Sunday Snippet: Just Take a Moment

Bleh. I've been fighting a yucky cold all week and I'm feeling a little better but not quite 100 percent. I'd be happy if the coughing could be a wee bit less.

Weather has been steadily warming up. We've dipped back down a couple of times but thankfully it's been gradual without the wild forty-degree swings in twenty-four hours. Been getting a lot of rain, which is causing high water and some flooding. Combine that with ongoing construction and the onset of tree-trimming and getting anywhere is something of a challenge. It pays to leave early.

Another busy work week. Finished up another proofread, continued work on one, and started an assessment read through. Also finished up a read through on another project that keeps lingering in the shadows. Started a new proofread that's a lot of fun so far.

Had a decent viewing week even though I slept a lot because of the yuck. I made it all the way through my usual slate of shows and added an addition to the lineup.

Started off with My Life Is Murder and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery along with getting more Harry backstory. I think the next two episodes are a two-parter that makes the finale. Can't wait to watch.

Watched the first behind the scenes for Foyle's War. Kind of enjoyed seeing the process of how they do what they do to film the period specific series.

Finished up the first season of Return to Paradise. I have no idea when season two will be available on the streaming platform, but I'll look forward to it.

Caught another episode of Poirot and completely enjoyed poor Japp trying to manage on his own then having a harder time after accepting Poirot's invitation to stay with him. Fun to see Miss Lemon's sister.

Elementary ended up being very entertaining. The twisty start proved interesting and Joan's advice to Sherlock turned out to be great. I love where their relationship is at this point.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and had completely forgotten about this one. I think I have one more left before I'll need to find a new series to watch or rewatch.

Also caught another episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks and quite enjoyed learning about Tendi's pirate past. Always fun to see characters from other Trek shows pop up in the episodes and Deep Space Nine counts as a character. Just saying.

I continued to use my Kanopy tickets to watch Fleetwood Mac: The Dance. This was such a great concert film, with quite a few surprises. Glad I got to watch.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Just Take a Moment, a novella that explores a second chance at romance.

Here's the miniblurb:

Sheila Hogan has spent eight years in the military and returns home to bury her mother. Troy Collins is the guy she left behind, and, after a bumpy reunion, she realizes he's still a source of strength and calm. Sheila has thirty days to decide if she's going to sign on for another four years or muster out and explore the future with Troy.

And a snippety peek…

Troy stared at the empty space Sheila left behind. Whispers rose and filled the room when she departed. Eyes darted his way.

The funeral director stepped in. "Ms. Hogan is taking a few moments to compose herself. Please give her some time and space." He stood sentinel next to the casket.

Troy shook his head. "That went about as well as I expected." He moved through the room, filled with flowers and pictures of Lydia's life. Not much different from his dad's viewing. But with a different set of lifetime memories.

Pushing his way out the door, he walked down the steps and across the parking lot. "Maybe I shouldn't have come." He'd debated the idea, not sure how he'd react to seeing Sheila again.

He didn't think about her reaction to seeing him.

He snorted. "Guess I know the answer now." The her seeing him part.

He didn't have a handle on so close to her yet. She obviously looked different. Eight years changed people. The navy appeared to have been good for her. She'd never been soft and giggly. He loved that about her. She spoke her mind and expected him to do the same.

Except when it came to leaving. She hadn't said a word about enlisting in the military. Hadn't mentioned she'd be heading out two days after graduation.

He paused by his car. "I really should've seen it coming, though." She'd laid the groundwork … he'd been too blind to see the gears turning.

He popped the door open and settled behind the wheel, his mind drifting back to Lydia giving him the news about Sheila being gone. Lydia brought him in, set him down, and explained that her daughter had some ghosts that needed laid to rest. Clarity hit him between the eyes. Sheila never really got over her dad walking out. Lydia agreed. Sheila wanted to see the world because she thought it would help her understand why her dad left.

Lydia shook her head. "I fear she'll be sorely disappointed. Jack didn't walk away to traipse all over the planet. He left because he couldn't handle being responsible for himself let alone anyone else." She'd grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry she didn't have the courage to tell you. But I think she feared she wouldn't go if she did. She'd let you talk her out of leaving."

At the time, he didn't want to admit he would've tried to convince her to not do something she wanted. But after some soul-searching and talking to his mom, he had to own the idea he probably would have. Or worse … given her an ultimatum.

Shaking off the memory, he started the car. He'd done what he'd come for. Offered his condolences for Sheila's loss. And okay, things went sideways pretty fast. A better man would track her down and apologize, but he didn't have it in him at the moment. Besides, he didn't owe her anything.

But Lydia had always being kind to him, even when he'd asked her to keep him out of the loop when it came to her daughter. She respected the request. But she'd come to his dad's funeral, and Troy's mom appreciated the gesture.

A weird thought hit him. He and his mom had each other to lean on when his dad passed and left their finances in a mess. 

Sheila didn't have anyone to rely on. No parent to help pick up the pieces.

At least not a present one.

Putting the vehicle in gear, he eased out of the parking space and turned toward the exit. His headlights flashed on the lone figure sitting on the stone ledge, head bent forward and shoulders shaking.

He almost stopped … but decided against doing so. He didn't want to make her grief worse.

But a part of him let go of the thread of resentment he'd held on to for so long.

No matter what remained unsaid between them, they'd each lost a parent and that meant they shared some common ground. Maybe not enough to forgive and forget … but probably enough for him cut her a break and move on from the hurt she'd caused.

Just starting out with this one but very happy with how it's coming together. Sheila and Troy are a bit of a challenge to write and I like that.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin