Page 11 of Mate for the Space Cowboy (Match Made in Space #3)
Chapter Eleven
MELODY
“He couldn’t tell me how long he’ll be gone,” I say to Jane and Nadine. “He said it wouldn’t be more than a week at a time, though.”
“He’ll be safe,” Jane says with more confidence than I feel.
“That’s what he said, but I worry.”
Just then, Romi walks into the room with Risa, Jenny, and Hannah, all from the newer group that recently arrived from Earth.
“Hi,” Jane says warmly as she stands to greet them, grasping each woman by the hands.
I haven’t actually met Hannah yet because she arrived while I was enjoying my week alone with Hunter. Jane glances from me to Nadine as she gestures in an arc, saying, “This is Nadine and Melody. Melody is just back from her week with her new mate.”
Romi sits down beside me, curling her arm around my shoulders and giving me a squeeze. I’m still adjusting to having friends like this. The bond I feel with the women who came here with me is powerful. On Earth, life didn’t leave much room for friendship. It was simply a scramble to stay alive. I had friends when I was younger, but depending on where we ended up working and what happened to our families, we couldn’t see each other often.
It’s so different here. Kindness and safety make it much easier to make friends and form those bonds on this planet.
“How was your week?” Romi asks before leaning forward to pour herself a glass of lemonade.
As she does frequently, Jane has invited us over. The table encircled by the couch has an array of snacks and drinks.
I feel my cheeks getting hot as I smile. “It was amazing.” I look around, adding, “Honestly, it’s better than I could’ve imagined. Hunter is so good to me.”
Nadine’s eyes twinkle with warmth. “I’m so glad. I’m sure you’re already pregnant,” she says.
“After just a week? Do you really think so?” Hannah asks.
“It’s hard to believe or imagine, but women from Earth become much more fertile once we’re on this planet,” Jane chimes in. “The scientists here think it’s something to do with the environment. They also believe the strain of living on Earth affects our fertility there. It’s highly likely that Melody is already pregnant.”
“I won’t know until I miss my monthly time,” I say. “Now, we wait. Hunter is traveling for work this week, and I’m so impatient for him to be back. “
“Asher’s and his security team are traveling the planet and visiting all the different towns. I will join him for part of the journey later this week. It’s kind of funny.” Jane’s lips curl in a smile when she pauses. “Asher told me I have to make sure to post about it on GalaxyCosmo. I’ve forgotten all about that since I’ve been here. It’s such a big deal on Earth because it’s all they have for news and information. Since I’ve been living here, actual life is so much more interesting. I don’t even wonder what anybody’s doing online.” She rolls her eyes a little. “Asher tells me it’s important. I can’t help but think maybe I should look up my ex-fiancé, the one who screwed around with my best friend. They never did post if they were officially a couple when I was still on Earth.”
“I rarely had access to a phone when I was on Earth because I didn’t have a regular office job,” I tell them.
“We’ll get you one here if you want,” Jane offers. “Those phones were about the only thing that the government on Earth made sure we had.”
“Probably because that was the only way we got some of the most basic supplies,” Risa says. “I still can’t believe I’m here. Everything is so nice and beautiful. Honestly—” She looks toward me. “I’m glad you mated with someone where you can experience this pulse thing I keep hearing about, but I just want to be safe. I don’t care about anything else.”
I contemplate my week with Hunter, reflecting on how I felt before meeting him. “I totally understand,” I tell her, “but if you meet someone and experience the pulse, I promise it will feel amazing.”
Our conversation moves along. Jane plans to host another gathering for the women from Earth to meet possible mates, and we answer an array of questions from the new arrivals.
“Where did you meet Hunter?” Risa asks.
“At one of those gatherings,” I reply, thinking back to that night and how quickly I recognized our connection.
“We should talk about work options,” Jane says. “Nadine works at the local coffee shop and loves it.”
“And I work at the floral shop across the street from the café and love it. Romi works out at the stables, and you love your job too, right?” I look toward Romi.
Romi nods vigorously. Her dark hair is pulled up in a ponytail and bounces with the motion. “I worked at the stables on Earth as well. Obviously, it’s very different here. The horses here are amazing. Speaking of—” She glances toward me. “One of the men I work with told me that when Hunter is back, he’ll bring you out to ride.”
“Nadine has started a support group too,” Jane adds. “It’s a great opportunity for support and to learn what it’s like to live here because it is so very different from Earth.”
As I look around the group, it strikes me how quickly I have adjusted to living here. Oh, there’s no doubt I’m still overwhelmed with my new life and with so many changes in such a short time. I suppose I’ll always carry anxiety and fears, and even scars, from growing up the way I did. It’s easier to become accustomed to a new life when the place is such a vast improvement. The new women who arrived have the shell-shocked expression I must’ve had when I got here. Jenny exclaims over the taste of the lemonade while Hannah marvels at the selection of fruit.
Out of nowhere, a giggle slips out of me, and Romi slides her gaze to mind, asking, “What’s so funny?”
“It’s just crazy. We’ve been here for months, and I still can’t believe it. It’s almost funny.” I shrug.
Nadine smiles between us. “I still get happy nervous moments. Life here is something truly beyond what we could’ve imagined on Earth,” she says.
The following day, I’m at work. My boss has sent me to the farm where we grow our flowers. We have a small garden immediately behind the florist shop, but there’s a much bigger one a few blocks away.
I’m walking down the street when I hear the whooshing sound in the air from what I recognize as the sound of the horses. I glance over to see a beautiful small one, gliding low across the ground. She’s so pretty, shimmering almost pink. As she goes by, I could swear she catches my eye, a glint of warmth in her dark eye.
“But that’s crazy,” I say to myself.
Instinctively, I smooth my hand over my belly. I’m not sure if I’m pregnant yet, but I hope I am. On Earth, the last thing I wanted was to be pregnant. My goal on Earth had been to end my family’s lineage with me. I’d hoped my brother never even found someone to mate with. It feels so different here. I cannot wait to have a baby and create a family with Hunter.
I could swear there’s a tingling sensation inside me as if a life is burgeoning. I reach the flower farm and jingle the little bell on the gate. The elderly orc, the primary gardener, lifts his head and smiles at me.
“Melody, hello, my dear,” he says as he approaches.
My eyes rise up and up and up as I tilt my head back. He’s tall, as all orcs tend to be. “Hi, Harold,” I say. “I’m here to gather some flowers for the shop.”
He dips his chin, gesturing with his large hand toward a row of buckets. “I already have them ready for you.”
“Did she call ahead?” I ask.
He waggles his brows as his mouth kicks into a half smile. “Of course, she did. I’ll help you load them up.”
I eye the row of buckets of flowers. “That would be very helpful,” I say.
I could load them myself, but I know Harold likes to do it. He has a hovercraft that he keeps on-site. It’s programmed to carry me right back to the floral shop and come back to him on its own. In short order, he has everything loaded on the platform on the back for me. He gallantly gestures, swinging his arms. “Your chariot awaits,” he teases.
As I stop beside him, I smile up at him. “Thank you for being so kind to me, Harold.”
“Melody, why would I be anything other than kind? I might not be from this planet either, but I came here for a reason. It is safe and peaceful. I’m glad you’re here as well,” he says, his eyes warm.
Tears sting the backs of my eyes. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the genuine kindness here. But then, I suppose it’s easier for people to be kind when they know they are cared for and matter.
Harold helps me up into the hovercraft, and I thank him again before hovering my way back to the floral shop. The rest of the day passes quickly as we’re very busy. A local family is hosting a gathering to celebrate the grandparents, who have been married for seventy years. That’s a shocking number to me, if only because, on Earth, most people don’t even live past fifty. In contrast, this planet is renowned for the health of its people and the medical care here.
One of the granddaughters, who’s not much younger than me, stops by the store to pick up the flowers they’ve ordered. “Melody!” she exclaims as her gaze sweeps across the table where the flowers are all waiting to be picked up. “These look beautiful!”
“Thank you, Verbena,” I say. “I am honestly amazed at how long your grandparents have been married and wanted to honor their union. Coming from Earth, it’s just, well, extremely unusual for something like this to happen.”
She nods in understanding. “That’s what I hear. My grandparents have the infinity pulse, and—” Her lips quirk at the corners with her smile. “They just love each other so much. I hope you and Hunter find the same happiness. I’m so glad you’re married.”
My heart feels like hands clapping with joy when it pounds in response. “I hope so too. No matter what, I feel lucky to have found Hunter, and I hope we have a family.”
I help her load the flowers on the back of her hovercraft and assure her I will see her that evening for the celebration. Princess Jane has already arranged for us all to attend, including the new women. She described it as “An excellent opportunity for them to meet new people.”