Page 62 of Rescued By the Alien Bull Rider

The sound drew Zohro’s attention, and he rose at once, bringing Baby Girl with him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, all his easiness gone, the intensity back in his white gaze. “Immediately after closing you up, I administered a nano-particle medication. It was thesame one that helped Warden Tenn recover from his injuries. Extremely expensive,” he added, “but if the warden is worth such a thing, then you are worth that ten times over.”

“I feel… Tired,” I said. I looked at Baby Girl, nestled so perfectly in Zohro’s arms, her dark eyes wide and alert. “Happy.”

“What about pain?”

I shifted slightly, feeling a bruised sensation in my lower abdomen, but nothing that would indicate I’d gone through a major surgery less than six hours ago.

“No pain, I don’t think. I’m a little tender, but that’s it.”

Zohro flicked his tail in apparent satisfaction.

“Good. This should only continue to improve over the coming days. The medication is working to repair you from the inside out.”

Baby Girl’s tiny, perfect little mouth began to open and shut. She lifted a fist and began to suck on it.

“Hungry,” Zohro said.

“How do you know?” I asked, surprised he could recognize that sign in her already.

“I read about it, of course. InThe Complete Guide to Caring for Your Newborn Baby: Human Edition.”

“You read that, too? When the hell did you have time? I mean, heck,” I said quickly. I’d promised myself I’d try to curb the potty mouth around my child, because she was a flawless angel baby that deserved my best behaviour.

“I am a fast reader,” Zohro said simply, as if it wasn’t impressive at all that he’d consumed a massive catalogue of dense, technical material in mere days that most normal people would take months, if not years, to comprehend.

“Do you want to try sitting up this time?” Zohro asked. “Or would you like me to get some of the formula?”

“I’ll try,” I said.

“Are you certain?” Zohro eyed me closely. “You require rest. As long as she is fed, that is all that matters.”

“I’m OK. I really want to give it another shot.”

I tried sitting up on my own, but I needn’t have bothered. Somehow, Zohro kept Baby Girl perfectly positioned against his chest and got his other arm around my back, easing me upwards. Then, he handed Baby Girl to me. I hunched over, trying to get her into position so she could latch. She did, and it was faster this time. I wasn’t sure if it was actually working yet, but she seemed to be on there alright. I watched the little curve of her cheek pucker as her jaw moved. I ran my fingers along the tiny, perfect shape of her little head. Her hair was the most beautiful shade of dark, gingery red. The colour of fall leaves, of Terratribe II pumpkins, of fragrant spiced drinks.

“Have you put any more thought into what you wish to name her?” Zohro asked. He was watching me, not her.

“A little. But nothing’s jumping out at me yet.” I hesitated, then asked, “What do you think?”

His brows rose.

“You wish for me to help name her?”

“Yes,” I said quietly. “If you want to. What do you think of? When you look at her?”

“I think of you.”

I laughed, readjusting my hold on her.

“Well, I wasn’t planning on naming her Jolene Junior! What else do you think of?”

“I think of your strength. Your bravery. Your laugh. I think of how far you came to bring her here. I think about the moonlight bathing you the first time that I saw you. I think of this season of harvest, with its cool breezes and all the warm colours.”

“She makes me think of this season, too,” I said, feeling more and more like we were on the right track.

The season she was born.

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