Forbidden Planet by Rinelle Grey

Author:Rinelle Grey [Grey, Rinelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-02-27T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Marlee hurried through the snow to the barn, eager to get out of the cold. Inside, the body heat from the animals warmed the area considerably. She called quietly to Benati, and the goat nuzzled her hand.

She whistled as she began to milk. Even after their resolution to continue as they had been, it felt different. Marlee’s face warmed at the thought of Tyris’s kiss. How could they pretend nothing had changed?

The only thing holding them back was her fear. Could she let it go? Could she find a way to hope again after all the disappointment?

Could she let Tyris go without even trying to make it work?

Marlee squirted the last of the milk into the bucket, no closer to a solution. But she wasn’t upset. The answer would come to her when the time was right.

As she straightened her back, something made a noise behind her. She ushered the goat back into her pen. Putting down the bucket of milk, she looked around the barn. Noise greeted her on all sides. Sheep bleated, chickens clucked, animals moved around the barn. She tried to filter them out, listening for a sound that didn’t belong here.

There it was again. A soft sob. Marlee crossed to the bales of hay and peered behind them.

Jaimma sat with her back against the wall, knees pulled up to her chest, her face red from crying. When she saw Marlee, she burst into tears.

Marlee knelt in the hay beside her friend, and put her arms around her. “What’s wrong?”

“I... I’m not pregnant,” Jaimma sobbed.

“Oh, Jaimma.” Marlee hugged her more tightly. “Does Jaidin know?”

“Not yet,” Jaimma’s voice was muffled. “I don’t know how to tell him. I really thought I was this time. I was two days late.”

Marlee didn’t know what to say. She wanted to do something to make it better, but she couldn’t. Nothing could make it better. So she just held her friend, patting her back while she cried out her frustration.

“How much longer do you have?” she asked, when Jaimma’s tears slowed.

Her question started Jaimma crying again. Marlee leaned close to hear her voice through her sobs. “One more try.”

“Well, it’s not over yet then.” Marlee forced her voice to sound bracing. “You and Jaidin will just have to try harder next time.”

The words felt false. She didn’t really believe that next time would be any better for her friend. But what else could she say? Hope was all any of them had.

Jaimma sniffled and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her nose. “Well, trying harder is always fun I guess,” she said. Her voice didn’t match her words, but Marlee didn’t comment on it. Jaimma gave her a hug, and Marlee helped her to her feet.

“Thanks, Mar,” Jaimma said.

“Any time. If you need to chat, you know where I am.”

Jaimma smiled, even though tears still glistened in her eyes. “I wouldn’t want to be a third wheel. I heard all about your display in the village hall the other night.” She winked.

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