He was right, of course. She was still a little woozy from the surgery. She could wait a day, as long as it was here in his arms. But how much time did they really have? That was a question that could break her heart.
Sam cleared his throat. “I’ve had a proposition from Rescue. Daniel brought it to me.”
Rayna brought her head around to look at him. He seemed . . . hesitant. Were they firing her and afraid to tell her?
“This wasn’t my finest moment, was it.”
Now he looked confused. “What? No. I mean, yes. I mean, you killed two enemy operatives and saved 1500 LO’s. What more could you want?”
“You did most of that. Saving the LO’s, killing Kor.”
“You pulled the trigger, as I recall.”
She grinned. “Yeah. I guess we make a pretty good team.”
“Well, that’s sort of what Daniel talked to me about.” Sam shifted beside her, as if he was uncomfortable. “He wants to recruit me.”
She sat up, though it sent a sharp stab of pain through her side and made her head spin. “For Rescue? As an agent?”
He laughed. “No! Never as an agent. Rescue wants me and my ship.”
She stared at him, mouth hanging open. It was perfect. He would just keep doing what he’d always done, only now he’d do it for Rescue—and with their help. But her Sam, the pirate . . .
“Are you considering it?” Her heart crashed against her ribs.
“I’d have to take it to my crew.” He stared at the ceiling.
“They’d follow where you lead.” She didn’t want to push him, but, God, she wanted this.
“It doesn’t sound too bad. You. Me. The ’hawk doing a job for Rescue.”
She took a breath; let it out. “You think so?”
He finally looked at her. “Marry me, and let’s find out.”
No was there on her lips, despite all the reasons to say yes. She loved this man, but to open the bay doors and leap into black, unending space with him was something else. Did she have that faith? Did she have that courage? And to make this commitment, when she might have to leave him behind and take up her work in a labor camp or a mine far from his loving arms? Wouldn’t it just be easier to end this now?
But she thought of her parents, dedicated to each other though the Grays tried to break them. Loving each other millions of miles away from everything and everyone they knew. They had only each other. And love. Her love for Sam was that kind of love. Could she do any less?
She pulled him down with her onto the bunk, her arms circling his neck. “Yeah. Little Bit Snark. I kinda like the sound of that.”
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Right up front I’d like to acknowledge a debt to Gene Roddenberry, the creator of STAR TREK, and Ridley Scott and the team who turned author Philip K. Dick’s short story into the SF masterpiece BLADE RUNNER. Without them, Sam and Rayna might have met in a very different way, rather than in this space opera noir homage.
My beta reader and critique partner Laurie A. Green was even more crucial to this project than usual, given her talents in the more starship-driven side of SFR. I really needed her help with this one!
As always, intrepid editor Deborah Kreiser went wherever the story took her, come laser blast or ion storm. And, as always, the book came out the better for it. Thanks to Deborah for all her special skills.
My agent and friend Michelle Johnson continues to provide encouragement, advice, promotion and unending support. I can’t thank Michelle enough for all she does.
I have the amazingly talented Jessica Hildreth to thank for the bright, shiny new cover designs which grace not only Fools Rush In, but also Unchained Memory and Trouble in Mind, too, now.
And finally, you, my small, but mighty Rescue Squad of devoted readers. Thank YOU for seeking my stories out, whether they’re set in Nashville or Arizona or the deep black of space. No matter where the battle is fought to save Earth, I promise love will always be the ultimate weapon.
Fools Rush In (The Interstellar Rescue Series Book 3) Page 34
