Sunday Snippet: Lost and Found

Another long week and part of it has been spent wondering exactly how many US senators are still with us. One passed last night and another appears to be not recovering. I've been alive long enough to acknowledge how bananapants it is that we don't know for sure. I mean, when an elected official can take four months off and still get paid by taxpayers, not explain what's going on, or be seen in public, there's something wrong. The FMLA allows for twelve weeks without a threat to employment. Sixteen weeks is not cool. Just saying.

Weather cooled down enough to not be miserable. I have to make space in my garage for some things my daughter needs to have stored, and it's been cool enough at night that I can make headway. We were supposed to have rain most of the week and didn't get as much as predicted.

Work continued to be steady. I'm moving along on two ongoing projects, and I finished up a proofread and started a new copy edit. Also touched a back burner project and hope to dive in a little more this week. Writing is also going well right now and I'm happy about that.

Had a fairly decent viewing week. I made it through my usual list of shows and also did a binge marathon of Death in Paradise on Ovation.

Started out with a bonus episode of Foyle's War with the writer and creator along with the show's historian. Very interesting conversation.

Caught another episode of Tales of Irish Castles and moved into a more modern age. I think I have one episode left and have to say I've enjoyed this series.

Watched a new episode of Death in Paradise. Gotta say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Mervin interact with his brother and loved how everyone, including Catherine, came together to find Mervin. Seeing the punk-ass faux commissioner again kind of put the icing on the cake, even if he's still a punk-ass policeman now.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. The later movies are fun to watch but I do miss Hastings and Miss Lemon. And, of course, Japp. But it's also entertaining to dive into mysteries that have an intriguing premise.

Elementary had a great episode. Loved seeing Marcus put everything together with his girlfriend's ex. Really hated the ending though. I have a feeling all will not be as it seems.

Watched an episode of Young Justice and kind of liked seeing Connor and Megan in their regular joe roles. Also rather enjoyed Red Arrow asking Aqua Lad for help. And it looks like the overall mystery is starting to fall into place, with the behind the scenes machinations being revealed.

Also caught another episode of Star Trek Lower Decks. Really loved seeing a different vibe with Rutherford and Mariner teaming up and Boimler and Tendi being together.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Lost and Found, a novella that brings a couple on the outs together to help their best friends get their daughter back.

Here's the miniblurb:

Marianne Jenkins and Jon Walton are on the outs, but when their best friends' daughter is kidnapped, Mari and Jon put their differences aside and work to help find the little one, which won't be easy because the culprit is much closer than any of them think.

And a snippety peek…

Jon would accept a truce with Mari, especially if it helped get Shar and Karl's kid back.

When they left the coffee shop, he paused at the corner. "Are you sure you're okay with how they want us to approach this?" Karl and Shar made a big ask … a very big one.

Mari angled toward him. "Are you? Because if you're not, we might as well go back in there and tell them they'll never see their daughter again." She planted one hand on her hip. "Don't know about you, but I can't let them or Dina suffer that fate." A pointed look followed the statement.

Jon closed his eyes for a moment. "Mari, I'm not picking a fight here. If they think our best shot is to apply as one of the couples to be new parents, I'm totally okay with doing that." He sighed. "That kid is amazing and the reason she is has everything to do with how much Shar and Karl love her."

Mari's stance softened. "She is an amazing person. And I'm sorry for being bitchy. I'm still trying to wrap my head around Shar's dad being a massive asshole and trying to pull this stunt." She shook her head. "I mean, who the hell does shit like this? Taking their grandkid and trying to sell her the highest bidder? That's fucking evil."

Jon nodded. "Evil is one way to describe him. Manipulative, overbearing, and straight up criminal hit the mark too." He frowned. "We're lucky they got the jump on him. Shar knows her dad better than he knows her. But this isn't going to be easy." In fact, what they had to do might be impossible.

Mari shrugged. "No, it won't be. But between the four of us, we'll get Dina back. Karl will handle the backstopping, creating our cover and making it undeniable. Shar will foot the bill with the trust she got from her mom's family. And you and me?" She threaded her hand around the crook of his arm. "We'll be fine for the duration of this very important mission." Her voice held strong conviction.

Jon didn't doubt her. When Mari set her mind on something, she made things happen. To the point of bulldozing anything standing in her way.

Sometimes that included him, which became part of the reason they were no longer together. She claimed he drove her mad when he left decisions in her court. And she definitely got cranky when he didn't offer an opinion on where they should go for dinner or what to watch on TV.

And they argued when he didn't express what he wanted to do. Yet … if they didn't agree, they would have a fight anyway. He found life so much easier when choosing to go with Mari's flow than get tangled up in disagreements all the time. Growing up with parents who fought all the time, Jon learned early to not engage.

But … he had to own he did get pissy when he didn't say what he wanted and Mari chose the exact opposite. Of course, he didn't have that realization until she moved out. Too little and too late to do anything about the situation.

Something else occurred to him when they made their way down the sidewalk…

He glanced toward her. "Uh, you should probably move back in … even if Karl gives us an out of state address." His stomach dropped at the idea but the rest of him warmed at the thought.

Mari's lips twisted in a wry smile. "Yeah, I figured as much." She met his gaze. "It would be harder if we never lived together. It's not like I'm not familiar with the apartment." Her fingers squeezed his bicep.

Maybe so. But he decided to prepare her in advance.

Staring straight ahead, he dropped his truth bomb. "You might be surprised. I made a few changes since you've been gone." He almost couldn't wait to see her reaction.

This story is in the very beginning stages, but the sages are being cooperative with lots of ideas.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin