The writers of Ozarks Romance Authors have launched their own Round Robin. New installments will be posted monthly. Be sure to check back to see how the story is progressing!
The next installment of our story, HOLY FUDGE NUGGETS, is authored by Susan Keene. If you like what you read, be sure to check out her work.
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Holy Fudge Nuggets
“Before we leave…” Lauren began to look around. No way NASA would leave an Astronaut in the middle of the desert with a billion dollar machine and not send someone to pick him up. “Is it possible for me to take a look inside your ride?”
He glanced down from his six feet something height to her five feet nothing height and said curtly. “No. Actually, I should move it before we go. I wouldn’t want someone to find it and find themselves an Magula in the morning.”
Why couldn’t she keep her eyes from wandering down? There they were again, dangling for her to see. She had broken up with Bryan two years ago. If she went without sex much longer she wondered if she could again be considered a virgin. “A-a Magula?” She couldn’t concentrate while looking at him like that. Ok, this this had to stop before she jumped this naked stranger right there and then.
She walked self-consciously toward her Jeep Wrangler. She’d left a beach towel in the back when she drove to the lake with her friends. She assured herself it would cover him nicely and fought the urge to glance back and take one more peek. Instead she looked the other way and kept walking then stopped in her tracks to stare at the completely refurbished spacecraft a football field away. Then it dawned on her. “Magula. You’re not from Earth, are you?” By now he stood beside her.
“No but if it puts your mind at ease, this is my third mission here so I’m well informed as to how things work. What I like best about your planet is gravity. It is so much easier to get projects finished when your tools aren’t floating around or on the other hand, so heavy there is no way you can use them.”
Tools. Lauren didn’t want to think of his tools! She rooted through the rear of her vehicle and pulled out a wrinkled, damp, smelly, towel from her last water excursion. She didn’t look at him when she handed him the disgusting thing, she would give him some privacy while he wrapped the nasty terry cloth around his Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson waist.
Privacy? She thought how silly it had been to look away after staring at his junk for the last… who knows how long. As she crooked her head back toward him, she noticed the aircraft had vanished. “What the hell?”
Roan must have seen the look on her face. He helped her to the front of the car and sat her in the seat. She was glad she had taken the top off for the summer.
He gently closed the door then rested one tanned muscled arm on the opened window frame and the other on the windshield. He leaned his lemon and mint scented face so close to hers she saw blue flecks dancing in his eyes and watched them turn dark as he spoke in a voice much lower than she noticed before.
“Lauren, I can’t tell you how sorry I am you were here to see my ship crash. It is important you listen to every word I have to say.
“You said nothing when I said I’d visited Earth before. It makes me think you are not taking this encounter seriously. I don’t want to tell you too much because it is human nature to let others in on events such as this.”
Lauren was so afraid she struggled to get a breath. This man was an alien! She leaned backward, he leaned forward. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Roan stepped back. “There are many mysteries in the Universe. I am one of thousands of members of the Planetary Rewind Academy. You, on Earth, are too naive to understand the gravity of our mission, or to become a part of it. We have been here many times over the centuries and have left signs. Yet Earthlings have reduced our markings and attempts to contact your inhabitants to sightseeing destinations and mere close encounters.”
Lauren knew what she said from that point on could save her or — not. She hadn’t felt threatened until that moment. “I believe this entire happenstance is fascinating. I moved here to be closer to where the majority of alien sightings have been. I swear, your secret is safe with me.”
“I’m going to trust you, Lauren. We at the PRA have many friends on different planets and star-stops. There are few on Earth. No matter how evolved we are, it’s nice to have a friendly face and someone to talk to if our mission is long term.”
“I am honored,” she answered with no more fear.
“Good.” He opened the car door with a smile. Because, the only time I can eat hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes is on Earth. I’m hungry.”
He lifted her from the seat and hugged her as if they’d been friends for years. Wow, she was actually having an encounter with an alien! The way he embraced, and moved against her told her he was more Earthling than he wanted to admit.
About the Author
Susan Keene was born in California and raised in Illinois. Now she lives on a farm in the beautiful Ozarks. She writes full time and loves every minute of it.
Her hobbies include treasure hunting with her metal detector, bike riding, reading, art, walking and her children and grandchildren.
Susan spent the first 20 years of her career in the medical field. She likes to weave her knowledge from the hospital into her novels.
Susan is available for speaking engagements, book signings and reviews. She loves reading her children’s books to schools and teaching children to get excited about reading and writing.
She also enjoys speaking at Book Clubs and writer’s groups.
