“It’s negative,” he said. “You’re not pregnant.”
She exhaled and the only way he could describe her expression was relieved.
“Let’s go home.”
Chapter Ten
The following days passed in the same way with Silas disappearing after dropping her off at the clinic and Rowan spending most of her time there helping the doctor. At least now he let her wander about the village on her own. At least people didn’t stare like they did when she had first arrived but she still felt herself an outsider.
When by the end of a full week Kara still hadn’t visited Rowan either at home or at the clinic, Rowan gathered a bunch of wildflowers and headed over to Kara’s house. It was still early when she got there and she found Charlie playing outside, his book bag tossed aside under a tree.
“Rowan!” he called out when he saw her.
“Hi, Charlie,” Rowan said, smiling as the boy ran to give her a hug. His ease with affection made her feel good. At the colony, she had friends among the breeders. She was close with some and if not that, then they were at least friendly to one another, but here, she just felt lonely most of the time. Until Charlie wrapped his arms around her and squeezed, she didn’t even realize how much she missed a tender touch. “How’s your arm healing?” she asked, looking at it once he released her.
“As good as new almost,” he said. “See?”
Rowan looked at the fading mark. He’d have a scar for sure but he seemed to wear it like a badge of honor.
“Shouldn’t you be at school by the way?” she asked, eyeing his bag.
Charlie rolled his eyes. “Yes… mom needs to go in with me. My teacher wants to see her.”
Rowan smiled and teasingly narrowed her eyes. “What happened?”
“Just a prank. Some grownups have no sense of humor!”
“Charlie,” Joe Lynn called when she came outside. She stopped short when she saw Rowan but quickly recovered herself and walked toward them.
“Hello,” Rowan said, still unsure where she stood with the woman.
Joe Lynn nodded but Rowan could see it was a struggle to meet her eyes. “That tea you made sure helped my boy,” Joe Lynn said, forcing herself to look at Rowan. “I thank you for that.”
“He looks like he’s healing nicely.”
Joe Lynn looked at Charlie and ruffled his hair. “Oh, I think he’s back to his usual self. Have a meeting with his teacher right now in fact!” she said, trying to sound stern even though her affection for her son was clear to Rowan.
“It was just a prank,” Charlie mumbled before moving to pick up his bag.
Joe Lynn glanced at the bunch of flowers in Rowan’s hand. “Is Kara here? I wanted to give her these and apologize for snapping at her the other day. I wasn’t feeling well and I think I hurt her feelings.”
“She’s very sensitive these days,” Joe Lynn confided. “Hormones, I think. She’s inside.”
“Thanks.”
“Let’s go, Charlie. We don’t want to add tardy to your list of offenses, do we?” she teased again, but before walking off, she turned back to Rowan. “Um, you’re welcome in my home anytime and if you ever need anything…”
Rowan smiled even as her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
Joe Lynn nodded and turned away looking almost embarrassed. Rowan walked to the front door and knocked. It was a moment later when Kara opened the door.
“Hey,” she said finally.
Rowan held up the flowers. “I’m sorry for how I snapped at you the other day. I won’t make excuses but I’m just sorry that I hurt your feelings, Kara.”
Kara looked at the bunch of colorful wild flowers and after a moment, smiled up at her. “It’s ok. Want to have a cup of tea?”
* * *
“When I have proof that the breeder is with child, then you’ll get to talk to the boy,” Commander Norrin said, barely looking into the camera.
Silas’ eyes narrowed and his heart rate picked up. “That wasn’t the deal. I agreed to try. I can’t help it if she’s not pregnant yet.”
“Maybe you need to try harder,” came the commander’s reply. Silas suddenly had his full attention, his face harder than Silas had seen it before. “I honestly thought we’d have had some results by now, Silas. Are you even sure you’re trying? I thought a great big man such as you would surely…”
But Silas cut him off. He wasn’t interested in the offensive comment. “I want to see my son,” Silas said, taking the time to enunciate each word. It took all he had not to say more.