Embrace the Romance

by S. E. Smith

  She learned a lot from watching her Tall Ones. For instance, Her Trysh was more likely to balk at ignoring signs such as Authorized Personnel Only than Her Rornn was: “You’d better hope this doesn’t get us in hot water with the squad commander, Charming.”

  “I dream of a good long soak in hot water. But the face I see with me is not Colonel Amanpour. It’s you.”

  As they laughed, Puppy lifted her nose in the air, and sniffed. A smell filled the observation cone. As Tall Ones, they were not aware of it. But this scent was wrong. Bad. She wiggled to get free so she could investigate. As her Tall Ones admired each other and the sweeping view of space—countless stars and shuttle craft with blinking lights soaring between the rotating station and the planet of Barésh below—Puppy latched on to a scent trail. Yes, a very bad smell. The fur on the back of her neck stood on end.

  “Now that my clan has made the official announcement of my middle brother’s nuptials,” Her Rornn said, “We should talk about the next steps.”

  “I can’t wait to see your homeworld. S’aharr. But it’s not for another year.”

  “Yes, true but…”

  “But what? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing is wrong. Everything is right—with you, with us. That is my worry. I would not put it past my clan to secure a promise arrangement for me now that my brother’s match is complete.”

  “Promise arrangement—you mean like an engagement. What we talked about before.”

  “Yes. But with another, suitable Vash Nadah.”

  “Not a commoner,” she said sourly. “Someone like you.”

  “Matchmaking is still alive and well on my world—my former world. But I want to cut them off at the pass, so to speak.” He dropped to one knee and took her hands in his. “Will you marry me, Trysh Milton, woman at the far end of the amazing spectrum, owner of my heart?”

  “When?” She sounded startled.

  “Before we travel to S’aharr. But I would hope as soon as possible.”

  “Where?”

  “Here, of course. Bezos. Colonel Duarte can perform the ceremony.” He paused. “Do you not want to—?”

  “Of course, I do! Yes, the answer’s yes. I don’t care about the details. I love you. I’ve never wanted anyone else but you.”

  Her Rornn stood and hugged her so hard that he lifted her off her feet.

  Puppy reached the end of the scent trail. Behind the wall was something she couldn’t reach. Her hackles raised. She couldn’t help growling, low and long. The bad thing was there. Something that would hurt her Tall Ones and all the others on this station. It reeked of the Tall One who chased her from the crate with the stick, and of others like him. She would find them all, but first she must protect her Tall Ones and their friends.

  Barking, Puppy pawed at the wall. Here, Tall Ones. Here!

  In an instant, Her Rornn was there. “This panel is loose.” He removed it, carefully, and set it on the floor.

  There it was. A small box with a bad smell.

  Puppy wagged her tail harder, smiling at her Tall Ones. But Her Rornn jerked her off the floor so fast, her bark got stuck in her throat. His arm was around Trysh too, steering all three of them toward the ladder.

  Trysh spoke into her comm. “Station Security, this is Lieutenant Milton.” Her voice was even but urgent. “We found a device in the observation cone. A possible bomb…”

  Trysh

  Colonel Amanpour’s office smelled like stale coffee and the slight burning odor from the copier in the admin area next door that was always malfunctioning. All the advanced technology in the galaxy at their disposal and still the office copying machine never worked right.

  “Sir.” Trysh reported with a salute, keeping her focus on her commander as crisp footsteps pulled up alongside her. Overhead lights glanced off Rornn’s spit-shined black flight boots. She felt the breeze of his snappy salute. Puppy’s paws appeared in the corner of her vision next. The yipwag waited for Rornn’s gentle tug on her lead before she sat, her huge ears pricked. Her fur was glossy and thick, and she had filled out. Their little girl was growing up, the incredibly smart, joyful little yipwag that had helped dissolve the hurdles that once kept Trysh and Rornn apart. Although Puppy resided officially in the K-9 center with her canine friend Bang-Bang, she was a frequent overnight visitor at the foot of either Trysh’s bed or Rornn’s, depending whose quarters they settled on for the night.

  Colonel Amanpour returned their salutes then leaned back in his desk chair to observe them. “At ease, Lieutenants—and you too, Puppy.”

  Puppy’s tail gave a little swish.

  Later today, she, Rornn, and Puppy would receive medals for their role in saving the station from terrorists. The team that dismantled the bomb would be honored as well. Afterward, there would be one hell of a party at Nimbus. The past few weeks had been a blur, ever since Puppy detected the improvised explosive device—an IED—hidden behind one of the wall panels in the observation cone. The yipwag had further used her talent at sniffing out explosives and the evildoers who mixed them by leading them to the members of an Earth First terror cell comprised of a couple of rogue cargo rats and a med tech who had infiltrated the Doctors Without Borders team. The suspects even had the nerve to try to blame Rornn for the bomb, knowing he often used the observation cone for personal reflection time. Earth First terrorists knew such a device would be most effective in a confined space. If it had detonated, it would have been devastating. VIPs had made the journey to the station—politicians, Off-World Security staffers, various ESF Forces brass—and General Zeke Milton.

  “He’s here,” Colonel Amanpour said.

  Even though Trysh had thought of this day for weeks, had both dreaded it and looked forward to it, the bolt of surprise upon hearing her father had arrived on Bezos Station still jarred her.

  “He’s with Colonel Duarte, receiving his newcomer briefing as we speak. They should be on their way down here shortly. I thought you might want a few extra moments to prepare yourself in case the prospect of seeing him is more alarming than it is pleasant.”

  She went still, seeing the concern in his eyes. Why, when she’d never given him any reason to worry? The secrets about her relationship with her father had always been her own…and now Rornn’s too.

  “Yes,” Colonel Amanpour told her, confirming her worst fears. “I know the backstory.”

  Trysh squeezed her eyes shut for a second, then nodded. The secret was out. She was General Milton’s unwanted consequence.

  “Last year, after your orders were confirmed, I reviewed your personnel records—as I do with all my incoming starpilots. I saw that you were Zeke Milton’s kid. I asked around after I didn’t see you in his official family portrait. I found out what I needed to know.” His jaw hardened but his gaze reflected sorrow, maybe even pity. It made her chest tighten, reignited the old shame. “You’ve never met the man,” he said.

  “The general’s loss, Sir,” Rornn broke in. His face was taut with concern and compassion, his golden eyes aglow as he shifted his gaze to her.

  “I love you,” she mouthed. She loved him for always knowing exactly what to say and do to ease her qualms. She just loved him period. Later, she would show him just how much, inch by tasty inch.

  “We’ll get through this together,” Colonel Amanpour said, nodding. “We are your family, at least. The Mighty Titans Squadron will always be your home.”

  Trysh was not a crier. But listening to the colonel say those words made her throat ache. “Thank you, Sir,” she squeezed out.

  The comm chimed. “They’re on the way, Sir,” the colonel’s assistant said.

  Amanpour pushed to his feet and rubbed his hands. “Ready?”

  She answered with a curt nod. Instinctively, she reached for Puppy and touched her fingertips to her soft head, a caress of thanks for bringing her and Rornn together, for giving them a reason to unite, and to love. Puppy swiveled her head and licked her palm.

  Voices came closer—Colone
l Duarte’s and one that was familiar only because of vids she had watched. Rornn’s fingertips glided down her back as, inside, she jangled with nerves, anger, and anticipation. What would happen when her father walked through that door? Would he expect a free pass back into her life? That all would be forgiven once he pinned on her medal? What about after he left? Would he then go back to ignoring her? Or would he finally play “Daddy”?

  Don’t get your hopes up. She made sure the hidden, vulnerable place inside her was on lock-down—at least for now. The risk of opening it up and letting him in was too great.

  The two officers walked into the office. Her eyes went to Colonel Duarte first. His smile was broad. A bot-brace encased his lanky frame from his waist to his ankles. Thanks to Vash med tech, the brace kept him mobile while the broken back he suffered in a jet crash healed, an injury that would have otherwise left him a paraplegic for life. She had not once seen him wince in pain, even though the process was said to be extremely uncomfortable. She took some of that strength as her own, and aimed only the most pleasant of expressions in her father’s direction.

  Tall was her first thought. A commanding presence.

  He has my blue eyes.

  Her thumping heart felt ready to bounce out of her chest as he extended his hand. Her hand shook a little as she clasped his large one in hers. His grip was just right—not too hard, not too squishy. And, very slightly, damp.

  He’s nervous too.

  It was typical of her to note such things—even in the height of battle, she was aware of the tiniest details. This was a battle too. Whether he was a friendly or a bogey, she would soon find out. No matter what, her rescuer, her chivalrous knight and their furry companion, stood at her side, ready to save her.

  “Trysh,” he said, letting go.

  “General Milton,” she replied, not ready to call him anything…more familiar. It all felt rather awkward, experiencing this moment with everyone around them, listening.

  “We’ll leave you two alone so you can catch up,” Colonel Duarte said, his bot-brace whirring as he stepped toward the office door with Colonel Amanpour and Rornn. Puppy resisted being pulled away.

  “Rornn can stay,” Trysh said. “I want him to stay. And Puppy too.”

  General Milton beckoned to Rornn. “Of course. Trysh is right. You belong here. Let’s sit. Please.” Four chairs surrounded a coffee table upon which someone had set out a pitcher of water, napkins, and glasses.

  Trysh kept her hands scrunched in her lap, feeling the comforting weight of Puppy’s body as the yipwag leaned against her leg. Silently, the general dug in his breast pocket for a piece of paper and unfolded it, slowly, precisely. His chin reminded her of the way hers looked when she was tense. “Trysh,” he said. “Your mother wrote me a letter after she was diagnosed with the cancer. I want to share part of it with you.” He cleared his throat. “‘I may not have been too good at finding husbands, or at school, and you may not have been a very good father to her, but it doesn’t change one big fact—that she’s the best thing I ever did and what you did too, Zeke, even if you never figured out how to say it.’”

  Trysh was rendered mute. I was the best thing… So many feelings collided as she absorbed his words and her mother’s. The old hunger to be noticed. To be seen. To matter.

  He folded the note back up just as carefully as he had opened it, before slipping it back into his pocket. “Ruby was right. I didn’t know how to say it, Trysh. And probably still don’t. There is no excuse for how I treated you and your mother, other than that I acted selfishly, disgracefully. You are the best thing we did. Ruby was so proud of you. As am I.” He paused. “Of course the timing of all this is probably suspect, as I am here to congratulate you on your act of valor. I deeply apologize for that and I make no attempt to justify my actions.”

  She lifted her eyes to his and nodded.

  “On that subject, you have no doubt heard of my past sentiments toward the Vash Federation, particularly during the early years following First Contact. Yes, at that time I did have my doubts that joining the Federation was the best path for Earth. When the conspiracy theory emerged that the Vash were to blame for the attack on Glenn-Musk Station, I didn’t speak out against it as I should. Earth First was responsible for the bombing. Period.”

  It amazed her that she could feel even more shock, but she did, hearing what her father had confessed. A lot of Earth-centrist people still refused to accept that domestic terrorism took out Glenn-Musk. They believed the Vash didn’t want Earth to develop advanced technology that could eventually threaten the galactic pecking order, so they destroyed the station and blamed it on Earth First. On Bezos, concerns abounded that General Milton, as the Chief of Off-World Security, hadn’t yet sealed holes and weak spots in security as well as he could have in the aftermath because he and others still found it difficult acceding that the terrorism originated on Earth. It left Bezos and many other critical assets vulnerable to attack. Which would have happened here—if not for Puppy’s magnificent nose and Rornn’s love of stargazing.

  “I’m glad to hear you feel that way,” she said.

  Her father regarded Rornn, his eyes miraculously warming. “I am pleased to learn that you two are engaged. Trysh, I want you to know that your fiancé attempted to ask my permission to marry you. Weeks ago.”

  She threw a wondering wide-eyed glance at Rornn. What? You did?

  Weirdly, Rornn didn’t look smug in the way she’d expect when taking credit for something. His expression reflected a mix of conflicting emotions, his mouth skirting the edge of a frown.

  “He told me he had already proposed, but that he felt the need to do things the old-fashioned way. I unfortunately left that letter unanswered as well,” General Milton finished.

  “I did so in hopes to have your blessing, Sir,” Rornn said.

  “You have it, young man.” Emotion reached General Milton’s eyes for the first time. “You have it,” he repeated, his voice thicker. He lowered his chin and seemed to study his hands. Three stars shone on his shoulders, his many medals glittering. In contrast, sorrow etched lines on his face.

  After some reflection, he glanced up. “I can’t erase the years, or what I did. Today isn’t the day to ask forgiveness. It must be earned, and I’m not there yet. It may take years. It may never happen. I have much to atone for, much soul searching to do. I do, however, look forward to getting to know my daughter. If she— If you…” He sighed, looking at Trysh. His voice had given out, but his beseeching gaze finished what he wanted to say.

  Allowing her father into her life was a scarier prospect than anything she ever anticipated encountering in combat, a gamble that left her vulnerable to more pain. But, made stronger by Rornn’s love, she was finally ready to take that chance. “Yes,” she said. “I’d like that very much.”

  Then she exchanged a quick glance with her best friend and smiled. Her Prince Charming managed to accomplish what he’d always promised he could do. He made the impossible possible.

  Epilogue

  Puppy

  It’s a happy day aboard Bezos Station as I watch My Rornn slip the special ring on My Trysh’s finger.

  “I give you this ring to wear with love and joy,” he says. “As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my wife this day and forevermore.”

  Then My Trysh does the same for My Rornn, having to push a bit harder to get the band past his knuckle. “I give you this ring to wear with love and joy,” she says, her eyes shining. “As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore.”

  There is much anticipation in the air as Colonel Duarte finishes the ceremony. “By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride—and groom.”

  My Tall Ones’ lips meet, their arms wrapping around each other. They kiss for so long that the other Tall Ones start to laugh, whoop, and whistle. Starpilots are a rowdy bunch. Colonel Duarte shouts abo
ve the cheering, “I present to you our happy couple!”

  Back on the floor, I watch the party unfold, taking quick action if any crumbs drop, enjoying many scratches behind my ears, but always with my eyes, ears, and nose on alert to make sure everyone stays safe. That is, after all, my job. It reminds me that I’ve come a long way in a short time. I didn’t do it alone. When I was small, terrified, and lost, I followed the voice inside me that said, “Never give up. Keep going. If you do, you’ll find your way home.” I like to think it was my mother’s voice I heard. She wanted me to have the life she could not. But it took My Rornn to convince me I would be okay. His words sing inside me now: “You are safe with me. I will not let anything happen to you. You are home.”

  Yes. I am home. After much searching, we all found our way home.

  THE END

  Want more exciting adventures with Rornn and Trysh and the rest of the crew of Bezos Station? The saga continues in Star Hero (previously titled Stray), featuring Captain Carlynn Riga, Space Marine Lieutenant Lukas Frank, and Bang-Bang, now available at bookstores everywhere.

  Why Susan Grant Wrote Star Puppy

  In the Pets in Space Anthology, my story Stray (now titled Star Hero) featured a frightened, starving yipwag (an alien street dog) named Bang-Bang that took shelter under a wreck of a car where he met another puppy. Even though Bang-Bang was ravenous, he shared a piece of meat with the other weak and starving pup. Readers always wanted to know what happened to that puppy. Me too! And so I wrote her story. I hope you enjoy The Puppy, the Pilot, and the Prince. (Star Puppy).

  Acknowledgments

  Writing books can be a solitary and sometimes lonely pursuit. It’s why the support of my readers means the world to me—I love you guys! I want to thank my editor, Mary Moran, for her keen eye, and Melissa Deckman, my indispensable assistant, who works hard so I can concentrate on writing books. Thanks go out to my ARC Team—I so appreciate you!—and the team members that I called into action for speedy beta reads: Thanks, Barbara, Corey (and her mom!), Carolyn, Serenity/Lynne, and Karen. Lastly, huge mushy thank yous to my husband, George, for his unending support and love, and for not running away (most of the time) when I’d chase him down to brainstorm.