Page 103 of Alien Haven

“Better you than me.” Groteg didn’t mind community outreach, but he hated giving speeches.

“Which is how I feel where your latest miscreant is concerned. Maybe I’ll use her as an example of how not to behave. Enjoy the angst.” Chuckling, Wilkes left the office.

* * * *

“This is the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had,” Charity declared after a single bite.

Imdiko Utber chuckled. “I had a lot of practice, thanks to the kids. Chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and pizza. You’d swear there were no other foods worth eating.”

“Tacos,” Tori declared. “Tacos are always to be on the week’s menu.”

“Grease and lactose, the fuel of the younger generation.” Charity had another forkful of mac and cheese and had to fend off a moan of sheer lust. Utber’s recipe was utterly decadent.

“It is a challenge to make sure it’s healthy,” the Imdiko chuckled.

“Such language. How dare you assault our ears with words like ‘healthy.’” Tori grinned at Charity, whom she sat beside.

The girl had wandered in Charity’s room as she was unpacking earlier. Her nonchalant façade had faded as they got to know each other. It had taken only half an hour before she was gabbing in the breathless way adolescent girls had when they’d found a confidante. Charity was amused, touched, and a little saddened…when had she left similar eagerness behind? Had she ever experienced it? She thought she might have been denied, having spent a portion of her own formative years under the yoke of hardline followers of Holy Leader Browning Copeland. There’d been Copeland himself, making it clear Charity was to become his latest wife when she was only fifteen…

She felt a rush of gladness Tori hadn’t grown up under the shadow of fear. Her angst was of the pure preteen kind, the testing indulged in by someone flexing independence fromparents and teachers. Charity’s had been more of a defense mechanism to keep growing terror at bay.

She glanced at those around her, this fascinating family formed from a series of tragedies. Adam snuck worshipful glances at her when he wasn’t telling Groteg of the new coach for the football team he played running back for. Sara and Utber gently coaxed James to eat his buttered wedi stalks, which they’d caught him trying to hide under his napkin. Tori pumped Charity for information regarding college and the men she’d met, beaming at Groteg when he turned an anxious eye toward her and said, “Why are you asking about boys?”

“I’m just curious how those in GC space are different from these around here.”

“Well, don’t be, Lady Sunshine. There’ll be plenty of time for boys later. Much, much later.”

“Oh, Daddy. You’re cute freaking out over me dating.”

“You’re dating?” He turned his horrified gaze to Sara. “She’sdating?”

She waved him off. “Of course she isn’t. She’s talking of the future when she’s sixteen.”

“Eighteen,” Groteg countered in a growl.

“Daddy!”

The warmth as they bantered and Groteg panicked reminded Charity how far she was from her own family. She’d left behind her aunt and uncle mere days ago when the bounty had been put on her by the fanatical factions of Mercy and New Bethlehem colonies. It had been months since she’d seen her sister Hope and father Borey in person.

We had no chance of being a family like this when we were together. Not after Armageddon. Not after Mom died.

“Don’t worry.” Sara had caught Charity’s state of mind, though not the reason for it. “We don’t always argue at length.”

“Usually, we’re worse,” Tori said cheerfully.

“Young lady,” Utber warned.

“Dating,” Groteg groaned, staring at his half-empty plate in despair. “How can she be thinking of dating at her age?”

“I’ve been thinking of dating for years. I’ll be old enough in a few months. Then look out, girls.” Adam grinned until he met Charity’s eyes. He blushed furiously and concentrated on shoveling his dinner in his face.

“They’d better not have to look out. If I hear of you being anything except the perfect gentleman, mister, you’ll be sorry.” Sara shook her fork at her oldest.

Utber looked at Charity and shrugged. “Welcome to the family. This is as good as it gets, I’m afraid.”

If you only knew how good you have it.As the bickering eased to laughter, Charity decided they might. Her angst abruptly transformed to a soft, sentimental joy.

She was glad for them and basked to be at the edges of their warmth.

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