Regan's Reach 2: Orbital Envy Read Online Free PDF Page A

thoroughly satisfied diners. Wine was still flowing, the news had been great, and the company couldn't be doing better. Actually little time had been spent on business. It was unsaid but the days of needing to report in had long past. Kevin and Mary, STEIN CEO and CFO respectively, had been managing the company better than she could she knew, and truthfully that was the way she liked it. Being able to concentrate on Hillary and plans for the future was a blessing. It helped that both Kev and Mary were working in their respective elements. They loved what they did and they loved working, and playing, together.
    "Mary, that was magnificent, you are a great organizer, and I couldn't fit another thing in." Regan leant back, her hands on her stomach and let out a long, satisfied sigh.
    "Haa, you know I didn't cook it," Mary laughed her loud raucous laugh and slapped Regan's shoulder. "I'm an eater not a cooker!"
    "And a lot more besides, that I know!" Regan stood and stretched like a cat. She turned and hugged her new sister in law. "It's great to be here with my new sister, thank you."
    Kevin stood, suddenly looking nervous. "Sis', let's go through to the lounge, get comfortable, we . . . we'd like to talk."
    "We have been talking . . . haven't we?" and Regan smiled.
    Kevin put one arm firmly around her and prompted her toward the comfortable chairs in the room beyond. "Yes of course we have, and we have some other things, come on let's sit down in a bit more comfort."
    She allowed herself to be guided to a large single facing the couch; Kevin and Mary took the seats opposite.
    "I'm sad I missed the twins Kev, it seems like an age since I saw them." Regan smiled, trying to ease the tension which had somehow come into the room. What's up?
    Ham was strangely silent, none of the normal distracting commentary in her head. Something was wrong, she knew it.
    Kevin took the lead. "Regan . . . we're concerned about Jared."
    She sat up straight, suddenly defensive. "Jared? He's fine . . . isn't he?"
    "He's a great kid Sis'" Kevin continued, "But . . . we're concerned he spends a lot of time alone."
    "Alone? I talk to him every day, and mom is with him, and Ham, what are you trying to say, I think . . ." and to her annoyance tears began to well up in her eyes.
    Mary spoke quickly, "Regan we love you, and we know Jared loves you, but that boy needs more than a lonely life on Hillary Station." She continued before Regan could reply. "Regan, he needs children to interact with, I know it will come at Hillary, but maybe not soon enough for him. Don't get me wrong, it's difficult to be a working mother, but maybe there are some things that could lighten the load."
    Rattled and annoyed, but feeling guilty at the same time, Regan was speechless for a moment. Nothing they were saying was a surprise to her. They knew she . . . loved the boy, but nothing of this situation she seemed confident to deal with. She dropped her head into her hands. "I do love him . . . I do, but I know . . . I'm a terrible mother."
    Mary came over and knelt on the floor in front of her. She put her hands on Regan's knees. "Babe, we want to help, we want to move to Hillary, bring the children with us. They're a year younger but they're family, they're friends, and there will be others, soon." She paused. "In fact, it's decided, we're going to do it!"
    Regan looked confused, stunned in fact, but only for a moment. "Kev . . . What's happening?"
    "It's decided Regan, we're not needed here specifically. Most of our time now is spent online or on vid-calls or traveling and with the speed of the Pod's we can do that just as easily from Hillary. We want to move and we're going to, for you and for Jared. It's done." He was definite.
    "But . . . how? Where will you stay, it's no place for a family." Regan struggled.
    "Well," He quickly continued, "it should be a place for families and will be. We have a compound all prepared for us; it'll be The Stein Compound, a home for us, Jared,