Page 5 of Alien Haven

“Your role isn’t exactly a compliment, is it? Are you all right playing the part of a troubled young woman?”

“It’s a shame you’re coming in under a supposed cloud of mischief. You’re already dealing with the actual problem of radical Earthtiques wanting to interrogate you for their own ends.” Sara’s pretty face took on a determined cast Charity recognized. It was the look her elder sister Hope had worn years ago. She’d been hellbent to shelter Charity from a powerful man who’d wanted to force her into marriage and sexual slavery. It was the expression her aunt Ruth had taken on when the supposedly dead Charity had been outed as alive and well on Alpha Space Station.

It looks as if I found myself another mama bear.Charity was equal parts amused and dismayed.

“The cover story the fleet’s spy division decided on is the best possible excuse for her being here. We’re known for taking in youths who’ve encountered difficulties in society. Usually we foster Nobek teens, but few will question our having you move in.” Groteg spoke in a steady tone. Charity thought she heard an underlying attitude ofthis is how it is so deal with it.

Very Nobek, in other words. She bet he kept his past problematic wards in line easily.

“It’s only a part you have to act.” Sara was doing her best to soften what she believed must be a blow to Charity’s ego.

The younger woman had to laugh. “If you only knew how my family would respond to my situation. They’d tell you no acting is required on my part when it comes to youthful hijinks and bad attitude.”

“Really?” Utber gazed at her, his disbelief tinged by growing concern as he tried to detect wickedness in her demeanor. Perhaps he was thinking of her potential influence on his children.

“Don’t worry. I tend to be less mouthy to those I’m unrelated to. Especially those who might decide I’m more bother than I’m worth. I have no interest in giving you a reason to send me to the barn to sleep.”

She earned chuckles, including from Groteg.

Sara said, “Children typically let their parents have the worst of their behavior. Our kids’ teachers go on and on about how well behaved they are, but when it comes time for homework and chores—”

“The daily beatings commence to get them in line.” Groteg shot a grin over his shoulder at Charity to show he was joking. She was startled how handsome a smile made his somewhat stark features.

“As for farm work, I don’t expect you to do much. Just enough to keep anyone from becoming suspicious,” Sara said. “I’m sure you have your studies to keep up on until you can return to school. I prefer you to focus on them as much as possible.”

“I don’t mind pulling my weight,” Charity was surprised to hear herself say. She found she meant it, however. Her instincts insisted these people, who were going out of their way to help a stranger, were the best sort.

“We can always use the help,” Utber sighed. “I don’t know how Sara does it, despite us having hired help. Groteg and I pitch in when our jobs allow.”

Charity was prompted to warn them. “Please understand, I don’t know the first thing when it comes to farming. Someone once gave me a spider plant as a gift. I was told it was low-maintenance and hard to kill. It lasted three months before my black thumb of death did it in.”

“We’ll find something nonlethal for you to demonstrate to visitors you’re helping us.” Sara glanced at the window vid as the shuttle began its descent. A very Earth-style two-story farmhouse featuring a wraparound porch came into view. “Here we are. Welcome to the farm of Clan Amgar, Jennifer.”

Chapter Two

“Nice place,” Charity said, no trace of sarcasm to be found as she stood next to the shuttle and looked at her surroundings.

The white house was lovely and so Earther, she was surprised the Kalquorian part of the clan lived in it. It had a cute porch swing and rocking chairs. The adjacent red barn was familiar from photographs and the picture books she’d read as a kid. Charity hadn’t been at any actual farms when she’d lived on Earth. Nonetheless, she’d have sworn she’d been transported ten years in the past and stood on her home planet. Darn if she didn’t hear chickens clucking nearby.

Groteg and Utber brought out her travel bins from the shuttle. “Sorry to dump you and run, but we have to return to work for a few hours,” the Imdiko explained as he hurried past to the house.

“Don’t worry. You have me…oh, and here come the kids,” Sara said as a long shuttle zoomed toward the farm. It settled on the dirt lane before the large front yard in front of the home.

Charity watched as the shuttle’s hatch opened and a dark-haired boy of around eight or nine years of age fairly leapt out of its environs. Clan in shorts and a shirt bearing evidence of arecent eating mishap, his sturdy legs pumped as he raced across the lawn. His face beamed in the age-old exuberance of a child released from the tedium of a school day.

Following at a much more sedate pace came a lovely adolescent girl, enviable golden curls of hair cascading to the waistband of her slouchy trousers. Her gaze was curious, neither friendly nor adversarial as she eyed Charity’s presence. She simply seemed to be cataloguing the new arrival.

Finally was another blonde, a teenage boy who was a male version of Sara. He blinked at Charity. A friendly grin spread across his handsome features. His walk took on a strut. Sara, standing next to Charity, snorted.

“Go easy on the oldest, okay? It took him a whole week to get over his last crush.”

Charity covered her mouth to smother a laugh. “I’ll convince him I’m an elderly woman, too uncool to be bothered by. How old is he?”

“Fifteen.” Sara sighed, then her youngest was on her, hugging her. “Hey, sweetie. How was school?”

“I got a hundred percent on my math test! Hi, who are you?” Wide brown eyes gazed at Charity.

“Hold on for your brother and sister, and I’ll introduce you all at once. Come on, guys, you have chores, and I’m running behind on my own stuff.” As the siblings lined up in front of Charity and Sara, their mother rattled off names. “Adam’s my oldest. James is our math whiz, and Tori’s twelve going on twenty-one. This is Jennifer, everyone. She’ll be staying for a while.”

---