Page 19 of Healing Creek
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It was early the next morning when Creek went to Grace’s quarters. Samantha had moved her to an empty cabin next to several crew that she’d decided could be trusted to continue to keep the ship running. One of the male Dreat and several humans had been assigned to keep an eye on the crew cabins and they were gathered in the corridor tossing a ball back and forth. No one interfered when he approached Grace’s cabin door and rang the entry chime.
The door slid open and Grace stood in front of him. She blinked then gave him a half smile. She was wearing the same crew work suit that swallowed her up in too much fabric.
His own borrowed clothes—close-fitting pants and a loose tunic—had come from Jupiter and fit him well. The jumpsuit fit her height but hid most of the creamy white skin he remembered from the day before. A high collar covered the bruises that had marred the curve of her slender neck. Her hair hung loose, and he resisted the urge to put a hand in it.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.” She looked up at him with large, curious eyes. “Why?”
“The bruises.”
“Oh.” Her blue eyes blinked as if the thought startled her. “They were already healing.” She shrugged. “I’m fine, really.”
He watched the soft silk of her hair slide over her shoulders with the movement.
“Creek?” Her voice called him out of his reverie, and he realized they’d been standing in silence for nearly a minute.
“I’ll walk you to the mess hall for a meal.”
Her fingers tapped idly against her thigh and her smile was timid. “I’m supposed to be reporting to the med-bay?”
“You have time.”
Her eyebrows lifted at his insistence, but she conceded. “Okay.”
“Come.” He gestured her out of the room then walked beside her through the corridor. It took only a moment to notice that her gait was off. He came to an immediate stop. “You’re limping.” The words came out like an accusation, but he could do nothing to soften them after they were already spoken.
“I tripped this morning and sprained my ankle. It’s fine, really. I’ll get a soother when I get to med-bay.”
Her dismissal did nothing to lesson his fury, but he kept that to himself. “I’ll carry you.”
She laughed. “It isn’t that serious. Let’s just walk a little slower and I’ll be fine.”
Creek scowled, but he wouldn’t argue. They walked on…more slowly…and in silence. A silence that was painful and unproductive. He was supposed to be learning more about her. Why in all the hells had Mercury thought him the right person for the task.
When they reached the mess hall, she took a basic meal from the selections arranged on the counter. After a quick glance around the room, she looked up to meet his gaze. “It looks like something out of a recreational cruise brochure, doesn’t it?”
He surveyed the room, noting for the first time that the walls were decorated with art that depicted vivid landscapes from far off worlds and the tables and chairs were of good quality. Such care had not been taken in the slave hold—the cells had been made with the latest tech, but the comforts had been lacking.
“Over here,” he suggested. Some of the crew were sitting together in small groups as they ate. Creek led Grace to an empty table away from the other humans. She seemed content enough to follow.
She slipped gracefully into a seat and began to arrange her meal in front of her. Creek sat opposite her with his own meal. He had no idea how to befriend her, but he’d been advised to talk to her about her family.
“Mercury tells me you did not want them to contact your family.”
She grimaced. “I’m not sure if they know I was kidnapped.”
Her eyes did not meet his and one hand slipped below the table. Probably to tap on her thigh.
“When you release me at the nearest port, I’ll contact my parents and they’ll make arrangements for me to travel home.” She took a bite of her meal. “No need to worry them now.”
Creek silently swore. Her reasoning made no sense. “You said you were with your brother when Morgan took you.”
