The Lost Ship of the Tucker Rebellion - Marie Sexton Page 0,98
the forehead. “Yes, ma’am.”
He left the cockpit, but he had one more quick stop to make. He found Spence and Treesa in their makeshift bedroom in the cargo bay.
“I’d feel better if you guys strapped in for the next little bit,” Denver said.
“We will,” Spence said. “We’re just—”
“We’re looking for Mister Grabby,” Treesa interrupted, fists on her hips.
“Oh, right,” Denver said, remembering her stuffed tentacle monster. “I guess I haven’t seen him in a while.”
“I didn’t need him when Gru was here, but now I do.”
Spence threw her an exasperated look. “Yeah. And unfortunately, she’s decided she needs him right this minute.”
Treesa stamped her foot. “I do!”
“He can’t have gone too far. It’s a small ship.” He eyed Spence, who looked about as tired as Denver felt. Denver wanted to kiss him then and there, but they’d never talked about exactly what was or was not allowed in front of Treesa. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Of course.”
Spence followed him through the cargo crates, out of sight of Treesa. “What’s up?”
Denver took Spence’s hand and pulled him into his arms. He held him tight, his face buried in Spence’s hair. He was about to face the biggest, most important challenge of his life. He might find them a new life, or he might get them all killed. The weight of that responsibility felt like more than he could bear. But somehow, standing here with Spence lightened that load the tiniest bit.
Spence’s arms crept around his waist. “Are you all right?”
“I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.”
“I don’t blame you. But it’s going to be fine.”
“What if this doesn’t work?
“It will. You got us this far. There’s not a doubt in my mind you’ll get us the rest of the way.”
Denver shook his head. “How can you have so much faith in me?”
Spence pulled back enough to meet his eyes. “I don’t know, to be honest, but I do. Maybe because I know you’ll do anything for your brother, and that’s a sentiment I can relate to.”
Denver sighed, resting his forehead against Spence’s, wishing he could freeze time. Wishing he could justify a few more minutes with him. But even as he thought it, Treesa called out, “Spence? I found Mister Grabby.”
Treesa’s interruption made Denver realize he’d focused so intently on Spence, he’d once again inadvertently blocked out his brother. He made a deliberate effort to turn that direction and found an exasperated Laramie on the other end of their connection.
“‘Canoodling’? Have you been using OPAL’s dictionary?”
“On my way.”
Spence smiled. “I take it that was Laramie?”
Denver nodded, feeling his brother’s bemused frustration. “Yeah.”
“Duty calls for both of us, I guess.” Spence put his hand on Denver’s cheek. “For the record, I’m awfully glad you came to the club that night.”
“Me too.”
Like it or not, it was time to be a hero or die trying, so Denver did what any hero in an old Earth movie would have done.
He kissed Spence one last time before letting him go.
“See you soon.”
Chapter Twenty
Denver’s plan to head straight to Laramie was destroyed by Tonlet, who waylaid him the minute he stepped out of the Jiminy’s docking bay.
It’d been years since they’d stood face-to-face. Denver had forgotten the way Tonlet refused to acknowledge anyone’s personal space. He stood too close, leaning forward to leer in Denver’s face.
“Quite the find you have here, brother.”
Denver took a step back. “Call me that again and you’ll be a eunuch for the rest of the trip.”
“You always were too touchy.”
Dusty appeared a second later, with Zahn at her heels. She was taller in person than he’d pictured—only an inch or two shorter than Denver himself. Zahn, on the other hand, was several inches shorter than all of them.
“Captain Denver,” Dusty said, shaking his hand. “It’s an honor. And Mr. Tonlet.” Although her voice certainly didn’t hold quite the warmth it had as she’d greeted Denver. “Do we know where the bridge is?”
“Laramie and I believe we found it,” Tonlet said. “Although it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.”
“What exactly do you mean by that?” Zahn asked.
“It’s easier if I show you,” Tonlet answered. “Allow me to show you the way.”
Dusty’s smile was enigmatic. “After you.”
He led them through a series of corridors to where Laramie waited near a doorway.