B Clones, page 21
“I’m not alone. I was saved by a wonderful man. He’s keeping me safe. He’s just like Stone Stern.”
Blade paled, gazing at her with alarm.
“Fictional character,” she whispered softly. “He’s a hero. Mom read me the books as a kid. Trust me.” She raised her voice. “Did you hear me? I’m safe and fine. I don’t want you two worried about me. I’m going to come home as soon as possible. I just needed you to know that I’m okay.”
“Who is this man? Is he the bastard who took you?”
Her dad was furious. She needed to calm him before he made assumptions. “No, he didn’t take me. He rescued me. I told him about neighbor justice; that’s how much I trust him. He won’t let anything happen to me. I need to go now. This transmission can’t be traced. Do not contact the authorities or anyone at the port. And don’t trust any off-worlders.”
“They did something to you,” her dad shouted. “I knew it! They wouldn’t lift a finger to help us search for you when you didn’t come home. We found your bag on the ground on your route to work. We almost had to cause a riot to get authorities to even issue an official alert for you!”
Blade motioned toward the screen. It hurt her to have to say goodbye, but she knew it was time.
“I love you guys so much. I have to go, but I’m going to make my way home to you when I can. I’m okay, I’m safe, and my hero is taking care of me.”
“We love you, pumpkin!” her mom cried. “So much.”
“Can this man hear me?”
“Yes, Dad. He can.”
“You take care of my daughter, or I’ll kill you. Don’t you hurt her!”
Hailey cringed. “Dad, don’t threaten him. He’s amazing, and he’d never do anything bad to me. Ask Mom about Stone Stern. He’s just like him. It’s a Puffin promise. I have to go.”
“Not yet!” Her mom sounded desperate.
“I love you guys so much!”
Blade reached out and ended the signal. The light went out, and Hailey turned, throwing herself into his arms. It was her turn to sob. Her parents knew she was alive, though. It had been so hard to hear how upset they were. She missed them terribly.
“I’ll get you back to them,” Blade swore softly in her ear as he held her.
She nodded.
“What does Puffin promise mean?”
“Old man Puffin is known for always being brutally honest. He always tells it straight, even if it hurts someone’s feelings. He couldn’t tell a lie to save his life. When someone really means something, it’s a Puffin promise. It’s become a saying with everyone on the colony.”
“I understand.” He rubbed her back. “Tell me about this Stone Stern.”
That made her laugh. “I told you. He’s a fictional character. It’s a book series my mom read to me growing up. A friend of hers wrote seven of them. She lives on Prospect.” Hailey eased backed into the seat, sniffling. His questions helped her gain control of her emotions. “Stone was this handsome miner who saved different people in every story.”
“Tell me more about him.”
She highly doubted Blade really wanted to hear, but they both knew why he urged her to go on. It made her appreciate that he was so sensitive to her state of mind. “Stone was just this great person who always helped everyone, and all the women he rescued wanted to marry him.” She paused, realizing what she’d said. “Because Stone was such a good guy. That’s what I mean. My mom will understand what I was trying to say. You’re a hero, like Stone.”
A hand towel was suddenly shoved at them over the back of the seat, and Hailey turned her head. Big held it out to her. She took it.
“To blow your nose with. Gemma cries sometimes, too. You should both go back to your cabin and eat something. It helps.” He addressed Blade. “We’ll speak later. Take care of her. I’m going to let Gemma know that Hailey got to speak to her parents. That will make her feel better.” He fled, leaving them alone.
Hailey blew her nose and smiled at Blade. “He’s a nice guy, too, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“I could eat,” she admitted. “I’m curious about the silver lady. Will she really cook for us and clean up after?”
He grinned. “That’s what Magna is programed to do. Those kinds of perks are some of the things I missed about this place.”
“You had one before?”
“Yes.” He rose to his feet and helped her to stand, backing away from the cockpit to let her out of the narrow space. “You won’t be doing any chores while we’re here. We have robots in the nicer cabins that do everything from laundry, to changing the bedding, to keeping surfaces clean.”
“And cooking.” She felt lighter inside, now that she’d talked to her parents. The ache lessened in her chest. “Was this place once some fancy resort? It sounds like a vacation spot.”
He stiffened and stopped moving.
“Sorry. Forget I asked. It’s just that those sound like amenities for a resort. I’m not trying to gain clues to figure out where we are.”
“I know.” He offered his hand to her and smiled. “We can pretend it’s a resort.”
“I’m all for that. I could use a vacation after everything that’s happened. You could, too. We’re quite the couple, aren’t we? Both of us got kidnapped. Me by bad men and you by pirates. You had it worse, though. I was only trapped in that captain’s cabin for two weeks.” She clasped his hand, ready to return to their temporary home.
* * * * *
Hailey watched Magna put away the last clean dish. The meal the android had prepared was delicious. She could understand why Gemma called it a silver lady. The body of it resembled a human, if they had metal skin. But instead of real legs, both lower limbs seemed fused together, with wheels for feet. She felt spoiled from being waited on and not having to lift a finger to enjoy a good dinner.
Blade had left minutes before to spend some time with Big. He’d offered to take her with him, but she didn’t want to intrude on him catching up with his friend. Friends were precious. She didn’t have that many on Prospect. Her closest childhood friends had gotten married shortly after school. They had children and busy lives. That left no time for hanging out with her.
A chime made her startle. She turned her head, visually hunting for the source. The cabin was way nicer than anything she’d ever seen before. The house she’d been raised in was basic, without any fancy features.
The chime sounded again. Hailey stood, not certain where it came from. “Magna?”
The android rolled to the other side of the counter and placed her silver hands on the surface. “What may I prepare for you?”
The chime came again.
“What is that noise?”
The android just stared at her.
The front door suddenly slid open, and Hailey turned. “That was fast.”
It wasn’t Blade returning, though. Gemma leaned in a little and smiled. “Hi. Am I interrupting? You didn’t answer the door. I figured you might be busy, but then I wondered if maybe you’re as clueless as I am about all the bells and whistles that this place comes with.”
“Bells and whistles? I didn’t realize that was the door telling me someone was outside. Come in.”
The blonde entered, the door sealing at her back. “Sorry to barge in, but Big said he was meeting Blade in the control room.” She paused, staring at Magna. “They still creep me out a little,” she whispered.
Hailey looked at the android “Thank you, Magna. You can retire now.”
The android spun and a long cabinet slid open. She rolled inside and it sealed behind her. Hailey faced Gemma again. “I’m not used to such fancy robots. The ones on my planet have square heads, two arms, and their bodies are box-shaped with big rollers for legs. They pull trailers with supplies secured to them. Sometimes they work together in pairs to haul heavy equipment.”
“That sounds worse than what I’ve seen here.”
“Work robots aren’t harmful. They’ve got reliable sensors. No one has ever been injured by one. Do you want to have a seat? Are you thirsty or hungry?”
“I’m good.” Gemma walked to one of the chairs in the living room and plopped down.
Hailey sat across from her on the couch. She had so many questions but didn’t want to be rude. The short explanation Blade had given her about Gemma was that she was the exact cloned copy of a woman who’d once lived on Earth. Right down to every memory. She couldn’t even imagine what that would be like.
“What kind of teacher are you?”
“Reading.”
“So, English teacher?”
“Basically. We just call it reading because if you can do that well, the rest falls in line.”
“Things have sure changed since my day.”
Hailey nodded, trying to avoid anything that would trigger the other woman to get upset. “Thank you for pushing the guys into letting me contact my parents.”
“Big said it went well. I’m so glad. I raised two boys, and I don’t care how old you are, your parents are always going to be concerned about you.”
Hailey shifted in her seat and folded her hands on her lap. Gemma didn’t look old enough for that to be possible. It was strange. Not that she’d admit it. “My parents will be happier when I’m home.”
Gemma sat forward a little. “I saw you with Blade. More accurately, I saw the way he looks at you.”
Hailey bit her lip, not certain what the other woman was trying to get at.
“I might be the new owner of a banging clone body, but up here, I’m still the person I used to be.” Gemma tapped her temple before sitting back again. “I’m a mom with some years on me. That means I’ve got a bit of wisdom and insights.”
“Banging?”
“I probably shouldn’t use such an obviously outdated saying, since you’re not familiar with it. In my time, it was used to describe women with attractive bodies, who men wanted to have sex with. Anyway, the point is, Big shared what he knew about you and Blade. I’m not going to be nosy by asking for intimate details, but I know what it’s like to be torn away from the life I had, only to have a sexy clone man suddenly in my life. We have that in common, don’t we?”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“Only the people who matter to you are still alive. Everyone I know is long gone.”
That struck Hailey as curious. And since Gemma was bringing it up… “Weren’t you cloned right after you died?”
“No. That body-stealing company had me in frozen storage for a really long time. The old me died a hundred and twenty-one years ago. I woke up as a clone shortly before you met Blade. Mind blowing, right?”
“That’s crazy.”
Gemma smiled. “It is.”
“I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“I felt sorry for myself at first, but not anymore. The alternative is that I would have stayed dead. I got a second chance at life with a much younger, healthier body. I’ve decided to be extremely grateful. Best of all, I got Big.” She winked. “He’s like the motherload of man lotto winnings.”
Hailey could tell that Gemma was from another time, even if she hadn’t told her. She didn’t understand some of the sayings she used, but she could get the gist. “I’m happy for you. Big seems like a really nice guy, and he’s protective of you.”
“I’m crazy in love with him. I fell fast and hard. Big is irresistible. He’s the total package. Sexy, caring, listens to me, and he’s great in bed. Men like Big love deep and strong. If I were younger, I might not have seen that as fast as I did. The more you live, the more you learn. Try to see the total package, Hailey.”
“What does that mean?”
“Blade might not have been someone you planned to meet, but you did. He’s another total package. The way he looks at you?” She reached up and tapped her chest. “You own that boy’s heart. Love happens fast when you find the right person. Don’t be blind to what’s right in front of you. He’s in love with you. Grab that man and don’t let go. He’s a keeper.”
“I think Blade has feelings for me, but he’s not in love. I just met him a few days ago.”
“He’s already admitted it to Big. I shouldn’t tell you that but…life is short, Hailey. At least, it is unless they turn you into a clone with your memories intact. I’d hate for you to go back to where you came from, only to realize when it’s too late that you fell in love with him, too. I lived fifty-six years without meeting the right guy who made me happy. Grab ahold of Blade. He looks at you the same way Big looks at me. It’s rare and precious. Is it possible that you’re falling in love with him, too? Be honest with yourself.”
She lowered her gaze, staring at the rug on the floor, contemplating. Blade mattered to her. She had feelings…but did she love him? “I’m not sure.”
“Is there someone special at home? Some man that you have feeling for?”
Hailey lifted her gaze. “No.” That, she was certain of.
“Does Blade make you feel things you’ve never felt before?”
She nodded. “I gave him my virginity.” She blushed and averted her gaze.
“Were you saving it for marriage?”
Hailey looked up to find Gemma just looked curious, not judgmental. “It’s expected to wait to have sex with your husband for the first time. My mom is going to be upset when I tell her.” She swallowed. “But I really wanted him.”
“Was it just physical because he’s so good-looking, or do you feel really drawn to his personality?”
“He’s not like any guy I’ve ever met. It was both.”
Gemma scooted to the edge of her seat. “How are you going to feel when you go back to your old life and never see him again? I’d think about that, if I were you. Do you have any idea at all?”
Hailey didn’t like the idea. She’d miss Blade and suspected it would really hurt. No man had ever made her feel the way he did. Even if they’d only been together for a few days. He was her Stone Stern, and if he were her suitor at home, she’d agree to marry him if he asked.
Especially if he was in love with her.
“Did he really tell Big that he loves me?”
“Yes. Please don’t share that I blabbed, but us women need to watch out for each other. Men aren’t always good about sharing their feelings. That hot hunk loves you. And I didn’t need Big to tell me that. I saw it in the way Blade looked at you.”
An ache started in her chest. “I can’t stay! I’m all my parents have. They’d be devastated if they lost me.”
Gemma nodded in sympathy. “You’re a good daughter.”
Silence stretched between them for a few minutes.
“Hailey?”
She looked at Gemma.
“You make me feel so torn right now. The mom in me wants to tell you that you should go home to your family. I know how deeply a parent loves a child and how badly it would hurt to lose you. But I also have to tell you that the one thing I wanted most was for my kids to be happy. If you were one of my kids in this exact situation, where you had to pick me or the person you’d fallen in love with, it would break my heart but I’d tell you to stay with Blade.
“That’s also coming from the woman who finally found real love with a great guy. I lost my parents when I was in my early forties. They didn’t have the peace of mind of knowing that I’d found true love. I was a divorced mom of two, struggling on my own while they were alive. We were close. My dad died first, and my mom a year later. She admitted to worrying about how I’d get along after she was gone. I hated that for both of us.”
Gemma sighed, then stood. “You’re in a really tough spot. I’m sorry for that. I asked Big if it was possible for Blade to go home with you, and he said it wasn’t. I don’t know your parents, but maybe you should figure out if Blade is someone who could make you happy for the rest of your life. If so, maybe you can ask your parents what will give them the greatest peace of mind. Having you with them, or knowing you’re with a man you love. Either way, I’m here anytime you want to talk. I’m going to leave now, though, because I think I’ve said enough.” She smiled.
“Thank you. I have a lot to think about.”
“I got the impression getting you home will be complicated, but these guys are smart and determined. You have a little time to figure things out, but I wanted you to have all the information to make the best decision that you can. It’s all you can do in life.” Hailey stood, but Gemma waved her back down. “I can see myself out.”
Once she was gone, Hailey curled up on the couch and replayed everything that Gemma had said. She wasn’t certain that she was in love with Blade, but she did care for him deeply. She had a suspicion she was getting there fast.
Chapter Nine
Blade walked in a few hours later. He came straight to her after one look at her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Everything.”
“I’m sorry that I was gone for so long. Big wanted to show me all the repairs he’s made in my absence. He also had a lot of questions for me about my time living with pirates.”
She got off the couch and put her arms around him. He didn’t hesitate to hug her back.
He lowered his chin to the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve been thoughtless. This is a new place for you, and I left you alone for too long.”
“No. You didn’t.”
“What’s wrong? Are you tired? We can go to bed. Would you mind if I shared a bed with you? I know you’re tender, so I won’t do more than hold you.”
She inhaled his scent. He smelled really good. The feel of his arms around her and his firm body pressed against hers felt right.
It was tempting to ask him if he was in love with her. She didn’t, though. If he said yes, it would only make things tougher. There was no denying that felt cowardly.
“Baby?” He pulled away. “I’ll take the other bedroom. I apologize if I’ve made you uncomfortable. That wasn’t my intention.”
“No.” She stared up into his dark blue eyes. “I want to be with you tonight. Sleep with me.”
He smiled. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. And I’m also not feeling sore anymore. Will you kiss me?”
“Always.” He dipped his head, and his lips met her waiting ones.
