Page 5 of Help Wanted: Wife

“I hate William,” she said vehemently. She would never get over the broken trust, and if she couldn’t trust, she couldn’t love.

“Running away won’t solve anything,” Hope said.

“It did for you.”

Hope made a face. “My situation was dif—”

“Different, I get it.” It was exactly the same. “You raved about the program. I saw your testimonial on the HyperSphere site.”

“Pru, this program is critical to the survival of the Caradonians. The men need wives. They are hoping for love matches, hoping for children. You’re not ready for that yet. It wouldn’t be fair to whomever you were matched with.”

“You two weren’t looking for love.”

“Webothagreed to a temporary marriage of convenience. We entered into it with our eyes open and with the same expectations. And…then when our feelings got involved, we went through some rough times.”

Not every man in the program expects a love match.There is one…

Somebody rapped on the door.

“Come in!” she called, grateful for the reprieve. How ironic that she’d been the one to introduce her friend to Cosmic Mates and encourage her to give it a try, but now Hope was trying todiscourageher from doing it. Her friend’s objections came from a place of love, and her arguments were rational but unconvincing. Pru still wasn’t swayed. Hope would not be happy if she discovered what Pru was considering.

Krogan poked his head in. “I hate to rush you, but our ship needs to leave soon.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you out front,” Hope said.

Krogan left, and Hope hugged Pru hard. “Please give yourself more time to mull this over. Don’t do anything rash, okay?” Her face scrunched with worry.

“I won’t,” she fibbed, crossing her fingers behind her friend’s back. No harm, no foul.Chances are I won’t be accepted. He won’t like me. William didn’t.There was just the one prospect who seemed to offer a solution to her troubles. But, like all Caradonian men, he was drop-dead handsome. He could have his pick of hundreds of women. What were the odds he’d be interested in a freckled, blonde beanpole? “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything dumb.”

“I’ll take your word on that,” said Hope, but her expression remained doubtful. “Again, I am so sorry about William.”

“I know. Have a safe flight. Thank you for coming.”

Hope left, and Pru grabbed her tech-tab and scrolled to Larth’s page.Widower seeks human wife to serve as business partner in a baking venture. Must work well with people. Experience with baking preferred. Not looking for a love match. Marriage of convenience only. Message for more details.

Before she lost her nerve, she uploaded the hologram she’d taken, filled out the application, and hit send.

Chapter Four

Two weeks later

From the description and hologram, Larth picked his bride out of the crowd of human females. Up close, he was struck by her alienness. The statuesque blonde looked nothing like his late wife or even the other human he knew. Where Sala had been petite for a Caradonian, her cyan complexion smooth and clear, her hair a lustrous, rich blue, this woman stood only a half a head shorter than him. Her shoulder-length hair was biscuit-colored, and tan spots reminding him of toasted sugar were sprinkled on her pale face.

What did I do? This is a huge mistake.The mound of luggage reinforced his qualms. She’d brought no fewer than six trunks.How long is she planning on staying? I made it clear the marriage would be temporary.

“Larth, I presume?” She stepped forward. “I’m Prudence McKenna.” Her eyes were such a startling blue, it took him a moment to notice she’d stuck out her arm.

Brown-sugar sprinkles covered her hand, too.What am I supposed to do?Hesitantly, he clasped it. With a strong grip, she shook his hand and then released it.

“Um, yeah, I’m Larth,” he replied and then realized the situation called for a little more in the way of a greeting. “Uh, welcome to Caradonia.”

“Thank you.”

“Uh…” He talked to people all day long, but words deserted him now. “Is this all your luggage?” He managed a complete sentence.

“Given I’ll only be here a year, I didn’t bring much.”

He’d hate to see how much she would have brought if she were staying awhile.This is a big mistake.He wasn’t ready for marriage—would never be, not even one in name only for a limited time.I should have tried harder to hire somebody. There had to be somebody suitable.

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