Sunday Snippet: On the Circuit

Man, I can't believe 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 new alternator, and the dogs needing their check-ups but unable to go because of the car issue … yeah, wild week.

I did have a solid work week. I finished up some projects and started new ones. I got a surprise turnaround that happened a lot sooner than I expected. I'm filling September and some of October, which is great.

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

Watched an episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the rewatch. Again, this show is such a comfort view for me.

Enjoyed another episode of Madame Blanc Mysteries. I've got a weird feeling all isn't great between Dom and Jean, and that makes me a little sad. I loved the split mysteries even if Gloria's dad irritates the crap out of me. So much fun watching the team take down the con artists.

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

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

Elementary had a very fun episode. Thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock going head-to-head with the imposter. Also quite liked Joan and her stepdad's interactions.

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

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

Finally, I watched the season one finale of Reacher, and it did not disappoint. I'm very satisfied with the season overall. I'm thrilled Picard ended up being part of the counterfeiting ring because there's no other explanation for how Charlie and 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't quite get the whole brothers looking so much alike thing as grown-ups. The flashbacks to their childhood, I definitely saw how they could be mixed up. I would really, really like to find out why the brothers hadn't talked much. Who knows, maybe season two will have more on that.

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

Here's the miniblurb:

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

And a preview snippet…

Reggie took a moment to scan 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 his face created a fine visage.

He nodded when he reached her side. "Grab a table?" He tilted his head toward a cozy corner one.

Reggie lifted her chin. "Sure." She didn't trust herself to say more … not yet.

Without Sam acting as a barrier, she questioned her offer to buy Dwight a drink. The wild attraction she had for him could get out of hand. She didn't want to jeopardize her move up to the big show events.

Dwight settled in the seat perpendicular to hers. "In case it needs saying, you're on the roster. I made it official during the award presentations. The family welcomes you to the team." He signaled for a server.

Reggie grinned. "Thank you. Definitely makes up for the shitty start to the night." She paused and gave her order to the pretty waitress. "And I'm buying his first round."

Dwight tipped his chin upward. "Usual for me." He waited for the staff member to leave then directed his attention to Reggie. "I should be buying. To celebrate your move up to the big show."

Reggie shrugged. "Next time. After I sign the contract." Bold to make the assumption he'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 everything that went down earlier." He kicked back in his chair. "Mind if I ask how 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 when the server returned with their drinks. "I went to all the rodeos. Loved the thrill of watching the events. Sam came in one night, and he'd remembered me as a regular at the venue." She rolled a shoulder. "We hooked up and when he made the move up to the next level, he asked if I wanted to ride along." She shook her head. "I don't regret leaving with him, and he wasn't always so heavy-handed." Her mouth twisted. "That started when I got opportunities from the event managers. Women bullfighters aren't common, and I drew attention." Which Sam loved at first because some of that shine rubbed off on him.

Until it didn't anymore.

Reggie met Dwight's gaze. "But we were good for a while … then we weren't." She really didn't want to talk about Sam. "Can we talk about something else? Like you maybe?" Her lips curved in a half-smile.

Dwight snorted. "Not much 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 the Merlyn clan." She put her forearms on the table and leaned in. "What happens behind the scenes?" During training, Dwight proved to be tight-lipped about his family's dragon stock program.

Dwight shrugged. "The usual family drama. I mean, for the most part, we all get along. But we also have our own roles and talents. Mine happens to be bullfighting and training others to do the work to our standard." He dipped his chin. "As you know, not everyone makes the grade."

True. She started her training with four other people and two didn't make the cut. So far, she'd been the only one to move up to the big show.

Dwight drained half of his 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, getting comfortable to tell the story. "Several months after I left with Sam, one of the local venues was one person shy of having enough fighters to meet the required number to put on the event. They needed someone—anyone—in a hurry." Her fingers traced a circle on the table. "Sam asked if I wanted to volunteer." She looked up and met Dwight's gaze. "I did and fell 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 seem to have an aptitude for not getting trampled."

Dwight braced his shoulders on the back of the chair. "That's seriously amazing." He held her gaze. "Actually, no, you're pretty amazing." His eyes went dark 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 ability and tempered it into bankable talent. I can't thank you enough for that." Or for the opportunity to stand on her own…

Dwight leaned forward again and grasped her hand. "No thanks necessary. You have skill. I just gave you the tools and knowledge to use it." His thumb brushed over her skin.

Reggie's nerve endings crackled to life. "What happens now?" She didn't elaborate … she didn't need to.

Dwight's lips curved in a wolflike smile. "Whatever you want. I'm interested. But if you want to take some time to move on from Sam, I'd get it."

Reggie finished her drink 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 much fun writing this story. Reggie finally hit the big time, and she's not going to waste the opportunity in or out of the arena.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye