Sunday Snippet: Lie to Me

December 30, 2018

I hope everyone who celebrates had a terrific holiday. Mine ended up being lovely; very low-key and quiet with family. The days after have been filled with catching up with friends. I got to spend time with my two best friends from high school last night and we had the best time. So nice to catch up after such a long time.

It's been a slow week for television. My focus is off right now and background noise gets distracting sometimes. I did catch some Classic Who while catching up on the dishes and doing some cooking. I'm into the web planet episodes right now.

Started the Thanksgiving episode of The Flash. Really hope to get caught up on my CW shows soon. Watched Midsomer Murders's final episode of series thirteen. Nice to see how Barnaby the first retired.

I also caught another episode of Babylon 5. I'd forgotten about this one and it was nice to see Dr. Franklin fight a moral dilemma. Also watched an episode of The Sarah Conner Chronicles. As a standalone episode, it worked well.

And that's pretty much it for my light week of viewing. Tonight's post is from Lie to Me, a novella that started with a brief flash of inspiration and has rolled out from there.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Jana Ricks has a target on her back and she wants Rhys McPherson to help her get rid of it. Rhys loves Jana, but may not be able to protect her, not if they want to stay alive, which he's determined to make happen… even if it means giving up the future he wants.

And a preview snippet…

"Who did Jana piss off this time?"

Rhys McPherson gathered his notes on layered spells and stashed them in his messenger bag. Looping the handle over his shoulder, he started for the study doors. He paused when he caught sight of his sister-in-law, Lindi.

Shit. Terrible timing. Especially because of where he had to go.

He mentally braced himself. "I've gotta go out for a while." He slid past her, heading toward the main entrance of the manor house. "Not sure how long I'll be gone."

With Jana, a good guess might be anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. She never did anything the easy way. And Lindi definitely didn't need to know who Rhys had to meet. But he didn't want her to worry.

And she would. Since his brother Rand had died and she'd moved in with Rhys, bringing his niece and nephew, the scale tilted more toward the downside. But Rhys took full responsibility for his family obligations. He loved Lindi and the kids and would always make a home for them.

Rand would do the same if the positions were reversed.

The tension between Rhys and Lindi—her grief made her a little clingy—fluctuated with her moods. Not in good or bad way. Both needed to find a new normal after losing Rand.

She let out a small sigh. "Will I be able to contact you?" The little catch in her voice steadied out when he paused.

He turned and nodded. "I hope so. And I'll try to check in when I can." Until he had a handle on Jana's situation, he couldn't give a concrete answer.

Her mouth thinned. "You're going to see Jana, aren't you?"

Dammit, how did she know?

Lindi's lips twisted with a bitter edge, almost like she'd read his mind. "You get cagey and vague when it has something to do with her."

The bad blood between Lindi and Jana might never dissipate. Not when Lindi blamed Jana for Rand's death. His larger than life brother worked like Jana did—off the books and on the fringe. The bounty hunters for the society were supposed to be each other's unofficial backup and Jana couldn’t stop the standoff that caught Rand in the crossfire.

Rhys shook his head. "It's not a friendly visit. She needs help." And he had the research material to lend the assist.

Lindi snorted. "She always does." She folded her arms around her waist.

Rhys didn't have time to engage in a verbal battle of wills. "Look, can we discuss this later?" He needed to do something to help Lindi move on from Rand's death.

Lindi shrugged. "Whatever, Rhys. I'm your sister-in-law. I don't have a claim on you." She relaxed her posture. "But you're all the kids and I have left so don't let her get you killed."

Like she got Rand killed.

The words remained unspoken but her tone telegraphed the warning.

Rhys strode toward the door. "I'll try not to." He glanced back. "Take care, Lindi. Call Ellington if you need anything while I'm gone." The family caretaker would do exactly that… take care of Rhys's family.

Which used to include Jana… sort of.

Unofficially.

Way back when Jana the warrior taught Rhys how to fight. And Rhys the scholar tutored Jana about the ancient texts. Back when they were a golden couple like Lindi and Rand.

Before Jana's work and his studies got in the way.

Before his brother died.

A little longer scene than usual but this turned out better than I'd hoped. I love the dynamic between Lindi and Rhys.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye