Taurex #3
“Nah, you need a new one,” Cody said dismissively. “One that doesn’t break down so much.”
Taurex looked toward the battered Honda parked along the side of the house. The vehicle appeared to be several mechanical failures held together by determination. He frowned. Maybe he needed to get Terra a more reliable form of transportation.
“I like your car, Mommy,” Lisa told Terra generously.
Terra put a hand on her hip.
“You better. It takes you everywhere.”
Cody was still examining the shuttle controls. He looked up at Taurex.
“Can you take us for a ride?” he asked.
“Not today,” Terra said immediately.
Both children groaned.
“C’mon, Mom!”
“Please?”
“Taurex and I have to leave, remember? And Grandma is watching you.”
Taurex looked at them.
“Perhaps another time. As long as your mother approves, I would be happy to give you a brief ride.”
Both young faces brightened instantly.
“Really?” Lisa asked.
Taurex nodded gravely.
“If your mother permits it.”
Terra gave him a look.
“Nice. Put it all on me.”
He smiled at her.
“I believe this is considered responsible parenting.”
Lucy laughed.
“Oh, I like him.”
Terra groaned softly and put a hand to her forehead.
“Great. I've lost all of you.”
Taurex felt an unfamiliar feeling move through him…warmth and belonging. He had known these people for less than half an hour, and already he understood why the dreams had come. He belonged with Terra and she belonged with him.
He wanted to protect the little boy with the endless questions. He wanted to make the little girl laugh. He wanted to ease the worry in Lucy’s eyes.
And more than anything, he wanted to give Terra the kind of life in which she never again had to wonder whether her children would have enough food or whether her mother’s medication could be paid for.
Terra was still watching him with an expression he couldn’t quite read.
“Ready?” she asked.
Taurex nodded.
“Whenever you are.”
She went back into the house and returned a few minutes later carrying a small rolling suitcase and an overnight bag. Taurex immediately stepped forward and took both from her.
“I can carry those,” she protested.
“I know but an honorable male doesn’t let a woman carry her bags.”
Terra opened her mouth as though she intended to argue, then apparently decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
“Fine. But don’t start treating me like I’m helpless.”
“I would never make such a mistake,” Taurex said. “I know how strong and competent you are.”
That seemed to satisfy her because she smiled and nodded.
Taurex placed her luggage carefully into the shuttle’s rear storage compartment while Terra hugged her children goodbye.
“Behave for Grandma,” she told them.
“We will,” Cody said.
Lisa wrapped both arms around her mother’s waist.
“Bring me something from space.”
Terra laughed.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Taurex closed the storage compartment and turned back toward the family.
Lucy stepped closer to him.
“Take care of my girl,” she said, pressing his hand.
“I will,” Taurex promised. The words came easily because he meant them with every part of himself.
Lucy studied his face for a moment, then nodded as though she had decided something.
“I believe you.”
That simple statement affected him more than Taurex expected. His heart swelled. Oh yes–he wanted this family for his own.
He inclined his head respectfully.
“Thank you.”
Cody waved.
“Bye, Bull-man!”
“His name is Taurex,” Terra corrected her son.
“Bye, Taurex!” Cody said.
“Goodbye, Cody,” he said.
Lisa waved both hands.
“Bye, Bull-man!”
Terra covered her face.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry.”
Taurex laughed as he opened the passenger door for her.
“I believe the title is growing on me.”
“It better not,” Terra muttered, though she was laughing too.
She climbed into the shuttle and Taurex closed the door behind her before walking around to the driver’s side. As he settled into his seat, he looked once more toward the little bungalow.
Lucy stood on the porch with one hand resting on Cody’s shoulder while Lisa waved enthusiastically beside them.
The image struck him with sudden familiarity–he had seen almost exactly the same thing in one of his dreams. A family standing together, waiting for Terra to return. Only in the dream, Taurex had been standing beside her.
He looked at the woman in the passenger seat. Terra was fastening the safety harness and studying the controls with open fascination, completely unaware of the thoughts moving through his mind.
Taurex started the shuttle.
Slowly, take things slowly, he told himself for perhaps the hundredth time.
But as the golden vehicle lifted silently from the cracked driveway and began moving toward the street, he found himself smiling.
Meeting Terra’s family hadn’t frightened him away. It had done precisely the opposite. It had made him want her—and the life that came with her—even more.
He just hoped he could convince her they belonged together when the time came but for now, he was determined to take things slowly and not frighten her off.
He had no idea how quickly things were about to change.