“Good night,” Marguerite said as she turned most of the lamps down.
“Marguerite?”
The older woman stopped. “Yes?”
“Can I read your book?”
Marguerite handed it to her. “Of course. Just be careful with it, it’s older than I am.”
Riley stared at the cover in astonishment. “It’s beautiful.”
Marguerite nodded. “It is. When I was little, I’d look at the pictures for hours and hours.” She patted Riley’s arm and left.
Riley carried the book to a table beneath the wall lamp. The hard cover of the book was decorated with detailed sketches. A man with a fluffy beard was holding a large bag. A man and woman were holding a platter with food. Two children were dressed in strange clothes holding bags. There were eggs in a basket being carried by a long-eared smiling creature. There were hearts and a flying baby holding some kind of ancient pointed weapon, too. In faded shining letters, it read The Big Book of Holidays.
She opened the book with care, remembering Marguerite’s words.
More than half of the book was missing, but what remained kept her transfixed. With each page she grew more mystified. No wonder they celebrated. What a wonderful gift this book gave these people.
“What are you doing?” Leo asked, yawning.
She blinked. His shirt was off. He was holding his pants up with one hand. His eyes were heavy-lidded and his hair mussed.
“I’m reading.” She smiled. “It’s fascinating.” She held up the book.
He wiped his eyes. “Is it?”
She nodded. “Did you know that there’s a rabbit, some sort of animal, that hides eggs for children?”
“Why?” he asked, looking confused.
“To make them happy.” She shrugged. “And you can carve a pumpkin and dress up in strange clothes and you get candy.”
“Oh.” He sat in the chair opposite her. “Why?”
“For candy, I suppose. Which looks,” she lifted that book so he could see the picture, “like it makes you happy.” She turned the book and flipped more pages. “And this story, the one she read about the feasting and presents and talking, is my favorite. They’re not doing anything, just spending time together.”
“And you like food.” He chuckled.
She nodded. “But it’s their faces. Look. These people look like the people here. They look happy, comfortable...safe. Even though there are cryptids and ice storms, they’re happy.” Her cheeks grew hot as she added, “It’s nice. You don’t see many people that look like that in the black.”
He cocked his head. “I thought tuggers were loners.”
She looked at him. “We are—most of us, anyway. But I guess, sometimes, it’s nice to not be.” It was nice being with him...even though she could only be with him here.
She didn’t know how long they stared at each other, but the look on his face made her forget about the book.
“I’m feeling tired,” she announced.
“Oh?” That half grin of his made her pulse race.
She stood, holding the book, and smiled at him. “Good night.”
She moved quickly, giggling when she heard him jump up to follow her. She started to run, his accelerating footfall making her run faster and faster. By the time she reached her room, she was laughing and breathless.
He was right behind her, catching her in his arms and spinning her around. He took the book.
“Careful with it,” she whispered.
He gently put the book on the floor and pulled her against him.
His lips found hers. “Good night, huh?”
She reached up, grabbing his neck and slipping her tongue into his mouth.
He moaned.
She pulled back. “We could talk.”
He opened his eyes. “Talk?”
“Talk.”
He released her suddenly. “Okay. Let’s talk.”
She hadn’t expected him to let her go, so she reached out a hand to balance herself. She turned to stare at him, sitting on the edge of her cot with an innocent smile on his face.
She put her hands on her hips. “Yea, okay...”
He leaned against the wall, stretching his legs out and placing his hands behind his head. “Did you really learn how to fix things on your own?”
She smiled. “No, I read books.”
“You were good today.” His voice was soft.
“You weren’t too bad yourself.” She crossed the room to him and knelt between his knees. “What about you, Leo? Where did you learn to stay so cool under pressure?” She placed her hands on his thighs, letting them slide up to his waist.
He shrugged. “My colony was bought out. We lost regular Patrols and had to fend for ourselves. It didn’t last long, and I left with some raiders.”
Riley stilled, stunned by his words. “How old were you?”
“Young. It was a living. It put food on the table for my family...”
“You have a family?” Her voice was harsh.
He sat forward, taking her hands in his. “I had a mother and two sisters, Riley. Yes, I had a family.”
She didn’t miss the had. “I’m sorry, Leo.”
“Me too.” He kissed her softly. “But my ship got snatched by the Patrols and I was given a choice. Work for them or go to the Penal Station.”
“You’re Patrol?”
He shook his head. “Not really, not anymore. I’m more of a free agent. Own my own trader ship, stick with trade for the most part. Sometimes they call me, sometimes I help them.”
She nodded.
“I am sorry you got caught up in this, Riley.”
“What is this?” she asked. “I mean, what brought you to Galileo?”
He sat back, rubbing a hand over his face. “A setup apparently.”
“Oh?”
“We were delivering a shipment of meds to Digges Station. One case of suspected black lung sprung up so there’s worry about a full plague.”
Riley shuddered. Black lung had ended more than one colony and station.
“We’d kept it tight-lipped. Harvey, my pilot, thought we had a tail when we cleared the last ring. We were going to jump to the next system, but knew there was a vast stretch of black before we’d get help.”
“So you wanted to make sure?”
He nodded. “We waited until we could slingshot, divide and conquer. Harvey’s magic, Riley. He can cloak better than any pilot I’ve known. They took the bait and followed me. My crew made it to the nearest Patrol dock. I can only hope the raiders have been pinched and my crew’s en route to Digges.”
She let out a slow breath, shaking her head.
“What?” He took her hand again.
“It sounds so...”
“Crazy? Dangerous? Reckless?” he offered.
“Exciting,” she answered.
He cocked his head, smiling slowly. “Oh really?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been a tugger my whole life. I’ve had more adventures here since my ship popped than I’ve had my whole life.”
She slipped onto the cot, feeling ready for a new adventure. She straddled him, pulling the soft shirt over her head.
She heard him suck in a sharp breath, felt his hands caress the soft skin along her sides.
He sat up to kiss her. She met him halfway, her body aching for him.
* * *
When she woke up, it was warm. She burrowed under the blanket, sighing with pleasure.
“You make the most...disturbing noises.” His voice was rough.
She opened one eye, smiling at the sight that greeted her. His chest, lightly furred with brown hair, rested beneath her cheek. She looked up, grinning at his crazy hair and droopy eyes.
&
nbsp; He blinked, grinning.
“Disturbing?” she asked.
His arms tightened around her. “I’m not complaining. But it makes it hard for a fellow to eat and sleep and make love with any control...”
“Last night was controlled?”
“No. See what I mean?”
She laughed. “Wait. What do you mean? Hard to eat?”
“You make powerful noises when you eat. Almost as powerful as the ones you make in bed.”
She sat up. “Leo.”
His hand cupped her breast, his rough thumb caressing her nipple. His eyes fixed on her breast and his smile grew. “Like I said, I’m not complaining, Riley.”
She bent to kiss him, loving his hands on her, loving the smell of him...all of him. Too much.
She pushed away from him. “It’s morning, Leo.”
“Let me guess.” He sighed. “You’re hungry?”
She laughed, diffusing the tension in her chest. “For food.” She pushed the blankets back and stood, stretching.
“Do that again,” he murmured.
She pulled on her clothes quickly and tossed his on the cot. “I’m going to eat. Maybe I’ll be done by the time you join me?”
She waved and closed the door behind her, humming softly as she made her way to the common room.
“Morning, Riley,” one of the children called out. “Merry Thankful Holiday to you.”
She smiled at the little boy and made her way to the bar.
It looked like everyone on the station was here again, smiling and animatedly talking. It was as if they were waiting for something.
“Hot chocolate?” Rex was carrying a tray, a broad grin on his face. “You might drink it all before Leo gets here...” He handed her a mug. “Never mind, too late.”
Leo bent, talking to the little boy who’d greeted her. He laughed, ruffled the boy’s head and exchanged greetings with another family. She watched him, feeling that strange heavy warmth fill her chest. She sipped her drink absently.
“Oooohhh my!” She stared into the mug as the delectable sweetness slipped down her throat. She took another sip, closing her eyes and holding the mug against her chest.
“You like it, Riley?” Marguerite asked. “Some people think it’s too sweet...”
“Too sweet?” She shook her head emphatically. “I’ve never...this is like... No, it’s not too sweet.”
She took another sip, groaning with pure pleasure. She’d never be able to face powdered caffeine water or a protein paste smoothie again.
“I think everyone’s here now,” Walt told Marguerite.
“Go ahead,” Marguerite returned, patting his cheek.
Riley turned on her stool, eyeing Walt while taking tiny sips of her chocolate. “What’s happening?”
“Oh, wait and see.” Marguerite was excited.
Riley glanced at the woman.
“Here, Leo.” Marguerite offered him a mug.
Riley watched him take a sip. His eyes went round, and he peered into the mug before he stared at her. “Am I going to need to find a seat across the room, Riley?”
Riley took another tiny sip, stifling the moan into a strangled hiccup. She shook her head.
Leo chuckled and sat on the stool beside her.
Walt appeared then, carrying a massive red knit sack over his shoulder. A beard made of batting hung loosely from his chin and his red shirt was thin and patched, but the attempt was admirable.
Riley watched as Walt pulled box after box from the red knit sack. Each adult had one, most children had two. The children squealed and laughed, holding their boxes tightly against them and waiting.
“What are they waiting for?” Riley asked.
Leo shrugged.
Iggy helped Walt hand out the remaining boxes, smiling broadly as he handed a box to Leo and one to Riley.
“But...” Riley held the box at arm’s length.
“Go ahead,” Walt said to the room.
A great noise began, paper ripped and flew, children giggled and adults laughed.
Riley watched, setting the box on her lap.
“Who wants to go first?” one of the women asked.
Lylie’s hand shot up and she hopped to her feet, cradling her box. She smiled, saying. “I have a note of thanks from my mother, for washing the sheets and smiling. My father is thankful for my laughter.” She giggled as she said this. She reached inside, lifting a piece of paper. “Walt says I’m a gift in the gardens and Peach says my steady hand while knitting is a gift to the whole station.”
“How lovely,” Marguerite said.
Others follow suit, praising little Lylie’s box full of notes—thanks and gifts just for her.
“You go, Iggy.” One of the smallest boys pulled on Iggy.
Iggy stood and turned bright red. “Little Jameson here calls me a gift for checking under the beds for tiny cryptids. And he’s drawn a fine sketch of me.” He held up the drawing the little boy had done, his smile growing as the room oohed over the little boy’s handiwork. “Marguerite is thankful for my quick repairs to the outer wall in the kitchen...”
Riley listened, amazed.
Every person here had a box. Every person here was considered a gift, something to be thankful for. She felt Leo’s arm come around her shoulders and leaned into him.
When Rex read his box, there was a lot of laughter. Marguerite’s box was full of thanks and pictures. The children received the most praise. Even the simplest things were mentioned and celebrated.
What a strange place this was.
“Your turn, Leo,” Walt called out.
Leo sat up and opened his box. He picked up the papers and smiled as he read over them. “I have thanks from Marguerite for bringing seeds last cycle.” He read on, mentioning things Riley had never known about him. He’d been here before, several times apparently, bringing supplies to the station and helping when he could. “Walt thanks me for making it back to the station before the blast so he got his new mittens. And Lylie thanks me for saving a fairy from the blasts and bringing her to the station.” Leo winked at Lylie, and she waved back.
Riley felt all eyes settle on her.
“You’re up.” Leo used his most soothing tone of voice, making her smile.
She swallowed, opening her box with trembling fingers. She picked up the papers inside, feeling her throat tighten. “Iggy says my tech skills are a gift to the station. And he’s thankful I fit into the electrical closet so he doesn’t have to...” There was a ripple of laughter. “Marguerite says I appreciate her cooking more than anyone, for that she’s thankful.” Leo groaned and nodded, making more laughter follow. She laughed a little too, continuing. “Rex is thankful I fixed the shields, so is Peach, Lybon, Dotti, Hanna, Guy... It’s a long list.” She shrugged. “And Leo...” She swallowed, feeling her cheeks burn. She blinked, knowing all eyes were on her.
“What does Leo say?” someone asked.
She didn’t know who asked; she couldn’t bear to look up. Leo’s writing was neat, controlled. Somehow the words he’d written had the opposite effect on her. Her heart was pounding as she read, “Leo says I’m a gift.”
Leo dropped a kiss on her forehead before helping Walt straighten the room, pulling the tables and chairs back for breakfast. But her mind was racing and her chest felt...
“You didn’t read my note,” Lylie said.
“I’m sorry,” Riley whispered, peering into the box. She found a small slip of paper at the bottom of the box and pulled it out.
Lylie was all smiles. “I’m thankful you were here for Holiday.”
Riley wrinkled her nose against the sting of tears. “Me too, Lylie.” She smiled, stiffening for the merest of seconds before she returned the sweet hug the little girl gave her. Lyl
ie bounced off, happily returning to her family and her box.
Marguerite placed a large basket of biscuits on the bar. Rex appeared, snatching a biscuit.
“Riley, when you’re done, Walt and Iggy went on to the shop to look at some of the other things Iggy’s had to fix since Vy left us.” Marguerite was all smiles. “If you don’t mind, that is.”
Riley stood, taking a biscuit. “I’ll go now.” The sooner, the better. “Can I ask what happened to him?”
Marguerite and Rex exchanged a look. Rex shrugged.
“I lost my arm trying to free him. But once those cryptids get their teeth into you, there’s no breaking loose.” His voice held no anger or cynicism, just fact.
She felt a chill race down her spine. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“He was almost good at playing with wires and tools as you are,” Rex said.
Riley stood still, not sure what to say.
“You do have a gift.” Leo joined them, standing at her side. “I’ve never seen a body get so caught up in electrics.”
She shook her head. “When you spend all your time tinkering with things, it sort of starts to make sense on its own.”
Marguerite agreed. “Well, we’re glad you’re here to tinker, Riley. I know Walt’s worried more than a time or two about the station blowing out a circuit or feed one of us couldn’t fix. And then we’d all be frozen up stiff in no time.”
“So I’ll go and get to it.” Riley felt her discomfort growing.
She didn’t need their praise or flattery. She knew she could handle any repair this old station might throw at her. They didn’t need to go an about it. It wasn’t a big deal, it was just what she did.
Leo arched an eyebrow. “Go?”
“Walt and Iggy. Work, in the shop.”
“Ah.” Leo nodded. “Have fun.”
She stared at him, once more caught up by his eye-crinkling and playful grin. How could he warm her with one look? How could his presence soothe her so?
It wasn’t right.
She’d always been just fine on her own, damn it.
She didn’t need people cozying up to her with pretty praises. She didn’t want to rely on others for approval, she didn’t need it. And she certainly didn’t need some planet-hopping soldier of fortune making her heart race.
A Galactic Holiday Page 17