Page 21 of Searching the Skies

“Sure.”

Dahlia entered the room and sat down at the foot of the bed. “You know, I don’t envy you,” she said with a soft chuckle.

“Yeah, I do know. Living on a spaceship without a personal valet and being forced to wear the same clothes as everyone else is your idea of a nightmare.”

“I wasn’t referring to that.” She ran a hand along the side of her head, ensuring her hair remained perfectly coiffed, even at the end of the day. “Both of those nice boys are crazy about you and would fly to the end of the universe for you if you snapped your fingers. I don’t know how you’re ever going to choose.”

Geneva didn’t know whether to be irritated with her mother for ignoring the larger issue or relieved she had accurately assessed the situation. “I know what your preference would be. Anything to keep me here, right?”

Dahlia didn’t react to the accusation. “I used to think so, this is true. But your friend may have made me rethink some things.”

Irritation bloomed into full-fledged exasperation. “After I’ve been banging my head against the wall for all these years, you instantly value the opinion of a perfect stranger over your own daughter’s? Anything coming out of my mouth is always disregarded, but as soon as Ash says the same thing, it carries some weight?”

“Geneva, it’s not like that.” Unaffected by the outburst, she maintained her poised visage. “When you have children, you have hopes and dreams and goals and aspirations for them. You have a beautiful image of what you expect them to be. It can be hard to accept when they have different ideas, because you think as the parent, you have all this knowledge and experience to offer, and you really do know better.” A tiny sigh escaped, momentarily disrupting Dahlia’s flawless picture of serenity. “Sometimes it takes an outside source to help you realize changes to the plan aren’t necessarily disastrous. It takes some time to adjust, of course, and I can’t promise everything will be perfect from here on out. But I think we can both make more of an effort to see the other’s point of view, and I’m willing to try if you are.”

She let her mother’s speech sink in. “What, specifically, made you change your mind?”

“It wasn’t any one thing,” Dahlia said. “The way he spoke of you and described the things you do made it seem more…real, somehow. And it was good to learn you’re not all by yourself out there.”

Geneva couldn’t relinquish all of her annoyance. “I never had any problems taking care of myself. I still don’t,” she snapped.

“Of course, sweetie. I know this. But no matter how inaccurate it may be, most people conjure the mental image of outer space as a cold, desolate place.” She folded her hands in her lap. “Logically, I knew you were surrounded by dozens of other soldiers. Regardless, I just worried about my child being…alone.”

“I’m not alone.” She crossed her arms. “I have a ship full of colleagues who like and respect me, and I’m always meeting new people everywhere I go.”

“Yes, I know this, too.” Dahlia nodded. “I hope with all the new people, you won’t forget the old ones, and perhaps you’ll keep me up to date on all your adventures.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Does this mean you’re going to stop conspiring to get me back on this planet?”

“I think we can reach some sort of compromise.” She smoothed down the corner of the quilt. “If you’ll meet me halfway and actually let me know what you’re up to, and maybe drop by every now and then when you get a chance, I’ll try not to argue with your choices or chase you away.”

“It’s worth a shot.” Geneva bit her lower lip and tugged at the ends of her hair. “Does this mean you’re telling me to leave with Ash?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“So, you think I should stay with Marcus.”

Dahlia smiled. “I didn’t say that, either.”

Geneva sighed and plopped down on the bed next to her mother. “For the first time in my entire life, I’m asking for your input, and you have nothing to offer?”

She laughed. “I don’t think this is a decision you want me making for you. Only you know what’s best for you. Besides, whatever I told you to do, you’d probably do the opposite anyway.” She patted her daughter’s knee. “Do what feels right to you, Geneva, what will make you happy. And don’t forget, you’re still young, and there’s a whole universe out there for you. You don’t have to go making any life-changing decisions just yet.”

“Thanks.” Her mouth widened with a lengthy yawn, and she rubbed her eyes. “I think I’m going to go to bed soon. I haven’t been sleeping much lately.”

“I hope you sleep well tonight.” Dahlia stood up to leave the room. “Pleasant dreams!”

Geneva turned off the light and climbed beneath the covers, curling herself into a ball as she rested her head on the cool, fluffy pillow. Though unsure of what future interactions with her mother would bring, she was willing to hold up her end of their deal. She’d accomplished what she’d set out to do on her voyage to Pasurea, but now she faced a different dilemma. Hoping she’d have a clearer mind in the morning, she wrapped herself in the blankets and tried to fall asleep.

Chapter Ten

Beams of golden sunlight awakened Geneva early in the morning, her eyes fluttering open as she realized she’d gotten more rest than she expected. After a shower and a quick breakfast, she left the house to stroll around the grounds of her family’s estate, walking the paths she hadn’t seen in years. The rustic landscape offered a glaring contrast to the capital city visible above the horizon, but the property had always been maintained in the same manner. The dust and dirt swirled around her feet as she headed toward her destination, and she hoped its condition hadn’t changed since she’d left it so long ago.

The majestic tree stood in the center of an arid field, looking exactly the same as it had almost ten years ago and for centuries before that. Geneva reached up and grabbed the lowest branch to test its weight. She was roughly the same size as she’d been at age eighteen, but both her muscle and curves had filled out over the years. Pulling herself up, she paused for a moment to embrace the memory of the rough bark beneath her skin then continued to climb.

She arrived at her favorite spot, where two sturdy branches split off in opposite directions, leaving a comfortable space in between. Remembering not to look down, she nestled her body in the fork of the tree, keeping one leg on either side for balance. Rusty orange leaves clattering together in the gentle breeze obscured her view of the house. Alone at last, she settled down to think.

In a way, she was lucky. As Dahlia had pointed out, there were two men who wanted to be with her, who aspired to bring pleasure and joy into her life. Two men, each brilliant and handsome and charming in his own way. Two men, so completely different from each other yet each appealing and irresistible.

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