Claus (Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #7)

Chapter 4

Though the human female called Aubrey had refused him, Claus couldn’t quite bring himself to depart her abode. Everything inside him compelled him to stay and watch over her and the three boys. McHenry seemed safe at the moment, and his initial scans of the countryside hadn’t revealed any signs of impending danger, but something about the small town felt strange. Perhaps it was because when the passersby on the street weren’t openly gawking at him, they were busy scanning their surroundings and looking over their shoulders as though expecting an attack.

He glanced back at the house and spotted three small faces crowded in the window. He smiled and waved, and he was delighted when the boys waved back. Well, he could not in good conscience leave Aubrey and her nephews unprotected, and he resolved that he wouldn’t leave McHenry just yet.

Perhaps if he remained in the area and they got to know one another better, the beautiful human female might change her mind and agree to marry him. He could woo her and prove himself as a caring mate.

Buoyed by this thought, he jogged down the steps and headed to the backyard, where he’d parked his cloaked Vaxxlian cruiser. He called out a verbal command and a slight shimmer revealed the entrance. After boarding the vessel, he moved to the bridge and began conducting more thorough scans of McHenry and the surrounding area.

At first, he didn’t find anything. The scans didn’t show any advancing armies or high-tech weapons in the vicinity. However, when he tapped into the security systems that outfitted the nearest houses and businesses, he made some worrying discoveries.

He studied a full moon cycle’s worth of footage, watching the videos at the fastest speed possible. It quickly became apparent that McHenry was a safe settlement during the daytime hours, but at night the streets were filled with bloodshed. The soldiers he witnessed fighting each other were not uniformed, and Claus surmised they were not affiliated with the American government or even the local authorities. Judging by the slapped together appearance of their armored vehicles, he suspected the soldiers were part of unsanctioned militias. He also observed videos depicting violent protests in the downtown area, some that resulted in the burning of solar cars and buildings.

Well. It was settled. Aubrey and her nephews couldn’t stay here. He would not allow it. It simply wasn’t safe.

Even if Aubrey didn’t agree to marry him, perhaps she would accept his help in leaving the dangerous town. It was the least he could do.

While he’d been matched to Emily three moon cycles ago, he hadn’t traveled to Earth to fetch her immediately because she’d asked him to wait. She’d claimed to want more time to say goodbye to her friends on Earth before leaving for New Vaxx. And so, they’d eventually settled on the date of his arrival, only for tragedy to strike.

Though he’d never met Emily in person, and they’d only exchanged a few messages, he couldn’t shake the guilt of her passing. He should’ve insisted on retrieving her from Earth sooner. She’d claimed to live in a safe location, but it would seem she hadn’t been entirely honest. There was no question about it. McHenry wasn’t safe.

He kept the ship’s computer tapped into Aubrey’s security system, programming a console to display a constant video feed that showed the front porch and walkway, the sides of the house, and the backyard.

What next?

How should he go about wooing the reluctant human female?

He immediately began researching human dating practices, pulling up information from various Earth libraries. He also studied interactions between romantic partners on several television shows and movies. It seemed very common for human males to attempt to make their females laugh, and he regretted that he was not good at telling jokes. But flowers, candy, jewelry, and other gifts… he could provide Aubrey with vast amounts of material things. And even though he planned to whisk her away from McHenry as soon as she agreed, he could also try to prove himself helpful by making repairs to her home.

What else? He scrolled through pages of information, hoping to find the one idea that could perhaps sway Aubrey’s mind.

He watched a video clip of a man preparing dinner for his wife, followed by another clip of a man giving his girlfriend a foot massage.

Would Aubrey allow him to rub her feet?

The video he was watching soon took a surprising turn as the woman gestured for the man to crawl on top of her, and suddenly they weren’t wearing any clothing.

Feeling like a voyeur, Claus turned the video off. He had no wish to look upon a strange female’s breasts. The only breasts he wanted to see were those of his mate.

Aubrey.

Surely she would agree to mate with him if he repaired her house and brought her flowers and candy. Also, he would endeavor to spend time with the boys. If he could prove himself as a caring father, she might open her heart to him.

He exited his Vaxxlian cruiser and headed for McHenry’s shopping district. People continued staring at him and gave him a wide berth everywhere he went. He tried to ignore their gawking as he went about his business, purchasing items he believed would help endear him to Aubrey. He first visited a florist where he purchased a type of red flower called roses, followed by a candy shop where he acquired chocolate balls filled with something called peanut butter.

Next, he wandered into what appeared to be a gift shop, as it was filled with all manner of trinkets, jewelry, clothing, shoes, and toys. He approached the bespectacled old man who stood behind the counter.

“Greetings,” Claus said in English. “Are you the proprietor of this establishment?”

The man pushed his glasses up with a trembling hand, though Claus was quick to recognize the tremor as a chronic ailment rather than a sign of fear. “Yes, sir,” the clerk said in a friendly tone. He glanced at the flowers and candy Claus was holding and emitted a high-pitched whistle. “Woo-eee. You look like you’re fixing to go on a date.”

A date? Ah yes, dating was part of human courtship. Claus recalled reading about it during his research session. An odd concept, as Vaxxlian matches were usually arranged years in advance of the union. At least before the war. Before most of his people’s females had perished. Dating—spending time with a romantic interest while enjoying an agreed upon activity together—wasn’t a concept in Vaxxlian culture.

Claus cleared his throat and looked at the items in his hands. “Yes, I am planning to go on a date,” he said, though he now wondered where he would take Aubrey. “I would like to purchase some gifts that a young female between the age of twenty-five to thirty might enjoy,” he said, guessing at Aubrey’s age. “I would also like to purchase some gifts for three young boys between the ages of seven and ten.” He hoped he was remembering the children’s ages correctly. He peered around the shop at the colorful toys, wondering what would be appropriate.

The clerk’s eyes lit up. “A female between twenty-five to thirty? Three young boys between the ages of seven and ten? Hm. Sounds like you’re sweet on Aubrey Wilton.”

“Yes, I am… very sweet on Aubrey Wilton,” Claus replied, supposing sweet meant he harbored an attraction to the woman, which he most certainly did. “Could you help me select gifts for her and the boys? I would be grateful for your assistance.”

The old man clasped his hands together and gave a quick nod. “It would be my pleasure. I believe I know just what they’d like.” He stepped out from behind the counter. “You have money, don’t you?”

“Of course. Do you accept galactic credits? If not, I can return later with gold or silver.”

The clerk chuckled. “Galactic credits will do just fine. Let me show you the items Aubrey and the boys admired the last time they visited my store. Grab a shopping cart. You’re going to need it.”