10
(Rinday)
It was a little warmer in the morning when Jenna waddled the short distance to the elections headquarters.
“I want you sitting!” Tirry said, indicating a chair. “I’ll make sure Barb will find you something to do.”
Jenna sat, feeling rather useless. She noticed her husband looking around again as Yewan came in. She could feel Tirry’s emotions racing again as she noticed him. She smiled and shook her head. Jenna had never seen her friend react this way to a man. She was always the matchmaker, always the bridesmaid. Jenna hoped she was watching the change of luck for Tirry.
Tirry and Tle-sun followed Yewan as he stood near Jenna to relay the news.
“I’ve had confirmation that our helping A’mara will be in tonight. Apparently, we have four coming to help!” Yewan informed.
“How exciting!” Tirry said. “I’m making pizzas for everyone then!”
“We could always go out,” Yewan offered. “This is more than I was expecting you to host.”
“It’s fun to make pizza,” Tirry insisted. “Especially if everyone assembles their own. I’ll make the crusts and prepare the toppings.”
“As long as you’re sure,” Yewan confirmed.
Tirry nodded. “It will be fun.”
“Just don’t ask me to help,” Tle-sun begged. “My baking skills are awful! Just ask Jenna!”
Jenna giggled remembering the last time Tle-sun tried to bake. “Let’s just say that I do all of the cooking!”
Yewan and Tirry laughed too.
“Even you can assemble your own toppings, Tle-sun,” Tirry insisted.
“Don’t blame me if your oven explodes!” Tle-sun retorted.
Jenna nearly snorted in laughter at that one.
“Anyway, something to look forward to at the end of this exhausting day!” Tirry said. “Let’s hustle. Don’t forget we have to collect the housebound ballots today as well.”
Everyone got onto the tasks that Tirry assigned.
Barb gave Jenna some databases to cross reference with their flyppaper list of housebound voters. She didn’t mind being slightly distracted, watching Tirry. Not only was Tirry so obviously in her element, but Jenna almost couldn’t avoid laughing at the way she made sure Yewan had tasks that kept him within her sight. He didn’t seem to mind one bit either.
<Those barriers keep threatening to crumble,> Tle-sun sent to her.
She nodded inwardly.
“Yewan and I have to go down to the prefab,” Tle-sun said to Tirry.
Tirry nodded her understanding as Barb came up to her seeking consultation about something.
Jenna wondered if her husband was going to put another little bug in Yewan’s ear. She had the feeling that not much more was needed now, but that constant pressure to acknowledge his feelings might be wise.
After a quick lunch, Jenna had just finished her tasks and was thinking again about how she wanted to be doing more to help when she heard another voice she recognized well.
“Well, if it isn’t my two favorite elections workers!” a female voice said loudly.
Jenna looked up to see Sandy, the governor, approaching them quickly.
“Governor Sandy!” Tirry said with a hug for her friend. “Thanks for stopping by!”
Sandy stooped so that Jenna could give her a hug as well.
“Still with us, I see,” Sandy said to Jenna, standing again.
“Three weeks to go now!” Jenna replied, rubbing the bump. “But out of the woods now if he wants to come early.”
“Good, good. I’m glad to see you sitting, as boring as it can be!” Sandy said. “Where are the guys?”
“Not sure,” Jenna said. “I think they’re double-checking all the locations for security.”
“That’s what I want to hear!” Sandy replied. “Are you going to visit the shut-ins today?”
“Yes, as soon as the guys are back from those checks,” Jenna informed.
“Sounds like you’ve got everything under control!” Sandy said. Then she brightened again. “Ah, there they are! We were just talking about you!”
“You mustn’t believe all the rumors,” Yewan teased.
“I do like how this one charms us all!” Sandy replied. “Good guy, isn’t he, Tirry!”
Tirry smiled, her cheeks going slightly pink. “You do try to match me up with everyone!” she excused.
“Well, you can’t fault me trying! You’d make a good partner for someone lucky!” Sandy said to the embarrassed woman.
Jenna noticed that even Yewan seemed to be slightly uncomfortable. She hoped it wasn’t overkill.
“Let’s go and get these shut-in votes collected!” Jenna suggested to change the subject. She stood to make good on her suggestion.
“Thank you! Please come and see me after the election – don’t be strangers to my office!” Sandy said as she wandered off.
Jenna could feel Tirry’s unspoken <Thank you!> She smiled at her friend as the foursome left the headquarters with the list of housebound voters. Tirry carried the all-important ballot case, which was locked.
It didn’t take long to visit all the housebound voters in the downtown district. By then, Jenna was feeling very tired and her feet were hurting. They sat for a moment on a bench. Tirry pulled out a couple of small snacks and handed one to Jenna who accepted gratefully. She sat nibbling on the energy bar while rubbing her tightening belly.
“Are you okay?” Tirry asked Jenna.
“Yes,” Jenna said. “Just a practice round. Getting me ready for the real thing.”
Tirry nodded.
“I’m going to take her home,” Tle-sun said with an apology.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Yewan asked Jenna.
Jenna nodded. “I’m just tired and need to rest.”
“Tirry and I will get the job finished,” Yewan reassured the others.
“Be sure to come for the pizza!” Tirry encouraged.
“We will!” Jenna promised and waddled away with Tle-sun.
Tirry felt a little heartsick watching Jenna. She loved her friend like a sister, but she couldn’t help be a little envious. Having assisted at many births herself, she had no illusions about the difficulties of pregnancy and childbirth, but she’d always expected to have a bunch of children running around her by now.
She had never met a man that she wanted to father her children. Until now. She banished the thoughts from her mind again. It was unwise to be so reckless with her thoughts when around a bunch of empathic and telepathic A’mara! Tirry had no idea how gifted Yewan was, but she knew they didn’t call abáris for nothing.
She finished her energy bar.
“How many more do we need to collect?” Yewan asked, breaking through her thoughts again.
“About a dozen more,” Tirry said feeling a burst of energy. “If we’re quick, we can do it before the sun goes down.”
“Let’s get moving then – I need to be able to meet our A’mara at the quay!” he said.
Tirry nodded and led the way, being the one who knew the streets better. “I’ve got everything mapped out in my head!” she said.
“Sounds like I’m in good hands again!” Yewan replied with a smile.
Tirry grinned back, encouraged by his confidence.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them! |
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Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. |
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Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara. |
| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
| Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. The Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? |
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Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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