Page 110 of Alien Haven

Ilid and his parents chuckled as she pretended to bite the air. “You missed the excitement of us evaluating the equipment.” Her friend indicated the stainless steel tools of the trade visible through the door that opened to the rear of the shop area.

“Industrial mixers, oven capacity, beverage machines…the heart races,” Imdiko Jadel joked.

Charity fanned herself and spoke breathlessly. “Not to mention vats of dough rising. And the kneading machine! Stars, I feel faint.”

“I’m beginning to wonder why I went into security work if baking is such a thrill. My Matara, you’ve been holding out on me,” Gruthep chided Diju.

“You stay out of it, Nobek. I’m keeping it all for myself and my son,” she snarled before erupting in girlish giggles.

Charity grinned. Clan Codab were excellent sports, always ready to join in on the younger people’s sillier turns.

“Seriously, how’s it look for your plans? I don’t have the first clue went it comes to commercial baking, but it certainly appears clean and inviting.” She admired the sparkling surfaces, the vast baked treats display shelves, and cozy if somewhat worn seating dotting the public space.

“It’s nearly move-in ready,” Ilid said, his gaze impressed as he evaluated the space. “The previous owners kept it up beautifully.”

“It would do to start, but I believe upgrades are in order.” Diju spoke in businesswoman tones as she tapped in her handheld. “We’ll give Ilid time to decide if this environment suits him. If so, we’ll make an offer.”

“Go ahead and do it. I feel great about this.” Ilid beamed at the large front windows of the bakery, which showed a coffee shop across the wide shuttle lane in front of the business.

Charity eyed the coffee shop with lust. She was overdue for another cup. As soon as possible, she’d obey its siren song and visit.

Besides the beckoning java, a few people, mostly women guiding their small children in hover strollers, strolled along the walkways. They drifted in and out of the various stores boasting farm wares, groceries, and clothing.

“You’ve barely been on Haven a full day, my son. It’s soon to come to such a decision,” Codab gently reminded him.

“It’s perfect. Don’t you think so, Jennifer?”

She glanced at him and was astounded at how happy he looked. The guardedness had all but vanished from his handsome face. Was this compelling bright-faced man the real Ilid?

She swallowed. It was on the tip of her tongue to agree because she enjoyed how at ease he appeared.

“If it makes you happy, it’s perfect foryou.”

A shadow briefly flitted across his face. “Still worried about stepping in those ronka patties, huh?”

“I’m in the market for galoshes if you want to take me shopping when you’re done here. Fortunately, Clan Amgar doesn’t deal in critters bigger than chickens, so the hip waders I planned on aren’t necessary. Halfway up the shins should do fine.” She was glad he didn’t take her lack of adoration for Planet Farm Hell personally.

Besides, it was best to ensure he was aware their association, as delightful as it had been and promised to be, was for a limited time only. Eventually, Jennifer Seng would revert to Charity Nath, who had a life and future far from Haven.

If Diju was disappointed Charity hadn’t fallen so hard for her son that she was ready to cancel her plans in favor of a life at his side, she didn’t show it. “You two go ahead and explore the town. A successful bakery isn’t simply a matter of the four walls it’s in, after all. It’s dependent on those who’ll buy from it. Get to know your potential customers, Ilid…and have fun, of course.”

“All right.” Ilid grinned at Charity. “Where do you suppose we’ll find the boots you need to survive the fields and pastures?”

“No idea, so we’d better grab some fuel to keep us going.”

“The coffee shop across the street? Sounds perfect.”

Charity beamed at Diju. “You raised your boy right, Momma.”

They left on a tide of Clan Codab’s laughter.

* * * *

Neither Charity nor Ilid were in a hurry to do actual shopping. They sat in the café sipping coffee, which the Dramok said was growing on him. “I’ve been a bit slow to enjoy your drinks and food. I haven’t had a lot of exposure to Earthers despite our people getting closer over the past decade,” he admitted.

“Despite the Earthtiques’ attempts to stick a wedge between us, you mean.”

“I have a confession.” Ilid eyed her, shamefaced. “When the Basma started his campaign for a pure Kalquor, my parents and I agreed. To a point,” he added quickly. “It wasn’t as if we wanted war or to let our culture go extinct. Mixing our species had happened fast. We were rattled by it. It was overwhelming to have so many of the empire’s resources go to human women.”

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