Free Maggie's Story (Intergalactic Matchmaking Services) by Ava Louise Page B

go, all there was to do was wait for her escort. Right on time, the doorbell rang. Maggie rose from the sofa and walked to the door. Peering through the peephole, she saw the Ambassador and the Security Chief in the corridor.
    “Hello, gentlemen,” said Maggie as she swung the door open. Now that they were here, she was getting nervous. “Please, come in.”
    The two Nordonians walked inside, pushing their hoods back as they entered. She heard them gasp when they got a look at her under the entryway light.
    “What happened, Ms. Cline?” exclaimed the Ambassador. The Security Chief was peering over his shoulder and had a fierce frown on his face as he looked her over. He sure was intimidating looking with that frown , she thought.
    “I had three gang members waiting for me when I arrived home yesterday. Luckily my neighbor brought his shotgun to the party or who knows how horrible I would look or if I would even be alive.”
    “So this is why you called? You are seeking protection?” asked the Security Chief. She could hear how dubious he sounded about her decision.
    “Well, I won’t lie and say it didn’t cross my mind, but at the same time it seems like the perfect time to see just how adventuresome I am, right? I can’t work for a couple of weeks, with this broken arm, not to mention a mild concussion, so I figured I may as well get to know you guys better while I recuperate. Is that a problem? If you don’t want me to come, then say so.” Maggie didn’t mean to sound so defensive, but the pain pills seemed to rob her of some of her usual “starch.”
    “It is fine, Ms. Cline. Daxon is just doing his job, being suspicious of everyone,” said the ambassador as he frowned at Daxon. “Of course we want to have you visit with us. The circumstances may be less than wonderful, but the timing couldn’t be better.”
    “Are you okay with this?” Maggie asked Daxon. She wasn’t sure why it mattered to her that he approved; it just did.
    “It does not matter to me,” he said in his deep, slightly accented voice. Their speech pattern was so formal; she wondered who taught them English.
    “Well, then I guess we can go if you gentlemen can help me with the bags. I just need to gather up Mamzell and place her in her carrier. I have her food and bowls in my suitcase.” Maggie went in search of the cat and found her on the bed. “Come on little lady, time to take a trip.”
    She scooped up the cat in her right arm and walked out to the living room. Luckily Mamzell didn’t mind her carrier so she crawled in and was zipped up and ready to go in no time. “So we have her, the suitcase, my craft bag and the litter box to go,” said Maggie. She was trying to think of this as an adventure and stay upbeat. If Mamzell picked up on her nerves, she would start meowing. “Claire said if I take a sample of her kitty litter that you have a way to make it up there on your ship; is that right?”
    “Yes, we have a replicator. Are you ready to go?” asked the Security Chief. Maggie wondered if the guy ever smiled. She had yet to see him smile and wondered what it would do to his beautiful face. Both men drew their hoods up over their heads and turned to the door.
    “Yep, ready to go.” Maggie locked up her apartment as the males took her belongings to the exterior door. Maggie would carry Mamzell to help keep her calm.
    As she stepped out onto the landing, she looked around. It hadn’t occurred to her how the transportation would work. The medication was really knocking her off her game, she thought. She followed the Nordonians down the stairs and out to the alleyway. Just as she was about to ask about their ride, Security Chief Daxon held out an object, pointed it toward the alley driveway, and suddenly a small silver vehicle appeared. The door on the side folded upward and the ambassador waved her forward.
    “Please step inside quickly before we are seen,” he said to Maggie. She rushed to do as he said. The