Page 49 of Alien Haven

Charity managed to stop her eyes from rolling. She hated being treated as if she were a high school kid who had a curfew. It was because everyone was worried for her welfare, she reminded herself. She concentrated on appreciativeness for their concern.

Sara and Groteg merely asked she inform them of how late her plans would go and where she’d be as soon as she and Mitag had decided on their itinerary. Delighted to be regarded as a responsible adult, she hugged the surprised pair before dashing on board Mitag’s shuttle.

“Where are we off to?” she asked Mitag.

“Here and there. I haven’t made particular plans; I simply wanted to see you. I hope that’s okay.”

“Spontaneity is my middle name.”

“I have to stop by the town’s event hall for a minute to see how my crew’s doing. They’re setting up the reception decorations for the big party. Once I see they have it under control, I’m all yours,” Mitag grinned.

“Oh, is it the Western-buckaroos-in-tails wedding? I so have to see this.”

Minutes later, she was standing in the midst of a space that shouldn’t have looked as good as it did, given the descriptionMitag had shared. She blinked at the hay bales set in interesting patterns against the walls, an arch made of farm tools, and another of chicken wire. She gaped at white and silver tulle bunting fashioned in astonishingly complicated bows, which decorated the gleaming steel and bale squares. White roses cascaded artfully in resplendent glory.

“If there’s a section of heaven specifically for farmers and ranchers, this could be a fair representation. It’s actually elegant, Mitag. You managed to pull it off.” She couldn’t keep admiration from her tone.

He beamed. “Thanks. I’ll be glad when it’s done. I look forward to the bride no longer comming me to share yet another of her bright ideas.”

“Such as flannel? Livestock?”

His hand covered her mouth as he darted terrified glances around the room. “Hush! I don’t trust her to not be lurking, ready to spring on me.”

They were still laughing when Ilid stepped in the gleaming, gorgeous hall. “I was leaving the bakery and saw you two come in here.” He yawned sleepily and scanned the room. “Swanky setup. This isn’t the horror show you were describing, Mitag.”

“I don’t do horror shows. I’m talented that way,” the Imdiko asserted in a pompous tone.

“It should have been a monstrosity, but he made it beautiful, didn’t he?” Charity stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to Ilid’s cheek. His sleepy but good mood appeared to brighten at her welcome.

“I had no idea farm tools could work for a romantic setting. Or hay.” Ilid chuckled and nudged Mitag.

“Hay can make for decent bedding if you loosely pile it.” Charity offered a wicked leer.

“Are you talking from experience?” Mitag wasted no time jumping on the innuendo.

“Not yet. But I can tell you with some assurance, feedbags do in a pinch.”

“And you know this for a fact how?” Ilid demanded playfully.

“Ask Detodev.”

“Now it makes sense why she smells so strongly of our strong, silent Nobek,” Mitag told Ilid.

“I caught it, but I wasn’t going to say anything. I thought he had to get up early this morning?”

“It’s easy to get up when you’ve been up all night. In more ways than one.” Mitag’s sally earned Ilid’s laughter.

“What do you mean, you could smell him on me? I showered.” Charity thought they were making fun of her. Maybe disbelieving her.

“You smell strongly of soap, shampoo, and a little less powerfully of Detodev.” Ilid’s purple eyes twinkled. “The Kalquorian sense of smell is quite sensitive. You weren’t aware?”

“I’d heard but…you can actually tell we…?” Charity groaned. “That means Groteg and Utber must have smelled Detodev too. And Dramok Dolgra! The Kalquorian farmhands…prophets, are you saying if I sleep with a Kalquorian, every other Kalquorian around me can tell?”

A young Dramok assistant of Mitag’s walked past, carrying an armful of roses. “From at least three feet away, Matara,” he snickered.

Charity’s face burned as Mitag and Ilid roared laughter. She didn’t mind her intimate hijinks revealed to those she hoped to indulge in future intimate hijinks with…but half the damned colony would realize it too?

“How am I supposed to get away with anything on this ridiculous planet?”

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