Dakoda's Revenge
Page 16
"I understand the technology wasn't ready to be tested on humans yet.” Jason sat on Odessa's bed and held her free hand.
"No.” Harley shifted from one knee to the other. He had destroyed the helmets himself, and he doubted any scientist could replicate them. Why did a technology that was meant for good always become a tool for men like Pardua?
"Were there many of them?"
"Only one. That's the one I inadvertently handed Odessa when I sought a way to get off Romaydia."
"Imagine the fortune some scientist could make on that,” Uncle Peter muttered.
"I destroyed them.” Harley continued to rub his palm against his head. “I don't want anyone to get hurt again, like Odessa was."
"Good,” was all the old man said, turning back to her and talking softly to her.
After five minutes, his knees creaked as he got to his feet and shuffled out of the room. He had aged by twenty years from the time he had arrived to visit his niece. Harley felt sorry for him. They could be in for a long wait for Odessa to come out of the coma, but he was willing to wait.
"I don't think Uncle Peter will want to stick around long,” Jason said to Harley. “I'm going to take him home, otherwise, he'll start walking, and it's quite a ways. Would you care to come with us? Uncle made apple pie, which is the talk of the town, and we made up a room for you."
"Thanks. But I'll wait some more. Maybe today she'll come home for good."
Jason nodded in acceptance, and Brody left the room with him. Their anguished looks stabbed at Harley all over again. If Odessa didn't wake up soon, what would happen to Uncle Peter and his nephews? He surmised they would support each other. Harley knelt down beside the bed in the spot Uncle Peter had vacated. Odessa's family was going out of their way to include him in their home, although Uncle Peter had a rough spot here and there.
Harley took Odessa's hand, the same way he had done so many times over the last few months. “Odessa,” he whispered, “your family is a hoot. If not for me, will you wake up for your Uncle Peter? I swear, he aged twenty years just in the time he spent visiting you.” He knew he shouldn't have told her that. He didn't want her to feel guilty.
"I know that,” came the softest of hoarse whispers.
Harley jumped to his feet as she struggled to open her eyes. To his utter disbelief, she blinked her eyes, sapphire jewels, open and gazed on him with tenderness. Joy, an emotion he had thought never to possess again, made him want to find wings and fly.
"I can't believe it. You're awake,” he murmured, feeling a wreath of a smile light his face.
She tried to sit up. “Promise me one thing."
"No, don't sit up until I get the doctor. But I'll promise you anything."
"That you won't make me wear a helmet again."
He reached out and brushed her hair away from her cheek. “No, never again, if you don't want to. But you have to promise me one thing too."
She flashed a weak but mischievous smile. “I think I know what you're going to ask."
"You do?” he teased, kissing her lips gently.
"You're going to make me promise to marry you as soon as possible."
"Have you been reading my mind?"
She motioned for him to lower his head and tucked her cheek under his chin. “You told Uncle Peter I couldn't hear him. He told me he would tan my hide if I didn't marry the most wonderful man in the galaxy and beyond. His words made me come away from all those voices."
"You could still hear them?” Harley asked in astonishment.
"Yes, but they were getting fainter and fainter. They were nanobots, weren't they?"
"Yes, princess. They were. They wear out without a fresh supply to feed on. But answer me one thing."
"Anything,” she said, stroking his upper arm.
"When you told me you were hit by a bullet, why didn't I find any evidence of the injury?"
"Roland made me wear a helmet on The Drifter once. I don't like wearing hats or helmets or anything, and I told him so. He wouldn't listen. I still don't remember exactly what happened while I had the awful thing on. Apparently, there was something inside that gave me the power to heal extremely quickly."
"The nanobots,” they said together.
He smoothed her cheek with the back of his hand. “You might have heard this already, but I love you more than words can say, that I would give you the moon on a silver platter if I could—"
She hushed him by melding her lips with his. She was home at last and in his arms.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Suzi Goode has written several romance novels—the first of her science fiction romances, Dakoda's Revenge, published by Whiskey Creek Press. She writes dark paranormal romances and is currently at work on her next novel. When not writing romance, she loves to keep company with her young adult buddies in The Lost Wizard series, and also in her comic fantasy Kestryl series.
She lives in Washington State with her husband, Michael, and her playful, cherry-headed conure. She enjoys long walks in the park with her hubby, writing, crocheting for those who are in need, and listening to smooth jazz.
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