Merry & Seduced Read Online Free PDF Page A

authorities.”
    “They won’t believe you,” Ry said. “They’ll call you crazy.”
    The color fled Ellen’s cheeks, leaving her pallid. Amme took a step toward her, concerned for the other woman, but halted at her wide-eyed terror.
    “Not that we intend to hurt you,” Camryn said. “We’re here for a visit. We want to spend Christmas and New Year here then we’re leaving for Viros.”
    “W-where is your spaceship?” Ellen stammered.
    “It’s hidden,” Ry said. “We don’t want trouble or any attention from the authorities. I promised Camryn we’d bring her home for a visit. She was worried about her brother, about all of you.”
    And she’d wanted to make things right, Amme knew. She wanted to apologize to her twin and show him she’d changed for the better. Ellen might make this visit difficult though. She was scared and she disapproved of Camryn. Her silent enmity worried Amme, because it was in her nature to fix relationships.
    Max reappeared with a tall man with brown hair. No, not brown Amme thought when he walked in front of a window. There were strands of red and gold mixed in with the brown. Several tuffs stood up on end, as if he’d dragged his hand through his hair repeatedly, and Amme ached to smooth the locks down. Her lips quirked a fraction. Well, to touch the girth of his shoulders really. The Earthman was a magnificent male specimen.
    “This man,” Amme whispered to Camryn. “I pick him. Who is he?”
    “I don’t know. He has a child with him. He might be married.”
    Amme blinked. The man had commanded her full attention. She hadn’t noticed the child holding his hand. Disappointment seared through her, followed quickly by her normal practicality. Early days yet. She had several Earth weeks to find a suitable male.
    The child was a female—tiny with delicate features and the same coloring as the man. There was an air about her—one of loss that fired Amme’s empathy.
    “Marcus,” Ellen said.
    “I’m sorry,” Marcus said, his husky voice pulling a visceral response from Amme. “You have visitors. I don’t want to interrupt. I’ll go and leave you—”
    “No!” Ellen said quickly.
    “Stay,” Max agreed. “This is my twin sister, Camryn.”
    “Pleased to meet you,” Camryn said, extending her hand. “This is my husband Ry Coppersmith and my best friend Amme Vanak.”
    “Camryn,” Marcus said.
    “Good afternoon,” Ry said, and he grinned at Camryn’s imperceptible nod and followed suit by shaking hands.
    Amme offered her hand next. Such a quaint Earth custom, even if it did pass on germs and bacteria. “Pleased to meet you.”
    Camryn winked at her too, so Amme knew she’d managed her English well.
    “Would you like a cup of tea?” Ellen asked.
    “Why don’t I make it?” Camryn said. “Amme can help me. You have a seat and relax.”
    Ellen cast a quick glance at Ry and retreated to a seat on the other side of the room.
    Amme followed Camryn from the room, fascinated by the human kitchen. “Show me how these things work,” she said. “This is so much fun.”
    “Hopefully my cottage is vacant so some of us can move in there,” Camryn said. “Then I can teach you more stuff. We can get a Christmas tree.”
    Amme grinned. “Yes. You told me how to make tea. Let me see if I remember.”
    By the time they returned to the lounge room, Amme was proud of her accomplishments.
    Unseen by his mother, Luke walked up to Ry and tugged on his hand. “Where is the kitty?”
    “He went outside,” Ry said, his words careful and perfect English. It was better to practice the local language rather than rely on the translators.
    Amme set the tray down and let Camryn do the honors. She was looking forward to tasting tea. She’d already sneaked a piece of shortbread and found the buttery biscuit exquisite. There was shortbread with chocolate chips too. She’d try a piece of that next.
    “She delivered her by courier?” The disbelief in Ellen’s voice grabbed