Genre: Science Fiction/Futuristic Romance
The Reunion Trilogy, Book 3
The end game is looming, but whether the last of the Ito family will find his happily ever after is in the balance.
Tomi Ito must deal with the knowledge that the woman he's loved forever, Gillian Edgemont, thinks he's abandoned her in her time of need. But when he's abducted, she's there to help save him.
Gillian is running from the wreck of her life and the unrequited passion she holds for her former boss, Senator Tomi Ito. When he follows her to Vega II so does the danger that's been dogging the Ito family.
As the finale looms, does it include a future for Tomi and Gillian? Or will it all turn to ashes?
Even as Gillian scanned the view, she noted that the pilot slipped a headpiece over his ear so he could communicate with the rescue worker. She wished she knew who was in the water, but his words were too low to overhear.
In the main cabin, she could hear bangs and groaning equipment. The scene on the view screen changed to the belly of their craft. She could see a man dangling in the air, and in the water, someone clutching another person. She said a silent prayer that one of them was Tomi.
Tension rose in the cabin, thick and heady. The rescuer plunged into the cold waters. A harness was handed over and gripped while the officer dealt with the other. From the movements, Gillian could tell that the person was panicked. Slowly, the first harness rose and she could tell it wasn't Tomi, as the person had long hair and bare legs. She sucked in a breath as the second person in the water was assisted into another harness, then he or she rose with the rescuer. Even though she craned, the outline of the officer obscured her view. She sucked in an unsteady breath, clenched her hands together, and waited.
When Gillian was sure she could last no longer, the door opened with a bang. She quickly looked up, anticipation sizzling along every nerve ending.
There in the doorway was Tomi, wet and shivering, but very much alive. In his arms was a woman, bedraggled and dirty, but he held her so tenderly that any hopes or dreams Gillian harbored melted away. There was never any hope for her and the feelings that burned in her chest.
Without a word, Gillian turned away and fought the sting of tears in her eyes. She noted the sounds of joyous reunion between brother and sister, but she kept her gaze averted, to give them privacy, she piously told herself. When the pilot ordered them strapped in, she breathed a silent sigh of relief. She knew that this torture, him being so close but now forever so far away, would come to an end sooner rather than later.
Just as she was sure she'd be spared, Tomi spoke. "Gillian, thank you for coming to find me."
The clog of tears filled her throat, but she managed to croak, "It was nothing."
"It means a lot to me." He reached out and touched her hand, and she bit back the gasp that rose.
Nerves in her hand jumped and thrummed, but she ignored them. "Honestly, I'm just pleased I could help."
She glanced in his direction, taken aback by the directness in his gaze before the woman beside him shuddered. He scooped her closer and Gillian turned away.
Imogene is a mother of two, compulsive reader, and bookstore owner. She lives in regional Queensland, Australia with her husband, two daughters, dog, cats, guinea pigs, and chooks. She has a particular fondness for vampires, star ship captains, and things that go bump in the night (especially vampire types).Imogene has tried many varied roles in her working life including kindergarten assistant, teacher, principal, and kindergarten and child care director, but rates owning a bookstore and writing her own novels as the absolute highlight.In her mother and wife alter ego, she has travelled widely and lived in some very unique places including Far Western Queensland, Cape York, and even Tasmania. She loves to travel and rates China and Hong Kong among her favorite destinations.She blames Star Trek Voyager, Firefly, and the works of Alexander Kent for her interest in naval activities and later space fleet interest.
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