Page 14 of Bride for the Space Cowboy

“Where else have you traveled?” I ask.

“Here, Earth, and my birth planet. That’s it. Some orcs travel more than others. I actually like it here. It’s kind of peaceful. Even though I’m not from this planet, it’s nice to be somewhere where women are revered. It’s a pretty cool place to live.”

“I have to admit I’m not used to it,” I reply.

She snorts, resting her hip on the counter. “Earth isn’t the only place that treats women like shit. Trust me on that.”

“Will you be at my wedding?” I ask.

“I got the invitation just the other day. Of course I’ll be there. You’re my new friend.” Her eyes twinkle.

I smile. “I’m glad you’ll be there.” I lift my cup to take another sip just as a cluster of customers enters the café. “I’ll see you there tomorrow. I understand I’ll be busy between now and then.”

Trudy waggles her brows. “You’ll bereallybusy for the week after.”

Her sly laughter follows me. With my cheeks burning up, I turn to leave. I’ve heard all about how Kayden and I will have our honeymoon in our own private home for an entire week immediately following the celebration after our wedding. I can’t wait.

Chapter Eight

NADINE

Jane holds up a dress of navy silk. “What do you think?” she asks.

“I think it’s beautiful.”

Considering my options before arriving here—being forced to marry an abusive man—I don’t care too much about what I wear for my wedding. I’m relieved to feel safe.

My ex’s family had money and lots of it. Things had been so bad with him that I hadn’t even wanted the opportunity to live in the green zone. I would’ve gladly taken living in the scorched, dry, dusty town where I worked in a dreary job over marriage to him in the green zone.

“Nadine?” Jane prompts.

I shake my thoughts out of the past and back to the present. I study her quietly. “You know, anything is better than what I would’ve had on Earth. The dress is gorgeous. Do you think it will fit?”

Her eyes crinkle at the corners with her smile. “We’ll adjust it if needed.”

“I’m not royalty like you,” I tease.

She rolls her eyes. “You don’t have to be royalty here to be treated well.”

I try the dress on. The fabric is soft and silky against my skin, but the fit is a touch too tight. At Jane’s direction, a friendly seamstress helps make a few adjustments.

Jane explains the upcoming ceremony and tells me that I will stay with Kayden for a full week afterward.

“Okay,” I say, taking a quick breath in. “He mentioned that. But where is his home?”

“You’ll share a new home with him.”

“A whole week alone?” While I am very much looking forward to time along with Kayden, an entire week feels like a luxury.

Jane’s smile is wide. “I promise you’ll enjoy it.”

My belly flutters. I’m so impatient to finally take this next step.

That afternoon, Jane walks with me over to where the ceremony will be held. “Here,” she says, “Women give themselves away at their wedding. We have our own power and independence.”

We walk through a large office area that I’ve been with her before we go down a covered walkway to another building. It’s sort of like a church, but not really. It’s beautiful, like so many of the buildings here. Modern and airy.

My heart races before we even enter the main room. Even though I feel safe here and the idea of going back to Earth elicits a sense of sadness and weariness, this is also new and different.

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