two worried about me. I’m going to come home as soon as possible. I just needed you to know that I’m okay.”
“Who is this man? Is he the bastard who took you?”
Her dad was furious. She needed to calm him before he made assumptions. “No, he didn’t take me. He rescued me. I told him about neighbor justice; that’s how much I trust him. He won’t let anything happen to me. I need to go now. This transmission can’t be traced. Do not contact the authorities or anyone at the port. And don’t trust any off-worlders.”
“They did something to you,” her dad shouted. “I knew it! They wouldn’t lift a finger to help us search for you when you didn’t come home. We found your bag on the ground on your route to work. We almost had to cause a riot to get authorities to even issue an official alert for you!”
Blade motioned toward the screen. It hurt her to have to say goodbye, but she knew it was time.
“I love you guys so much. I have to go, but I’m going to make my way home to you when I can. I’m okay, I’m safe, and my hero is taking care of me.”
“We love you, pumpkin!” her mom cried. “So much.”
“Can this man hear me?”
“Yes, Dad. He can.”
“You take care of my daughter, or I’ll kill you. Don’t you hurt her!”
Hailey cringed. “Dad, don’t threaten him. He’s amazing, and he’d never do anything bad to me. Ask Mom about Stone Stern. He’s just like him. It’s a Puffin promise. I have to go.”
“Not yet!” Her mom sounded desperate.
“I love you guys so much!”
Blade reached out and ended the signal. The light went out, and Hailey turned, throwing herself into his arms. It was her turn to sob. Her parents knew she was alive, though. It had been so hard to hear how upset they were. She missed them terribly.
“I’ll get you back to them,” Blade swore softly in her ear as he held her.
She nodded.
“What does Puffin promise mean?”
“Old man Puffin is known for always being brutally honest. He always tells it straight, even if it hurts someone’s feelings. He couldn’t tell a lie to save his life. When someone really means something, it’s a Puffin promise. It’s become a saying with everyone on the colony.”
“I understand.” He rubbed her back. “Tell me about this Stone Stern.”
That made her laugh. “I told you. He’s a fictional character. It’s a book series my mom read to me growing up. A friend of hers wrote seven of them. She lives on Prospect.” Hailey eased backed into the seat, sniffling. His questions helped her gain control of her emotions. “Stone was this handsome miner who saved different people in every story.”
“Tell me more about him.”
She highly doubted Blade really wanted to hear, but they both knew why he urged her to go on. It made her appreciate that he was so sensitive to her state of mind. “Stone was just this great person who always helped everyone, and all the women he rescued wanted to marry him.” She paused, realizing what she’d said. “Because Stone was such a good guy. That’s what I mean. My mom will understand what I was trying to say. You’re a hero, like Stone.”
A hand towel was suddenly shoved at them over the back of the seat, and Hailey turned her head. Big held it out to her. She took it.
“To blow your nose with. Gemma cries sometimes, too. You should both go back to your cabin and eat something. It helps.” He addressed Blade. “We’ll speak later. Take care of her. I’m going to let Gemma know that Hailey got to speak to her parents. That will make her feel better.” He fled, leaving them alone.
Hailey blew her nose and smiled at Blade. “He’s a nice guy, too, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“I could eat,” she admitted. “I’m curious about the silver lady. Will she really cook for us and clean up after?”
He grinned. “That’s what Magna is programed to do. Those kinds of perks are some of the things I missed about this place.”
“You had one before?”
“Yes.” He rose to his feet and helped her to stand, backing away from the cockpit to let her out of the narrow space. “You won’t be doing any chores while we’re here. We have robots in the nicer cabins that do everything from laundry, to changing the bedding, to keeping surfaces clean.”
“And cooking.” She felt lighter inside, now that she’d talked