Read Online The Stars Blue Yonder by Sandra McDonald - Free Book Online Page B

that’s why I fall in love with you.”
    He pulled one of the excellent socks onto his left foot. “Who said anything about love? Maybe I just knock you up. Maybe we get married when we’re drunk and you’re going through a fit of rebelliousness. Maybe we get married just so you can screw me over for Sam. He’s an officer, after all.”
    â€œAnd you’re enlisted, so that’s Commander Osherman to you.”
    The half-smile returned. “Commander Osherman. Yes, ma’am.”
    Jodenny wanted to take the remaining sock and shove it into his mouth. Good looks could only get this sailor so far, future husband or not. “Why are you here? Why are you traveling through time with grandchildren in tow? Some sort of strange vacation?”
    â€œThere’s nothing relaxing about this.” Myell pulled on his boots. “We were thrown here. I don’t know how it works or how to control it. I don’t know how to get them home, or if any of us can ever go home.”
    â€œWhere’s home to you?” she asked.
    He shook his head.
    She took a deep breath. “I don’t believe your story, Sergeant. You appear to have convinced Commander Osherman, and who knows what Commander Delaney thinks. The tests say one thing but they can be wrong, or mixed up, or there could be some reasonable explanation other than time travel. This is my life we’re talking about. My career. Which I don’t intend on throwing away anytime soon.”
    His expression was shuttered. “Which is what you’d do, marrying me? Throw your life away?”
    Jodenny spun away and left him with his socks.

CHAPTER FIVE
    â€œSo let me get this straight,” Ensign Hawkins said, hoisting his beer. “You just put on your full lieutenant bars this morning and already you’re a grandma? Fast work!”
    The wardroom was busy and loud, and Jodenny regretted coming. Everyone appeared to have heard the tale of the time-traveling sergeant and the ridiculous claims about her future love life. Gossip had run rife through the department all day—nay, the entire ship, no doubt—and she was feeling like the butt of a particularly bad joke.
    â€œFraternization, too,” said Lieutenant Holt, sitting on the stool at Jodenny’s elbow. “Breaking ranks for love. That’s our girl.”
    Another word or two and she was going to poke both of them in the eye. Dyanne rescued her before that could happen by taking her elbow and steering her toward a set of faux-leather chairs in the corner.
    In just a few minutes the hour would strike and they’d have to sit for dinner, but for now they had a moment of privacy.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Dyanne asked.
    Jodenny lifted her beer stein. “Getting sloshed.”
    â€œYour future husband is sitting in a cabin with your future grandchildren, and you’re here? Aren’t you at all curious?”
    â€œIt’s a hoax!” Jodenny insisted. “Or another prank.”
    Dyanne gave her an impatient look. “A joke perpetuated by the Security Officer known so much for her sense of humor? By the doctors, who have nothing to do but yank your chain? Listen to yourself.”
    â€œNo, you listen to yourself. There is no such thing as time travel. You were in the same academy physics classes I was. It’s impossible.”
    â€œImpossible just means they haven’t figured it out yet. What’s really impossible is why you’re here when you should be there. Don’t you think they’re scared? Don’t you think they need you?”
    Jodenny drank more beer and let her gaze roam over the familiar faces of her fellow officers as they chatted and joked. These men and women aboard the
Yangtze
were her true family. She didn’t need any more than that. Didn’t want it.
    â€œI’ll see them tomorrow,” she told Dyanne.
    â€œHow do you know they’ll even be