This show is kind of wonky but usually adorable. Just enough tongue in cheek to keep things interesting and fresh.

Watched the opening of Peak Practice season eleven. Sam is on a precarious journey, and I think his exit is set up nicely. Not really sure about Will and Kate. I'm not really interested in them becoming the new Andrew and whatever his partner's name is.

Also caught another episode of Reacher. Man. This show. If I ever find the time, I want to do a deep dive and dig into some of the themes and tropes I love.

And that's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Follow Instructions, a novella that brings work partners together as something more.

Here's the miniblurb:

Risa Pym and Ford Thrummond, fellow paramedics, enjoy playing one-upmanship with each other, using sexy banter to bank the fires of their attraction. A slight mishap occurs when Ford exits their squad, and Risa decides it's time he learns the ins and outs of how to use the grips properly … and not so properly.

And a snippety peek…

Risa didn't know if she could answer that question. At least not with the full truth.

She swallowed. "Uh, well … it sucks to be out of commission." She licked the end of her spoon. "And you haven't smiled in days. So, I guess I wanted to make that happen." There … honesty but not oversharing.

Ford might not be ready to hear the real reason she wanted him happy. She missed him being her partner. And the realization made her think about more.

Ford's lips twisted with a grimace. "I'm not used to the inactivity. And I hate the damn crutches." He shoveled more ice cream into his mouth.

She chuckled. "Yeah, it kinda shows. They make you very cranky." She picked around the bowl to find the peanut butter chunks.

Ford sighed. "Yeah, I've been a big grouch." He shrugged. "First week's the hardest, right? It'll get better?" He arched his brows.

Risa shifted in her chair. "Well, yeah?" She didn't sound very convincing, but she didn't want to lie. "Depends on your point of view, I think." The broken elbow situation didn't improve until she no longer had a cast.

Ford's brows furrowed. "You're saying it's gonna suck no matter what." He slurped another spoonful of ice cream.

Risa lifted a shoulder. "No, I'm not. For me, it didn't get better until I had the cast off. But for you? You'll eventually go to a boot then a brace, right? So, how long it sucks is kinda up to you." She sent him a big grin.

Ford grunted. "Yeah, yeah. Positive attitudes are hard to muster when you take five times longer to get anywhere." He grumbled under his breath then met her gaze. "The ice cream helps though."

Risa bit back a laugh. "You said that already." Her heart rate kicked up because she'd succeeded in brightening his day.

Ford finished off the treat. "Hate to ask … but could you rinse the bowl? I'm past due to elevate the foot." He scooted out and grabbed his crutches.

Risa nodded. "Already planned to. I'm a full-service treater." She finished off her helping.

Ford leaned down and brushed his lips over her cheek. "Thank you. Seriously. This kind of made my whole day." Tucking his crutches under his arms, he hobbled out to the rec room.

Risa blinked then shook her head. "How do I get a zing from a sweet kiss on the cheek?" But she definitely got one.

Might be time to see where things could go between them. She had a perfect idea for another note…

I'm having fun with this one. Risa and Ford are great characters and a joy to write.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin