page10 (1/1)

What aain as I pilot ood fifteen-ht in the sled, just because everyone's so spread out on Risda At my side, Rektar is utterly silent, and that suits ives me time to worry over my probleuard,a baby goodbye and pay up for a one

But then I have to hope that the mercenary won't turn around and rob me, either So that's out

Rektar suggested a perimeter fence, but those are costly and in reat, but then what? I still have to defend against a trespasser I need a better solution than that

The more I think about it, the more I realize I need a husband It's the obvious solution Now I just need to find an alien htly attracted to That co to be hard to find It's not that there aren't alienis the tricky part Most of the guys here are scu to oods I' around on Risda for the far that Rektar is clearly, clearly not interested in what I bring to the table

I let out a sigh of disappointment Maybe Khex ant to marry me if Rektar doesn't I'm not attracted to him like I am to Rektar, but he's pleasant and I don't think I'd absolutely loathe being in bed with hiuess I could ask Rektar about that at least Or if the two of theht be into a human wife Worst comes to worst, I can put out an ad or buy a bounty I've heard it worked for other women

I'll broach the subject tonight, I decide No sense in waiting on anything Even though my heart is heavy with disappointment at Rektar's clear disinterest, h this, like everything else

I pull up to my house, and it looks so sweet and pastoral that I want to cry I love this little place I never thought I'd be a farreen fields and I don't eventhe Risda-type cattle, called simplychores, I'While I wish I had a little more to occupy my time—or some company—I'm happy here

And now everything has to change again That sucks so hard

Rektar glances over at me "I will do another perins"

"Signs? Signs of what?"

"Otheron your territory" He blinks at me, as if the answer's obvious

Oh lord So now I htbreath, close ain, cal will that be?"

"Why do you ask?"

I shrug "So I can make dinner"

Rektar pauses, a look of concern on his broad face "That is not necessary, Lucy I have brought protein bars to fulfill my meal requirements I don't need to take from your supplies—"

I raise a hand, cutting hi in my barn The least you can do is come in and letout of etables I hope you're a fan of tahaari root, because I've got the out of my ears"

"Tahaari root is my favorite," he ad dinner with you Thank you, Lucy" He gets out of the air-sled before I can say anything else and heads off toward the barn, firing up his equipment

I just stare after hiovern If he likes tahaari root, he's about to get the meal of his dreams

A half-hour later, I've got a feast spread out on the table in my tiny kitchen There's stewed tahaari root in a sweet sauce, tahaari root pie, with a crusty, sugar-like topping, buttered tahaari puffs, and tahaari soup I' a fat roast out of the oven when there's a knock at the door "It's open," I call out, holding the pan withit down on the center of the table so I can ladle some juices over it I've outdone myself with this spread, and even if I put on five pounds with the leftovers, I don't care Ain't nobody to impress but h "Come on in"