Page 27 of Rafe

The real membrane windows were perfectly clear, allowing a view over the pale green tundra that was pretty, rather than haunting, when seen from this cozy space, and framed by lilac curtains.

The furnishings were made of wood, with soft cushions that looked heavenly.

“Is this… is this really ours?” she asked, unable to tear her eyes from the house to look at Rafe.

“It isn’t much,” he said. “But you won’t need more. Unless this little guy ends up with more than three or four brothers and sisters.”

She spun to face him at that.

He was studying her, his green eyes smoky with heat.

“Let’s find his room,” he rasped, breaking eye contact and stalking down the hallway.

His room?

That statement meant there was more to this house. She had thought the cushioned furnishings would be for sleeping as well as relaxing. But there was another room. More than one, if his room really meant a whole room would belong to Gus alone.

Sure enough, down the hallway were four beautiful rooms. She viewed them in a sort of haze, unable to believe this space could really belong to just them.

Her own room was enormous, with a massive, fluffy-looking bed, another fireplace, and its own refresher.

But when they entered Gus’s room, it took her breath away. The shelves of soft toys and books, a floating cradle, and the warmest, furriest rug in the whole house were all incredible. But it was the shining nanny-bot parked in the corner that amazed her.

“Is… is that?” she trailed off, feeling silly.

She had never seen a nanny-bot in real life. Maybe it was just a toy or a decoration.

“Farming livestock is hard work, and you can’t always schedule it around childcare like you can with crops,” Rafe said. “The nanny-bot can help out when you have to run out and even help with calving or an emergency like a broken fence.”

“But can she really take care of him?” Jade asked dubiously, studying the golden, woman-shaped droid.

“May I demonstrate?” Rafe asked.

She nodded and watched as he strode over and placed his palm against the nanny-bot’s upper arm as if to rouse her.

“Good morning, sir,” the nanny-bot said, with an Old Terran accent. “My name is Nanee-12. How may I serve?”

“Hello, Nanee-12,” Rafe said politely. “This is Gus. He is an Imberian baby.”

“Hello, Gus,” the nanny-bot said, turning her head to look at the baby. “And you must be his mother.”

“I’m Jade,” Jade said cautiously.

“Jade is a lovely name,” the bot said. “Jade is a mineral used in ornate ornamentation. Several minerals were used in my construction. But jade is not one of them. May I assist your son with a fresh nappy?”

“Thank you,” Jade replied. “Yes, please.”

She held her breath, but Nanee-12 took Gus so gently that he didn’t wake up.

Clasping her hands to keep herself from snatching him back, Jade watched the bot carry her son to the changing table and lay him down.

Gus’s eyelashes fluttered on his chubby cheeks, and he opened his eyes to see the shining metal woman bent over him.

“Good morning, little Gus,” Nanee-12 said. “I will sing to you.”

A soft, happy whistling sound, almost like a piccolo, came from her chest speaker. It played a sweet, catchy melody.

Gus’s little face broke into a smile, and he kicked his feet happily.

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