"Antares - 02 - Antares Passage" - читать интересную книгу автора (McCollum Michael)

building. He threaded his way through the waiting crowd and was about to board a
slidewalk for the main terminal building when a familiar voice called out:
"Richard!"
Drake turned at the sound and was nearly overwhelmed by the fragrant bundle of
femininity that flew into his embrace. Arms wrapped around his neck and warm
lips pressed hungrily against his mouth. He responded in kind for long seconds
before breaking free of his assailant with a grin.
"Excuse me, Miss, but do I know you?"
"You'd better know me," Bethany Lindquist replied with mock severity. "We've got
a date at the altar, remember?"
"Do we?" he asked. "The last time I asked, you said that you didn't want to set
a date because..."
"You knew what I meant! Now stop teasing me before I forget that you ever asked
me."
"Yes, Ma'am, except as I remember, you asked me.Ф
"Then your memory is faulty, sir. Now then, aren't you happy to see me?"
"You know I am, Beth. Here, stand back and let me look at you.Ф Drake thrust his
fiancщe out to arms' length and feasted on the sight of her. Bethany was nearly
as tall as he was, with a well-proportioned figure and an easy, graceful stance.
Her heart shaped face was framed by shoulder-length auburn hair. Her green eyes
had a slight slant to them that complemented her high cheekbones. She was
smiling broadly, which produced dimples in her cheeks. After long seconds of
mutual inspection, he pulled her close again and sighed. "My God, you're more
beautiful than I remember!"
"Thank you, kind sir. May I say the same about you?"
"You may. How the hell did you know I was coming, anyway?"
"I have my spies."
"I'll bet you do. But seriously, how did you know? I didn't know myself which
ship I would be on until a few hours before I left Felicity Base."
"First of all, they're holding a Parliamentary briefing concerning the Helldiver
Project at the Admiralty tomorrow. I knew you would be attending."
"That's supposed to be a secret."
"Not to me. I'm an invited participant."
"You are?"
She nodded. "I'm the official representative of the terrestrial ambassador,
remember?"
"Ah, yes. Now I remember why we can't get married. Something about your duty to
your uncle..."
"Hmmm, do I detect a hint of annoyance in your tone, m'love?"
"More than a hint," he muttered.
"How sweet!"
"Don't change the subject. How did you know I'd be on this shuttle?"
"My uncle told me."
"How the hell did he know?"
"He has an office on Parliament Hill now. He hears things."
"He could have been wrong, you know. What if I hadn't come through that door
just now?"
Bethany shrugged. "Then I would have met every arriving ship for the next month
if I'd had to.Ф She snuggled close and kissed him again. "Oh, Richard, it's so
good to have you home!"