Happy Easter to
those who celebrate. Happy regular Sunday to those who don't. After three days
of lovely temperatures, we're back to mid-forties and chilly. I'll take the
cooler weather because the warm-up seemed to bring the ticks out. Pulled three
of them off my spouse yesterday. That's usually a May through October problem.
Got to enjoy a
wonderful Friday with my daughter at an art walk. She's a project manager for a
county arts council and knows many of the artists. So much fun!
Had a busy work
week. Finished up a copy edit and proofread for one of the publishers I edit
for. Also finished a proofread for a memoir. Continued work on two other proofreads.
I have a developmental edit to start this week and hopefully another copy edit.
Ended up with an
okay viewing week. I got through most of the shows I watch. I ended up skipping
two because I didn't feel well and couldn't concentrate on more than one thing
at a time. I did get some cleaning and decluttering done when I needed a break
from work projects.
Started off with My
Life Is Murder and quite enjoyed the mystery. I love Alexa and Madison's
friendship, especially when Madison pushes Alexa out of her comfort zone.
Caught another Foyle's
War and ended the eighth season. Loved Sam's good news and kind of felt sorry
for Miss Pierce. There are several behind the scenes episodes that I hope to
watch this week.
Watched another Return
to Paradise and I'm almost finished with the first season. Not sure when the
second will be available to me, but I'll look forward to it.
Also enjoyed another
episode of Poirot. A holiday episode with a truly distasteful antagonist
that thankfully didn't last long. I loved Poirot coming to Japp's rescue once
the singing started. If you know, you know.
Elementary ended up being very good. I'm kind of
interested to see where Joan's story goes with Shin. Also enjoyed Sherlock's
chess match with Shin.
I binge-watched some
Brokenwood Mysteries. The new season starts this week and I'll dive into
it as soon as I finish up My Life Is Murder.
That's it for the
life update this week. Tonight's post is from Just Skip Dessert, a
novella that puts one of the characters in a tricky situation and gives the
other character a chance to lend a helping hand.
Here's the
miniblurb:
Wanda Craig
and Dewey Pearson are the two newest teachers at Cheltenson Academy, a private
school, and they hit it off right away. When a family emergency calls Wanda
away right before the end of semester dinner for the new academic advisors,
Dewey gets to deal with an inappropriate advance from the headmaster's wife.
When Wanda returns, she takes steps to give Dewey a better experience.
And a snippety
peek…
Dewey's new
boss stopped in front of a brick bungalow where a woman with wavy blond hair
sashayed back and forth from one side of the porch to the other.
Chalmers
frowned. "Ellyn, what are you doing here?" His gaze narrowed on the
woman.
Ellyn waved a
hand. "Chalmers, dear, I'm here to welcome the newest additions to our
exalted ranks, of course." She smiled sweetly at Chalmers. "Please do
the introductions."
Chalmers made
a grumbling sound. "This is Ellyn, my wife." He stepped up onto the
porch and withdrew a key from his pocket. "Ellyn, this is Dewey Pearson
and Wanda Craig." He unlocked the door and pushed it open.
Ellyn barely
spared a glance for Wanda, acknowledging her with a brief lift of eyebrows.
For Dewey, she
tucked her hand around his arm after giving him a slow once-over. "It's so
lovely to meet you. Let's go in for a quick tour, shall we?" She didn't
wait for an answer, guiding Dewey into the bungalow.
Chalmers made
a grumbling sound again. "Yes, yes. By all means, show them around."
He retrieved another key and held it out for Wanda. "You're right next
door." He pointed to the quaint stone cottage on the right side.
Wanda murmured
her thanks. "Much appreciated." She trailed behind Dewey and Ellyn.
Chalmers
stepped inside. "Ellyn, don't be long. We want to give Pearson and Craig
time to get settled." He met Dewey's gaze. "Report to my office at
eight a.m. and I'll go over your responsibilities." Glancing toward Wanda,
he lifted his chin. "I'll meet you directly after lunch and we'll get you
sorted over at the theater." He gave Ellyn a brief look.
She waved her
free hand. "Go on, dear. I know how busy you are the week before classes
start. I'll see you at dinner." Turning away from her husband, she led
Dewey further into the house.
Dewey grew
increasingly annoyed at the way Ellyn wouldn't let go of his arm while she
showed the main points of the bungalow. She also blithely ignored Wanda, which
irritated Dewey, especially when Ellyn continued to flirt outrageously with
him. Dewey worked to bring Wanda into the conversation and remind Ellyn the
other woman existed.
He asked about the layout of the houses even
though they were the same on the information sheets. "Wanda, any questions
about your cottage?"
She smirked a
little and got a good swipe or two in with a polite innocence that counted as …
anything but innocent. "Oh no. None at all. Mrs. Grove is doing a lovely
job with the grand tour." Keeping things formal by calling Ellyn Mrs.
Grove earned Wanda a sharp glance.
Dewey's lips
twitched, but he remained silent.
Wanda got
another jab in when they finished the walkthrough. "Mrs. Grove, your
husband has been so welcoming and kind. It's remarkable how both of you are
working in tandem to make us feel like part of the family."
Ellyn's
nostrils flared, but she gave Wanda a tight smile.
Wanda shot one
last missile across the bow. "And I think your husband is going to be a
great boss."
Dewey admired
the way his newest coworker rather put Ellyn Chalmers in her place without
being catty or bitchy about it. Frankly, he wanted to applaud the new theater
director's ad-libbing, show-stealing moxie. They'd reached the front door again
and Ellyn visibly stewed at Wanda's gentle reminders about Ellyn's marital
status.
However …
since she had no reason to continue holding on to Dewey, she inclined her head
and stepped toward the door. "Yes, well, it's wonderful to have you."
She met Dewey's gaze. "We always host a dinner party for our new
educators." She flicked her attention to Wanda. "Chalmers will let
you know the date and time, but it'll be soon." With another tight smile,
she exited Dewey's new residence.
Dewey waited
until the door firmly closed behind her before he turned to Wanda. "Uh,
wow." He had no other words.
Wanda laughed.
"Yeah, she's not subtle, is she?"
Dewey
chuckled. "Not one bit. But you were amazing."
I'm in the
beginning stages of this one but it's so much fun to write!
That's it for this
week. Happy reading!
Skylin
