Khol (Rescued by the Alien)

15. Nancy

Chapter 15

Nancy

O ur ornaments came out of the oven looking great, and we made plans to craft something similar to paint the next day while our cookies baked in Khol’s amazing oven.

While the wind gusted our cozy house, we shared dinner and sat in the living area afterward, talking. Flora played, and I realized this place was beginning to feel like home.

That night, as I slept in Khol’s bed, I drank in his light, fresh scent permeating the blankets that was both comforting and vaguely arousing. I woke up twice in the middle of steamy dreams about him, and I wasn’t sure what to do about it, if anything.

He still loved his lost mate, and there wasn’t any room for me in a bed like that.

For the first time in I didn’t know how long, I woke the next morning feeling eager for the day to get started. I loved my daughter. I’d never once considered not keeping her after I discovered I was pregnant. But it was hard being a single parent. Flora was a sweetie, but so many times, especially during late-night feedings or when she was cranky, I would’ve loved to have a shoulder to lean on, someone to help me laugh through the tough times while smiling and savoring the best.

There were only two days left until our improvised Christmas, though the date was fluid since the Zuldruxians only observed seasons. But it was something to look forward to.

I slid out of bed and bathed, dressing in the fresh sundress the house provided.

We had breakfast together and returned everything to the counter.

Once it was clear, I thought about what we needed for today’s projects.

“Paint,” I said. “I think there’s a way to make it, and we can look for plants to dye it in various colors.” I described paintbrushes to Khol, and he nodded slowly.

“I know something that will work.” He left to collect plants plus construct our paintbrushes.

I stared at the empty counter while Flora played with her toys in the living room.

Could I try salt and flour again? If I made it runny, it might work. There was no harm in trying.

“Um, house spirit?” I asked, peering up at the ceiling. “Could I have five or six small bowls we can use to make various colors of paint?”

Six tiny bowls appeared on the counter .

“Thank you. This looks wonderful.” This wasn’t much different from talking to my phone or Alexa except this smart house came with more benefits. If only my phone could’ve cooked dinner or cleaned the house when I was worn out after coming home with my daughter from the hospital. My mom was excited about having a grandchild, but she lived far away, and she worked two jobs to make ends meet. It was too expensive to travel often. We chatted on the phone, and I sent lots of pictures, but the economy kept us apart. I’d handled everything alone for much too long. It was nice having Khol here to help with Flora and to talk with. What would it be like to have a partner like him around all the time?

It was silly to think of something like that. We would only be here for a few days before we’d leave for the mainland. Once he’d brought us to the Indigan Clan, he’d turn and leave and I might never see him again. My heart felt bruised against my ribs at the thought, but I couldn’t see what I could do about it.

My mom would be worried about me and Flora. I could only imagine the horror she must be experiencing now. Someone would call her when I didn’t show up at work; I’d named her as my next of kin in the paperwork I’d filled out when I was hired. Janet would tell her I’d picked up Flora after daycare, but she would’ve been busy with the kids inside and I doubt she would’ve seen the robocops take us. Would her neighbors? Probably not at that time of day; most people were still at work. My poor mom wouldn’t know what happened to us.

“I don’t suppose you could send word to my mom that I’m okay,” I said softly. “Truly, it was mean of you guys to steal us without at least giving us a chance to tell our family and friends goodbye.”

The counter glowed before dimming, but I had no idea if that meant the water spirit would send word to Earth or not. It wasn’t like this god could hop into a ship and travel there to tell her in person.

My mom would mourn, and the worst part about it was that she’d think something horrible happened to me and Flora.

I swallowed back my tears. They’d do me no good here.

And I started mixing the base for our paint.

Khol returned and held up a handful of sticks with tiny brushes tied to the ends.

“When you described your paintbrush, I thought of this plant. I think it’ll work well.” He laid a big clump of various leaves and flowers on the counter. Plenty of colors.

“We could boil them until the water’s almost absorbed,” I said.

Tiny pans appeared on the counter, and I tore up the vegetation, dropping each into their own pan, adding a bit of water.

“How do we cook things?” I asked, peering around.

“Like this.” Khol placed all the tiny pans on a separate, narrow counter and hummed. The counter started warming until it glowed with heat. The water boiled, and a pungent smell filled the air.

“Stinky,” Flora said, scrunching her face. She stood, leaning her belly against the back of the sofa .

“Paint is coming right up,” I said brightly. “Since it’s already afternoon, I think we should hold off making our cookies until tomorrow.”

“Cookies,” Flora cried, hopping on the sofa.

“Down before you fall, sweetie,” I said, and she plunked back onto her butt and started reading again.

“Would you like to swim in the pool below the falls this afternoon?” Khol asked.

“Swim,” Flora shouted. “Wanna swim, Mommy.”

I sent him a smile. “I’d love to. Hey, smart house, we’ll need bathing suits.”

Brightly colored fabric appeared on the counter.

I was beginning to enjoy life here on Zuldrux.

Once the water had boiled off, I drizzled the liquid into each of my improvised paint bowls, giving each a solid stir.

They looked amazing. Now to try them out.

We grabbed brushes and started painting our ornaments.

I needed to figure out presents. Could I ask the house god to help with that? It felt like cheating, like maybe I should be making them myself like people did ages ago on Earth. But asking the house spirit to help wasn’t much different from going to the store and buying toys, then wrapping them in pretty paper.

“Beautiful,” Khol said from beside me, pointing to the ball-shaped ornament I’d decorated with swirls and dots. The paint worked great, and they were going to look fantastic on the tree .

“Your trees are amazing,” I said. He’d painted most of them purple, but he’d decorated two in green in honor of the trees back on Earth. He’d shaped dough into something like the pink no-kitties we saw here when we first arrived, to Flora’s amazement, plus some that looked like flowers.

“Thank you.”

“All they need to do now is dry, and then we can hang them on the tree. We’ll need to find thin vines for the holes.”

“I know where I can get some.” His gaze slanted my way, and for one instant, I saw stark need there before his face smoothed into a neutral mask. Did he like me more than I’d suspected? Stating his spirit had decided we were mates was one thing. Falling in love with each other was another.

The thought of giving my heart to someone new was scary. But Khol was a big sweetie. It would be easy to adore him, to love him.

It was getting harder and harder to hold myself back.

“Would you like to swim now?” he asked after the water spirit cleaned everything up. I could get used to this. Truly.

“Swim,” Flora exclaimed, hopping on her chair.

He scooped her up and placed her on her feet, stroking her hair while she gazed up at him with complete adoration. “You need to take your princess gown off or it’ll get wet.”

“Need my baby-soup,” she crowed, scooping the bathing suit up off the back of the sofa and racing to her room.

“I should get changed too,” I said .

He nodded, his gaze drifting down my body, heavy enough to feel like a caress. Something was changing between us, and despite my mind shouting danger, I liked it.

It would be very easy to fall hard and fast for Khol.

“Thank you for being kind to Flora,” I said. “I know she can be demanding at times. Fussy. But she’s got a tender heart.”

“She’s amazing,” he gushed. “So smart. Thoughtful. And she makes me laugh.”

I loved that the things he spoke about were inside her and not solely external. Too many people talked about her pretty hair and eyes. Her chirpy voice that made you smile. Khol saw the person inside the lovely package.

Did he also see inside me?

“What happened to her father?” he asked.

I’d wondered when he might get to that. He must’ve been curious. I hadn’t mentioned my ex-boyfriend in conversation other than when she was trying to call Khol daddy. That implied she didn’t have one in her life.

“It was a quick thing. I thought I was in love with him, but he was just using me.” I cringed, thinking about when he’d laughed at me for believing he loved me, when he turned and strode from my life as if I didn’t matter. “We weren’t together long. He didn’t want a child. He didn’t want me.”

Khol growled. “What?” he barked.

I winced, though not from his raised voice. “This is embarrassing to talk about. ”

He held my shoulders. “You’re amazing. You’re not only lovely but you also have a kind heart. I see how you care for everyone, even me, though we only met a few days ago. You’re generous and sweet, and I want to rip this male apart for hurting you, for not loving you.”

“Thank you.” I tried not to gush because his words warmed me straight through. He didn’t mean them, of course, not in more than a friendship way. “Richard walked out of our lives right after I told him I was pregnant. He sent money every month, for a little while, that is. I thank him for what he did give, because it’s hard to raise a child alone. But he wanted no part in my or Flora’s life. That hurt.”

He drew me into his arms and held me like a friend would.

But a fire was smoldering inside me. I was attracted to my ex. I’d wanted him physically and emotionally, but it now seemed like the feelings I’d had for him only scratched the surface of my true potential.

And I sensed the feelings growing inside me for Khol would dive much deeper, all the way to the bottom where they’d bloom and turn into something wonderful if I let them.

Let them?

I had no more control over this than I did with Richard.

Khol still loved Weela. He’d never love me. I needed to accept that. Symbols on our skin wouldn’t change that.

Yet I couldn’t stop hoping for something with this special guy .

I didn’t quite know why I did it, but a wild and unrestrained Nancy took over. I tipped my head back, looking up at him. He was so much taller than me, at least seven feet. And broad. Bulging with muscles. His arms around me made me feel cherished and loved.

Because I wouldn’t be able to reach, even if I stood on my toes, I curled my finger toward him.

He lowered his head, his gaze locked on mine.

And I kissed him.