Page 11 of His Human Rebel

“Why wouldn’t they?”

“Well, maybe they know that you were looking for someone to start a family of your own with and then you end up with me, a woman who’s already pregnant, and they might think I’m taking advantage of you. I would think that about me at first, at least until I knew the truth.”

He shrugs. “Then tell them the truth.”

I blow out a breath. “I hope it will be that easy.”

And then he asks a question that surprises me. “Does it disappoint you that I’m so focused on wanting to build a future here on the ranch and nowhere else?”

“No, I understand. Of course you can’t move. This isn’t like my job where it was a yearly contract and I was hired by the school board and the Principal. This is entirely different. Your family has owned this land for generations. This is where you were born and raised and where your ancestors lived. Your business is here and you’re self-employed, you can’t move this business elsewhere. And you want to pass this ranch down to your offspring and have them continue running it in the future. You want to stay here your whole life. You’re not moving.”

He glances over at me. “Exactly.”

“See I understand.”

“You do.”

I look around at the scenery again and repeat what I said earlier because I can’t get over the craggy mountains, the lush green fields and the blooming flowers. “This is so different from where I lived. New Earth doesn’t rain as much and in fact water is precious to us. There are some areas with more rain, but not much. Seeing land this green with so many flowers and streams and the small ponds we’ve passed, it’s just wonderful.”

“This is a special part of Tarvos. The wild lands are protected because this ecosystem is highly important to planetary balance. The Flagstones are allowed a dispensation to cultivate in the great valley because migration paths go around this plain, so it’s been a perfect place to ranch. We specialize in breeding riding beasts and the meat from our pryotaurs is the purest on the planet.”

“The weather feels perfect. It’s not too hot, not too cold. Is it always like this or did I just arrive on a good day?”

“It is usually like that here and only rains a small amount the rest of the year, except one month out of every year is the rainy season.”

“Rainy season?” I grimace.

“Yes. It storms hard every single day for an entire moon cycle. This happens only once a year though. We are used to it and the entire planet goes on lockdown to remain safe. We tend to think of it as vacation time mostly. It sounds bad but you do not have to worry, I will keep you safe.”

“When is the next rainy season?”

“Six months from now.”

My eyes widen. “I think that’s my due date.”

Chapter 5

Rake

At least Stella entertains the idea of giving birth to our first offspring here on Tarvos. This is good news because I’d follow her to the ends of New Earth to talk her into permanently remaining here with me.

“We’ll prepare for the day you’ll be in labor,” I say, trying to comfort her. “The rainy season will not interfere, and I will be with you.”

She flashes a nervous smile. “How can you say that? You just met me an hour ago.”

My chest warms. “And I’m grateful to have met you.” This beautiful female was tricked into this situation and did not join an actual mail-order bride service but was forced into transporting to Tarvos by malicious humans. I do not approve of how the leader in this previous community treated my pregnant female. In fact, it angers me greatly and I entertain thoughts of traveling there by transporter simply to singe them all into submission. But Stella and her unborn child need a fresh start and I am grateful that she is willing to take a chance with me on an entirely new planet.

The gate to my ranch appears in the distance.

“Oh, are we finally here?” she cries out.

“Yes, we are reaching my property.” I point at the gate that automatically opens and the arching signage, Flagstone Fire Ranch. “This will be yours too. Half of everything I own is yours.”

She glances around as we drive through and seems to come to a realization. “If we did this, perform those vows, then I instantly get half of what you own?”

“I tell you the words that all Hyrrokin say when publicly joining into a proposed bound commitment. You are not mine yet, we have yet to walk to the courthouse together and even perform a bound commitment ceremony if you like. When we are legally joined you will own half of what I own. But are now my fiancée, and I tell you the words all Hyrrokin say when joining with their future mates. Now I will show you the domicile I have created, so you can decide if it’s appropriate for your needs.”

“Oh no. Rake, you can’t just marry me and then make me legally a co-owner of this ranch and give me access to have half of your accounts. You should do a prenuptial. This ranch means so much to you and this land has been owned by your ancestors. You’d be risking your future by legally tying yourself to someone like me.”

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