“Oh, very well.” For a moment, the male’s smiling demeanor disappeared. “But if you come any closer, I’ll wring his little neck. Do you understand?”
Cestov forced himself to nod and Macduk smiled again, once more the friendly banker. He opened the sack and Cestov’s heart twisted at the sight of Charlie lying in a small heap at the bottom. A tear-stained face looked up as the fabric fell away and Charlie’s eyes met his.
“Daddy!” he cried and started to leap up, but Macduk caught his shoulder.
“Now, you just be still, boy. Your daddy and I have some business to discuss.”
Cestov could see the male’s meaty hand digging into his son’s fragile shoulder and he resolved to break every one of those fat fingers.
“It’s all right, Charlie,” he said as calmly as possible. “I’m here now.”
“Daddy,” Charlie whispered again, more tears rolling down his small cheeks.
“What do you want, Macduk?”
“I want off this godsdamned planet. I’m so fucking tired of all these nice, friendly people. You may have burnt this crop, but I sold the previous two and I have quite enough money to let me explore some more… interesting ways of life.”
“You had my brother killed, didn’t you?”
Macduk waved his hand. “He shouldn’t have poked his nose in where it didn’t belong. I was even going to let him keep this ranch as long as he kept the cattle out of the hills, but he wouldn’t listen to me and he was getting the townspeople all stirred up.”
Anger and sorrow fought for dominance at hearing his suspicions were confirmed.
“I’m going to kill you,” he promised.
The male looked unfazed by the threat. “No, you’re not. You’re going to get me off this planet.”
“What makes you think I’d ever help you?”
“Because I have the boy and I think you’ll do whatever I say rather than see him harmed. We are going to get on board this ship and you’re going to take me to the nearest system with a large interstellar port. Provided you’re an obedient pilot, I’ll let you and the boy go as soon as we arrive. I won’t even try and sell him to make up for what you’ve cost me. Although I could probably get a good price for him,” he added thoughtfully.
“You’re not going to sell my son.”
“I’d be willing to give you a share. I know you Cires are desperate to carry on your race, but let’s face it. He’s not really your son, is he?”
“Am too!” Charlie scowled and, in a sudden burst of toddler fury, kicked wildly at Macduk. It couldn’t possibly have hurt him, but it distracted the banker as he tried to yank Charlie away from his leg. He snatched him up, shaking him, and Charlie promptly vomited all over him. Macduk gave a horrified cry and dropped him, but Cestov was there. He caught Charlie and tucked him behind his back, his tail keeping the boy safe as his own hands went to Macduk’s neck.
“This is for my brother,” he growled, and in one quick move broke the man’s neck.
Part of him regretted the swiftness of the death— the male deserved to suffer—but the little boy at his back was more important. He dropped to his knees, pulling Charlie into his arms and shielding him from the sight of the body.
“D-Daddy,” Charlie sobbed into his neck—wet, dirty, and infinitely precious.
“It’s all right, son. Everything is over now.”
“You are my daddy! You are.”
“Yes, Charlie, I am. For always.”
A sound made him look up, his hand going to his gun, but it was only Devorat and his brothers approaching. Devorat shook his head as he stared down at the body.
“Never would have expected that.”
“He played his part very well,” Cestov agreed as his anger finally dissipated, leaving behind only sorrow. “I’m going to take the little one back to the house. I know my mate will be worrying herself sick.”
“Mama,” Charlie whispered. “The bad man hurt Mama.”
“She’s fine, Charlie,” he said with a reassuring hug. “She fell asleep for a little while and now she’s waiting for you.”
“Wanna see Mama.”
“We’re going right now.” He looked at Devorat. “Can you take care of him?”
“Yeah.” Devorat gestured to two of his brothers, then turned to accompany Cestov back towards the house. “Do you think the marshal was in on it?”
“I suspect he got paid to whitewash my brother’s death. Other than that, I do not know.”
“Time for a town meeting,” the foreman said, his tone grim. “I’ll spread the word.”
“My guess is they already know it’s needed.” He told an outraged Devorat about the incident with Radna.
Charlie was half asleep in his arms, worn out from terror, by the time he reached the house, but he revived when he saw Mariah. She came flying out of the house as soon as they approached.
“Mama,” he cried and threw himself into her arms with a fresh wave of tears. Mariah was crying just as hard and he enclosed the two of them in his arms. Thank Granthar, he had his family back safely.
When they finally calmed down, Mariah drew back and smiled at Charlie.
“I think you need a bath, little one.”
“Don’t wanna.”
“The sooner you have one, the sooner we can have milk and cookies by the fire.”
He considered it, tilting his head speculatively. “You gonna sing?”
“Yes, Charlie. I’ll sing for you.”
Cestov followed them into the house, only to find Maldost with Devoji sitting on his lap. The girl blushed and started to get up, but Maldost kept his arm around her.
“We are to be mated,” Maldost said with an odd combination of pride and belligerence.
He hid his smile. “I am very happy for you both.”
Claire started kicking her feet at the sound of his voice and he went to pick her up, cradling her gently against his chest. She cooed happily, but he felt a sudden need to have his entire family together after the terror of the afternoon.
“I’m going to check on Mariah and Charlie. Carry on with, uh, whatever you were doing.”
Maldost grinned and Devoji blushed.
In their bedroom, he sat Claire up amongst the pillows, her big blue eyes searching the room. He could hear Mariah and Charlie in the next room, his son seeming to have already recovered more than he expected. Thank Granthar that nothing more serious had happened to him. An indignant squeal came from the hallway and he looked up to see Lilat trotting towards him. He laughed and scooped her up on the bed as well.
“Are you feeling neglected, little one? It has been a chaotic day.”
The slonga examined his face and neck with her trunk, then turned around twice, before settling down in front of Claire. His daughter cooed and grabbed a handful of pink fur. Lilat grunted but remained at the baby’s feet, her trunk patting gently at Claire’s hands.
When Mariah emerged from the bathing room with a clean Charlie wrapped in towels, he laughed. She looked as if she had been the one to take the bath, fully clothed. Although, he did appreciate the way the wet cloth clung to her skin and the way her nipples peaked beneath her damp shirt.
“That is an interesting look, my miri.”
“Your son likes to splash.”
“Splash!” Charlie yelled.
“Maybe you should give him a bath next time,” she added dryly.
“I would be honored.”
She rolled her eyes, depositing Charlie on the bed before she turned to the closet to pull out a dry outfit.
“Sing, Mama,” Charlie said when she returned.
“All right,” she agreed and joined them on the bed. Softly, she sang a song he remembered from before. A song about it being a wonderful world. As he looked around at his family, safe in his arms once more, he couldn’t agree more.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Damn,” Mariah said as she pulled yet another failed pie from the oven.
“Damn,” Charlie echoed from where he was
sitting at the table coloring.
“Don’t say that, sweetheart. It’s a grown-up word.”
“I’m a big boy.”
“You are, but not that big yet.”
“When?”
“When you’re as tall as Daddy.” She dropped a kiss on his head as she went to dispose of the pie. She offered Lilat a piece but even the slonga turned up her trunk. Her efforts did not seem to be getting any better. Thank goodness Devoji and Maldost had decided to stay on at the ranch.
I guess this is home now, she thought and tried to suppress a feeling of gloom. It wasn’t so much the planet—in the month since Macduk’s death, she had become better acquainted with many in the local community. They had rallied together to send Marshal Zakon packing and with Macduk dead, the Dhalecs had left as well.
A surprising number of people had come out to the ranch to give her their condolences and express their shock over the banker’s behavior. She had enjoyed the visits and felt somewhat isolated once they ceased. If only they were a little closer to town… She shook her head. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. How many times had she heard Judith say that? She rubbed the friendship bracelet nestled next to hers. She still thought of her sister often but now her memories warmed rather than hurt.
“No pie?” Charlie asked, bringing her back to the present.
“No, I’m afraid not. Let’s see how dinner looks.”
She had the kitchen to herself today. Devoji and Maldost had gone for a ride. Supposedly to see if they could find a good location to build a small house, but she suspected they would use the time alone for a lot more than that. Her own time alone with Cestov seemed to be in short supply. He felt obligated to oversee the work on the ranch and spent a vast amount of time outside—time she was sure he didn’t enjoy, although he never complained. Neither one of them seemed really cut out for ranch life she thought, as she lifted a lid and saw the unappetizing results of the stew she’d tried to make.
“It sure would be nice to be able to call out for pizza for a change,” she muttered.
A moment later, Devoji and Maldost came into the kitchen laughing.
“How are things going?” Devoji asked.
“About as well as can be expected.”
The girl pulled off the lid and couldn’t hide her expression quickly enough. “Why don’t you let me take over?”
“You’re supposed to have the day off,” she protested.
“It’s fine. Maldost wants to go check on one of the robedas who is ailing anyway.”
The Afbera grinned and gave his mate a quick kiss. “I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
“I’ll have it waiting,” she promised.
Mariah stared after him. He seemed so at home here, as if he had been born on this planet.
“Don’t you mind?” she asked Devoji.
“Mind what?”
“That he’s always disappearing off on ranch business?”
“Why should I? I have my own work to do.”
Devoji began sautéing vegetables in a clean pot. Mariah could have sworn she had done the same thing, but it already smelled better than her attempt.
“Any luck on finding a good location for the house?”
The girl shrugged. “Not yet. We don’t want to be too far away, but we need a water supply and a reasonably flat plot. And then, of course, we have to build. I don’t believe we’ll be able to have the mating ceremony until the spring.”
“You know you’re welcome to stay here.”
“I know and I thank you. But Maldost wants us to have our own place.” She blushed.
“I can understand that,” she said sympathetically. That was another of the downsides of the ranch—between the constant business of running the ranch and the numbers of hands they employed, it seemed like people were always coming in and out.
Stop it, she told herself. This is Judith and Bratan’s legacy.
Cestov appeared in the kitchen doorway and her heart did its usual somersault. He was one part of this new life that she never regretted.
“Daddy,” Charlie squealed and launched himself across the room. Cestov caught him easily and she smiled as the big green head and small blond one touched foreheads. Claire squeaked from her cradle, her little fists waving. Cestov picked her up as well, then walked across the kitchen to kiss Mariah.
“Hello, my miri.”
“You’re back early.”
“One of the hands was telling me that all four moons will be aligned tonight, and I thought it would be nice to share that with the children. And with you, of course.”
His tail curved around her waist and pulled her closer. “Perhaps we can have a private viewing after they are asleep,” he whispered.
A shiver went down her spine, her nipples already tightening in anticipation.
“That sounds wonderful. When does it start?”
“Just before dusk. Can we have an early meal?”
“Since Devoji has taken over, I’m sure that won’t be a problem,” she said dryly. “Is that all right with you, Devoji?”
“Of course. I’ll have it on the table in a few minutes,” the girl said cheerfully.
Mariah smiled gratefully but couldn’t help feeling a pang of envy. If only Devoji weren’t quite so efficient and if only she weren’t failing quite so badly at being a rancher’s mate.
“Is everything all right, Mariah?” Cestov asked quietly.
She forced another smile. “Just fine. Let’s get everyone ready.”
As they gathered in the back pasture as night fell, Cestov couldn’t help casting a wistful glance at the place where his ship had resided. Plovac and Servisa had taken her to the big port on the lower part of the continent to see about trading the rest of the cargo. Once the hold was empty, he would have to think about selling her. He hated the idea, but he was a rancher now and a rancher did not need a ship.
“You sad, Daddy?” Charlie asked.
“Perhaps a little. I was thinking about the Wanderer.”
“Gone to the stars?”
“No, just to Port Luka.”
“Wanna go to the stars,” Charlie said firmly.
“And one day you can. But you like the ranch, right?”
Charlie shrugged, his gaze still fixed on the heavens. How ironic that his brother’s son seemed to long to travel as much as Cestov had once done. He’s just a little boy, he reminded himself. He’ll probably change his mind. Still, as the moons started to align, he took Charlie’s hand and walked up a slight hill, so they could see the whole sky, the endless galaxy waiting for them. The two large moons hung high overhead, while the two smaller ones chased along their edge. Charlie watched, wide-eyed with wonder.
“Do you know that in ancient times, sailors used the moon and the stars to find their way?” he asked, still thinking about his ship.
“Sailors? Like Mama’s song?”
“Yes, just like that.”
He thought of the sextant—their family legacy—in Bratan’s office. “I’ll show you how. Would you like that?”
“Yeah,” Charlie said and the two of them watched in silence as the heavens danced.
When the show was over, he carried a sleepy Charlie to bed. He changed Claire’s diaper and handed her to Mariah for her last feeding while he went to find the sextant. He pulled the case off the shelf and lifted the instrument out. As he did, he heard the rustle of paper. He lifted the lining and saw a sheet of old-fashioned paper covered with his brother’s familiar handwriting. A reminiscent smile twisted his lips. Bratan had always loved the feel of paper and ink. He unfolded the sheet and his heart skipped a beat. It was a letter addressed to him.
Dear Cestov,
You must forgive me for having waited such a horribly long time before contacting you. At first, I was too hurt and angry, but as time passed, I realized that I was just as much to blame. I should have stayed, should have explained to you how much the idea of a mate and family meant to me. But even then, in my stubborn pride, I
was determined to wait until I could show you that it was possible.
I will admit that I had begun to give up hope, but then I stumbled on to an underground market and one of those despicable Vedeckians. He was trying to sell a female and a child. As you can imagine, I was horrified, and I interceded with no thought except to prevent such a tragedy. But then… Cestov, Father was completely and utterly wrong. She is my mate and I have taken her son as my own. She is not Cire, but she is beautiful and sweet and funny and loving and—well, you understand.
Although she loves me as well, she mourns for the planet she left behind and even more for a sister that she loves, but I do not know where to find that planet. I am ashamed to admit that it did not occur to me to question the Vedeckian until it was too late. I cannot erase that mistake but I am determined to provide a home for her and so we have settled on Granica. It is a peaceful planet and I hope that you will come and visit us.
Father was wrong about something else as well. My mate and I have been blessed with a child. A beautiful, perfect daughter who reflects our love. She needs to meet her uncle and you need to know that these things are possible. Perhaps you do not want them, but I suspect that despite your harsh words, you would be overjoyed to find these same blessings.
I will send this the next time an interstellar trader comes to our small town and hope that it finds you quickly. I am sending it with the sextant in hopes that it will help guide your path. And I hope that your path will lead you to visit us. Perhaps you will not stay, perhaps you will not approve of the life I have chosen, but I hope that the bonds between us can be restored.
I am very sorry about what happened between us, my brother, but I think of you often.
With love,
Bratan
Mariah found him there, still staring at the letter.
“Is something wrong? I thought you were coming to bed.”
“I found a letter. From my brother.”
“Oh.” She came over and perched on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Is it a good letter?”
“A very good one.” He handed it to her. “Can you read this?”
“I think so. The reader you gave me has taught me a lot.”
A Son for the Alien Warrior (Treasured by the Alien Book 2) Page 17
