Page 5 of Through Uncharted Space

“I’ll see you all there.” Dare watched as they all left.

Ry followed. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

No doubt fiddling with some new security device or program he’d invented. Ry was happiest alone, tinkering with something. “Don’t miss the dinner.” Ry hated them, and tried everything he could to avoid them.

Justyn gave Nissa a quick kiss and then slapped Dare on the back. “I’m heading to my office, as well. I have a few trade agreements I want to work on for planets along our route.”

Dare waited on the bridge a bit longer, to ensure everything was running smoothly, before he headed to his cabin. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, he was ready for the dinner.

He tied his damp, shoulder-length hair back absently, and then hit his palm to the door lock. His door opened, and as he exited, he almost collided with one of his passengers.

The blonde smiled at him. She’d changed into a short dress made of a shiny fabric that shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow. She licked her lips. “I got a little turned around.”

Right. The guest cabins were several decks below the crew quarters.

He held out an arm. “I’ll escort you to the dining room, Miss…?”

“Amber Lynn is fine.” She shot him a flirtatious smile and put her arm through his.

She was attractive, and he liked it when a woman was forthright about what she wanted. He was happy to take a woman to his bed—for the duration of the convoy, and no more. It had been several weeks since he’d indulged in sex. But, so far, the lovely Amber Lynn wasn’t sparking his interest past mild.

When they reached the dining room, the other passengers and his brothers were already there. They were all milling around, sipping drinks and talking. Justyn was behind the bar, shaking up some sort of cocktail. He caught Dare’s gaze and grinned. When the lovely Amber Lynn didn’t relinquish her hold on Dare’s arm, Justyn rolled his eyes.

The long table was already loaded with dishes from around the galaxy. As Dare moved toward the head of the table, he saw that Miss Johns was seated to the left of his chair. When she saw him and Amber Lynn coming, she stood, her chair scraping on the floor.

“This spot is right beneath the ventilation outlet,” she muttered, looking at her feet. “I’ll catch a cold.” She hurried to the opposite end of the table.

Amber Lynn took Miss Johns’ vacated seat, while her friend sat beside her. Ry sat to Dare’s right. Dare knew his brother would eat and disappear as soon as he could.

As Dare sat, he watched Miss Johns pull her large coat around her, then hunch over her plate. He frowned. The temperature in the room was pleasant, so why the giant coat?

“It usually takes a few days on convoy before you get that unhappy look on your face.” Ry took a sip of his drink.

“Everyone, enjoy your meal,” Dare said, ignoring his brother.

His guests leaned forward, ladling soup and fragrant dishes onto their plates. Amber Lynn and her friend started chatting.

Dare broke off a hunk of bread. “What do you know about Miss Johns?”

“Miss Johns?” Ry’s eyebrows rose and he lowered his voice. “Thought you’d be more interested in our two lovely roses.” Ry discreetly tilted his head at Amber Lynn and her friend. “And not our…”

“Weed?” Dare supplied dryly.

Ry winced. “I was going to say plarid daisy.”

Dare snorted. Plarid daisies had brown petals the same color as Miss Johns’ hair. “I’m interested as convoy master. There’s something…off about her.”

Ry shrugged and spooned some soup into his bowl. “Nothing interesting. She’s from the planet Nufrinda. Worked at a textile factory. Paid for passage to Sierra. I assume she’s looking for a new start.”

Sierra was a frontier world near the end of the convoy route. It was hungry for skilled laborers, and had a shortage of women.

Dare grunted. It all fit. She looked and acted exactly like what she was. So why wasn’t he satisfied? He shook his head and decided to focus on enjoying Amber Lynn’s flirtation.

Everyone appeared to enjoy the food, and Dare fell into an interesting conversation with the older couple—Mr. and Mrs. Tanali. The couple were budding astronomers and planned to chart unknown star systems.

The monk, Davarr, was quiet, and only spoke when someone engaged him. Miss Johns didn’t talk at all.

Soon, Davarr excused himself with a swish of robes. Once the meal was finished, Amber Lynn, her friend, Carla, and the Tanalis moved toward the lounge area.