Sunday Snippet: Get Back to Where He Once Belonged

Man, I can't believe August is almost over. It's been a chaotic month between work, unexpected challenges, and other factors crowding each other out for attention. Geez. Between the road construction everywhere, my car needing a new alternator, and the dogs needing their check-ups but unable to go because of the car issue … yeah, wild week.

I did have a solid work week. I finished up some projects and started new ones. I got a surprise turnaround that happened a lot sooner than I expected. I'm filling September and some of October, which is great.

Had a pretty good viewing week. I made it through my regular shows and finished up one of my back burners. I get to start the second season this week!

Watched an episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the rewatch. Again, this show is such a comfort view for me.

Enjoyed another episode of Madame Blanc Mysteries. I've got a weird feeling all isn't great between Dom and Jean, and that makes me a little sad. I loved the split mysteries even if Gloria's dad irritates the crap out of me. So much fun watching the team take down the con artists.

Caught the holiday episode for season fourteen of Death in Paradise. Not sure if I like the new guy, especially since he, like the actor who played Neville, has already been featured on the show. We'll see how it goes.

Watched another episode of Poirot and ended up enjoying more than I thought I would. It's fun to see Hastings get a moment to shine.

Elementary had a very fun episode. Thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock going head-to-head with the imposter. Also quite liked Joan and her stepdad's interactions.

Caught another Batman Beyond and it's one I didn't remember much, but I ended up enjoying.

Enjoyed another episode of Lower Decks. One thing I absolutely love about the show is the theme song. I know. Weird. But it's actually perfect for the show.

Finally, I watched the season one finale of Reacher, and it did not disappoint. I'm very satisfied with the season overall. I'm thrilled Picard ended up being part of the counterfeiting ring because there's no other explanation for how Charlie and Roscoe were found. Also loved that Paul ended up not being dead. Basically, the first season rocked. And … great to finally see adult Joe, but I didn't quite get the whole brothers looking so much alike thing as grown-ups. The flashbacks to their childhood, I definitely saw how they could be mixed up. I would really, really like to find out why the brothers hadn't talked much. Who knows, maybe season two will have more on that.

That's pretty much if for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Get Back to Where He Once Belonged, a novella that puts a couple on track to reunite … after one has groveled enough.

Here's the miniblurb:

Barton Gress leaves his small hometown right after graduation to become a music legend and breaks Noss Allrider's heart in the process. He makes good on his dream but discovers life at the top gets lonely without the one he loves. Noss isn't interested in a reunion when Barton returns but he brings her something she can't resist—the chance to know her dad. Whatever Noss decides, Barton is finally back where he belongs and he's not going anywhere.

And a snippety peek…

Barton Gress scrawled his signature on the white denim jacket of the last fan in line for his autograph. "There you go, Misha. Thanks for coming out tonight." He capped the metallic copper marker.

Misha gave him a wide smile. "Thanks for signing." She hugged the jacket to her chest, and her gaze turned speculative. "Are you staying here tonight? Want some company?"

Barton's lips quirked. "Nah, we're heading out in about five minutes. We only stuck around to make sure everyone got their autographs." He took a step up inside the bus. "You be safe getting home now." He glanced toward her group of friends waiting by the line of cars leaving the VIP parking lot.

Misha lifted her hand in a wave. "See you at the next concert." She turned and jogged over to her crowd of gal pals.

Barton didn't have the heart to tell her he wouldn't be touring for a while. He nodded at the driver—shorthand for him to close the door—then made his way back to his section of the charter bus. The horn honked twice, the signal to let the band members know they were underway. T minus twelve hours until he'd be back where he belonged … home.

Barton kicked his boots off then yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it into the laundry bin. His pants followed, and he stepped into the tiny shower he made sure the custom bus got outfitted with. Nothing like the huge shower he had in the condo he'd purchased with his first big payout, but he didn't need the luxury of spa quality right now. At the moment, he wanted nothing more than the pulsing spray of hot water to wash and soothe the exertion of a two-hour show from his body.

And he'd use the quiet time to ponder his return home. "I've got a lot of making up to do and a lot of giving back to accomplish." Starting with his gram.

Since she'd retired a year ago, he'd taken over paying her bills and made sure she had whatever she needed. Yet what she wanted—time with her grandson—he couldn't give her until now. At sixty-eight, she got along pretty well on her own. She had a group of friends she traveled with, and they'd come to see him several times on the road.

His lips quirked. "And caused quite a stir backstage." The gaggle of five ladies browbeat security until they allowed the women to bring in all their goodies. "Browbeat. More like they bribed them with a box of cookies." He cut the water and grabbed a towel.

His backup band would crawl over fiery coals to have more of the home-made pastries his gram and her friends provided. And they'd get their chance … once they all had time to visit their families or take vacations. If everything went well, they'd reunite around Halloween and launch the grand opening of the pavilion venue. Until then … Barton would split his time between his gram and facing his biggest challenge.

Because the one person he owed the most would be the hardest one to approach.

Noss Allrider.

He'd done her wrong all those years ago. Left without saying a word … mainly because he feared not being able to leave if he tried to explain or say goodbye. Noss got under his skin but at eighteen, he didn't believe they'd last. At twenty-eight, he wondered why the hell he hadn't asked her to come with him to see if they could.

Throwing on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, he flopped down on his bed. "Ten years of trying to forget her … epic fail." Not that he hadn't done his best to forget about her.

The first five years of paying his dues consisted of a string of one-night stands with fellow musicians or industry people. The last five involved several relationships, which ended up being false starts because he'd known, deep down, who he wanted. Noss.

Tucking his arms behind his head, he exhaled slowly. "If she'll even talk to me…" He had so much to tell her, show her, and catch up on.

If all else failed, he had an ace up his sleeve. At least he hoped it would trump the way he left her…

And give him the winning hand.

Not a bad title for my next hit song.

I'm enjoying this story so much. I love a good second-chance romance and Barton and Noss have a lot of ground to cover.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin