Apollo (Luna Lodge #5)(16)

Val sighed and laid down on top of the mattress, her papers firmly under her. Tomorrow would be a new day, and if things went right, it would be the start of a whole new life.





Chapter Seven





Chilly air nipped at Val as she sat on the porch, watching the sun rise over the crest of the horizon. Parts were blocked by the trees, but the beams of light that came through made her smile. It was beautiful here. She could see why the hybrids had picked it.

It was quiet. The air was clean, and most of all, it kept them out of the public eye, which, from what she could tell, was a good thing given the nut jobs she'd encountered.

She took in a deep breath and let it out. Preparing herself for the day was becoming more difficult than she would have thought. There was just so much going on, and after what happened with Apollo, she wasn't certain if she'd even be able to keep focused.

"There's someone who is deep in thought."

Val jumped, ready to take on whoever might come at her. The woman who had spoken to her raised her hands in surrender, and Val relaxed a little. The dark-haired woman was dressed in pink jogging clothes and had her hair pulled back into a pony tail. Earphones hung around her neck. She gave a knowing smile, and Val felt more at ease with her. A relaxed feeling came from the woman.

"I'm just the doctor," she said and lowered her hands. "Just wanted to come and see the woman that was more controversial than myself."

Val frowned and lowered her own hands, which she still had up in a defensive stance. "Me?"

The woman gave a wide smile and stepped forward. She thrust her hand out and waited. "I'm Rachel."

Val took her hand. She couldn't help the smile that came. Everything about this woman was exactly as it seemed. Open and honest. They were the best kinds of people. Less complicated and never seemed to be hiding who they really were. 

"Val." She grinned. "Wanna tell me why I'm so controversial?"

The doctor took a seat next to her.

"Well, let's just say, the men here have a hard time welcoming people." Rachel stared off into the morning sun.

"And you have first-hand understanding of this?" Val asked.

The pretty doctor turned and gave a sad smile.

"They have been through a lot," she said quietly. "So if they aren't the warmest, it's with good reason. Just give them time."

Val frowned. She didn't know if she would be willing to put up with too much from the men here. Not only that, she didn't have time for them to warm up to her.

The doctor stood. "You've got your work cut out for you with Apollo."

Val sighed. That was about what she was thinking.

"That's what I gathered," she said.

"Just don't lie to him," Rachel said and stood.

Rachel stared hard at Val, and for a moment, she wondered if the other woman knew what she was up to.

"You'll definitely be entertaining to watch." Rachel grinned.

Val opened her mouth to respond but stopped when a car pulled out front. Her heart sped up as Apollo stepped out of the car. She could feel her palms clam up and her mouth run dry.

"Well," Rachel said with a smile, "looks like that's my cue to get out of here."

She gave a small wave and popped her earphones back in. Before Val could even say goodbye, the other woman was jogging off the porch and onto the road.

The steps creaked as Apollo walked up and stood in front of her.

"What did she want?" he asked gruffly, a strange mix of irritation and something else quite different, she wasn't quite sure, coming from him.

It was too early for this, and she hadn't had nearly enough coffee.

Val stood and made her way to the door.

"She came to say hi," she said simply.

Apollo followed her inside and into the kitchen. When she had gotten up, Jenna was already long gone but left everything out to make coffee.

She held up a mug for him, and he wrinkled his nose.

"I don't know how you people can drink that crap," he said and moved to the table.

Val poured another cup and added in cream.

"I don't know how you can be up so early and not drink it," she said. A sly smile crept on her face when she turned around to look at him. "Especially when you were camped outside the house until late."

His face grew red, and she realized that unlike yesterday, his eyes were totally visible to her. She couldn't help think that they were such a pretty shade.

He turned away from her stare and looked out the front window.

"It's my job to keep an eye on you," he said. His voice was low and menacing, but she suspected that was more from embarrassment than anger. The two were so close in him that it made it difficult for her to read his feelings accurately.

She sat across from him.

"So what's the plan?" she said simply.