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    Export Duty: The Department of Homeworld Security, #9
    Export Duty: The Department of Homeworld Security, #9
    Export Duty: The Department of Homeworld Security, #9
    Ebook140 pages2 hours

    Export Duty: The Department of Homeworld Security, #9

    By Cassandra Chandler

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    About this ebook

    Her next delivery will be out of this world!

     

    Lily's main priority is to steer her family's import/export company toward altruistic pursuits. That is, until her Nana starts talking about doing yoga with a little lizard person from outer space. Lily's new goal is to help her Nana see through her delusions. But then, the alien in question actually shows up in the green-scaled flesh, dragging along a doctor that Lily would love to have examine her.

     

    As field medic for the Coalition soldiers stationed at the Earth base in Florida, Rin is pretty non-essential. His job is to smile and distract people while med-tech takes care of whatever issue they're having. So why is a Vegan—the creators of that technology—coming to him for help? Though he can't complain about being introduced to the strong and compassionate Earthling named Lily.

     

    Throw in some desperate Antareans wanting to start a trade agreement with Earth, and an attack by dozens of fanged, furred Earth-monsters called "cats," and Rin is going to need some of that med-tech for himself. Can he and Lily work together to solve Cyan's mysterious ailment and give the Antareans the supplies they need to stave off a deadly plague?

     

    Main Content: Approximately 28,625 words, 140 (5.5 x 8.5) pages

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCassandra Chandler
    Release dateMar 5, 2019
    ISBN9781945702297
    Export Duty: The Department of Homeworld Security, #9
    Author

    Cassandra Chandler

    USA Today Bestselling author Cassandra Chandler uses her vivid imagination to make the world more interesting, spawning the ideas she turns into her evocative Science Fiction Romances and enthralling Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Romances. Fast-paced and funny, lighthearted or tinged with shadow, her stories will introduce you to characters you'll fall in love with and worlds you long to explore.

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      Book preview

      Export Duty - Cassandra Chandler

      Export Duty

      The Department of Homeworld Security

      Book Nine

      Cassandra Chandler

      Copyright Page

      You are a good person! You know that stealing is wrong. Remember, eBooks can’t be shared or given away. It’s against copyright law. So don’t download books you haven’t paid for or upload books in ways other people can access for free. That would be stealing.

      And you’re better than that.

      This book is pure fiction. All characters, places, names, and events are products of the author’s imagination or used solely in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to any people, places, things, or events that have ever existed or will ever exist is entirely coincidental.

      Export Duty

      The Department of Homeworld Security, Book Nine

      Copyright © 2019 by Cassandra Chandler

      ISBN: 978-1-945702-29-7

      Edited by Eliza Sinclair

      All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used, transmitted, or reproduced in any manner or form without written permission from the author, except for brief quotations used in critical articles and reviews.

      First eBook edition: March 2019

      cassandra-chandler.com

      P.O. Box 91

      Mission, Kansas 66201

      Dedication

      For Rob P. — an amazing healer.

      Don’t miss out on any of the alien action.

      Subscribe to Cassandra Chandler’s newsletter now!

      Chapter One

      Lily was heading into a trap. She felt it in her bones as her truck bounced along the uneven gravel and sand that led to the small bungalow at the end of the lane. When she was close to the house, she turned off the engine, but didn’t get out of the truck. She needed to plot out contingency plans.

      The place looked so innocent. Powder blue stucco—chipped in a few places—and flower boxes in every window, bursting with colorful plants. Palmetto fronds hung above the driveway, as if personally shielding whoever came to this oasis from the oppressive afternoon heat. The house itself was tucked back into a canopy of white pines and oaks.

      A bug flew in through the open window. Lily shooed it away.

      Why did she have to build her house on the edge of the Everglades? Lily mumbled.

      A small wisp of a woman stepped out into the shade surrounding her house, her white hair fluffed out around her head like a cloud. Her eyes were as blue as the sky above—just like Lily’s.

      Lily? Is that you? The woman stretched out her arms and made grabby hands. Come on over here, sweet pea!

      Lily slid from her seat, dragging her purse with her. By the time her feet hit the ground, she was being pulled into a huge hug.

      Nana Lillian, she said. How are you?

      I’m just fine. Nana laughed, then pulled back and squeezed Lily’s arms. Let me look at you.

      It’s only been a month.

      I used to see you every week.

      Lily pushed down a huge pang of guilt. Tried to, anyway.

      I know, she said. Things at the warehouse have been so busy. Helping mom has taken up—

      Quit fussing, I didn’t mean anything by it. Nana waved a hand at Lily, then hooked her arm into Lily’s elbow and headed for the house. You take things so seriously. I just wanted you to know I missed you, that’s all. I have plenty of company out here.

      As if summoned by her words, a glaring of cats raced out from the house’s open door.

      Drat.

      The cat treats Lily had brought along for them were still in the glove box. She’d get them later.

      Lily was pretty sure she’d learned every word for a group of cats since Nana retired. Clowder, clutter, pounce, glaring. Nana’s house seemed to spawn the things.

      Meows and purrs greeted them as the cats wove around their feet. Lily nearly tripped a few times, but Nana kept her upright.

      You’re not doing your yoga, I see, Nana said. Skipping your practice isn’t good for your balance—on many levels.

      For someone who isn’t trying to guilt me, you sure are hitting my weak spots.

      Oh, honey. Nana leaned into Lily’s side. "You know I’m here to help. Just…way out here. She moved her free hand in an arc, accenting her words. Do you like living in the old loft?"

      I do. But you didn’t have to give it to me.

      Pshaw. I can do what I want with what’s mine. And now it’s yours.

      They stepped into Nana’s kitchen, a cooler breeze wafting through the open doorway. Lily wasn’t sure how Nana managed to keep her house so cool, but she wasn’t about to complain. She really needed to get the AC in the truck fixed.

      Nana poured iced tea into two glasses from a sweating jar. She wiped the condensation on her neck when she was done and let out a little sigh, then handed a glass to Lily.

      Let’s sit on the back porch, Nana said. There was a gleam in her eye that Lily only saw when Nana was onto a very special find. Treasure hunts, she called them.

      Dread curled in Lily’s stomach. Was this where the ambush would happen?

      Nana had said she wanted to introduce Lily to someone, and wouldn’t say more—aside from reassuring Lily that she wasn’t trying to hook her up with anyone. A lifetime of experiences pushed back against the promises.

      The last time Nana had tried to introduce Lily to someone, she’d said, "You don’t have to marry him, just have a little fun!"

      Nana and Lily’s mom were both free spirits when it came to…pretty much anything. Lily wished she had half their confidence and spontaneity.

      Neither woman shied away from going after what they wanted, whether it was in the boardroom or the bedroom. Lily was the weirdo who always thought things through and had to have a million contingency plans before venturing into something new.

      She followed Nana to the porch, a weird mix of relieved and disappointed to find all four wicker chairs empty. Well, except for the cats.

      Shoo. Shoo. Nana cleared two of the chairs of cats for them. Once they were settled, she said, Is your mom handling things okay with the business?

      Of course. Everything’s fine.

      Then why are you having to help her so much?

      I get it. I’ll try to make it out here more often. Guilt aside, Lily really did miss their visits.

      Honey, you’ve got to loosen up a little. Yes, I love spending time with you, but I’m more concerned that you’re focusing on the business too much. Is that really what you want to do with your life?

      How can you even ask? You built that company from nothing. I’m going to take it over eventually, and—

      Who says you’re going to take it over? I built it because it’s what I wanted to do. Your mom took over because it’s what she wanted. That doesn’t mean you have to.

      Lily felt her heart skip at the thought. She’d spent her childhood playing among the boxes of rare goods her Nana somehow managed to trade for, buy, or dig up herself. It was like growing up in a museum where Lily could play with the exhibits—as long as they hadn’t been sold yet.

      But she wanted to make a difference. To help people. She was already brainstorming ideas of how to use the family’s contacts and resources for altruistic pursuits when the company passed to her.

      I do want to learn the business, Lily said. And I’ll make it my own when it’s time.

      Of that, I have no doubt. But the universe is much more vast and interesting than even I ever imagined. Life on Earth is short, and I want you to enjoy it.

      Life on Earth?

      That was…weird. Lily wrote it off as something Nana had picked up from one of the books she was constantly reading. They both took big drinks of their tea, then set down their glasses on the wrought iron table between them, moving at the same time. Sharing a look, they laughed at the synchronicity they so often enjoyed when they were together.

      Insects droned loudly from the surrounding woods. With the shade of the trees and the porch roof, it was much cooler than the drive out had been. A cat jumped onto Lily’s lap, but she immediately evicted it. Even with the shade, she couldn’t stand the extra heat it was putting off.

      They miss Cyan. Nana chuckled.

      Who’s Cyan?

      She’s who I asked you out here to meet. Actually, she should have arrived by now. Nana stood and shouted, Cyan?

      Lily let out a nervous laugh. Cyan must be a new cat. Although, Lily couldn’t guess why Nana wanted to arrange a special introduction for this one. Maybe it was super feral, and Nana needed help taming it. Lily was pretty good with animals.

      Cyan! Nana called again.

      I’m sure she’ll come around when she’s hungry, Lily said.

      Hungry? Is that a vegan joke? Nana slapped her thigh. Oh wait. You don’t know where she’s from yet.

      "Who does know where they all come from. I swear these cats are growing on the trees out here."

      Nana laughed. Cyan’s not a cat. She’s my yoga partner. That’s her mat over there.

      She pointed at the corner of the living room that was visible from where they were sitting. A couple of yoga mats were rolled up and propped against the wall, including a new one that looked like a child’s mat. Maybe somebody with kids had built a house nearby?

      Nana would be a great influence on

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