Page 122 of Alien Haven

It wasn’t as if they had real reasons to hide their pasts. At least, not reasons as profound as Mitag’s. For the chance at the love he’d never had, he was willing to share his past horrors. He’d revisit the infamous tragedy and scandal that had been tremendous fodder for news vids if the compelling people he’d met would share their histories too.

* * * *

It was too early in the morning to be sociable, especially before coffee and after drinking the prior night. Nonetheless, Charity did her best when the hulking human in the law enforcement uniform stopped by the farm to introduce himself.

“I hope this is all right by you,” Assistant Chief Wilkes told Groteg, who’d answered the door and ushered him in the kitchen where the clan, their children, and Charity were readying for the day. “I’m not in the habit of poking my nose in where your rescues are concerned, but since Ms. Seng is human…”

“It’s appropriate,” Groteg agreed. “Jennifer should be able to rely on all law enforcement should anything go wrong.” He made the introductions.

“Nice to meet you.” Charity shook the smiling man’s hand and marveled at how he was as big as a Kalquorian. Sure, there were tall humans, but few had the muscle and bulk of their cousin species. “I promise not to pillage any fields or cause much mayhem.”

“Then we’ll get along fine,” Wilkes laughed. He accepted a cup offered to him. “Oh, thank you, Sara. Never too much coffee.”

“I’ll say,” Charity mumbled as she took her first sip and glared at Tori. If it hadn’t been for her exuberant young friend crashing in her room at the crack of dawn and demanding a rundown of Charity’s night out, she’d still be sleeping.

Unaware, the girl shoveled the eggs Imdiko Utber had ladled on her plate in her gaping maw. “Jennifer went on a date last night. She’s so popular, three men brought her home.”

“How do you know that, young lady?” Sara’s face flushed as scarlet as Charity’s.

“I stayed up and watched from the window. One of the guys was Detodev, of all people.” Tori grinned at Charity. “He can be grumpy, but he’s always been nice to me. He built me a dollhouse when he lived here.”

“You stay in bed next time. You need your sleep,” Groteg mildly rebuked.

“It wasn’t a school night. I don’t understand why I have to go to bed so early.” Tori’s curiosity-bright gaze flashed at Charity. “Are you going to join a clan? The third man was Imdiko Mitag. He throws all the best parties in town.”

Charity rushed to explain to the too-interested Wilkes, feeling her reputation flushing down the toilet. “Dramok Ilid…he came on the same shuttle I did…anyway, he and I went out asfriendsto Bar, Bowl, and Barrel.” She glared at Tori again and pretended she didn’t notice Adam’s heartsick expression. “We saw Nobek Detodev, who introduced us to Imdiko Mitag.”

“Detodev and Mitag are your age,” Wilkes observed. “Nice guys. Hard workers. I have yet to meet this Ilid fellow.”

“He seems decent enough. His family is considering buying Bertie Boynton’s bakery.” Groteg wiped up the milk James spilled on the table.

“They insisted on seeing me home, but I kind of got the idea they might continue their night out after offloading me,” Charity went on.

“They were legally sober to be shuttling around?” Wilkes narrowed his eyes at Groteg, but his smile said he wasn’t worried about the matter.

“Ilid was, and the shuttle was his family’s rental. Just in case, I gave them directions to your house and told them if they felt the urge to crash their vessel, that’s where it needed to happen.”

The pair laughed. Wilkes drained his coffee and looked in his empty cup. “Any chance I can be a total mooch and snag a second?” He shot Sara an appealing smile as he nodded at the fresh pot sitting in the coffee maker.

She chuckled as she mopped up more milk James had spilled. The kid had issues getting the glass to his mouth before attempting to drink. “Of course. Just give me a moment.”

“No need. I can pour it myself. You look like you could use another cup too, Jennifer. Is it okay if I call you Jennifer?” He snagged Charity’s cup and headed for the elixir of life.

“Sure. I’ve been called worse.” She yawned and offered heartfelt thanks to Utber, who brought her a swala omelet and crispy baked ronka strips. She felt as pampered as a queen, being served breakfast.

A little more conversation followed, which thankfully wasn’t centered on her night on the town. She happily tucked into the insanely incredible food. Utber deserved to be worshiped as the kitchen god he was, she decided, while talk rose and fell in the background.

A few minutes later, Wilkes bid them goodbye, ready to start his shift. “Easy day,” he chuckled as he headed for the door. “All those celebrating the weekend last night are tucked in bed. They’ll be too hung over to be a bother until sunset. By then, I’ll be home in front of the vid. Are you watching the game tonight, Groteg?”

The Nobek accompanied his law enforcement counterpart to the back porch as they discussed the start of kurble season. Utber offered Charity extra ronka.

“No, you devil. You and your delicious food can keep your distance. What I mean is yes, and my expanding waistline is all your fault. They’ll have to roll me to my shuttle when it’s time for me to leave Haven, thanks to you.”

Utber laughed as he set the crispy slices on her plate. He shooed the kids toward the stairs. “All right, gang, get ready for softball practice. We leave in twenty minutes.”

* * * *

Wilkes headed for town, his shuttle hovering low along the travel lane. He smiled to himself, pleased by his work.

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