Page 9 of Help Wanted: Wife

Larth nodded. “He campaigned on the platform, ‘Help not handouts,’ and he’s kept his promise. He often frequents this cozi because it’s near his residence. Maybe you’ll get to meet him before we move.”

“I’ve already met him. He’s married to my best friend.”

“Hope Bennett is your friend?”

“You know Hope?”

“We’re friends. She’s filled in a few times at the booth.” He cocked his head. “You’re…not the friend who was getting married who she went back to Terra Nova to visit, are you?”

She pressed her lips together. “Yes, I am.” She probably should have told him about William sooner. “It, uh, didn’t work out. He married somebody else. He didn’t tell me until our wedding day.”

“Is this your bride?” The vendor from the adjacent fabric stall darted over.

Larth shot her an apologetic glance. “Yes, this is Prudence. She arrived today. Prudence, this is Adar.”

“Nice to meet you, Adar.” She extended her hand, but he didn’t respond. Realization dawned. “Shaking hands isn’t a custom here?” She dropped her arm.

“No. Humans do it as a greeting?” Larth asked.

“Yes.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Adar stuck his hand out, and she shook it. “I’m so glad Larth followed my advice and joined Cosmic Mates.” Seeing a customer at his booth, he said, “I won’t take up any more of your time. We’ll chat more later, I’m sure.” He gamboled back to his stall like an exuberant puppy.

“Adar was aware of my struggles to hire good help and suggested Cosmic Mates might offer a solution. I was desperate to try anything, but I honestly didn’t expect someone to accept my offer since it’s a business relationship and not a real marriage.”

“Except somebody did,” she said.

“You were the only one who responded,” he admitted, his brow furrowed.

Everybody else had more sense than me. He’s worried I might change my mind.She could read his wariness. Had he picked up on her misgivings? She certainly recognized his lingering grief, maybe even a touch of ambivalence. They were strangers to each other. Still, he’d been polite, if a little distant. Sheneeded a place to go to recover from the humiliation. He’d been open and honest about what he needed and could offer in return in his advertisement and in their initial communication. At the end of the year, she’d receive a modest lump-sum payment. She had no reason or right to expect anything else. If she wished he was a little warmer, more congenial, well, that was on her.

A couple of male customers approached. “You must be one of the human Cosmic Mates brides!” exclaimed one of the men.

“Why, yes, I am.” She treated them to a wide smile.For today anyway. Assuming Larth and I proceed.“And you must be shopping for some bread? Sweet rolls for breakfast?” She moved behind the booth and donned an apron hanging on a hook. “What can I get for you?”

As the men peered into the case, she glanced at Larth who stood there, his expression comically bemused. She shrugged.This is why I’m here, isn’t it?

Chapter Six

On rare occasions, a vaporator malfunction left the passengers with such bad vertigo they couldn’t walk straight. That’s how Larth felt now. His world seemed to be spinning out of control. He needed Prudence to grow the bakery, but he needed hergonefor his own sanity.

He lay in bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling, hyperconscious of her every breath, her citrus scent, her body heat, the fact she was wide awake, and the image of how her nightshift had clung to her breasts and hips. He’d thought her tall and lean, but the slinky sleeping attire had revealed hidden curves.

He’d caught a glimpse before she crawled into bed and covered up, but it had been enough to sear a vivid, relentless memory into his brain, enough to arouse his desire and his guilt. He hadn’t even thought of another womanin that waysince meeting Sala. But a few hours in this alien woman’s company had awakened his lust.I’m so sorry, Sala. It means nothing.His cockhad hardened, and the gliteri running down his left shoulder and arm tingled and glowed. Fortunately, a loose-fitting sleep shirt and drawers hid his shame.

He didn’t understand why she aroused his lust when other women didn’t. He interacted with women customers every day. None of them stirred his interest. He could recognize Hope Bennett was attractive for a human, but it was an objective observation. So, why this human woman?

If it had been mere appreciation of a curvaceous female, then any woman could have aroused him. Prudence’s warm, smooth voice was a pleasure to listen to, but plenty of people had nice voices.

Maybe her eyes? Shockingly blue at first, they reminded him of two deep pools of calm. He could lose himself in those eyes. Staring into them, grief and pain faded away, only to surge back on a wave of guilt. How could he forget Sala for even an instant?

Prudence’s enthusiasm pleased him tremendously, but shouldn’t that be a given? Wasn’t that what he’d hired her for? When he’d taken her to the cozi, she’d donned an apron, jumped right in, and gotten to work. Being alien, Prudence was a natural draw, and customers had flocked to the stall to meet her. She’d capitalized on their curiosity and employedher people skills and power of persuasion to sell them everything but the racks behind the counter. He’d had a record-setting sales day.

A quick study, after just a couple of attempts, she’d mastered the ability to use the chip in her wrist to process transactions and accurately charge customers. Hope still couldn’t do that, which was another reason he hadn’t turned to her for help.

Curiosity would wane, but the rush had proven she had the necessary sales experience and people skills. Exceptional skills. She could sell blue hair dye to natural blue-headed Caradonians. People liked her. And if she could bake like she’d claimed?

She would be the best thing to ever happen to the bakery.

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