Page 15 of Alien Haven

“I’m here because we want to ensure its trouble-free status. In truth, it’s been a boring…wait, I’ve been assigned to Haven six years already? Almost.”

A beep went off on a device on his belt, and Dolgra sighed. “I’d better get on these deliveries. The last thing I need is to expose my true identity. It would be almost as bad as Earthers learning who Jennifer Seng actually is.” He dipped a traditional bow of respect, his gaze steady on her before he hurried to his waiting delivery transport.

Sara closed the door, her heart beating a little too fast. She realized she still held the package Dolgra had brought.

She opened it and discovered a bottle of bohut. Her eyes widened at the label…it was a pricey, extravagant vintage. Sara was well aware of its cost. She’d once considered buying it, but there had been seedlings to purchase and farmhands to pay. She’d had to settle for a far less exclusive label.

Dolgra had claimed it was a thank-you from the empire. She doubted the Kalquorian fleet had approved of such gratitude, since it was paying Clan Amgar handsomely for hiding Charity.

Surely it couldn’t be a personal gift from their representative. However, he was an unclanned Dramok…

Ridiculous. He’d never been anything but polite to them. All business and reserved, for the most part. She was reading too much into the gesture. She had to be.

Right?

“Don’t be interested in us,” she whispered. “Groteg and Utber will always think of Amgar as their only clan leader, and I…I’m nothing but bad news.”

Chapter Four

“Thanks for letting me do this,” Charity said as Sara’s handheld tapped hers, transmitting a shopping list. “I realize you can have what you need delivered, and I haven’t done much as far as work’s concerned.”

“You should get the lay of the land. The town isn’t a big deal to figure out, but you’ll want to familiarize yourself where everything is. Including the bakery Ilid’s parents are considering buying.” Sara wiggled her brows at her. “Ilid must be very interested to have asked you to get together again so soon.”

“We’re just hoping to have fun. He’s probably finding it hard to be in a new place where he hasn’t met anyone yet. I get the idea he isn’t as outgoing as me.” As warm as he’d been when they’d first met, Charity had the notion Ilid wouldn’t have introduced himself to her on the shuttle. His matchmaking mother had been the instigator.

“Be careful then, especially if you’re ‘just having fun,’” Sara advised. “I doubt Ilid would tell anyone your identity, but you never can tell who might be listening in on your conversations.”

“No problem. To him, I’ll always be Jennifer Seng, otherwise known as Miss Behavior and chemistry lab bomber.” Charity offered her sunniest smile despite the jab of conscience. Shehated the necessity of lying to Ilid. Though her crush on him was no doubt temporary, he was a sweet guy who didn’t deserve to be lied to.

* * * *

“So this is the makings of your baked goods kingdom.” Charity looked around the shop. “I have to say, the smell alone screams ‘buy me.’ I can feel my waistline expanding already.”

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 somewhat worn but cozy booth seating dotting the public space.

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

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