September is
starting off with a bang. And crazy busy. Also a full blood moon, which is always
fun to see.
Spent all day Saturday
in Hocking Hills with a group of cousins on my mom's side of the family. We
have so much fun when we get together. We're already planning the third annual
gathering for next year.
I finished up two
work projects this week and made progress on two more. I have a new one
starting this week also. Possibly two. I'm hoping the due dates are a little
more staggered.
Had an okay viewing
week. I made it almost all the way through my usual slate of shows with the
exception of Lower Decks. I started it but need to finish it up. It's
the first season finale so there seems to be a lot going on.
Started with Miss
Fisher's Murder Mysteries and it's one I really enjoyed on my original run
through. Always fun to see Dot stand up for not only herself but others.
Finished up season
four of Madame Blanc Mysteries. Very happy to see Jean and Dom work
through their issues. Loved how Dom proposed and how everyone knew they were
meant to be together.
Caught another
episode of Death in Paradise. I'm interested in where things will go
with Selwyn. The new officer is going to be fun. I love the vibe he has. DI
Wilson might or might not grow on me.
Enjoyed another episode
of Poirot. The entire trip to the coast just to hear good things instead
of bad from Japp is such a Poirot thing to do. And the side plot with Lemon was
fun.
Elementary had an interesting case along with an
interesting side case. I like how Moreland reached out to Joan, and she figured
things out with what's going on with him. And I love that she told Sherlock.
Also really thrilled Sherlock met the character on the autism spectrum at her
level, seemingly with care and patience.
Watched another
episode of Batman Beyond and I didn't remember much of this one. Ended
up quite enjoying it.
Started the Lower
Decks episode. I do enjoy how many easter eggs are in this show. Mentions
of other characters and episodes from all the various series are so much fun.
I didn't get to
start season two of Reacher. I'm hoping I have the time this week, but
I'm not going to rush in. I like to be able to focus on this show.
Also didn't get to finish
up the Peak Practice episode I started, but I'll get back to it soon.
That's it for the
life update this week. Tonight's post is from Ghost of a Chance, a novella
that brings a couple together over shared grief.
Here's the
miniblurb:
Valerie Queen and Jay Pennyworth meet through Chad
Adsworth, Jay's best friend. When Chad is killed in a car crash, Valerie
reunites with Jay after five years. When the chance meeting leads to a long
discussion, they end up spending the night together … but the specter of Chad
hovering between them may be more than they can overcome.
And a snippety peek…
Val touched up her makeup. "This
is stupid. Why bother?" After all, Jay had seen her at her worst.
Yeah, he had and wouldn't care what
she looked like. But she cared. Jay freaking Pennyworth. In her bookstore.
She tilted her head to one side.
"That took some thought." She couldn't quite deny being a little impressed
he'd made the effort.
So … dinner and … what? What did
she think would happen?
Frowning, she left the bathroom and
grabbed her purse. "Hell, what do I want to happen?" The way he eyed
her … sex could be in the mix.
She shook her head. "But maybe
not a good idea." For a lot of reasons.
The main one? She'd be breaking her
number one rule—no entanglements—if anything happened between them. She had a
strong connection to Jay.
Leaving her apartment, she walked
toward O'Shae's. "Just wait and see, Val." No need to get ahead of
herself.
Jay waited outside the restaurant
under the awning. "Place has had a bit of a face lift." He smiled and
glanced at the new sign on the brick exterior of the building.
Val grinned. "The original is
inside behind the bar in all its weathered glory." She preceded him inside
when he opened and held the door.
While she spoke with the hostess,
Jay perused the photos hanging in the entryway. Probably some good memories for
him. The restaurant had been a mainstay in for decades.
They were led to a two-person booth
in the back corner of the main eating area.
After giving their drink order, Jay
arched his brows. "This is cozy. I don't remember this booth being
here." He craned his neck, looking at some of the other updates.
Val nodded. "About three years
ago, they renovated the kitchen and this space opened up." The cute little
booth and two small café tables added extra seating.
While they ate, they caught up on
other new additions and improvements. Valerie appreciated the vibe of getting
to know each other again over light conversation. Nothing heavy and not a word
about Chad … yet. Talking about him would be inevitable … but perspective and
hindsight gained over five years put her in a good place to do it.
After the server cleared their
dishes, Jay settled back in his seat. "How long have you had the
bookstore?"
Valerie's lips quirked.
"Almost four years. The space came on the market, and I was looking for
something new and different." She'd used the bulk of the life insurance
Chad left her to buy the building.
Jay arched his brows. "And
you're doing okay? I mean, how could you not be. The location is great."
Valerie nodded. "It is. And,
yeah, I have a dedicated clientele, and my online orders almost surpass the
store sales." She gained a lot of customers from her social media posts
and interactions.
Jay peppered her with more
questions, and she got to explain her theme nights for romance, cozy mysteries,
and thrillers, a new feature she'd added this past year. A popular one. She
even had some Zoom participants.
Jay shook his head. "That's
amazing, Val. You've really found your niche." His lips curved in a wry
grin. "Here's hoping I can find mine."
A perfect opening. "Gotta
admit, you surprised me when you said you'd mustered out. I really thought
you'd be career military." She smiled. "Excited for you, though. Did
your interview go well?" She hadn't wanted to ask earlier but now seemed
like a good time to do so.
Mainly because she enjoyed spending
time with him and didn't want the night to end yet.
Jay inclined his chin. "I
think it did. I have an interview with a different company in Colorado, but I'm
not sold on moving there." He rolled one shoulder. "I guess it'll
depend on what they offer if they decide I'm a good fit for them." He met
her gaze. "Frankly, I think I'd like to stick around here even if the pay
might be better in Colorado. Might be better perks."
Val's brows furrowed. "Such
as?" Maybe the hometown connection appealed to him
Jay didn't hesitate. "You're
here, for one."
A charged moment passed between
them. He'd surprised her again. And not in a bad way. In fact, his response
nudged her to do what she'd wanted since he walked into her store.
She nodded toward the exit.
"Would you like to come back to my place? If you don't have plans…"
Jay waved for the check. "I'd
like that. A lot."
Her heart did a flip. She had no
idea where this might be headed, but she really wanted to find out.
Even if they broke all her
carefully thought-out rules.
This story is near
to my heart. Val and Jay are taking some tentative steps, and I enjoy writing
their journey.
That's it for this
week. Happy reading!
Skylin
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