CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3)

by Shae Mills

  Jason stood and looked down into her worried eyes. “No, he won’t. He knows it was all my idea, and over the next two weeks, he’ll defuse.”

  “I hope you’re right,” she uttered with uncertainty.

  Jason became serious. “He will. But if for any reason he does threaten you, ever, you let me know.”

  Chelan caught the stern tone in his voice, his protective stance displaying his sincerity. “Okay,” she agreed.

  He smiled and offered her his arm. “Well, now that that drama is over with, shall we go?” And they did.

  Chapter 21

  Chelan stared at the stereographic image of the land mass. Jason touched her on the arm. “Here, now look at this one.” And a second image came up on the computer.

  She peered at both of them, her eyes skipping between the two pictures. “I don’t know. Maybe the coloring is all wrong. You’re right, there is more clarity in the second, but I think the overlay we’ve added is obscuring the landforms.”

  Jason leaned closer to the screen for a moment and then sat back. He tapped on the keyboard. “Let’s put them on separate monitors and have a look at the larger images.”

  “You know,” she began, “what you did has increased the resolution, no question. I think we need to manipulate the false coloring to enhance the contrast, though. Right now things are too monochromatic and it’s taking away from what you’ve done.”

  Jason began typing again. “Okay… now take a look.”

  Chelan squinted at the image. “See, now you can actually make out more of the geologic structure of that side slope area.”

  “I think you’re right. But I do want to tweak the program some more. Right now I’m worried about artifacts creeping in.”

  Chelan nodded. “Good point. You don’t want the company out there sinking drill shafts in the wrong location. That would cost them a fortune.”

  “Exactly. But I’m also going to contact the company and get some close aerial pictures taken of the same spot so I can actually tell what is structure, what might be detritus, and what is shadow. The program needs to be able to differentiate between it all.”

  Chelan’s lips tightened. “Good luck with that,” she whispered.

  Jason smiled. “We’ll get there. You’ll see.”

  *****

  The two weeks went by quickly for Chelan, and she found that accompanying Jason to his work was exhilarating. She loved watching the Earth technology materialize before her eyes, comparing it every step of the way with Iceanean technology. Earth had a long way to go, but they were certainly on the right track. And with Jason at the helm, things were going to improve exponentially—of that she had no doubt.

  In the end, she did help out with some of the basic computer programming, but her ability to participate fully was hampered somewhat by her unfamiliarity with the advances in the computer programs Jason was using. A lot had changed over the last decade, and she had to watch that she did not expose the vast gap in her knowledge.

  But through it all, she enjoyed spending the hours watching him work. She could see why he was so highly valued, and probably highly paid. All his work progressed with flawless accuracy, and in pinpoint succession. He had a knack for problem solving that went above and beyond what she had ever seen someone do before, and it did not matter if the problem presented was with software or hardware. Even when it was not his particular line of expertise, many departments within the company came to him looking for direction and advice.

  It wasn’t far into the trip that Chelan decided she was just excess baggage. But Jason always had a task for her to do, even if it was something she felt he could probably do many times faster or better.

  In the evenings, after dinner, they continued to work side by side until it was time to retire. Then Chelan would return to her room and collapse, her mind sated by all the knowledge. Near the end of the contract she helped him compile his final report, and then, right on time, Friday afternoon, he presented it to the company, and his job was complete.

  Jason opened the door to his room and ushered her in. “All done,” he announced with satisfaction. He looked around. “Should we celebrate?”

  Chelan shrugged out of her jacket. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Well, to start with, whatever it is, it’s my treat. I have to thank you properly for all the work you did these last two weeks.”

  Chelan smirked at him. “All my work? Right. If anything, I held you up.”

  “Hardly,” he countered. “I was more than impressed with your expertise. Your training has gone well past the university level. I suspect that whatever you did for the government was highly advanced.”

  Chelan put her hands on her hips. “And what gave you that idea? I barely said a word about anything pertaining to the contract. And I certainly wasn’t much help with the actual software.”

  Jason slipped her a sly smile and then sat down on the bed. “It’s not what you said or didn’t say, or what you did or didn’t do. I could tell by the areas you were studying and by the expressions on your face what you thought. You knew the trouble spots, although you rarely volunteered your ideas. And I suspect you knew the solutions too.”

  “Well, I didn’t need to contribute much. You did quite well on your own.”

  Jason studied her for a moment from under his brows. “Tell me: if I had made a mistake, would you have corrected it?”

  Chelan pondered his question carefully, watching for hidden meaning. “Probably,” she answered slowly.

  Jason put his hands behind his head and leaned back into the pillows. “If you could have done as well as me, which I now know for sure you could have, why aren’t you working right now? Why do you choose to depend on Jim instead?”

  “I’m not dependent on him.” Chelan changed the direction of the conversation quickly. “And besides, if I was working, I couldn’t follow you around the world, now, could I.”

  Jason chuckled. “Good answer.” He raised his brows. “And an even better plan. Now, do you want to go out, or should we eat in?”

  Chelan sat on the bed beside him. “If it’s all right with you, I’d prefer not to go out. Though I enjoyed going to the company and the work, I did find it a little hectic at times.”

  Jason agreed. “Okay, you decide.”

  “Let’s order up some wine and some pizza, and watch a movie.”

  “Sounds great,” he said, and he grabbed the phone. In no time at all, they were immersed in a movie, stuffed with pizza, and mellowed with wine. When the movie was over, Jason turned on the news and reclined among the pillows. Chelan put the pizza box in the garbage and then returned to the bed beside him.

  Jason rolled to his side and looked up at her. “That was great.”

  Chelan sipped at her wine. “It was, but whenever you’re tired, just let me know and I’ll leave.”

  Jason smiled. “Don’t worry; I’ll kick you out when I’m ready. I want to watch the news first, so you’re welcome to stay.” He rolled to his back and propped his head up with the pillows, wine glass in hand.

  Chelan glanced at the news and then focused back on his tranquil face. “I like it here,” she whispered.

  Jason’s eyes flickered to hers. “Me too.”

  “I wish we didn’t have to go back.”

  Jason smiled. “I’ll second that. But soon I’ll take some holidays.”

  Chelan held her breath for a moment, wondering if that was an invitation. She slid down the bed a bit and twisted to face him more directly. “What will you do?”

  His eyes remain on the TV. “Oh, probably some hiking and some camping. I love the wilderness. It’s so peaceful, so rejuvenating.”

  “I love it too. My dad used to take me out all the time when I was young. We used to take just a sleeping bag, a tarp, some fishing equipment, and a big oiled frying pan.” She smiled fondly. “No fish, no food.”

  Jason chuckled and nestled farther into the pillows, his face alight. “So, where’d you go?”


  “Oh, all over. Usually high mountain lakes, fishing for trout. Anywhere secluded and unspoiled. Mostly in the Rockies and the Cascades.”

  “Have you done any camping lately?”

  Chelan looked down at her wine. “No. But I’d like to soon. And I will. I want to return to one of our old haunts when the weather warms in April and do some. I adore the wilderness in the spring.”

  Jason smiled warmly at her. “Want some company?”

  Chelan’s eyes grew large, his request surprising her, and for a moment, she was tongue-tied. April was the rendezvous time.

  Jason reacted to her silence. “I’m sorry. It was inconsiderate of me to even try to crowd in on your quiet time.”

  Chelan felt her heart thud against her chest as she rushed to think through his offer. Maybe early April was okay. But he could not be with her when it was time for her to leave the planet. “No, no, don’t be sorry. I had just never considered having company.”

  “Well, I would never want to cramp your style or cause you any stress. But so far I haven’t booked any contracts for April and I can always leave it open. So if you want company, I’m available, that’s all.”

  Chelan’s mind continued to race. “Had you planned to head to Oregon?”

  “Actually, I didn’t have any concrete plans. But I’m like you—I love the spring, and that’s when I usually head out for a little R & R in the backcountry.”

  Chelan was weighing as many factors as she could possibly handle as fast as she could. But what tipped the scale was the man himself. He was simply a delight to be with, and surely they could part ways before the pickup date. “Actually,” she began, “I think doing some hiking with a companion would be wonderful. You could carry all the gear.”

  Jason burst out laughing. “Oh sure—use me, why don’t you?”

  Chelan was laughing herself. “Well, I’m positive I can carry my own stuff, but for the record, I would be happy to have you along, as long as you behave between now and then.”

  Jason’s lip quirked. “Yes, ma’am. Consider ‘Behave’ to be my middle name from this point on.”

  Chelan smiled at him fondly, but her thoughts of hiking were sidelined as he turned on his side and propped his head up on his elbow.

  “So, where was home originally?” he asked.

  “Boston. Where’s your family from?”

  “Montana.”

  “When was the last time you were home?”

  “Oh, quite a long time ago. My family has land there, and my two brothers are still working it. Dad has a couple hundred head of cattle, so it keeps them all busy.”

  “So why did you jump ship?”

  Jason squinted at nothing in particular. “I wanted to see the world. And my brothers were always more ranch-crazy than me. So after I travelled, I went to university, and, well, here I am.”

  Chelan smiled. “It must be nice being your own boss.”

  Jason shrugged. “It was its advantages and drawbacks, but I enjoy it.”

  “You must. Jim told me you turned down working for him.”

  “Well, Jim’s a good manager. But he’s very domineering. I don’t like being controlled by others. So we work well side by side, but neither of us could be each other’s boss.”

  Chelan glanced at the TV and then back to him. “Now you have me all excited about camping.”

  “It’s certainly something to look forward to, but I’m afraid in the interim we have to endure a reality check. Tomorrow, it’s back to cold and windy Chicago.”

  Chelan’s shoulders slumped. “I know.”

  Jason looked at her. “So, tell me why you’re staying with Jim? I can see he’s not your first choice of companionship.”

  “I know him from my university days. My family knew his family, and we were considered altar bound. But then I left… to work and travel, and basically disappeared from his life.” Chelan took a moment to carefully consider what to reveal to Jason. “I lost touch with everybody, including my family, and when I returned… well, my family had dispersed.”

  Jason’s face fell. “Oh, Chelan, I’m so sorry. It must be hard to be separated from everyone for so long.”

  Chelan felt her throat tighten but she continued. “I got in touch with my brother in New York because I wanted to reconnect with him and find work, but I didn’t want to intrude on his family. He suggested I stay at his place in Chicago while I got my feet under me, and I had intended to stay there indefinitely, but he needed the place for his work, so I asked Jim if I could stay with him.” Chelan shrugged. “Additionally, I had originally intended to get a job through Jim, but it’s not easy to approach him. I guess you could say I’m living off of him at the moment, but it’s only temporary. As soon as my brother heads back to New York, I’ll move back to his place.”

  “I don’t think Jim considers it temporary.”

  Chelan sipped the last of her wine and then reclined on the pillows next to him. “No, I suppose not. But I’ve let him know in no uncertain terms that I’m just a friend and no more. Besides, I’ve also learned since living under his roof that he has a very volatile side.”

  Jason’s jaw worked. “You could stay at my place if you preferred.”

  Chelan smiled at him. “Thanks, but I’m sure you don’t need a roommate. I would only be a drain on you until I’m…” She faltered as she realized she was entering dangerous waters.

  “Until you’re what?”

  She recovered quickly. “Until I’m on my way and gainfully employed.”

  Jason watched her carefully. “Well, the offer stands. If you ever need help or need a place to stay, just come on over.”

  Chelan took a large breath, unexpected relief washing over her for reasons she could not explain. She looked at him, and suddenly she was riveted to his handsome features once again. He smiled at her and then rolled to his back and refocused on the TV. Chelan watched his slow respirations and pondered his words. Then she pulled herself up and stared down into his crystal eyes. “Your offer—you know how much it would irk Jim if I took you up on it?”

  Jason shrugged. “I’ve offered you shelter and friendship. If he gets upset over that, then he’s an idiot. I’m not asking you to be my girlfriend.”

  “He might not see it that way.”

  Jason looked up at her for a long time. “I suppose you could be right, But I will assume he is smarter than that. After all, I have to work with the guy. And as a close friend, I would never take what he considered to be his. Regardless, it’s your choice, not his.”

  Chelan sank down to the pillows beside him. “Guess if I ever wanted to date I would have to move to the other side of the country, the way things stand now.”

  Jason smiled. “So, you want to get out into the dating world?”

  Chelan shook her head. “No,” she stated firmly. “Not for the foreseeable future.”

  “Why not?”

  Chelan hesitated. “Just not interested, I’m afraid.”

  “What if the right guy came along?”

  She smiled. “Oh, maybe then, I suppose. But I’m really not looking.”

  Jason glanced over her, her beautiful figure as alluring as her wondrous mind. “I’m sure the right man is out there waiting for you,” he whispered.

  Chelan looked up at the ceiling. “I suppose he is,” she uttered. “Somewhere…” she added, her thoughts brushing longingly over Dar.

  Jason returned his attention to the news. She glanced at him and then stared at the TV, but she could not redirect her thoughts from the Empire. Images of the man on the plane came back to her. Where were her men, and what were they engaged in right at this moment?

  She clasped her hands together, deep in thought as images of Korba and Fremma swirled through her psyche. Then Jason’s deep laugh jarred her back to Earth, and her thoughts turned to him. What was it that attracted her to him so much? Despite her unshakable bond with her Iceanean men, this Earth man possessed a strange allure. Of course, he was handsome. A woman would hav
e to be blind not to notice that. But what she felt for him despite their short time together ran much deeper—in fact, too deep for comfort. Whatever the source of the mysterious pull he had on her, it was definitely nothing she could pursue.

  Finally she sat up. “I’m bushed. I think I’ll meander off to my room.” The smile he gave her nearly melted her soul.

  “Thanks again for everything,” he whispered in a smooth, deep tone, “especially the company over these last two weeks. I’ve enjoyed it all immensely.”

  Chelan smiled back, her senses nearly leaving her. “Believe me, the pleasure was all mine.”

  Chapter 22

  The next morning, Chelan and Jason were up early and off for the trip home. Before boarding their plane, Chelan stood in the Customs line, staring at a form she had filled out. She had nothing to declare, but she was careful to attend to all the other details. Jason had just finished with the officer and moved on a ways to wait for her.

  “Where are you from?” came the authoritative female voice.

  Chelan cleared her throat and passed the woman her form and her passport. “Chicago.”

  “Citizenship?”

  “US.”

  “Anything to declare?”

  “No.”

  The large woman regarded her for a moment. “How long were you gone for?”

  “Two weeks.”

  “Business or pleasure?”

  “Both.”

  The woman eyed her suspiciously.

  Chelan immediately called on all her training to still the dread that seized her. She remained very still while the woman continued to examine her passport critically.

  Chelan clutched at her pack, her composure rapidly beginning to wane. Fear of being detained or questioned in depth suddenly assailed her. Then she was startled by the deep voice that interceded on her behalf.

  “Excuse me, Officer Selby, is there a problem?” asked Jason, smiling.

  Chelan’s eyes darted to the officer. The woman smiled back at Jason. “Well, no, Mr. Evans. I was just being thorough. You know this person?”