Page 16 of Alien Haven

“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 for you.”

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 to go to war or 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.”

“Itwasa quick change. I was surrounded by those who were determined to separate our species by force. I never saw myself dating a Kalquorian, much less a clan. It was just recently I considered your people an option,” Charity allowed.

Ilid looked relieved. “The business of civil war over whether Earthers should be welcome in the empire was where my family drew the line. When Dramok Maf set our people against each other, it became clear we’d taken the wrong side. Overnight, my mother started baking and selling cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies alongside suod wafers and tasi biscuits.”

“Chocolate chip cookies,” Charity breathed. “All is forgiven if I’m allowed to have a sample.”

He chuckled. “The first batch from the new bakery is yours. How did you overcome your reluctance to date Kalquorians?”

Charity’s face warmed, but embarrassment only made her blunt. “Lust.”

Ilid’s eyes widened. He slapped a hand over his mouth to keep from bellowing fresh laughter.

Prophets, she loved seeing him grin and loved hearing his amusement after seeing his lapses into gloom during their trip to Haven.

As much as she wished to continue to amuse him, she was determined to be as truthful with Ilid as her situation allowed. “Actually, the stunning members of the empire helped me get past the real reason I kept my distance.”

“Which was?”

Charity felt the bitterness in her smile. “I warn you…it’s totally childish. You might lose whatever respect you have for me if I admit the depth of my resentment.”

His brows rose. “I doubt it. Do tell, Miss Behavior.”

“My older sister joined a clan. It felt as if she kind of abandoned me. She didn’t really. There was no help for us beingseparated, but it put distance between us. I was hurt. Still am. Whatever she does, my knee-jerk reaction is to do the opposite.”

Ilid’s hand covered hers. “That’s rough. You and she were close at one point?”

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