MaleAndroidCompanion

by Mackenzie McKade

  Marc had to admit it was amazing.

  When the aircraft began a quick vertical ascent, she reached over and grabbed his hand. He winked at her and she smiled weakly. Veering sharply in a horizontal pattern, the craft moved fast and low over several estates before it rose into the sky. The tactical move was used to confuse those on the ground about which home it actually came from.

  “Did you call your mother?” he asked.

  “Yes. Dad will be waiting for us at the airport.” When Gina mentioned her father, her features softened.

  “We won’t be going to the airport. The helio-sphere will take us to your parents’ house.”

  “Oh. Okay. Then I should call Dad.”

  “Here. Let me get you an open line.” Marc pressed a button on his armrest but nothing appeared to happen.

  She cocked an eyebrow in question.

  “Elaine and Paul Easton, Oregon.” When he spoke their names a ringing sound came as if out of nowhere. Surround sound made even him unable to determine where the peal came from. When the videophone was answered on the other end, a holographic picture appeared of a man with gray streaked through his chestnut-colored hair. He sat behind a desk as if he had been working on the computer when the call came in.

  Gina eased up in her seat. “Hey, Dad.”

  The fifty-something man smiled, lines forming around his mouth. “Hi, sweetheart.”

  “We won’t need a ride from the airport. Marc has arranged for the helio-sphere to take us directly to the house.”

  “Good.” His smile dissolved. “Have you watched the news today?”

  Gina’s shoulders sagged. “No, but I’ve heard.”

  “Well then, you be careful.”

  “I will, Dad. Bye.”

  The hologram vanished.

  Marc hadn’t had time to research her family, so he’d be going in cold on this meeting. The thought twisted the knot in his stomach.

  What if they didn’t like him?

  What the hell was wrong with him?

  He was thirty-two and had met several women’s families, but for some reason this felt different. “Tell me about your family. What does your father do?”

  “He’s in the forestry, a fireman. So are my brothers. Becka and Vic are both ocean biologists.”

  “Your mom?”

  “Is the best cook in all of Oregon,” she said with a broad grin. “And she’s the new president of Struma’s National Bank.”

  The kink in his stomached balled up. “By any chance is your mother related to the retired president of that bank?”

  “He’s my grandfather. You sound as if you’ve heard of Struma’s National Bank and my grandfather.”

  Oh yeah. Marc nodded, feeling the space around him start to close in.

  He knew Chad Struma, an astute elderly man with lots and lots of power and money. Their paths had crossed at several charity dinners and even once on the golf course. His institution provided personal banking, credit card services, insurance and retail financial products across the United States for many companies and people, including Marc’s.

  He was about to admit that the gig was up when Gina moved closer. “Grandpa is under the weather. Mom said he wouldn’t be attending their party. I thought perhaps we could visit him on Sunday before we head back to California.”

  Marc mentally wiped his brow, knowing he had dodged a bullet. “Sure. If that’s what you want.” It wouldn’t be too difficult to think up a reason not to escort her to her grandfather’s home.

  * * * * *

  Gia didn’t even try to suppress her anxiety as the helio-sphere made a vertical landing in a wooded area of her parents’ ninety-acre ranch. Oregon was home, which meant a whirlwind of relatives and questions. Marc’s presence would quell some of those questions and stir up others. She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. Marc must have sensed her case of nerves, because he wrapped his hand around hers and smiled softly.

  A multitude of thoughts invaded her head. How would her family receive Marc? Could they pull off a relationship that didn’t exist?

  Gia startled when her ears popped. After seesawing her jaw, her hearing cleared again so that everything sounded louder than before, or maybe she was just a little more sensitive than usual. She moved restlessly against Marc.

  “Gina, everything will be okay,” he reassured her.

  Looking into his warm, caring eyes she could almost believe him. Almost.

  As one of the security guards from the back entered, the medium-size, dark-haired man didn’t look happy. His broad shoulders were rigid as he stopped before them. There was something dangerous in his dark eyes.

  “Miss Easton. Mr. Charleston. Apparently someone has tipped off the press. They are already surrounding the exterior fence.”

  Exasperated, Gia’s head fell back against the leather seat. “I can’t believe this. Doug.” She shook her head. “It had to be Doug.” Of course, Mary could be blamed as well. Then again did it matter which one? What was done was done.

  Marc unfastened his seat belt and rose. “So what’s the plan, Norton?”

  “Ground security has been increased. A Range Rover is en route to take you to the house. Miss Easton’s father is aware of the situation.” Norton turned to Gia. “I’m sorry, Miss Easton.”

  Unfastening her seat belt and rising, Gia mustered a halfhearted smile. “It’s okay.” Turning to Marc, she fought back tears. “If they see you the press will discover your identity. Maybe not today, but they will. Maybe I should go this trip alone.” It was the last thing she wanted, but probably the smartest decision she’d made in a long time.

  Marc dismissed Norton with a nod and then reached for Gia, pulling her into his embrace. “Are you trying to ditch me?”

  Gia met his feigned grin with a frown. “No, but what if they find out the truth?” It would ruin her. Bittersweet emotions beat behind her eyelids.

  “They won’t.” He kissed her tenderly. “I promise. Now let’s get out of here.”

  Why, against her better judgment, she allowed him to escort her off the helio-sphere, she’d never know. All she did know was that she wanted to believe him, especially since she wasn’t ready to give him up—not yet.

  Marc clasped her elbow and assisted her down the gangplank where a large, closed-in Range Rover awaited. They climbed inside and waited until the luggage was loaded and the other security guards slipped in behind them.

  As the vehicle drove over the rough terrain, a memory rose. Gia and her siblings had roamed every inch of this land. While Portland had evolved like all the other large cities, Forest Grove, twenty-five miles outside of town, had attempted to hold on to its roots, keeping everything more low-key. Even her parents had allowed their land, this part of their world, to stay pure and untouched. Within this small haven there were no skyscrapers, no ground-and-sky transit systems or artificial landscape. Only the smell of pine and the natural scent of the earth, springs and wildlife, which greeted her as she watched a deer jump across the creek just before the Range Rover disturbed the water and splashed through it.

  When the vehicle broke through the wooded area, it slowed, moving down the long driveway that twisted around a thick grove of trees and then coming to a wide opening where the two-story colonial home Gia had grown up in stood. She swallowed hard, praying that this weekend would be a success for her parents.

  Activity buzzed all around the house. Several small children were playing croquet on the emerald-green lawn. Evidently, her father had activated the GPS system within the game because when a small boy struck his mallet against the ball, it moved swiftly and accurately through the hoops. Across the grounds, two other children swatted badminton racquets at the shuttlecock flying over the net. It was clear by the way the wind carried the shuttlecock that the GPS system was inactivated. The old-fashioned games had continued to be favorites of her family’s throughout the years.

  Four large white canopy structures had been erected as they had been to celebrate Becka and Victor�
�s wedding two years ago. If the arrangement was the same and Gia’s memory served her right, two of the pavilions had tables and chairs beneath them. One had a makeshift dance floor that opened up to a fountain on the property when it wasn’t in use. Even with the windows up she could smell the delicious aroma of a barbecue in progress. But what made her choke up was her parents standing on the steps of the house watching them as they approached. In fact, just about everyone stopped what they were doing and stared as they approached.

  Marc rubbed his palms up and down her bare arms. “Breathe, sweetheart.”

  Easier said than done.

  Still, she managed to fill her lungs before the car came to a halt and the doors sprang open. The guards exited first, then Marc. He held out his hand and she accepted his assistance.

  “Aunt Gina.” A tight, high voice yelled her name.

  Gia turned to see Sylvia and Shelley running toward her. The seven- and five-year-olds were as different as night and day. Sylvia had dark brunette hair like her mother’s while Shelley’s was blonde. Both children cleared the yard in record time, throwing themselves into her open arms.

  “Did you see me?” Shelley chirped. “I hit the birdie.”

  Gia opened her eyes wide. “I did see you. That was fantastic.”

  Sylvia shook her head, frowning. “She missed, Aunt G.”

  “Shhh…”

  “Oh honey, I’m so glad you’re home.” Her mother’s voice turned Gia away from her nieces.

  “Mom.” A smile touched Gia’s lips. As she folded her arms around her mother, she smelled oatmeal cookies. “I’ve missed you,” Gia whispered, fighting back tears.

  “So you must be my little girl’s new beau. Marc, I believe.”

  Gia released her mother in time to see Marc and her father shaking hands.

  “Marc Charleston,” Marc clarified.

  “Paul Easton, and this is my lovely wife, Elaine Struma-Easton.”

  Gia’s mother took Marc’s proffered hand. “Mr. Charleston.”

  “Please, call me Marc.”

  The loving expression on her father’s face pulled at Gia’s heartstrings. “Come here, baby girl.”

  Her feet felt as if they had wings as she flew into his open arms. Six feet of towering strength, even at fifty-nine her father was in shape. Yet she noted that more gray streaked his chestnut hair. He held her so tightly for a moment she couldn’t breathe. When he released her something close to concern raced across his eyes. A shadow that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.

  Gia had no doubt where her acting abilities came from as he smiled at her.

  “Child, it is about time.” At the sound of her Aunt Clare’s scratchy voice, Gia cringed. “Do you have any idea the worry your parents have been through?”

  So it begins.

  The happiness Gia felt only seconds ago deflated like a popped balloon. She hadn’t been there two minutes before the berating of her dear old aunt started. Some things never changed.

  “Well, she’s here now and that’s all that matters.” Gia was thankful for her mother’s attempt to quiet Clare, but her father’s sister always seemed to want the last word.

  Five foot two, the old battle-ax pinned Marc with an eagle-eyed glare. “I don’t see a ring on her hand.” Her gnarled fingers rose, palms on her narrow hips.

  Marc reached for Gia, pulling her into the shelter of his arms. “Believe me, it’s not because I haven’t asked.”

  Yikes!

  Gia forced herself not to react. Inwardly she was screaming, shit, shit, shit. Her plan had been for Marc to act enamored with her, not in love.

  She didn’t miss the glance her mother and father shared or the smirk on her aunt’s wrinkled face. “Regina, you should marry this nice young man and return home and have babies. Stop this tomfoolery.”

  “Clare,” Gia’s father grumbled.

  Gia almost burst out laughing, or was she on the verge of crying? If only her nosy aunt knew. She had just suggested that her niece marry an android, and for children? Well, if she married Marc there wouldn’t be little ones running about.

  A tug on Gia’s shirt pulled her gaze down to the small blonde at her feet, looking up. “Are you getting married, Aunt Gina?”

  “Not anytime soon, Shelley.”

  The child’s innocent gaze traveled from Gia to Marc. “Is he your boyfriend?”

  Sylvia elbowed Shelley.

  Shelley frowned at her cousin. “What?”

  “Shhh…” Sylvia frowned. “Momma said we weren’t supposed to ask that.”

  From the mouths of babes.

  Marc winked at both girls. “Yes, I am.” The two little munchkins broke out in giggles.

  “Girls, go play,” Gia’s mother said before turning her attention back to Gia and Marc. “Maybe the two of you would like to freshen up before you face the crowd?”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Gia didn’t forget to hug her aunt. Eww… The woman smelled of mothballs, or was it formaldehyde?

  While Gia and Marc followed her mother into the house, Gia’s father began to speak with the four guards who had melted into the scenery as Marc had promised.

  “Marc, pay no never mind to Clare. She’s old and crotchety.” Gia’s mother continued, “Honey, I’ll have your dad speak to her.”

  Oh if only that would squelch her aunt’s nastiness.

  Watching the interplay between Gina and her mother as they quickly caught up on family matters was bittersweet. It had been a while since he’d thought of his own mother and father. His chest squeezed with a sorrow he’d thought long past.

  A scream down the hall caught his attention as well as Gina’s and Elaine’s. When a carrottop woman ran into the room, she pressed the back of her hand to her forehead and feigned a faint. “I can’t believe it. The famous Gia Easton—here—in my house.”

  Unbridled laughter burst from Gina’s lips. “Marc, this is my baby sister, Becka.”

  The woman’s hand fell to her side. “Ohhh… Nice,” she hummed, scanning Marc from head to toe.

  “Becka!” Elaine yelped. A look of utter shock stole her pleasant expression.

  Becka extended her hand. “Hi.” She pushed a pair of glasses up her nose.

  “Hi,” he returned, taking a moment to scrutinize the woman as she ran to Gina and hugged her furiously.

  Young and smart. High-energy. Pretty, but not as striking as Gina.

  Gina had more of her mother’s features. Even beneath the creases time had placed in the older woman’s face, at a slender five-nine, Elaine Easton would have been a classical beauty in her younger years. He smiled into the timeless glimpse of what Gina might look like at the same age. But there was something more. Marc could see intelligence masked behind a set of gentle cornflower-blue eyes.

  “You okay?” Becka asked Gina. “Mom spilled the beans about Doug and Mary. Oh wait…” She paused. “I heard it on the ten-o’clock news.”

  Gina rolled her eyes and shrugged. “I’ve told you guys before you can’t believe everything you hear or read.”

  Although Gina brushed off the incident, Marc knew how much control she had to exert to manage her casual attitude. He moved up behind her, circling her waist with his arms to lend moral support.

  She flashed him a weak smile.

  Becka and Elaine both stared at them.

  “Let’s leave these two alone.” Elaine linked her arm in Becka’s. “No need to hurry. The barbecue will be going for hours.” She leaned in and kissed Gina’s cheek. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “Me too, Mom.”

  When the door closed, Gina turned in Marc’s embrace. “Why did you have to insinuate that you’ve asked me to marry you?”

  “It just came to mind.” Where it came from he had no idea, and that was a little scary.

  “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now. Uhmmm… Thank you,” she said against his lips.

  Marc rubbed his nose along hers. “For what?” He kissed her softly.

  �
�Everything.” Before she could say anything else, he stole a kiss.

  She snaked her arms around his neck, parting her mouth to allow him entrance. He slid his tongue along hers. She tasted of family and a future just out of his grasp. Several hard thumps on the door pulled them apart.

  “Is everyone decent?” a man called out.

  A grin crept across Gina’s face. “Parker?”

  The door sprang wide and a brown-haired man in his late twenties entered.

  Gina ran to him and he plucked her off her feet, twirling her around the room. “Gina, you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

  Behind the athletically built man a blonde-haired woman waltzed in. Faith was her name if Marc remembered correctly—Parker’s wife. Where he was tall and muscular, his wife was small and delicate, a wisp of a woman that a strong breeze would blow away. She came to stand beside Marc.

  “Hi, I’m Faith.”

  “Marc Charleston.” He chuckled as Parker set Gina down and then pulled her hair and she shrieked playfully. “They’re close?”

  “On good days. Remember, they’re siblings.” Faith moved toward Gina. They hugged and immediately started chatting.

  “So you’re Marc Charleston?” Parker’s large hand jutted out to meet Marc’s. The man’s forehead furrowed. “Have we met?”

  Marc froze midway through the handshake. “I don’t believe so.”

  Parker grip tightened as he took Marc’s measure. “Hmmm…” He eased his grasp and then he grinned, watching his sister and wife with something close to pride in his eyes.

  “Hey, I heard we had a celebrity amongst us,” the low baritone voice met them before another man entered. This one looked a lot like Parker, but where Parker appeared warm and welcoming, he did not, his gaze carefully sweeping the room, taking in everything all at once.

  Gina met her brother at the door and he swallowed her up in a big bear hug. “Scottie.” She tweaked his side and he jumped, releasing her. “Getting a little thick around the middle aren’t you? What is Carrie feeding you?” She hugged him again.