Hung with Care: Uhraervi Brothers, #1

By Jordyn Kross

Quaythars Felixiuh couldn't be mistaken for Santa, and he's no saint.

 

Andrea Watts, aspiring teacher, loves all things Christmas. But when she falls asleep in her car in a winter storm, only the timely arrival of a hairy alien saves her from certain death.

 

Quaythars Felixiuh, species geneticist, intends to retrieve his mate at her request. The entire Uhraervi race is counting on their success. But when he lands on Earth, he is shocked by Andrea's poor judgment. He can save her life, but he will not be keeping her. Even if it costs him his future.

 

A fake relationship can lull the expectations of the Uhraervi people, and allow Andrea to receive necessary medical care. But she didn't ask to be rescued, and her future isn't on an alien space station.

 

She's going home for Christmas, no matter how attractive Quay is.

 

Originally published in the Passionate Ink Holiday Shorts anthology.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jordyn Kross
• Release date: Mar 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959691075

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

December 10, 2050

Joy to the world… Andrea Watts sang along with the music chirping from the diner’s speakers. She pinned another length of tinsel over a wide window. Let every heart prepare him room—

Hey, girl, her boss called out. Looking festive in here.

Andrea preened under the praise.

I have the donations counted. A hundred and seven this year. And of course, I’ll match it. We should go to the mall next week. Get the Giving Tree tags and shop. Buying Christmas presents for impoverished children was Andrea’s idea, but Virginia oversaw the employee contributions.

Seven dollars more than last year. Andrea gingerly stepped off the faux-wood table to the bench seat and down to the floor. She swiped a stray red tendril of hair behind her ear.

You gonna be much longer? Virginia asked, jangling the keys.

The empty restaurant had closed an hour earlier. Just need to hang the ornaments.

Don’t stay too late, Virginia said in an overly bright tone.

Andrea tensed.

I need you for the breakfast shift.

Again?

No problem, Andrea lied as her aching feet screamed. But her rent was late, and she was short. The breakfast rush tips would help.

Any news on your application?

Virginia had given her a letter of reference for the teaching program at the local college and helped Andrea with the application.

Nothing yet. But she had faith. Her entire future would take off as soon as she received her acceptance and the scholarship.

I’m locking up. Because Virginia trusted nobody with the keys. Check the door and make sure the lights are off.

You got it. Andrea retrieved sparkly balls from the storage bin.

Her boss waved from the far side of the glass, and Andrea smiled. She moved faster but took as much delight as possible in decorating. She didn’t have her own ornaments since her grandma passed. Andrea shook off the momentary melancholy and twirled around to check her work. Not bad for a dirt-cheap diner in a dark corner of Chicago.

She grabbed her coat and wallet from her locker. Checked her phone and sighed. Dead again. She tugged on her too-thin gloves and regretted forgetting her hat. Thick snow had started to fall. In a soft voice, she sang, Silent night, holy…

Lights off, door locked, she jogged across the barren lot to her grandma’s old car. The last hover bus of the night whooshed by in the distance as she settled in the driver’s seat.

Start. Dammit, Betty. Please. Andrea pushed the button again. Nothing. I’ll take you to get serviced next week, promise. The shop had said the batteries were degraded, but if she could just get one more start. Sleep in her own bed before pulling a double shift. The car didn’t respond to her final jab.

CHAPTER TWO

Four cycles earlier.

Presenting Quaythars Felixiuh, first of the Uhraervi to match with the imperiled humans. Quay’s mother’s tone was victorious, proud, and demanding—exactly like she was.

Quay lifted his chin, gazing over the hangar filled with press representatives and citizens, most of whom were past their prime for