Free Alien Refuge by Tracy St. John

and tapped new information into the still-activated one. “I spent a great deal of time correcting Matara Iris’ problems. I am almost done catching up with today’s duties, however.”
    Ospar perched on the edge of Jol’s desk. “Ah, the young lady with the broken heating. Was she glad to see you?”
    “She wasn’t at home. She was making a call on our Imdiko.”
    Ospar’s eyes widened. “Oh?”
    “A most captivating woman.” Rivek’s robes rustled as he walked in. The agreeable aroma of musky scentwood wafted from their folds. He had a food container in one long-fingered hand. “Utterly fascinating. I can’t wait to try this pie.”
    Jol glared at the Imdiko with narrowed eyes. “My pie?”
    Rivek’s disapproving look was muted by the amusement in his eyes. “‘Sharing of riches makes you a richer man.’”
    The Nobek couldn’t restrain a good-humored smile. “And no doubt that just as I’ve kept Iris and her child warm, you have fed her soul with teachings. Therefore, you are due a share.”
    “I like the way you think.”
    Ospar looked from one to the other of the chuckling pair. “Would my clanmates mind including me in this conversation?”
    Rivek handed the food container to Jol. “Matara Iris has no access to this building or our home, and therefore, no access to Jol. Believing his kindnesses required a reward, she made him a pie and asked me to deliver it. She was embarrassed that she could not do more to show her gratitude, Jol.”
    Jol opened the container to peer inside. He took an appreciative sniff. “Her gratitude was not required, but I am not one to turn down food. Especially when it smells this good.”
    Ospar leaned close to get a whiff of the offering. Light and tart scents made his mouth water. “A generous gesture, considering you said she doesn’t have much to share.”
    “Then you won’t mind that I disobeyed you and fixed her snow blower.”
    Ospar had expected Jol to do that very thing, but he scowled at his Nobek anyway.
    Jol shrugged. “It was a simple repair, Ospar. What took up so much time was the protective barrier. I’ve got so many men on patrol for the E.I.K. that I didn’t have much help.”
    “You know how the Earthers are about us interfering though.”
    Rivek interceded, something he didn’t often do when the pair were having such a mild disagreement. “I don’t think Iris minds the intrusion except for wishing she could repay Jol in some way. Her son’s wellbeing is her priority, so she is not likely to complain to Governor Hoover.”
    Ospar sensed the undercurrent of concern in the Imdiko’s voice. He prodded, “And?”
    Rivek flushed. “And ... I like her. She is openminded. Open-hearted.”
    As Ospar mulled his Imdiko’s embarrassed admission that hinted at more than what he’d said, Jol added, “She is a staunch defender of her child, even if that means the chance of making enemies of her neighbors. No doubt someone noticed I was at her home today and will have something to say about it. Yet she never asked that I not make the repairs and upgrades.”
    That was another concern. Ospar pointed out, “It could attract the attention of the E.I.K.”
    “Which may mean she will require protection.”
    “And counseling,” Rivek said. He gave Ospar his most innocent look, which meant the Imdiko was anything but.
    Ospar could see his clanmates were completely infatuated with this Earther woman. Through his shock he realized that brought its own set of problems, whether Iris Jenson returned the interest or not.
    Chagrined, he asked, “Is she truly worth making things more complicated for me?”
    Rivek patted his shoulder sympathetically. “Perhaps you should meet her and decide for yourself. I should mention I think we at the temple could benefit her son. He is quite intelligent with much potential if his delaying issues could be managed.”
    Ospar folded his arms over his chest. “Now you’re just meddling.”
    “‘ To not help a potential