Page 23 of Bride for the Space Cowboy

Trudy laughs softly as she smiles among us. “She really does, and she’s really good at making coffee.”

“Speaking of, what can I get for you, Princess?” I ask.

Jane’s cheeks flush pink. “You really don’t have to call me princess.”

“I want to,” I insist. Although I know she doesn’t expect me to stand on ceremony, it’s fun.

I make them both coffee and glance toward Melody while I work. “How are you?”

Melody purses her lips together. “Nervous.” She slides her eyes to Jane. “Princess Jane is having another dinner party. She wants us to meet our mates.”

“Great plan. When is it?” I ask.

“I haven’t scheduled it yet, but it will be soon,” Jane says. “I promise you and Kayden will be invited.”

“I can’t wait!” I waggle my brows when I meet Melody’s gaze again.

The camaraderie and kinship I feel with the women here from Earth is like nothing I ever experienced while living there. Even if you cared about people, everyone scrambled to stay alive and get by. If you had a chance for something better, people walked over each other to get there. Even though I’ve only been on Aphroditea for a matter of weeks, there’s absolutely no doubt, especially among the women, we take care of each other here.You feel it, not just from the women from Earth, but all of them. The reverence and kindness feel almost too good to be true.

I chat with Princess Jane and Melody for a few more minutes before more customers arrive. Jane promises to notify me of the next dinner party when they leave. When the café closes, Kayden arrives, telling me he wants me to ride with him. He’s told me this is something I need to learn. I’m a little anxious, but he makes it all easy.

His horse is a beautiful shimmery green. I have a mount to match whose coat is a lighter shade of green. She is kind and gentle. Even though I’m nervous, I smile over at him once I’m riding her. “I feel like she’s taking care of me.”

His eyes glitter gold as he looks over at me. A now familiar heat suffuses me as I meet his gaze. “She is. They have always protected our people, and you are one of us.”

That night, he tells me he’ll travel to the other side of the planet tomorrow with Asher and some other men.

“Will you stay safe, please?” I ask.

Chapter Fifteen

KAYDEN

As we fly, my horse, Callister, is as steady as ever. He comes to a landing with the team riding with Asher and me. We stop on an elevated rise outside the town on the other side of the planet.

The town looks quiet. I glance at Asher. “What do you think?”

We collectively scan the area. I see evidence of an outpost just before I start to bring my gaze back toward the town. Some animals are tethered to posts, and the corner of a tent is visible behind some boulders in the distance at the base of a mountain. “Over there,” I say quietly with a nudge of my chin. Asher follows my gaze.

“That must be where they’re meeting,” Hunter offers. He’s a security team lead. “We know they’re not meeting in town. The rumors about the protests indicate they are small. They’re trying to prevent a new election and make noise about the trials for those arrested for the kidnapping of Princess Jane.”

Asher’s eyes narrow. “Let’s avoid the protests for now. We’ll do a regular tour of the towns around the planet to avoid speculation. When we come here, let’s raid the outpost. We’ll start the tour in a month or two.” He brings his attention to me. “I’d like your team to scout the area next week. Let’s confirm it isn’t just some youth camping before we move ahead.”

One week later, Nadine waits for me when I get home. Her eyes are bright, and her cheeks are pink.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I’ve missed my monthly,” she says.

A surge of pride rises inside me, an almost primal sensation. Before I can even ask, she adds, “The doctor already confirmed I’m pregnant.”

She smooths her hand over her belly, and I step close to give her a lingering kiss. When we break apart a moment later, I want her fiercely. My desire for her is ever-present, and the knowledge she is with my child increases its force. Yet she’s as fragile as spun glass now. The sense of protectiveness that rushes through me is unlike anything I’ve experienced.

I cup her cheeks, looking deep into her eyes. “Soon, we’ll be a family.”

She smiles, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “I’m so glad you chose me,” she whispers.

“As if there was any choice. The infinity pulse beats between us.”

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