Sunday Snippet: On the Circuit

Man, I can'tbelieve August is almost over. It's been a chaotic month between work,unexpected challenges, and other factors crowding each other out for attention.Geez. Between the road construction everywhere, my car needing a newalternator, and the dogs needing their check-ups but unable to go because ofthe car issue … yeah, wild week.

I did have a solidwork week. I finished up some projects and started new ones. I got a surpriseturnaround that happened a lot sooner than I expected. I'm filling Septemberand some of October, which is great.

Had a pretty goodviewing week. I made it through my regular shows and finished up one of my backburners. I get to start the second season this week!

Watched an episodeof Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the rewatch. Again, thisshow is such a comfort view for me.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Madame Blanc Mysteries. I've got a weird feeling all isn'tgreat between Dom and Jean, and that makes me a little sad. I loved the splitmysteries even if Gloria's dad irritates the crap out of me. So much funwatching the team take down the con artists.

Caught the holidayepisode for season fourteen of Death in Paradise. Not sure if I like thenew guy, especially since he, like the actor who played Neville, has alreadybeen featured on the show. We'll see how it goes.

Watched another episodeof Poirot and ended up enjoying more than I thought I would. It's fun tosee Hastings get a moment to shine.

Elementary had a veryfun episode. Thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock going head-to-head with theimposter. Also quite liked Joan and her stepdad's interactions.

Caught another BatmanBeyond and it's one I didn't remember much, but I ended up enjoying.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Lower Decks. One thing I absolutely love about the show isthe theme song. I know. Weird. But it's actually perfect for the show.

Finally, I watchedthe season one finale of Reacher, and it did not disappoint. I'm verysatisfied with the season overall. I'm thrilled Picard ended up being part ofthe counterfeiting ring because there's no other explanation for how Charlieand Roscoe were found. Also loved that Paul ended up not being dead. Basically,the first season rocked. And … great to finally see adult Joe, but I didn'tquite get the whole brothers looking so much alike thing as grown-ups. Theflashbacks to their childhood, I definitely saw how they could be mixed up. Iwould really, really like to find out why the brothers hadn't talked much. Whoknows, maybe season two will have more on that.

That's pretty much iffor the life update this week. Tonight's post is from On the Circuit, anovella that combines the thrill of rodeos with dragons.

Here's theminiblurb:

The popularity of breaking dragons on the rodeo traillures Reggie Pitch to test her mettle as a bullfighter. She works her way upfrom green recruit and tries out for the big show with Dwight Merlyn as hertrainer, which proves intimidating because not only is he attractive as hell,he's a third-generation handler and his family breeds the rankest, meanestbeasts on the circuit

And a preview snippet…

Reggie took a moment toscan the dim interior of the bar and spotted Dwight headed her way. "Damn,he cleans up nice." Without the face paint, the angles and planes of hisface created a fine visage.He nodded when hereached her side. "Grab a table?" He tilted his head toward a cozycorner one.Reggie lifted her chin."Sure." She didn't trust herself to say more … not yet.Without Sam acting as abarrier, she questioned her offer to buy Dwight a drink. The wild attractionshe had for him could get out of hand. She didn't want to jeopardize her moveup to the big show events.Dwight settled in theseat perpendicular to hers. "In case it needs saying, you're on theroster. I made it official during the award presentations. The family welcomesyou to the team." He signaled for a server.Reggie grinned."Thank you. Definitely makes up for the shitty start to the night." Shepaused and gave her order to the pretty waitress. "And I'm buying hisfirst round."Dwight tipped his chinupward. "Usual for me." He waited for the staff member to leave thendirected his attention to Reggie. "I should be buying. To celebrate yourmove up to the big show."Reggie shrugged."Next time. After I sign the contract." Bold to make the assumptionhe'd want there to be a next time.Dwight's lips curved."That'll work even if it seems unfair to make you pay after everythingthat went down earlier." He kicked back in his chair. "Mind if I askhow you ended up with Nordstrom?" His head tilted to one side.Reggie winced."Met him when I worked in the diner over in Tempest." She paused whenthe server returned with their drinks. "I went to all the rodeos. Lovedthe thrill of watching the events. Sam came in one night, and he'd rememberedme as a regular at the venue." She rolled a shoulder. "We hooked upand when he made the move up to the next level, he asked if I wanted to ridealong." She shook her head. "I don't regret leaving with him, and hewasn't always so heavy-handed." Her mouth twisted. "That started whenI got opportunities from the event managers. Women bullfighters aren't common,and I drew attention." Which Sam loved at first because some of that shinerubbed off on him.Until it didn'tanymore.Reggie met Dwight'sgaze. "But we were good for a while … then we weren't." She reallydidn't want to talk about Sam. "Can we talk about something else? Like youmaybe?" Her lips curved in a half-smile.Dwight snorted. "Notmuch you don't know about me. My story is common knowledge."Reggie waved a hand."Yeah, yeah. Third gen fighter and wrangler. The brochure face for theMerlyn clan." She put her forearms on the table and leaned in. "Whathappens behind the scenes?" During training, Dwight proved to betight-lipped about his family's dragon stock program.Dwight shrugged."The usual family drama. I mean, for the most part, we all get along. Butwe also have our own roles and talents. Mine happens to be bullfighting andtraining others to do the work to our standard." He dipped his chin."As you know, not everyone makes the grade."True. She started hertraining with four other people and two didn't make the cut. So far, she'd beenthe only one to move up to the big show.Dwight drained half ofhis ale. "What drew you to bullfighting?" He leaned in closer,mimicking her pose with his forearms on the table.Reggie chuckled."Honestly? I kind of stumbled into it." She leaned back, gettingcomfortable to tell the story. "Several months after I left with Sam, oneof the local venues was one person shy of having enough fighters to meet therequired number to put on the event. They needed someone—anyone—in ahurry." Her fingers traced a circle on the table. "Sam asked if Iwanted to volunteer." She looked up and met Dwight's gaze. "I did andfell in love with the work."Dwight's eyes widened.""You had zero training for your first experience with dragons?That's dangerous." His tone held a note of disbelief.Reggie laughed."Yeah, I know that now." She shook her head. "Thankfully, I seemto have an aptitude for not getting trampled."Dwight braced hisshoulders on the back of the chair. "That's seriously amazing." Heheld her gaze. "Actually, no, you're pretty amazing." His eyes wentdark and sexy. "You proved that out there tonight."Reggie's breath caught."Means a lot to hear that coming from you, especially with your background."She swallowed the unexpected lump in her throat. "You took my raw abilityand tempered it into bankable talent. I can't thank you enough for that." Orfor the opportunity to stand on her own…Dwight leaned forwardagain and grasped her hand. "No thanks necessary. You have skill. I justgave you the tools and knowledge to use it." His thumb brushed over herskin.Reggie's nerve endingscrackled to life. "What happens now?" She didn't elaborate … shedidn't need to.Dwight's lips curved ina wolflike smile. "Whatever you want. I'm interested. But if you want to takesome time to move on from Sam, I'd get it."Reggie finished herdrink in one long gulp. "Don't need time." She got to her feet,keeping hold of his palm. "Your cabin or mine?" Using her free hand,she placed a few bills on the table.Dwight rose."Whichever is closer…"

I'm having so muchfun writing this story. Reggie finally hit the big time, and she's not going towaste the opportunity in or out of the arena.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye