The Lasaran (Aldebarian Alliance #1) - Dianne Duvall Page 0,120

it and make it safe to drink, reducing their need to limit their water intake.

But they had no source of food other than what the transport carried.

He and Ari’k had decided to ration the food so that it would last six months instead of just the four and a half it should take them to reach Mila 9 to allow for unexpected delays. That permitted each of them the equivalent of one meal per day. He and Ari’k divided each day’s portion into three snacks, not just to assuage the hunger that inevitably arose, but also to keep Lisa from realizing he and the other men took turns eating less than one meal per day so they could give her extra and ensure she would consume enough nutrients to keep both her and the baby healthy.

He didn’t like deceiving her. But the first time he had heard her stomach growl and tried to offer her his portion, she had smiled and shaken her head. “I’m fine, Taelon,” she’d said, unperturbed. “I told you. I’ve been hungry before. I’m used to it.”

He had not liked that at all, hence the subterfuge.

Though she still ate far less than he’d like, Lisa produced more than enough milk to keep their daughter plump and happy.

Abby giggled somewhere behind him.

Warmth rushed through him. Their daughter was a never-ending source of joy for him, no matter their circumstances.

Lisa chuckled.

Taelon closed the floor panel, rose, and turned around.

Abby sat in one of the seats down the aisle, a strap across her lap providing support in case she lost her balance and toppled over the way she did sometimes.

Ari’k sat cross-legged on the floor in front of her, his expression and voice impassive as he covered his face with both hands, then opened them and said, “Peekaboo.”

Abby giggled and wiggled and waved her tiny fists.

Again the stoic warrior covered his face with his hands, then opened them. “Boo,” he stated.

Again Abby chortled and kicked her pudgy little legs in delight.

Ari’k covered and uncovered his face. “Peekaboo.”

Abby giggled and tossed her bunny at him.

Ari’k’s expression never changed as the stuffed animal bounced off his forehead and fell to his lap. Handing her the toy, he covered his face and resumed the game the baby never seemed to tire of.

Lisa wrapped an arm around Taelon and leaned into his side. “You’re getting pretty good at that,” she told Ari’k, laughter in her voice.

“Boo.” Ari’k shook his head as Abby giggled and reached out to him with a big grin. “I fail to understand why this entertains her.” He gingerly clasped her proffered hand, so tiny next to his own. Her pale, pink skin provided a deep contrast to his darker, tanned skin with its grayish hue.

Abby curled her fingers around Ari’k’s index finger and tugged, waving his hand around.

Something flickered in the warrior’s expression, so quickly there and gone that Taelon couldn’t identify it. Then Abby released him and the game began anew.

Lisa watched them with a smile. “When you cover your face, to Abby it’s as if you’ve left the room. Then when you uncover it, it’s as if you’ve suddenly reappeared.”

Yihrus sat on the sofa. His injury had healed, eradicating the need for a sling. Now he divided his time between scanning space for other ships and trying to understand the entertainment value of Ari’k and the baby’s play.

Kuxa lay on the floor, his torso dangling down inside the second roungkrup as he sought to repair the damage and make it operational once more.

Sodu continued to work on comms.

Lisa’s hand trailed a path up and down Taelon’s side. Though the caress was innocent and idle, it nevertheless made him wish they were both naked and alone.

He shifted the arm he’d wrapped around her from her shoulders to her hip. Keeping his eyes on Ari’k and their daughter, he slowly drew his fingers up Lisa’s side, under her arm, until they brushed the side of her full breast.

He heard her breath catch softly and glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Faint color rose in her cheeks. “Ari’k, do you think you could keep Abby occupied for a bit so we can catch a little uninterrupted rest?”

The color in Lisa’s face deepened.

“Yes,” the warrior replied simply.

Before Lisa could protest, Taelon ushered her past them, through the infirmary, and into the bedroom.

“Let me know if she needs a diaper change,” Lisa called before he closed and latched the door. She looked up at Taelon and lowered her voice