Sunday Snippet: Quest for Home

Can't believe we're in the final few days of the year. I can't say 2025 has been stellar, but it has been interesting. I'm looking forward to a new year.

Our weather is still wild. Our low for today is going to be about four degrees higher than the high for tomorrow. We're currently at fifty-eight degrees for our high and we'll plummet to twenty-nine. The high for tomorrow? Twenty-five. Seriously.

Slower work week with the holiday out of offices. I finished up a copy edit and started a new proofread that won't be due until the first week of January. Also got started on a developmental edit of a five or six book series. Continued work on the memoir and making good progress with the author. This is such a great story.

Had a pretty good viewing week. I got a couple of holiday special episodes in and that made me happy. I have one more I'm looking forward to this week.

Started again with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. I'm getting closer to the end with a handful of episodes left. I'm thoroughly enjoying the rewatch.

Caught the holiday special episodes of Madam Blanc Mysteries. At first, I didn't realize it was a two-parter and had to impatiently wait for the second half. Excellent episodes! I love the holiday specials.

Watched part two of Silent Witness and honestly didn't expect the twists and turns. I'm enjoying the newest team member. She's going to be a great addition to the Lylle.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. I kind of like it when Poirot is under the weather. He's such a cranky dude but also hilariously funny.

Caught another episode of Elementary and, wow, Joan could be headed for some serious trouble with Moreland. I have a sneaky suspicion Sherlock knows exactly what's going on and I'm interested to see if I'm right.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and remembered it on my original run through. Good episode.

Enjoyed another episode of Lower Decks. So fun when lore from all the other Trek incarnations pops up and play a big role in the episode.

Caught the holiday episode of Beyond Paradise and loved seeing Commissioner Patterson! Also very happy to see Humphrey and Martha tie the knot. The rest of the background story ended up being super emotional and I love this episode a lot.

I did skip Foyle's War but should finish up the episode this week. Looking forward to watching the rest of the show.

That's it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Quest for Home, a novella that follows a couple trying to get their people to a new home.

Here's the miniblurb:

A world-ending natural disaster is imminent and Drury Amanze—Fate's chosen messenger—has to convince everyone to follow her to a new location. Porter Magda becomes Drury's touchstone while she battles resistance and disinterest from the community. While they race the clock, Porter props Drury up against the toll transporting their entire civilization to safety takes on her during their quest for a new home.

And a preview snippet…

Porter tightened his grip on Dru. "We'll figure it out. Or … you'll figure it out." He squeezed her lightly then stepped away. "I'm just along for the ride." He drank in the sight of the stars overhead.

Dru's hand found his. "You're so much more than that." Lacing their fingers together she tugged him closer. "You keep me grounded. You're my port in the maelstrom and the only thing I can truly count on." She angled her head to meet his gaze. "I can't do this without you."

Porter huffed out a breath. "I wouldn't want you to." He started looking around the landscape.

Because they weren't in a cave or temple, which surprised him.

Dru pointed to a rocky outcropping. "Think we should start over there? I'm not sure what to do since we're not in or on a portal." Her voice wobbled a little.

The journey affected her more than she wanted to let on.

Porter shook his head. "We wait until daylight. You need to rest a little and we need to regroup." Her certainty that this would be their new home made exploration a smart move.

Dru leaned into his side. "See what I mean? My brain is holey cheese right now." She nodded toward a copse of trees. "Shelter over there for the night?"

He grunted. "Probably the best option." Shrugging his backpack off, he lifted a flap and retrieved a small stake.

He planted it in the ground to mark their arrival spot.

Dru lit a small lantern from her pack and started leading the way toward the trees. Her gaze swept back and forth, looking for signs of animal or human life. Porter did the same, glancing behind them several times to make sure nothing came up on them.

When she reached the edge of the tree line, she knelt and put her hand on the ground. "Doesn't look like this area has been disturbed by anything for a long time." She lifted her gaze upward. "What do you recommend?"

Porter pulled a torchlight from his pack and cast the beam forward. "We camp on the edge here and use only what's on the ground." If the planet ended up being inhabited, they should be as respectful as possible.

Porter gathered the stuff to make a fire and Dru carefully created a circle with stones after she cleared an area. The temperature might drop a little, but Porter doubted it would be by much since they arrived at what appeared to be full nighttime. A blanket and their packs should be enough for them until dawn.

Once he got the fire going, he settled beside Dru and exhaled slowly.

Her hand found his again. "It's starting to sink in … this is going to be our new home." She shifted around and straddled his thighs.

Porter let the idea wrap around his brain. "The end of one journey and the beginning of another." He rested his forehead against hers.

Dru sighed. "Can we think about that tomorrow?" Her lips ghosted along his jawline.

Porter's lips twitched. "Yeah, I think we can pick up with this in the morning." His fingers slid under the hem of her shirt.

Dru reached down and pulled the garment off. "See … like I said. You're everything I need exactly when I need it."

Porter flashed a smile. No way would he argue with her right now.

This one is just getting started and I'm excited to see where it goes.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye