Page 80 of An Alien for the Farm

“Hi there,” I greet her warmly, trying not to wince at the still-lingering aches as I try to put her at ease. “I’m Eleanor.”

The woman smiles, a bit nervously, but there’s a spark of friendliness in her eyes as she leans forward on the ooga to shake my outstretched hand. “Catherine. It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Eleanor.”

Both Varek and Zynar stare at our exchange. Zynar stands protectively close to me, his presence a comforting weight at my back. Varek, meanwhile, seems almost awkward, his usual confidence replaced by something more tentative as he listens to Catherine speak.

“Varek here has been telling me all about the farm,” Catherine continues, her gaze flitting between him and me. “It sounds like you’re building something really incredible out here.”

I chuckle softly. “Well, I can’t take all the credit. Zynar has been a huge help.”

Zynar purrs softly, the sound sending delightful shivers across my spine. The mark on my chest warms up and I try not to react as I shift my gaze upward to look at him. There’s a small smile playing on his lips. The first smile I’ve seen since I woke up to his worry.

“It is a joint effort,” he rumbles.

Catherine looks genuinely impressed. “You already have a field ready for tilling. You’ll have crops in no time, I’m sure.”

I smile and shrug. “Zynar here will have to teach me how to use the tools, but we’ll try our best.”

Catherine smiles. “It’s inspiring, really. Makes me feel like there’s hope for us humans out here after all.”

I take in her words, quite sure she has no idea of the weight of that utterance. With Zynar at my back, those words feel almost filled with certain promise.

“There definitely is,” I whisper.

There’s the sound of someone clearing their throat and I turn to see Xarion waiting patiently behind us.

“Right,” Catherine sits up straighter, inhaling deeply as she does, her gaze cast in the distance. “I’ve held Mr. Xarion here for far too long. I just didn’t want to pass by without meeting you.” She turns her gaze to me. “He tells me my farm is that way.” She points east. “A bit of a ways away from yours.”

She smiles a little but she’s human. I can see the uncertainty underneath her bravado. Reaching up, I squeeze her hand and she jerks slightly at my touch before she presses a soft smile to her face.

“I’ll visit whenever I can,” I assure her.

Catherine’s polite smile falters just a little, the uncertainty in her eyes more pronounced. Her expression softens with an almost apologetic look.

“That's very kind of you, Eleanor, but I wouldn’t want to be a bother. You’ve got enough on your plate here. I’ll manage, somehow.” Her voice carries a quiet resolve. “I’ve lived on my own for a long time, so don’t you worry about me.”

I squeeze her hand one more time before letting go. “You’d never be a bother. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything, even if it’s just for a chat.” Then my face lights up. “We have these handy smartphones that can do anything. Just give me a ping!”

Catherine nods, her smile becoming more genuine, but the hesitance is still there. “Thank you, Eleanor. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Xarion steps forward, his presence commanding attention. “Catherine, it’s time to go. We have a long journey ahead.”

With a final nod to me and a glance at Varek, Catherine turns to follow Xarion as he hops on his ooga with such grace, I’m only reminded of how clumsy I was the first time he took me out here on mine.

“Goodbye, Eleanor.” Catherine waves. “Good luck with your farm.”

“Goodbye, Catherine. Stay safe,” I call after her, watching as she and Xarion head off into the distance.

My gaze skips to Varek, who is watching them leave, and then to Zynar, whose attention is solely on me. Warmth pulses from the sigils as I turn to face him.

“Well, this has already been a long day. Want to go inside?”

I don’t get an answer but a yelp escapes my lips as Zynar suddenly swoops in and lifts me into his arms. I hear Varek groan and it makes me chuckle.

“Let’s go back inside.” It’s not the words but the way Zynar says them. That growl that sets my insides alight.

Varek groans again and my gaze shifts to him when he walks in the opposite direction—towards his hover truck.

“Um, Varek, what are you doing?”

---