Page 30 of Alien Mine

That night, after the day’s work was done and the girls were tucked safely into their respective beds, Dyuvad settled shoulder to shoulder next to Rachel on the back steps overlooking the bulk of her farm. The moon was a bare sliver in a night sky filled with billions of twinkling lights. A cool breeze stirred the heavy air, chasing some of the humidity away as it carried the scents of sweet honeysuckle and fragrant roses to them.

“I love sitting out here at night,” Rachel said, her voice a soft hush against a backdrop of katydids and whispering leaves. “It’s so peaceful, so still.”

“A good place to rest after a long day.”

She smiled. “It is. You’ve been putting in some long days.”

“There is much to do.”

“It doesn’t all have to be done in one day.”

The mild reprimand teased him into humor. “I could say the same to you.”

She shrugged. “A woman’s work.”

He caught her chin and tilted her face to his. “This woman works too hard.”

“No, it’s a saying.” She huffed out a quiet laugh. “I keepforgetting you’re not from around here. You fit in so well.”

He did fit here among the rolling hills’ serenity, as he hadn’t quite fit in back home. Odd how much pleasure he gained from chores he’d merely endured in his youth, and how comfortable he’d become with his temporary family.

He squeezed her chin gently, then let it go and slid his gaze to the stars, away from the tempting lure of her mouth. “What were you working on today?”

“Making soap out of goat’s milk. I’ve been experimenting with it a while, tweaking recipes, adding this oil or that herb. If I work it just right, I can sell the soap over the fall holidays, maybe make enough to expand the flock next spring into the pasture behind Fate’s house.”

“Ever the businesswoman.”

She flashed a quick grin at him. “Ever the desperate single mom.”

Desperate wasn’t the word he would’ve used, but it was too kraden close for comfort. On Abyw, an unmated woman with children was never left to fend for herself as Rachel had been. Either family or suitors stepped in, and if not them, then neighbors. Here, Rachel had only Fate and Yasmin, and though both her brother and her next sister helped as frequently as they could, Rachel still carried too heavy a burden on her sturdy shoulders.

Dyuvad draped a casual arm around those shoulders and tugged her into the shelter of his body. He could do more for her while he was here,shoulddo more. At the very least, he could leave her property in good repair, one less worry for her when he was gone. “Relax now, beauty, while the girls sleep and the day’s work is behind us.”

She sighed and leaned her head back against his arm. “Why do you call me that?”

“Call you what?”

“Beauty.”

“It’s an endearment among my people.”

“Oh.”

He glanced down, met her solemn gaze half hidden in the deep shadows surrounding the house, where the light cast through the kitchen’s door failed to penetrate. “You sound disappointed.”

“What woman in her right mind would be disappointed by that?”

“One who believes she doesn’t deserve it.” He tucked a loose strand of wispy hair behind her ear, cupped her smooth cheek in his palm. “You are beautiful, Rachel.”

“Oh,” she said, and this time, the word was a soft, pleased sigh. “Thank you.”

He rubbed the pad of his thumb along the soft curve of her lower lip, and was surprised by the desire tightening his loins. Such a simple touch to stir such a great emotion, but today was not the day to give in to it. Patience would win her to him, and if not, he would choose another path. When the time was right.

Light streaked across the sky, bisecting the night. Rachel sighed and pushed herself off the steps, out of his embrace. “Heat lightening. There may be a storm later.”

“We could use the rain.”

“Spoken like a true farmer.” She grinned and held a hand out to him. “I was thinking about popping some popcorn, maybe watching a movie on the TV. I could use some company.”

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