THE PARADISE SNARE(98)

“You look so familiar. I know I’ve seen you somewhere before.

Somewhere … at a barbecue, I think. I have a mental picture of seeing you at a barbecue that followed a swoop racing meet.” Han stiffened inwardly. Now that Pavik mentioned it, Han remembered him, too. Pavik was probably two or three years older than Han, and Bria’s brother had been a frequent competitor at some of the swoop races. Due to the age difference, they’d never raced against each other, but Han remembered seeing him.

And, of course, every time he’d done major swoop racing, Han had been part of a “family unit” created by Garris Shrike to scam wealthy Corellians out of their money.

“Sorry, don’t remember you,” he said casually. “I’ve been offworld for the past several years. Afraid I ain’t been to a Corellian barbecue since I was a kid.”

“But I remember it distinctly …” Pavik said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “You were leaning against a swoop, eating a plate of barbecued traladon ribs. The picture in my mind is very clear.”

“Funny thing about that,” Han said, leaning back in his seat with a smile.

“People are always saying stuff like that to me. I must have one of those kinda faces—so ordinary that lots of people confuse me with other folks.”

“I don’t think you’re ordinary-looking, Han,” Bria said, not understanding what was going on, but trying to be loyal. “I don’t think anyone who ever met you could forget you. You’re … unique.”

She gave him a smile.

“Handsome, too.”

Han took a deep breath and managed to smile blandly at the assembled Tharens. “Thanks, honey,” he said. “But I’m really just an ordinary kinda guy.”

Bria finally caught the subtle hint and fell into silence. Pavik Tharen continued to study Han suspiciously.

“Well,” Sera Tharen said too brightly, “I’m sure you’re both tired.

Captain Solo, I’ll have Maronea prepare one of the guest rooms for you.

Bria, obviously you’ll want your room back, and, dear, I haven’t changed a thing. I just knew that someday you’d come to your senses and return to US!”

“I really couldn’t just decide to leave, Mother,” Bria said quietly.

“Once you go to Ylesia, they won’t let you leave. There are no ships, and there are armed guards. If it hadn’t been for Han… I would never have been able to escape.”

“Oh, dear …” Lady Tharen said, distressed and looking as if she didn’t know what to believe. Han had the impression that the woman’s entire exposure to the seamier side of life probably occurred through the tri-dee action-adventure serials.

“I understand that, Bria,” Renn Tharen said, holding Han’s eyes with his own. “And I’ll never forget it. Han is a hero, Sera, and we owe him more than we can ever repay. If it hadn’t been for him, we’d never have seen Bria again. He probably saved her life.”

“Oh … oh, dear …” Lady Tharen was increasingly unnerved by these allusions to the danger her daughter had been in. Pavik Tharen was looking increasingly skeptical.

Han followed the Selonian maid, Maronea, to the room on the far’ side of the house. He was amused to note that his room was as far as it could possibly be from Bria’s and that the master suite occupied by her parents lay between the two rooms. Bria’s mother, it seemed, had decided to nip any chance of wee-hours assignations between her guest and her daughter in the bud.

Can’t wait until we sell Teroenza’s stuff and get outta here, he thought as he undressed and crawled into the bed. Bria’s dad ain’t so bad, he seems like he used to be a regular guy, but her mom and her brother…

Han sighed and closed his eyes. Tonight, at least, Lady Tharen need have no fears. He was so tired that the only thing on his mind was sleep. Funny thing about that … in some ways, spending two hours in the company of Bria’s family had tired him out more than that whole escape from Ylesia .

. .

Bria’s mother came into her room to say good night and give her a last hug before she fell asleep. It was a tearful time for both mother and daughter. They hugged and cried a little, then hugged again. “I’m so glad to have my little girl back,” Lady Tharen whispered.

“It’s good to be back, Mother,” Bria said, and at that moment she sincerely meant it. The evening had been a strain, no doubt. But things will get better, they’re bound to, she thought, trying to comfort herself.

Han is so lovable. She’s bound to fall for his charm and see how wonderful he is …