Page 14 of Alien Haven

“Wow.” She was betting it was where he hung out when he left the farm. Nobeks loved to brawl.

As for her and Ilid, Bar, Bowl, and Barrel was the favored destination. If it was all they could find to enjoy themselves until they found a suitable inn to spend at least a few private hours, it would have to do. She set the hovercart to head back to the farmhouse. “Thanks for the tip, Detodev.”

“Sure.” Hunched over the machine, he’d already put her in the background.

Charity refused to let him have the last disinterested word. “See you around. Try to have fun in the field, happy man. Keep those laughs coming.”

* * * *

Sara answered the knock at the back door, off the kitchen. She wasn’t surprised to see Dramok Dolgra on her back porch nor the package he held despite her not expecting a delivery for at least a week.

She was happily clanned to two incredible men, but it didn’t keep her from indulging in deep appreciation for her visitor. Dolgra was drop-dead handsome. His chiseled good looks screamed masculinity, and his tan delivery uniform did next to nothing to hide the beefy body it clothed. Sara had the absurd urge to pat her hair to ensure it wasn’t a mess. She wished she’d put on makeup that morning.

She reminded herself she’d had her fair share of husbands and clanmates…and enough heartbreak from the loss of half of them. The fact Dolgra’s job as a deliveryman was a front for a more dangerous career solidified her refusal to consider him as more than an incredible view.

She smiled as she held out her hands for the plain brown box. “Hello, Dramok. Our new ward is settling in well.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He gave her the box, which was surprisingly heavy.

“An actual package?”

“Consider it a thank-you gift for helping the empire hide Matara Jennifer. No problems so far?”

“None. The reports of her being hard to handle must have been exaggerated. She’s a real sweetheart.”

Sara noted she was measuring the width of his shoulders. He was easily a match for Groteg’s muscle. Perhaps being a spy for the Kalquorian fleet, which was determined to maintain Charity Nath’s safety from those who’d harm her, meant he was as canny a fighter. And survivor.

Stop it. You’re thirty-seven and a mother of three. You’re too old and too clanned for a silly crush…especially considering your bad luck.

“No one has come by to see your new boarder? No one suspicious lurking around?”

“I haven’t come across anyone who might suspect who she is. The only interest she’s been shown was from a young man who arrived on the shuttle that brought her to Haven.”

“Dramok Ilid?” Dolgra’s focus sharpened. She nearly shivered at the intensity of his gaze.

“Is he another subject of the Kalquorian fleet’s spy division?” Sara tried for an offhand tone, but she was already protective of Charity. If seemingly sweet Ilid potentially added to the girl’s danger, Sara was ready to step in.

“He’s a special case. No worries; he’s a decent kid who had a bad time not of his own making. However, Jennifer’s situation might put him in jeopardy if her identity becomes known. I hope she hasn’t told him her story?”

“She’s kept it quiet. She understands how careful she needs to be when it comes to sharing too much.”

“If you don’t feel she’ll be rebellious simply for the sake of watching her minders squirm—”

“She won’t.” Sara wondered what Charity had done in the past to earn her reputation. Dolgra’s concern was probably that of the typical nervous Kalquorian man who hadn’t a clue how to deal with a fun-loving college student. Particularly one who was under pressure.

Dolgra smiled, and Sara told herself his expression wasn’t as warm as her imagination insisted. “Do me a favor and remind her to be careful. She can’t expose her identity no matter how she feels about the young men she might meet and feel the urge to strike up strong friendships with.”

“She has a good head on her shoulders, but I’ll emphasize the danger she’s in.”

“Thank you. Let me give you my personal com frequency. You can reach me, day or night. If there’s any problem whatsoever, or even the slightest concern, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“Do you have any reason to believe she was followed?” Sara recorded the frequency.

“None, but these are strange times. Besides, I’m a spy. Paranoia is my fallback position. It keeps my kind alive longer.” He winked.

Sara laughed, but her stomach dropped. Jesse had been a mere farmer and Amgar a government acquisitions administrator. They hadn’t engaged in the high-stakes risks she guessed Dolgra did. Nonetheless, they were dead, both in the prime of life.

“I still can’t believe Haven rates a spy presence. There’s been no trouble on the planet since the Kalquorian civil war,” she said.

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