Page 63 of The Alien Reindeer's Bounty
Ruby murmured appreciation before handing the doe back. “Is it hard?”
“It takes practice. Would you like to learn?” The stone was soft and forgiving, but due to his limited supply—it was an alien rock, after all—he’d have to find the Earth equivalent. Soapstone? Did he remember that name or did he make that up?
She nodded. “Yes, please. Mommy’s always telling me to do something besides watch TV.”
“We could look for suitable stones.”
Her eyes lit up and, for a moment, her resemblance to Odessa became apparent. Even her aura, a pale light still forming, held the same tones of love and devotion. The child only resembled her father in the most superficial of ways. In every way that mattered, she had been made in Odessa’s image.
“Okay. I want to make a robot or a pony. My favorite pony is Bubblegum because she tries to be nice to everyone. Are you dating my mom now?”
Mads rolled up his tools and cleaned the table of dust and stone chips, using the activity to hide his smile. Ruby’s mind moved swiftly from topic to topic, another trait she shared with Odessa. “I would like that very much. Is that okay with you?”
“I guess, but you’ll have to give me lots of presents.”
“I will?”
She nodded. “Sally Jean, my friend from school, her mom has a boyfriend and he buys her toys so she’ll like him.”
“The mom or Sally Jean?”
Ruby shrugged. “Both, I guess.”
“You want me to buy you toys so I can date your mom?” He pressed his lips together to keep from laughing.
“Mommy said I couldn’t tell you that, but I think you should know all the facts.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “I appreciate that.”
“When are you going to marry Mommy? I saw you kiss and that means you have to get married. You should ask her on Christmas, then it’ll be just like those movies she likes to watch.”
“What movies?” Her prattle deeply amused Mads and he feared interrupting her.
“Boring kissing movies.” Ruby pulled a face of disgust. “They’re all ‘I hate you but I made you cookies,’ and then they kiss and get married.” She blew an exaggerated kiss. “Adults are weird.”
“I agree.” He had watched so many romantic comedies with Odessa when they were growing up that he felt Ruby accurately summarized the films. Good to know Odessa still had a soft spot for the stories. “Now, tell me more about this spaghetti. Are there meatballs?”
Ruby happily blathered about garlic bread and meatballs while he cleaned for dinner. He could do this, every day, with joy. Contentment settled on him and he welcomed it.
* * *
His phone vibratedwith an incoming message.
Svallin.
“What’s up?” Odessa asked.
“Work,” he replied, the message leaving him cold.
Time’s up. We’ll find the rogue together since you can’t find him on your own.
Odessa
The shiftingof the mattress woke Odessa. Warm and content under her down comforter, Odessa pressed her face into the pillow. “It’s not morning yet.”
“Dessa.” Lips pressed against the back of her neck. Mads slid under the comforter and pressed against her, skin on skin.
“Tell me you did not climb through my window for early morning nookie.” Of course, he did. Old habits and all that.
