Page 66 of Alien Haven

Groteg stared at him. “You could be talking years, her traveling around in such a manner. As long as Browning Copeland lives, if not longer. She isn’t a Coydidak.” He named the group of Kalquorians who roamed the galaxy endlessly in their ragtag vessels, a sometimes lawless bunch who refused to live by society’s dictates. “Do you really expect her to put her life on hold for an indefinite period?”

“She’ll be alive. I see no alternative. She has to leave Haven.”

The Nobek snorted. “You’re forgetting an important detail, Dolgra.”

“Which is?”

“Though Charity isn’t thrilled about being stuck on an agricultural planet, it’s clear she’s getting close to those three young men. She’s invested in them beyond a simple fling. I don’t think she realizes it yet, but she will if she’s told she has to leave.”

“She didn’t want to come here, but she did when we told her to. She understands her well-being depends on our protection,” the spy pointed out.

“That may be, but I think she’s decided she’ll no longer allow your division to tell her what to do. She’s an adult, and she’s hit her limit when it comes to hiding. Don’t be surprised if she tells you she isn’t going anywhere.”

Dolgra groaned in the face of Groteg’s certainty. Charity could legally refuse to leave Haven if she decided to do so.

She was also the sister of Clan Piras’ Matara. Admiral Piras was a big deal in the spy division’s hierarchy. It would beDolgra’s career…hell, it would be his ass…if anything happened to Charity on his watch. Piras was a legend as the last man in existence to piss off.

“Can I work for you if this goes to hell? And if I somehow survive the Terror of the Fleet’s wrath?”

Groteg chuckled in sympathy for his predicament.

* * * *

Ilid wondered if he made too big a deal out of what couldn’t possibly interest his new friends. He ushered them in the bakery his parent clan had messaged they’d closed the sale on the evening before. He felt pride at the work he and his family had done once the contract had been agreed to. The former owner had permitted to them to start updating the facility prior to the final legal approval to be issued by Haven’s governors.

The bakery’s new pastel color scheme of sky blue, sage green, and buttery yellow was soothing but far from boring. The seating areas varied from upholstered loungers, chairs one could sink in, billowing floor cushions, and sturdy chairs around intimate tables. Artwork hadn’t been hung yet, but Ilid had explained it would represent local artists and would be for sale.

Every surface gleamed. A quarter of the new appliances had already been installed. It took no imagination to realize how the bakery would appear when the updates were completed. The windows looked out on the street, but plans were in place to build a patio enclosed by a low wall and flowering plantings. It wouldn’t merely be a bakery but a space to linger with friends.

“I’m scheduling an appointment to talk to the coffee shop across the street to set up a station in here. Their product is excellent,” Ilid enthused as they paused just inside the door. The group gawked in open admiration of the changes that had been implemented. “They don’t offer much in the way of Kalquorian baked goods, so I’m hoping to offer a trade. There’s no sensecompeting against a potential partner if we can benefit each other instead.”

“Smart,” Detodev acknowledged. “A lot of us drink coffee and tea now. Being able to stop in one spot to buy the best of both worlds would make a lot of people happy. Especially if the line is moving faster at one location.”

“Hey, you could do my sales pitch for me.”

Detodev grinned. Ilid was struck by the change in the reticent Nobek from when they’d first met. He felt different himself, having been accepted by his companions despite his flaws as a Dramok.

His future felt the most hopeful it had been since his horrific encounter with the Darks. He could actually imagine having a clan. Mitag had especially made it clear he was eager for clanmates. Maybe they could win Detodev too, given the Nobek had similar issues of unworthiness.

The pit of Ilid’s stomach ached when he glanced at Charity. She saw no future for herself on Haven. She hated the planet and craved the excitement of the city. He couldn’t blame her. He’d felt the same restless energy prior to his encounter with the Darks.

Perhaps he was foolish to consider his three companions as the perfect clan for himself, especially where she was concerned. It was damned hard to imagine another woman who could match her for wit, charm, and intelligence, wrapped in one lovely package. If only he could offer her something worthwhile to make her stay.

You can’t ask her to give up her education or career to live where she won’t be happy. Enjoy her while she’s here. Don’t allow regrets to ruin what you have while you have it.

He set aside the yearning threatening to darken his mood as his parents came from the kitchen area at the rear of thebuilding. They exclaimed in delight to see the young people and immediately made a fuss over them.

“How wonderful you’ve come,” Imdiko Jadel enthused after greetings were exchanged. “What do you think of our latest enterprise?”

“The bakery already looks fantastic,” Charity told them. “When do you think it’ll open?”

“Well, manager?” Ilid’s mother beamed at him.

He grinned back. “I think we can have the equipment ready to go in two weeks. Leaving room for unforeseen delays and promotion…a month?”

Mitag whipped his handheld from a pouch on his belt and tapped. “I have an opening in four weeks, thanks to a last-minute cancellation. A groom got cold feet. Really cold feet. He left a note breaking it off and disappeared from town.”

“Yikes,” Charity said. “The bride must be upset.”

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