by Karen Kelley
Now who needed the cold shower?
“Find anything?” she asked.
He jumped, bumping his head on the shelf above the one he was looking at. When he turned, she saw the smear of chocolate at the corner of his mouth.
“Ah, I see you found my stash of chocolate bars.”
He held up a half empty bag. It had been full! So maybe their relationship wouldn’t work. He’d eaten most of her chocolate, and you just didn’t mess with a lady’s chocolate. She cocked an eyebrow and planted her hands on her hips.
He held up the bag. “I’ll share.”
Okay, maybe it would work out. She sauntered over and grabbed the bag from him. “Of course, you will. It’s my chocolate.”
He leaned forward until their lips touched. The kiss was light. He tasted of chocolate. Chocolate and Kristor—a heady combination.
“I have ice cream in the freezer,” she said as she put a little distance between them.
“I don’t know this food.”
“Oh, it’s a major food group. Milk. Eggs.” When he still looked confused, she continued. “Trust me.” She tossed the chocolate on the table and grabbed the gallon of strawberry-shortcake ice cream out of the freezer. Rather than getting bowls, she just got two spoons. It would save on dishes.
“And orange drink?” he asked.
It was a good thing she’d bought more. The guy had a serious addiction. Hmm, apparently they didn’t have any of this on New Symtaria. Maybe she could get him hooked on junk food and he’d stay. It was an idea.
“Did you see the moon pies?” she casually asked. A good addictive food. She was so evil.
He stopped in the process of removing the lid from the ice cream and stared at her. “You have pies from the moon?”
“No, they’re just called that.” Her forehead puckered. “Do you?”
“Of course not. It’s a barren wasteland filled with craters. No one lives there.”
“We sent men to the moon.” She went to the pantry and grabbed the moon pies.
“Were they being punished?”
“No, they were explorers.”
“Then you should have sent them someplace better.” He dipped one of the spoons into the ice cream and brought it to his mouth. He closed his eyes and moaned, a look of pure rapture on his face. “This is good.”
“Better than what you have on your planet?”
“No, but it will do for now.”
So much for getting him hooked on junk food. Apparently, they had their own on New Symtaria.
She set the moon pies on the table and poured them each a glass of orange soda. It wasn’t the sophisticated meal she had imagined, but this would probably be a lot more fun.
She joined him at the table and, after setting the drinks down, grabbed a spoon. The ice cream was good.
He took a drink, then reached for a chocolate bar. She had a sudden light-bulb moment of inspiration. “Do you know what else you can do with chocolate?”
He paused in tearing off the wrapper. “What?”
“Don’t eat it yet.” She stood and went back to the pantry. She glanced over her shoulder when she heard just the slightest sound of ripping paper. “Don’t eat it,” she warned, then grabbed a bag of marshmallows and a box of graham crackers.
“You have a lot of good food,” he said, eyeing the new treats.
“Too much. This is why I have to run every day.” She ripped open the bag of marshmallows and brought out two. Then one cracker each, and broke them both in half. “Okay, give me the Hershey bar.”
He looked at the bar, then back at her.
“Trust me, you’ll love this.”
He reluctantly handed her the bar of chocolate. She broke it in half and placed one half on the cracker, topped it with a big white marshmallow, and smashed a cracker on top of it. Then she repeated everything.
He reached for one.
“Not yet. We have to put them in the microwave first.”
He flinched.
“What?” she asked.
“Rogar said microwaves are dangerous.”
“Well, they’re not.”
“He said they make pretty lights on the inside, then begin to smoke and burn.”
And she wondered what exactly he’d put in the microwave. “But then, I know what I’m doing.”
He didn’t look assured.
“What? Do you think women aren’t capable of doing anything?” She hoped he didn’t come from a planet of cavemen. If he did, she was more than ready to set him straight!
“Women are equals. They have been rulers, and contribute as much as men.” He grimaced. “Their powers are much greater than men’s, which can cause discord at times.”
“Greater powers, huh?”
He nodded, not looking very happy.
She put the s’mores on a saucer and carried them to the microwave. He followed. “Why does it bother you so much that women can be superior? I mean, why can’t women have greater powers?”
“Because they are more emotional than men. They sometimes act before they think.”
She had a feeling he’d caught the brunt of more than one woman’s anger. She didn’t care too much for the thought of his being with other women.
“Any woman in particular on New Symtaria?”
“A witch.”
“Witch?”
“It does not matter.”
And she had a feeling it didn’t. At least, not to him. She was glad he didn’t have someone waiting for his return. Not that she could do anything about it if he did. Now she really needed chocolate.
She turned the microwave on and watched through the glass as the conglomeration began to melt. After a few seconds, she took them out, and carried them back to the table. Rather than follow, he opened the door of the microwave, waved his hand inside, then shut the door.
“I think you’re right. It does not look dangerous.”
“Try this. Be careful, though. They’re probably still hot.”
He tentatively took a bite, then closed his eyes in rapt delight. He didn’t say anything until he finished eating all of it. “More.”
She waved her arm over the table. “They’re almost as much fun to make. Go ahead.”
“I don’t cook.”
She arched an eyebrow. “If you want another one you will.”
“You’re stubborn.”
“I know.”
He reached for a cracker, then unwrapped another chocolate bar and placed half on top. Next came the marshmallow, but when he put the cracker on top and smashed it down, the cracker broke into small pieces.
“It didn’t work,” he said.
“It’ll still taste just as good.”
He carried it over to the microwave and did exactly as she had done, then carried it back to the table and sat down. He seemed quite proud of himself.
“You conquered the microwave,” she said.
“Of course, I’m a warrior.” He grinned. He took a bite and chewed. “How did you learn to make these?”
“My mom. We used to go camping a lot. Dad loves to fish. At least twice a year we would go to the mountains and pitch a tent. At night, Daddy would build a fire and we’d roast hot dogs, and then after supper, marshmallows.”
“You love your family very much.”
“Don’t you love yours?”
“Yes. There are many, but we are very close. We have celebrations throughout the year.”
“What do you celebrate?”
He shrugged. “Our ancestors, the gods. We give thanks that we found a new home. Sometimes you don’t realize how precious something is until you’ve lost it.”
Was he talking about the two of them? Warning her that when he left, she’d never see him again?
“You have chocolate right here.” He stood, came around to her chair, and slipped his hands beneath her arms, raising her to her feet. Then lowered his mouth.
He kissed her as if it was the last time he would ever kiss her. Tears filled her eyes,
and slipped down her cheeks. He held her close, not letting her go when they broke apart.
“Shh, don’t cry,” he whispered.
“But what are we going to do? I can’t see myself flying through the air. Do you know how long it took me to get up the courage to swing? I was twelve! I’m pathetic, but I can’t help it.”
She looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Why can’t you stay? You like the town and the people all seem to like you. We could make a life here—together.”
“And what would I do?”
“I don’t know. Get into security or something. We could work something out. Or we could run my grooming shop together. You’re really good with animals, especially Sukie.”
“I can’t. I have responsibilities.”
Sadness filled her. “So do I.”
“It would seem there is no solution to our problem.”
“It would seem like it.”
Her cell rang. She moved away from him and went to answer it.
“Hello.”
“Ria, this is Jeanie.”
She immediately went on alert. “What is it?”
“Katie isn’t feeling well. I think she’s getting the crud that’s going around. She told me not to bother you, but she looks like death warmed over.”
“I’ll be right in.” She closed her phone. When she turned, Kristor was right behind her. “I need to go to the shop. Katie isn’t feeling well.”
“Of course.”
“I shouldn’t be too long. I could grab a pizza on the way home.”
“I like pizza.”
“I know.” She smiled. He pretty much liked everything edible. And he consumed a lot. “Don’t eat too many sweets or you’ll ruin your supper.”
“You think so?”
“Probably not.”
“I’ll wait for you here.”
She let her gaze roam over him. “Wearing just a towel?” Talk about a fantasy come true!
“Is that how you want me to wait for you?” His gaze moved over her in a slow, seductive move that left her breathless.
“Oh, yeah, just like that.”
“Then this is how you will find me when you return.”
She was still smiling as she went to the bedroom to dress. Maybe she would close up early. Tempting thought.
She pulled up to the shop fifteen minutes later. One thing about being in her line of work, she didn’t have to wear makeup unless she wanted to.
She went inside, reprimanded Katie for not calling and letting her know she was ill, then sent her home with orders not to come back to work until she felt better.
And as she took over the grooming, she watched the clock and counted the minutes until she could leave, until she could lie in Kristor’s arms.
Ria had just sent the last dog off with its owner, and was breathing a sigh of relief that she could turn the open sign around to closed, when the phone rang.
“Closed,” Ria mouthed. They could bring their animal in tomorrow.
But Jeanie didn’t tell them the shop was closed. Instead, she nibbled her bottom lip and cast a worried glance in Ria’s direction. “I think you’d better take this,” Jeanie said, handing the phone to Ria as she stepped closer.
Fear snaked its way through her, curling inside her stomach. “Hello.”
“Ria, it’s Mom.”
“Is Dad okay?”
“He’s fine, sweetie. It’s Kristor.”
Her heart crashed to her feet. “What?” she whispered, grabbing the edge of the desk for support.
“There were some people here from immigration looking for him. They say he might be in the United States illegally. Ria, I’m scared.”
“Oh, God, Mom,” Ria said. “I thought you were going to say Kristor was…dead or something.” Her heart rate slowed to less than a hundred-and-twenty beats per minute.
“I’m sorry,” her mother apologized. “But this is serious. He’s an illegal alien, but what if they find out just how alien he is?”
She could feel the color drain from her face. “Ohmygod, Mom. That can’t happen. It could open a can of worms that we might not be able to close.”
Silence.
“Mom?”
“What if they find out you’re part alien?”
Her pulse sped up again. “If they did that they might—” What? Dissect her? Lock her away in some kind of institution? An eight-by-eight cell with a two-way mirror so they could observe her? She barely swallowed past the lump in her throat.
And what about her parents? They would definitely be at risk for harboring an alien all these years. Ria had to do something, and she had to do it fast.
“Mom, I’ll call you back. I need to get home.” Kristor would know what to do. She handed the phone back to Jeanie, hands shaking.
“What’s wrong?” Jeanie asked, biting her bottom lip.
“I can’t talk about it right now.” She grabbed her purse, then pulled the curtains closed and locked the door. “Can you lock up the back?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“After you do, go out that way, too. And hurry. If anyone talks to you, tell them I’m out of town for a few days.”
“If you need anything, call me,” Jeanie said.
Ria stopped before stepping into the back. “Thanks, Jeanie.” And she was so glad Jeanie didn’t press for more answers.
She glanced both ways before stepping outside. All clear. She hurried to her car and unlocked it. After tossing her purse inside, she slid under the steering wheel and started her car.
Someone tapped on her window.
She jumped and screamed at the same time, her hand flying to her chest.
Chapter 25
Kristor looked up when someone knocked. Ria hadn’t said she was expecting anyone. He glanced down at the towel still knotted at his waist. A promise was a promise and he tried never to break a promise. He sauntered to the door and opened it. Three men stood on the porch, all wearing the same kind of black suit, white shirt, and black tie. An uneasy feeling washed over him.
“Are you Kristor Valkyir?” the oldest of the men asked.
There was something about him that immediately put Kristor on his guard. He looked at the other two men, then quickly dismissed them as followers, rather than leaders.
“Yes, that is who I am.”
“I’m Agent Adam Richards. May we come in for a moment?” Without waiting, he pushed his way inside. “We have reason to believe you might be in the United States illegally.”
“Why would you think that?”
Agent Richards smiled, but he looked more pleased than anything. “An anonymous phone call alerted us to the possibility. Of course, if you can produce papers, then we’ll be on our way.”
Kristor glanced over the man’s shoulder and saw the black van. If they were only here to check for papers, why have three agents and a van, when one agent and a car would have been enough?
Kristor smiled. “Of course. My papers are in the bedroom. I will get them.” His database was on Ria’s nightstand. He could produce a set of papers in only a moment or two.
He turned and walked toward the bedroom. In the mirror above the sofa, he saw Agent Richards motion to the other two men. Kristor grabbed a chair and flung it toward them, but they must have been expecting something because they dodged it and tackled him.
“Cuff him,” Agent Richards said.
With the biggest of the agents sitting on top of Kristor, he could barely breathe let alone try to move. As soon as he was cuffed, they dragged him to his feet. The towel slipped to the floor in the process.
Agent Richards wore a look of disgust. “Get him some pants on.”
The two agents led him toward the bedroom.
“Wait!” Richards said and walked closer. “That’s an unusual birthmark on your ass.”
It was the mark all Symtarians wore: A small rose. But it was not just any rose. No man could ever duplicate the mark.
“Not so unusual,” Kristor said.
“
Oh, you think not?” His words rang with superiority.
His gut clenched. There was something about the man. A knowing smirk. Kristor wondered how he knew he was an alien. And he did know. Kristor was almost positive.
“Get him dressed. I want him out of here pronto.”
While they helped him pull on a pair of jeans, Kristor wondered if he would ever see Ria again.
Chapter 26
Ria looked out her window. Donald. “No time,” she mouthed.
“Immigration,” he mouthed back.
Oh, God. Oh, God. Had they been all over town asking questions? Oh, no. How long would it take them to get to her house? Maybe she could hide Kristor at Carly’s. Yes, that was it. That’s what she would do.
Donald wasn’t leaving. She pushed the button on her window and the glass silently slid downward. “I’m in a bit of a hurry. Would you please move.” Or risk losing your toes or something else he might want to keep attached to his body.
“People have been asking about your friend,” he said with a snarky smirk plastered on his face.
“So I’ve been told. I really do have to leave.”
“Too late. I heard they were already on their way to your house. You might want to keep a safe distance. I’d hate for you to get into trouble with the law. Of course, we both knew this Kristor was bad news from the start.”
He looked a little too smug. “Donald, move the hell out of my way or lose a body part.” She slammed the car into reverse and stepped on the gas. Donald barely jumped out of the way before getting hit. Still, he tripped over the concrete parking slab and landed on his butt. She wished she had time to see the expression on his face. She was pretty sure he wasn’t quite so smug anymore.
It served him right. Ria had a feeling he had something to do with immigration agents being in town in the first place. It was the whoopee cushion incident all over again, except this time the stakes were a lot higher.
As she hurtled toward her house, she speed-dialed Carly. Ria breathed a sigh of relief when her friend answered on the first ring. She really needed Carly right now.
“We’ll take you to places you’ve only dreamed about at Wilson’s Travel Agency—”
