Page 22 of Mate for the Space Cowboy

Alarm jolts through me. I press my palm to my chest as that anxiety and fear spin into a whirling storm inside. “How long do I have to wait?”

“The medical team is recommending a full week. He’s not alone. All of those who sustained any injuries from the weapons from Earth are being quarantined together.” Her tone is calm and matter-of-fact, a contrast to the way I feel inside.

“I’m due to give birth in a few days!” I exclaim.

Helena nods. “I’m aware. Princess Jane and Nadine can be with you for the birth. And Romi would like to come stay with you at your home if you’re okay with that.”

I blink back the tears welling in my eyes. “I would like that. Although I have my chienne, it’s been lonely without Hunter.”

“You can communicate with him,” she assures me. “Now that he’s close enough, your communicator will work.”

I tap it immediately after Helena shows me how to select the hospital location on the small communicator. “Hunter!” I exclaim as soon as I hear his voice.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he says, the low rumble of his voice making me feel warm inside.

Tears spring to my eyes again. “Are you okay? Helena told me you got injured.”

“I’m fine,” he says. “It’s just a cut. The medical team thinks the infection is because of exposure to a type of earthly bacteria.”

Relief rushes through me. “I miss you.” I swallow through the thickness in my throat.

“As I miss you,” he says.

Even though I want to see him right this very second, his calm tone soothes me. I feel the visceral tug between us even though we aren’t in the same place.

“I love you, Melody, and I’ll be waiting. The medical team says we’ll be here for a week. They want to make sure we’re all fully healed to prevent exposure to anyone else.”

“Helena explained it to me. I understand, but I’m sad. I miss you, and I’m due to deliver our baby before the week is over.”

“I know you are. I’m sorry this happened,” he says.

I take a shaky breath. “It’s your job.”

“It is. Now we know we have to be more careful about any travelers from Earth. I’d like to talk every evening before you go to bed.”

I take a slow breath. “I’d like that. We can text on our communicators too,” I point out.

Texting isn’t much of a habit here. It’s kind of funny because they are so much more advanced than Earth, but they don’trely on that form of communication. Communication is more personal. I like that. I’d rather hear Hunter’s voice.

“Please let me know when you go into labor, so the medical team here can keep me appraised. Maybe our baby will be late,” he says hopefully.

I laugh softly. “I don’t think so. She’s kicking a lot. I feel like she’s ready for the world,” I say.

Romi comes to stay with me that evening, along with Risa. I’ve readied the extra bedroom we have for them to share. Romi plunks down on the couch, smiling over at me. “It’s so funny to be here,” she says.

“What’s funny?” I ask.

“The whole time I lived on Earth, when I heard about how we used to have television and things, I was so envious of the past. That’s all I wanted. Now, I know we can have it here.” She gestures to the large screen mounted on the wall. “Yet I don’t really think about it. I prefer spending time with people. It’s nice.”

“How are you feeling?” Risa asks.

I instinctively slide my hand over my belly, and our baby girl kicks in response. Emotion rises swiftly inside. “She has been busy these days,” I say. “I feel like she’s knocking on the door of my womb.”

Risa laughs softly. “You are due soon, so that makes sense.”

Romi takes a swallow of lemonade, tucking her feet under her knees as she looks over at me. “I know you’re worried about Hunter, but he’s going to be fine. They’re all going to be fine. Leave it to the visitors from Earth to be assholes.” She rolls her eyes.

I let out a sigh, nodding in agreement. “I know he’s going to be fine. I’ve already talked to him twice, and we plan to talk every evening. I just can’t believe the visitors from Earth would do that. They’re risking their supplies and support from here.”

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