Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45366 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45366 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“Not at all. Thank you.” I know two of the men in the waiting room fairly well. The third I’ve met only a few times. We live in a good-sized community, but we interact with each other regularly.
I nod toward all of them and take a seat next to Kelkef. His Little girl, Julia, is playing with the two other Little girls on the floor. They’re building something out of blocks.
I hold out a hand. “Good to see you.”
“You, too. Welcome back.” Kelkef smiles at me and turns toward Kendra in the stroller. She has her head down, and she’s kicking her feet out, not meeting anyone’s gaze. Kelkef makes no mention of it. “I see you found a mate. Nice to meet you, Little one.” He reaches out and gives her bare toes a friendly squeeze.
Kendra ignores him. I decide not to point it out.
Kelkef returns his attention to me. “You’ve been back about two weeks?”
“Yes.”
“I’m in need of a new patio table. I’ll swing by, meet with Strogan, and place an order for the wood when you get in the swing of things.”
“Sounds good. I’m planning to get back to work almost fulltime in the next few days, but my staff has been keeping up with the lumber without me. It’s Strogan who’s behind, of course. He’s only been back a month.”
Kendra flinches out of the corner of my eye. I haven’t mentioned my work plans to her. After all, she hasn’t spoken to me. Our communication has mostly consisted of me talking and her pretending not to listen.
Julia wanders over to us. Her thick brown hair is in pigtails, adorable ringlets bouncing as she walks. She smiles shyly and gives me a slight wave, but her attention is on Kendra. “Hi,” she says.
Kendra humphs and hugs her blanket close.
Julia is undaunted, bless her. “My Papi told me about you. I know it’s hard at first. It’s so new, and everything is weird. When you’re ready, maybe our Papis can arrange a playdate. We could go to the park, or you could come to our house or something.”
Kendra glances at Julia and lowers her face again. She’s sucking her pacifier, but suddenly, she yanks it out and tucks it under the blanket. At first, I think she’s going to actually speak, and then I realize she’s simply embarrassed to have been using the pacifier.
Another Little girl joins Kendra. Ekert’s Little, Sophie. “I’m Sophie. Welcome to Eleadia. We love meeting new friends. When you’re ready of course.” She glances at Ekert and smiles. I’m sure she’s looking for his approval at how polite she’s being.
Sophie’s very sweet, and I know she will be most helpful when it comes to choosing the right topaz stones for Kendra’s nipple rings. I’ve heard she has an amazing eye for gems and makes other Little girls feel more relaxed.
Ekert nods at me from the other side of Kelkef. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks.”
“Whenever you’re ready to look at some gems, let me know.”
“I will. Kendra has the prettiest brown eyes. They look almost yellow in the sun. I think topaz will look amazing on her.”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll set some aside for you,” Ekert promises.
Kendra crosses her arms and lowers her face farther. She’s pouting. I can’t wait to speak to Chadka and get his advice. I’m intentionally not reprimanding her because when I lay down the law, it needs to be unwavering. I’d really like one of the doctors to help me decide the best course of action.
Jeikin steps into the room. “Thabo is ready for you, Ekert.”
Sophie’s face lowers at this announcement. Apparently she’s not keen on visiting the doctor. I doubt many Little girls are.
“I’ll see you soon,” Julia tells her before she bounces back to continue building with the remaining Little girl. I’m pretty sure her name is Kristy. Her Papi is Dakari. He’s sitting closer to the girls, keeping an eye on them, but he nods toward me.
I glance at Kelkef and speak to him while I lean over to unfasten Kendra’s buckles. “Give me about two more days and then come by any time you want. If Strogan doesn’t have what you’re looking for in stock, we’ll get the wood ordered.”
Kendra holds her blanket tightly, making it hard for me to remove the harness from over her shoulders after I release the buckle. I gently pull one arm through and then the other while she works hard to keep her chest covered.
She has to have noticed Julia’s emeralds and Sophie’s diamonds. That doesn’t mean she’s ready to accept the inevitability of her piercings. In fact, seeing the other girls and their dangling nipple hoops might have made her more skeptical.
Who could know? She’s not speaking.
I’m frustrated inside, but I’m doing my best to keep my feelings to myself. After all, I’m not the one who was plucked from my life and brought to another planet where everything is so different from what I’ve ever known.