Sunday Snippet: Jack in the Box

Whew. Long week filled with so many things going on. And, of course, weird weather. I also didn't sleep well at all … probably due to the upcoming time change. It's like my body and brain knows it's coming and tries to resist accordingly.

Ohio started the week with cold weather then warmed up to seventy degrees yesterday. We also had a lot of rain. Which gave us a lot of foggy mornings. Bleh.

Work projects are less backlogged than they were. I mostly finished up the developmental edit on the memoir, which feels good. A few small things left then it's off for a copy edit and proofread. This is such a great book! Also finished up a copy edit and started a new one. The new one is first person, which I'm not fond of. I also started a new proofreading project on a nonfiction book. I love being busy!

Had a decent viewing week. Made it through my usual slate of shows and did a little binge watching when I needed some background noise.

Started off with another episode of My Life Is Murder. Very fun to see a familiar face in the guest stars. One of the things I love about watching shows from New Zealand and Australia are the amazing actors who pop up frequently.

Ended up watching another Foyle's War episode instead of finishing the previous one. It's one of my favorites and finished out the season. Looking forward to starting a new season this week.

Caught another episode of Return to Paradise and enjoyed watching it. Mackenzie trying to find her footing while avoiding the landmines of being back home is kind of compelling. And the supporting cast is fun.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. I like it when it's actually kind of easy to figure out the who then watch how the what and why happen.

Elementary had another great episode. I'm very interested in Joan's relationship with her former patient. My hope is he ends up not falling back into old and bad habits. The case also ended up being interesting with a twist or two I didn't expect.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and it's one I only partially remember. It's a two-part episode and I'm looking forward to the resolution.

Star Trek: Lower Decks had a great episode. It's always fun to see rivalries pop up and to learn interesting things about the other characters. The relaxation planet thread of the story ended up being very entertaining.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Jack in the Box, a novella about a couple trying to find their work-life balance.

Here's the miniblurb:

Carter Gill can't say no when someone needs a favor, which isn't a bad thing until he overextends, doesn't seem to have enough hours in the day, and his relationship with April Walters suffers. April understands and supports Carter's need to help people, but she has to convince him to slow down a little if only to avoid cracking under the pressure.

And a snippety peek…

Carter just finished wiping down the bar and drew April into his arms. "Ready to head up to the loft?" His lips grazed her forehead.

She tilted her chin. "Definitely. Been a long day for you." Her tone didn't chastise, which he appreciated.

He leaned in and meshed their lips together. A lick of guilt pinched in his gut. He owed her for skipping out on their trail walk earlier.

His hand cupped her face and his thumb stroked over her skin.

A yelp sounded behind them. "Whoops!" Dinah, one of his second-floor tenants poked her head into the bar. "Bad timing. I'll come back later…" She winced.

Carter sighed but angled his head around. "What's up? Has to be important if you're down here at three a.m." Hopefully, nothing major.

Dinah grimaced. "Not sure you'll think so, but Drew dropped his action figure in the sink, and it slid down into the disposal. He's freaking out because he thinks the disposal will eat his toy." She ran a hand through her hair. "And he won't go to sleep because he's worried about it." Her exhausted tone indicated she'd lost the battle with her five-year-old.

Carter glanced at April. Not the way he'd planned to make things up to her.

She gave a small shrug. "Up to you. I don't blame Drew for being scared. The garbage disposal sounds like a hungry monster." She pushed away from him and gathered the cleaning gear then left the bar without a backward glance.

Carter frowned. Another interruption and another moment lost. How much longer until they had time for them? Or … more like he had time for them.

Dinah made a squeaking sound. "Damn. I'm sorry, Carter. Should've let Drew sleep by the sink like he wanted to instead of bugging you with this right now."

Carter shook his head. "No, it's okay. Part of being the owner is taking care of my tenants. You guys are great, and Drew is such a good kid." He flipped the lights off and met Dinah at the steps. "Let me grab my tools, and I'll be right up."

She gave a nod and headed up the stairs. Carter ducked into the kitchen, hoping to find April but only the light over the sink greeted him. His shoulders slumped, and he entered the office to grab his toolbox then went up to the second floor, gently knocking on Dinah's door. She let him in and he barely crossed the threshold before Drew wrapped his arms around Carter's legs.

The little guy had a tear-streaked face but gave Carter a trembly smile. "My mom says you're gonna get my guy from the sink. Are you?"

Carter ruffled Drew's hair. "Gonna do my best, little man. Wanna come help?" If the kid wouldn't go to bed without knowing the fate of his toy, he might as well watch Carter work. Drew looked toward his mom. "Can I? Please."

Dinah tilted her head toward the kitchen. "Go ahead. But as soon as the toy is out, your butt is going straight to bed."

Drew's head bobbed up and down. "Okay, Mom. I promise." He led the way.

Carter followed and set his toolbox on the floor then pulled a flashlight from one of the side compartments. Holding the flaps open, he sent a stream of light down the drain. An arm reached upward, which meant this might be an easy grab and go situation. He hoped. Dinah sat at the table and pulled Drew onto her lap. Carter opened his kit and grabbed some needle nose pliers.

Those didn't work, but Carter got creative and used some putty, rolling it into a ball and sticking that on the end of the pliers. After two tries, he got the action figure out of the disposal. Rinsing it off, he turned to find both mom and son asleep at the table.

With a gentle nudge, he woke Dinah. "Got the guy. Better get your little man to bed."

She yawned and stood up with Drew in her arms. "Thanks, Carter. I'm so sorry I interrupted you and April."

Carter lifted a shoulder. "No problem. Glad we averted a tragedy here." He handed the figure to Dinah then gathered up his toolkit and headed out.

He made the climb up to the loft and let himself inside. April had left the small lights running along the top of the walls on, and he turned them off on his way to the bedroom. He'd hoped she'd be waiting up for him.

No such luck. He found her curled up on her side dead to the world. Shedding his clothes, he spooned up behind her and pressed a kiss to her temple. Tomorrow, he'd get up and make breakfast with all of her favorites.

The least he could do…

Carter needs to learn he can't be all things to all people. April might end up helping him figure it out.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin