Merry & Seduced (23 page)

Camryn clasped her twin in a tight hug. “Look after Amme for us.”

“Will do,” he said. “Come back soon.”

Camryn bit her lip, nodded briefly and sought her husband’s arms.

“Bye!” Amme said. “Stay safe.” She turned and tromped off the
Indy
.

Marcus joined her and slipped his arm around her waist. Max trotted from the ship and came to a standstill beside them.

“Are we far enough away here?” he asked.

“No, we should stand by the trees,” Amme said. “With the shields on we won’t see much.”

Once in position under the trees, they turned to watch the ramp pull up and blink from sight. A roar had Amme clapping her hands over her ears and Marcus and Max followed suit.

Wind snatched their clothing and hair but gradually the noise and commotion retreated.

“Whoa,” Max said. “Look at the crater and the toppled trees.”

“We had a bad landing,” Amme said.

Marcus’s brows rose as he stared at the carnage. “A bad landing? It’s a wonder you walked off the ship.”

“Jannike struck her skull. She suffered the sole injury,” Amme said. “She bounced back quickly enough.”

“Hell,” Marcus muttered. “Just how dangerous is it flying through space?”

Amme shrugged. “No worse than crossing a street in the middle of Auckland. Besides, Jannike, Kaya and Ry are highly trained. Camryn is a shapeshifter. She’s as dangerous as the other crew members.”

“Camryn, dangerous?” Max laughed then sobered when Amme didn’t return the sentiment.

“I saw her when Amme was hurt. Her and Ry,” Marcus said. “I’m with Amme. Your twin can hold her own.”

“What about you, Amme?” Max asked with a sidelong glance.

“If someone attacks Autumn or Luke or any other child in my care, I’d turn into a dangerous weapon.”

Marcus’s brows rose. “I don’t know whether to believe you or not, but you did save Autumn.”

“Believe,” Amme said, then spoiled her announcement by laughing.

“Huh,” Marcus said and checked his watch. “Might as well wander back. I still thought Olivia would turn up. Mum must have upset her worse than she let on to me. Have you tried the house, Amme?”

“Not since we arrived at Max’s farm.”

“You worried about her?” Max asked.

“Trouble with the parents.” Marcus heaved a heavy sigh. “She’s an adult. Guess I need to remember that too.”

“But you’re not trying to bully her,” Amme said. “Your mother and father are treating her like a child.”

“Families,” Max said. “There’s no one better at pushing buttons than family.”

“True,” Marcus said. “I guess she’ll turn up when she’s ready.”

“Are you guys coming in for a cup of tea?” Max asked.

“Yes please,” Amme said. “I want to see the ANZAC biscuits. Ellen said she’d show me how to make them and lend us a book so I can read the story about the history of the cookies and their place in the history of my new country. It sounds like something I need to know.”

Amme spent two hours with Ellen and the children while Marcus went out with Max to help with farm chores.

“Any luck with Olivia?” she asked Marcus when he returned and they were driving home.

“No, but she still has a few friends in the Auckland area. She’s probably gone to visit one of them. I know she hates goodbyes. Always has since she was a kid, so that might have been the reason she left.”

“The house seems so quiet. It’s going to take a while to get used to not having everyone around.”

“What are you doing for the rest of the day?” Marcus asked.

“I don’t know. Some housework. Maybe I’ll clean out the cottage, although Gweneth promised me she’d checked everything was clean.”

“Plenty of time to do that tomorrow or later in the week. Why don’t you and Autumn come and help me shift the alpacas to a new paddock?”

“Yes.” Amme clapped her hands together. “I like that idea.”

Marcus kept her and Autumn busy for the entire afternoon.

Later that night when Autumn was in bed and she and Marcus were watching a movie, Amme’s ear com had her straightening from Marcus’s arms. “Camryn?”

“It’s me,” her friend said. “No problems this end. We’ve made good time since we found a flight gate. Ry says we’ll exit the solar system tomorrow.”

Marcus wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close.

“So just one more call,” Amme said.

“Yes. Nanu said he can wire our coms so we can all say goodbye. We’ll call around the same time tomorrow.”

“I’ll ask Max and Ellen over for dinner,” Amme said. “You’ll want to say goodbye to them too.”

“Thanks.” Tears wobbled within Camryn’s speech. She coughed and changed the subject. “We were looking at our photos on our tablets. Nanu has worked out a way for us to charge them. I think we’ll be talking about this holiday for years. Oh, Kaya wants to know if Olivia turned up.”

“She’s staying with a friend for a few days. There was a message on the answer phone when we returned from shifting the alpacas. Marcus said she’s never liked goodbyes and probably freaked at the idea of so many at once.”

“Glad to hear it,” Camryn said. “Kaya has locked up her chocolate and threatened Nanu with her blaster when he tried to steal a bar. Mogens is hoarding sweets too. He had some hidden in his medicine satchel. I know chocolate when I smell it.”

Amme chuckled, imagining the scene. “I’m going to ask your brother to teach me to ride. Autumn too, if she wants. The one quick lesson we had before Christmas made me want to learn more. What do you think?”

“That’s a great idea. What does Marcus think?”

“I don’t know. I just thought of it. No, it’s all right. He’s smiling and nodding. Marcus suggested I attend a school to get a formal childcare qualification. Sort of prepare for when Autumn is grown.”

“Another good idea. You know you can try lots of things. New hobbies and interests,” Camryn said, her enthusiasm transmitting through the com. “That should be fun. What are you going to do tomorrow?”

“We’re going to take down the Christmas tree in the morning and we’re going to visit Rangitoto Island. Marcus said it’s a boat ride and we can walk to the top of the dormant volcano crater. We’re taking a picnic.”

“Sounds like fun. We’re all in fitness training and practicing with weapons. Ry wants us prepared for anything when we arrive on Viros. Oh, and we’re definitely stopping to visit Kaya’s brother. Ry is muttering something about adding more guns so we might be there a few days. We’re going to lose contact. Nanu said we’re going to pass through some meteor fragments. I’ll call you tomorrow before we’re out of range.”

“Okay. Give our love to everyone,” Amme said and clicked off. “They’ve made better time than expected and will be out of range after tomorrow.”

“We’ll all miss them. If Max doesn’t have time to teach you to ride, we’ll take lessons. Me too. How does that sound?”

“Yes. I wondered if we could get a puppy-creature. I think it would be good for all of us. Camryn said there are places where you can adopt unwanted creatures.”

“A puppy.” He nodded in approval. “Let me get my laptop and we’ll see what’s available for adoption.”

“W
e’re getting a puppy-creature. I mean puppy,” Amme said the next night, before Camryn could speak. “Max and Ellen rang to say they couldn’t come. Ellen isn’t feeling well, and Max wanted her to rest. They said to say goodbye.”

“It’s Ry.”

“What’s wrong?” Amme said immediately.

“I need to speak with Marcus,” Ry said. “It’s important.”

“He’s in his office. I’ll go and get him.”

“He should be able to hear me through your com if you put your heads close together. Nanu assures me that should work.”

Worried now, Amme ran to find Marcus. “It’s Ry. He needs to speak to you.” She plonked on his knee before he could speak. “If we sit close, you’ll be able to hear.”

Marcus took her hand in his and squeezed gently. “We’re both here, Ry.”

“I take it you haven’t heard from Olivia?”

“No, but I didn’t expect to since she said she was spending a few days with her friend,” Marcus said.

“She’s here on the
Indy
,” Ry said.

“Pardon?” Marcus exchanged a glance with her. “What, Ry? I just thought you said she’s with you.”

“Gweneth helped her get on board the
Indy
and has kept her hidden. I was sure I could scent her, but Gweneth said it was her sweater. She lied,” Ry snapped, and there was no mistaking his testy tone. “The thing is we’re too far from Earth to bring her back. I’m sorry. I know it’s going to cause problems.”

Amme took one glance at a flummoxed Marcus and seized the opportunity to talk. “What do you suggest?”

Camryn interrupted. “We have two options. We can leave Olivia with Kaya’s brother on Slyvia. He’s a trader and she’d be safe there, plus she should manage to find work. Kaya’s brother has a housekeeper, so she could stay with him. Kaya just said he’s hardly ever at home. The other alternative is taking her to Viros. None of us have been there before.”

“What does Olivia say? Could she get transport back to Earth if she stayed on Slyvia?” Amme asked.

“Olivia is refusing to talk.” Camryn sounded grim and disapproving. “Gweneth isn’t talking either and they’re both in disgrace.”

“What do you think is best?” Marcus asked.

“If it were me, I think she’d do better on Slyvia,” Camryn said. “The planet is advanced and peaceful. If Olivia uses her brain, she’ll find opportunities, and it’s helpful that Kaya’s brother is there. I trust him. Ry trusts him too.”

“Amme, what do you think?” Marcus asked.

Amme didn’t hesitate. “Slyvia would work best.”

“Slyvia, it is,” Ry said. “We’re almost at the next gate. I’ll hand you over to Camryn.”

“Thank you, Ry,” Marcus said. “I’m sorry about Olivia. I had no idea.”

“Neither did I.” Ry’s voice held grimness, and Amme felt a little sorry for Olivia and Gweneth. “It won’t happen again. Wait, here’s Olivia. I’ll put her on.”

“Marcus?”

“I’m here.”

“Are you angry with me?”

“Not really. I just wish you’d talked to me, to Camryn and Ry first, rather than putting them in this position.”

“I know. I’m sorry I’ve caused trouble, but I’m not sorry I’m in the middle of space. Marcus, it’s incredible. Earth from space. Wow.”

Amme imagined Olivia shaking her head, her incredulous expression and smiled because she understood the wonder of new and shiny, the
buzz-buzz-buzz
of excitement. “Camryn and Ry are suggesting that you stay with Kaya’s brother. Are you okay with that?”

“I guess. I should talk to Ry,” Olivia said.

“Definitely,” Marcus said. “Ask for advice before jumping feet first into a new situation, especially up there. Okay?”

“Will do,” Olivia said, sounding more cheerful.

“Make yourself useful meantime.”

“Don’t think I’ll have a choice. Ry is muttering about punishments and cleaning something,” Olivia said. “Camryn wants to talk to Amme. Bye. I love you guys.”

Amme chatted to Camryn for a few mins, told her about the puppy they hoped to adopt and started to say her final goodbyes. Halfway through, the com cut out. After secs of static, Amme clicked off and removed the earpiece.

“Are you okay? What are you going to tell your parents about Olivia?”

Marcus snorted out a laugh. “Not the truth, that’s for sure. Maybe we can tell them she’s gone traveling and is backpacking through South America. If I’m lucky, they won’t contact me for a week or so and give me time to work out a strategy.”

“Tell them she’s staying with a friend while she decides what she wants to do with her future,” Amme said. “That’s the truth, after all.”

“I think I’ll finish this later,” Marcus said. “There’s nothing urgent in the email that can’t wait. Why don’t we have an early night?”

Amme frowned. “I am not tired, Marcus. I don’t wish to sleep.”

Marcus’s grin turned wolfish. “Sleeping wasn’t what I had in mind.”

“Ah,” said Amme, and she took his hand, ready to walk into the future at his side.

The End

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Merry & Seduced
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And while you’re waiting for
Seized & Seduced
, the next book in my House of the Cat series, maybe you’d like to check out an excerpt from one of my contemporary romances,
One Night of Misbehavior
. Turn the page for a glimpse of this romance, a sneak preview of
Seized & Seduced
and a list of my other releases.

Happy reading,

Shelley xx

Excerpt – Seized & Seduced

Copyright 2014 Shelley Munro

Read an excerpt from the next book in the
House of the Cat
series, due out early 2015!

A
shrill cry echoed through the arid valley. Unexpected, it set a shudder rippling the length of her body. Jannike Hondros, second-in-command of the
Indefatigable
, came to an abrupt halt, her stomach twisting anxiously even as she grabbed her blaster out of her hip holster and flicked off the safety.

“Tracker lizards.” At her side, Ry Coppersmith, captain of the space ship, confirmed her fears. He edged his petite mate behind him, but despite her size Camryn O’Sullivan was no pushover.

She neatly sidestepped him, wincing at a repeat head-splitting shriek, closer this time. “What are tracker lizards, and why are they making that infernal noise?”

“Trackers are the best available means of tracking an object or person. They never fail to capture their target.
Never
. The cries mean they’re on a scent,” Jannike said tersely, eyes scanning the far end of the valley. She’d experienced their tenacity before and hadn’t emerged on the winning side.

“Us.” Ry glanced at Jannike and with the ease of a long friendship they came to a decision without words.

Jannike gave him an imperceptible nod. “We need to split up,” she said abruptly, attention on the horizon. In the distance, maybe four or five clicks, she caught the swirl of approaching dust. “You need to shift, change your scents.”