“Will you eat it if I agree to marry you,” she asked and then lowered her voice. “Or is this just another attempt to get me back into your bed?” She raised her brows, staring at him, her eyes wide.
“I’ll agree to almost anything, at this point.” He gave her a smile that seemed almost feral. The look in his eyes had her moving backward, as though a few steps would keep her safe, should he decide to pounce.
“Then agree to eat whatever I make for you, knowing I have your best interests at heart and I’ll agree to marry you two days from now.”
A tall, man moved closer. Birgit couldn’t put her finger on why he looked familiar. He met her gaze with friendly amber eyes and winked. “A woman has never said a more frightening thing.”
“Father!” Reno spun around. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve missed you, boy.” The man pulled him into his arms for a long hug. “Where are your brothers? Don’t tell me they got tired of your bossiness and stranded you here on this primitive world.”
“You know, I wish you people would stop referring to us as backward and primitive. We might not have your technology, but I daresay we have a lot more manners than you people ever have had.” Birgit glared at the man, uncaring that her actions might not ingratiate her to the man. He seemed like an ass to her.
“No, father. We’re all here. Our ship crashed, stranding us.” Reno stepped back, his hands still resting on his father’s shoulders. “How did you find us?”
“We followed a trail of parts to this system. We had intended on raiding the ship for parts until we figured out it was your ship we had followed. It took us nearly a year to find you. It was probably a good thing, though. It gave us time to learn the language and the customs. It also gave us time to realize that we would not be able to raid this planet without an all out war on the land, which would leave this world in as bad a shape as Zolon, and you have to know I wouldn’t do that to anyone.” His father glanced into the shopping cart and wrinkled his upper lip. “I see now why you hesitate to eat such blasch. That cannot be called food fit for men.”
“It is, father, and the people here put great store in it. Apparently, it makes one healthy.”
“Meat makes one healthy—and alcohol.” He glanced around. “Is there a tavern nearby? If so, we should go get a drink.” He clapped Reno on the back and then eyed Birgit. “Leave this earthling here and we’ll go find ourselves a good drink and a couple of willing women, eh?”
“So much for getting married, huh?” Birgit glared at Reno, her brow raised.
“Oh, we’ll be getting married.” Reno grinned, dropped four pounds of bacon into the cart and turned to his father. “I’ll meet you in the bar across the street. We have something to discuss.”
“Yes, we do, such as you and your brothers returning to Zolon with me.”
“I’ll be right there.” Reno called after his father as the other man strode toward the door.
Birgit watched, her throat tight. This was it. He was leaving. Reno had a way home and he would take it. She couldn’t blame him. He had the entire universe and she had one sad little car that didn’t know its place.
Unshed tears burned her eyes and her throat ached as she thought about what her life would be like without Reno in it. The words empty, bleak, came to mind.
Turning, she left the cart and started walking to the back of the store. They had to have a restroom somewhere. She intended to find it, hide in it and have a good cry.
“Wait a minute, Birgit.” Reno grasped her arm and pulled her around. “Where are you going?” He glanced back. “What about that cart of food? We can’t just leave it sitting in the middle of the floor. We need to finish shopping.”
“Why?” She pressed her lips tight, gathering her courage to say the words that would break her heart. “Will you need that? Does your father need to resupply his ship?”
“No.” He stood up straight. “I need to supply my kitchen. You said that yourself.”
“That was before your father was here, ready to take you back home.” Birgit knew she could never go with him. Even if he asked, she wouldn’t go. How could she, knowing that it would be no life for their children if they ever had any? Her future was here on Earth where she could give her children their best shot at life, not in space where any number of things could happen and definitely not on Zolon where any girls they might have would die before the age of twenty-five.
Yet Birgit knew she couldn’t fight his father. Most sons ultimately did what their fathers bade, didn’t they? She couldn’t fight the insubstantial ghost of his love of space flight, either. She could only love him. Somehow, she was certain it would never be enough.
“I’m not going with him.” He gripped her shoulders tight and gently shook her. “Listen to me, damn it. I’ve made my choice and I choose you. You’re my mate. I love you and I always will.” He drew her into his arms, his hand holding her head pressed against his shoulder.
“Are you… are you sure?” Tilting her head back, she stared up into his eyes. “You really want to stay here with me?”
“Yes.” He gave her a curt nod and then a slow smile. “Now, let’s get your rabbit food and get our asses across the street to tell my father he’s making his return trip home without me.” He pulled her toward their abandoned cart. “And if I’m not mistaken, my brothers will tell him the same thing.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nothing would ever make him forget the pensive expression on his mate’s face when she’d come to the mistaken conclusion that he intended to leave with his father.
He couldn’t leave her no matter how much his father might want him to do so. They were bound together just as tightly as any mated couple on Zolon and his father would have to come to terms with that, if he wanted grandchildren.
Leaving Earth was not an option for Birgit. He knew that. It was one of many reasons he’d decided to stay. He could have used the Argarian ship to return home. She already knew that. However, she probably thought his father’s influence would change his mind.
“Ready?” After loading the groceries into the cooler he kept in the back, he closed the hatch of the SUV and turned to Birgit with a smile.
“Yes,” she said with a brusque nod. “I’m ready. Although I don’t think your father is going to like your decision.”
“I don’t give a damn if he likes it, or not. He sent us into space to make our way. I’ve found my way.” He turned and met her gaze. “And it’s here, with you.”
Taking her arm, he pulled her close, walked across the street and into the bar.
“I’m glad you’re here,” His father said as they walked in. He waved toward the bartender. “Pay the man for my drink, will you?” He raised a brow. “I assume you have their currency, by now.”
Reno pulled his wallet from his pocket and slapped a few bills on the counter.
“That should be enough to keep you in drinks and food for a couple of days, providing you don’t start buying rounds for everyone.”
“Why are you here?” He held a stool and waited for Birgit to seat herself before he sat on the stool next to his dad.
“I told you. We planned to collect parts from the ship we trailed here, but I see you’ve already done that.” He smiled. “Good move. I see that you listened to the lessons of your old man, after all.”
Years ago, Reno would have relished any perceived praise from his hero. However, the last few years had taught him he could live without the guidance of his father. He only needed one person other than himself and she sat next to him, quiet.
The heat from her body warmed him in more ways than one. Occasionally, her body brushed his, her love for him evident in every little thing she did—even her little touches and silent support.
“We dismantled her for parts, and to keep the authorities on this world from finding her. She was shot, anyway. We failed our quest. You must be very disappointed.” He tried to keep the sarcasm from his voice.
“None of th
at matters, son.” His dad took a long drink from his beer and then smiled. “I’m here now and I’m willing to take you all home. You’re still young. There’s time enough to work through the disgrace you’ve brought down on your names.”
“You want us to return home beneath a mantle of shame?” Reno splayed his fingers on the counter. He frowned, staring down at his mottled reflection on the dark, glossy surface before darting a quick glance at his mate.
She met his gaze with a frown, as though trying to work out how a crashed ship could dishonor them all.
“No, thank you, sir.” Standing, he helped Birgit from her seat and wrapped his arm around her. “I’ve found my mate. I plan to stay here with her. It’s in the best interest of any children we might have.”
He glanced down at her, noting her relief. It was the right descision. He knew it. How could he ask her to abandon her planet for his, knowing that any daughters she might have could die because of the bacteria on Zolon?
“Mate?” His father studied them both for a moment. Then a huge grin split his face. “Congratulations, my boy.” Standing, he slapped Reno on the back and pulled Birgit into his arms for a hug.
“Welcome to the family, daughter. Though be warned.” He gave her a mock scowl. “If Reno doesn’t drive you mad, his brothers surely will—providing they choose to stay here, as well.” Lifting his glass, he drained it and slammed it down onto the counter so hard it was a wonder it didn’t break. “Let’s go see your brother’s shall we?”
***
Birgit studied her reflection, turning back and forth before she spun in a circle, the skirt of the dress billowing out around her. She clasped her hands in front of her chest and let out a little squeal.
It was gorgeous. Who knew her future father-in-law still carried the dress his own mate had worn on their sealing day? Giving herself one last smile, she picked up the bouquet one of Reno’s friends provided and headed for the door.
“This is it.” She smoothed her hair back before opening the door.
“You look beautiful.” Reno’s father held out his arm. “I hope you don’t mind my presumption, but I would be honored if you would allow me to walk you out, since your father cannot be here.”
“Thank you… sir.” Birgit’s cheeks warmed as she stared up at an older version of Reno. It was so nice of him to ask.
She’d never really known her father, and her mother had passed not long after she married Ed. She had no one, but Angie and the fat, stray cat, bubba, that everyone in her entire apartment complex fed, from time to time. Birgit couldn’t have been happier that she wouldn’t have to walk down the aisle by herself. It wouldn’t have felt right.
“You can call me dad.” He grinned and patted her arm. “Or you can call me Geno.”
“Geno?” She rolled her eyes. “Really? All of your sons have names that sound like yours? Why did you do that? You know it can be very confusing sometimes.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “That’s what I told my wife, but she insisted they all have names that would remind them where they came from.”
“Oh.” She cast her gaze to the floor, mortified that she’d brought it up after he’d been so kind to offer to walk her down the aisle. Gathering her courage, she looked back up, meeting his gaze. “I would be thrilled to have you stand in my father’s place.”
She curled her fingers around his forearm, the black suit he wore contrasting with her light skin. He walked her through the side door, around to the front of the building and back through the front door.
Eight people turned to stare at her when they stepped through the door. The man, Frost from the restaurant and his wife, Lacey, a woman someone introduced to her as Topper, Reno and his three brothers, and Angie, who couldn’t seem to stop staring at Ceno. The trip up the aisle didn’t take long, especially when Reno’s eyes held hers as she moved toward him.
The expression on Reno’s face washed away any doubts she might have had. He held out his arm and she took it. Geno kissed her cheek and then backed away to sit next to his other sons.
Her fingers tightened on Reno’s arm as she stared up at the amazing man she would marry and smiled. Reno was the man she would love for the rest of her life. She had finally found her alien lover and she couldn’t have hoped for anyone better.
About the Author
Dear Reader:
If you’re reading this, I hope it means that you’ve just enjoyed reading one of my books. Always a romantic, I started weaving little fantasies for my friends at the tender age of fifteen.
I haven’t always been a storyteller. I spent several years after high school trying out a few colleges, including the University of Rhode Island and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I have managed restaurants, owned my own businesses and even worked retail. All that time, I voraciously read all kinds of romance novels.
After complaining to my husband that my favorite authors didn’t write fast enough, he asked a fateful question. “Why don’t you write one of your own while you’re waiting?”
Once I started, he couldn’t stop me. I write in the morning, before work, and during my breaks at the day job, and I write at night when I should be relaxing. I’ve even been known to write in my sleep. Sometimes it even makes sense!
I grew up in Southwest Florida where I met and married the love of my life. My husband was in the Navy for twenty years, so if you wonder where I have gotten some of my ideas, I blame him. I suggest you do the same. He’s always saying he has wide shoulders. Let’s load them up, shall we?
Currently, I live in Michigan, seven miles from the nearest grocery store. I love living in the country. It gives me the peace and quiet I need to continue to write these stories for you. It also shows me a lot of natural beauty that I try to share with you in my books. While my titles may be dedicated to certain individuals who have touched my life in differing ways, please remember, every one of them is written for you.
My most recent dream is to continue what I do—to share more stories with anyone willing to read them. My new dream is to be able to pursue both my writing and my husband full-time. Do you think he’ll run?
Where to find Tianna:
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002D68GQE
www.tiannaxander.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TiannaXander/
http://twitter.com/#!/TiannaXander
http://www.myspace.com/tianna_xander
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=635929605
Magic, New Mexico: Bewitching Birgit (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 12