Sunday Snippet: Losing the Light

Happy holidays toall who celebrate. We're having a quiet weekend at home to avoid spreading allof our cold germs to anyone else. I'm very okay with that.

Started two newprojects this week and slowly getting back to semi-normal while fighting thecold making the rounds through our house. My husband currently has it again.

Made an almost fullrun through of my current slate of television shows. I've been trying to makesure I get plenty of sleep, so I hopefully don't end up with a setback with thecold.

Watched an episodeof My Life Is Murder and remembered I'd seen most of this episodebefore. Enjoyed watching it again.

Started anothertwo-part Agatha Raisin and rather enjoyed the dynamic between James'ssister and Agatha. Looking forward to the second half.

Finished the secondhalf of a Silent Witness two-parter. I'm kind of excited to see wherethings go with a new person on the team.

Caught another episodeof Death in Paradise. I don't remember watching much of this one before,but I do have recollection of at least one scene. Interesting that one of theguest stars is a regular on Agatha Raisin.

Watched anotherepisode of Elementary. Thoroughly enjoyed it. This show definitely intriguesme.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of The Batman. I think there might be one more episode of seasonone left.

Caught anotherepisode of Classic Rugrats. I remembered both of the vignettes andenjoyed watching them again.

Watched another episodeof The Secret Life of Amy Benson. I'm still intrigued by everything andcan't wait to find out more about Amy's past.

Finished the weekout with an episode of VIP. I have vague memories of watching thisduring the initial run of the series. Lots of fun.

That's it for thepersonal life update this week. Tonight's post is from Losing the Light,a novella that brings a couple back together after a bad breakup.

Here's theminiblurb:

Walker Garrett always does the right thing—except when itcomes to Barret Danks. Barret never listens when she doesn't want to hearwhat's said, but Walker's ultimatum has her accepting a post on a newlyterraformed planet. With him in the air and her on the ground, working outtheir issues doesn't seem likely … until Walker gets a call to meet withBarret's boss.

And a sneaky peek…

Walker shot up out ofthe chair. "You want me to do what?" He raked a hand through hishair.

Laura held his gaze. "Ithink I made myself clear. I'd like you to pick a group—a small one—of trainedsoldiers to help form a security force down here." She leaned back in herseat.

Walker snorted. "Youwant an official goon squad." She'smad.

Laura shook her head."No. Not official and not a goon squad. This would only be temporaryassistance." She got up and walked the length of the small room.

Walker huffed out abreath. "Temporary show of force you mean." He pinned her with a hardstare. "That's how the public will read this, especially with the wordforce in the title." She should know better than anyone how word choiceworked.

Laura hand-waved hisconcern. "Call it whatever you want. A tactical unit, a unified detail,the semantics will work themselves out. The key idea is promoting safety andour current police enforcement isn't trained or equipped to handle the kind ofmaneuvers the opposition is using." She sighed. "I wish this wasn'tnecessary. The group opposing unification is well organized and vocal. But themajority of settlers elected me and I'm the duly recognized leader whether therabble rousers like it or not." She paced back and forth. "We're in aunique situation here, Captain Gansett, not one I like being in but here we are."

Walker found herargument sound even if he didn't like it. "When you lay everything out, Isee the hurdle you have to overcome. So, okay, I'll find a team to help outdown here." Hopefully without stretching themselves too thin.

Laura paused. "Idon't think you understand. You need to lead the team. I trust you and Iwant you to head up the new task force." Her emphasis kept gettingstronger.

Walker bit back anothersigh and sank back down into his chair. "You realize that's gonna put mein a very uncomfortable position, right? I'll have to assign someone to takecommand up top." And he barely had his 2IC on board.

Laura gave him apointed look. "You're not going to like my next request either. BarretDanks will be your second in command. I insist on it."

Walker blew a gasket. "You'vegot to be kidding me." He got up and paced. "First you steal her, andnow you're going to make working with her a stipulation?" He met her gaze."You know our history, don't you?"

She would. Lauraresearched everything down to the last detail.

She had the grace tonod. "I do. But I also know you two to be professional and more thancapable of putting aside any personal drama you might have for the greatergood."

Well and truly trapped,Walker put the ball back in Laura's court. "If this is a dealbreaker, youshould probably let Barret in on her new role." Because no way did Barretknow yet.

Laura's cheeks wentpink. "I already planned to do just that." She gave him a smallsmile. "I didn't mention our meeting to her because I wanted youragreement first." She hooked her hand around his bicep. "I'll havequarters assigned to you and expect to see you in two days."

Resigned, Walker gave anod. "Yes, Madame Premiere. I'll see you then."

Heading back to histransport, he not so calmly accepted his life would be chaos for theforeseeable future.

Reunion romancesare some of my favorite to write and Walker and Barret's story is one I'menjoying a lot.

 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye