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say even if they had decided to come in for refreshments. She couldn't just ask Hauk to stay. After
everything that had happened between them ... he'd probably think she was trying to play some sort of
trick on him anyway.  Right. You should go."
Hauk nodded, but he didn't move back up the gang plank.  Cole ... I ... uh...."
"Yes? Cole said hopefully.
"It's been a wild ride, but I'm glad we got to know each other."
Cole felt her chin wobble.  Yeah. Same here. Moving down the gangplank, she stepped off onto the
grass and turned to wave.
Kerel and Hauk waved back and ducked into the ship. A moment later, the door closed and the
gangplank was retracted.
Cole and Luna retreated into the house to watch as the ship rose into the air, slowly at first, almost
hovering. Almost in the blink of an eye, it zipped away and disappeared into the night sky.
Sighing, Cole made her way to her bedroom.
It was more of a struggle to take up the life she'd left behind than Cole had anticipated. Her boss
welcomed her back, but a replacement had already been hired and she felt unnecessary. Not that it really
mattered. She had a job. She thought, eventually, she'd get back into the swing of things and enjoy her
work as she once had, but the truth was she no longer had the heart for it.
She discovered she didn't really have the heart for much of anything. Luna wasn't a lot of help. She
seemed subdued herself and Cole strongly suspected that she'd formed an attachment for Kerel.
The two of them were sitting in the living room one evening about a month after their return to earth,
staring blankly at the television when the doorbell rang. The sisters exchanged a look and shrugged.
Finally, since Luna seemed more inclined to just ignore it than to see who it was, Cole got up and went to
the door.
Hauk was standing on her front porch, looking determined and scared at the same time. Cole gaped at
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him.  We need to talk, he growled.
Cole's brows rose.  We do?"
His lips tightened.  Look, I owe you an apology, so just hear me out."
"Do you want to come inside?"
"Is your sister here?"
"Yes."
He grabbed her hand and dragged her out onto the porch.  I don't know what I was thinking ... guess I
wasn't thinking. It just sort of came over me when I realized you didn't recognize me. Maybe I was a little
bit miffed that you didn't, because.... Well, you should've known it was me."
Understanding dawned, but so, too, did irritation and Cole folded her lips, refusing to help him stumble
through it. He was right. He owed her an apology.
"I was disguised. I mean, it was me that rescued you and ... uh .. pretended I was somebody else. We
needed the disguises to rescue you, but I should've let you know right off that it was me and ... I'm
sorry."
Cole smiled.  You came all the way back just to apologize?"
Hauk cleared his throat.  Actually ... uh ... yeah, but.... He raked a hand through his hair. Obviously, his
nerve had deserted him. Finally, he knelt in front of her and grabbed her hand.
Cole looked at him blankly.  What are you doing?"
He blushed.  I've been studying the earth customs and this is the way its supposed to be done ... I
think. He drew in a deep breath.  Cole ... would you, will you marry me? he growled hoarsely.
Cole's jaw went slack with astonishment.  What? she said vaguely.
"If you don't marry me I'm going to... His shoulders slumped.  I'm going crazy without you, baby!"
Laughing and crying at the same time, Cole threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.  Yes! Yes!"
Hauk looked at her, doubt and hope warring on his features.  You mean it? You'd leave earth and come
to live with me on Vulkahn?"
Cole laughed.  It's not like you couldn't bring me back to visit if I get homesick."
Hauk stood up, lifting her into his arms.  I've missed you like hell, he murmured, nuzzling her neck and
nipping at her ear.
"Plleease! Luna said behind them.  All this billing and cooing is making me ill!"
Cole turned to look at her sister guiltily.
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Luna was smiling.  I'm invited to the wedding, right? When are we leaving? Do I have time to pack?"
Hauk chuckled.  Kerel was to give me fifteen minutes tops and then come back for me. I figured either
Cole would say yes, or she'd be chasing me down the street, tying to shoot holes in me."
When they'd settled once more in their bunk in their cabin on the ship, Cole sighed.  I've got a
confession to make, she said tentatively.
"What? Hauk said, nuzzling her ear.
"Passion fruit doesn't work on humans." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]