Canvas Skies (Reliance on Citizens Makes Us Great!) by S. L. Wallace Page A

voice. “You told me he
didn't love you.”
    Her eyes flew open. “He doesn't.”
    “He cares about you. It's obvious.”
    “Maybe so, but it's more about image.”
    “Image?”
    “Look, nothing is going on between me and
Cole. Until today, I hadn't even seen him since last year.”
    Last year, when I pushed her away. Keira
leaned against me and rested her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my
arms around her. I would have liked to have stayed that way just a
little longer, but my food was getting cold, and my stomach started
to complain. I let go and picked up a spoon. The soup was
delicious, an interesting mix of spices, so why couldn't I enjoy
it? I glanced at the bar. Cole was gone.
    When I'd nearly finished my soup, I reached
into my inside coat pocket and pulled out two invitations to an
upcoming benefit: Redemption for Orphans.
    “What's this?” Keira asked, as I handed them
to her.
    “A charity fundraiser. You and Aimee should
attend.”
    “You want me to go to this, as what, another
way to practice being Elite?”
    I shook my head. Most charities were really
just a way to keep Elite women occupied. In most cases, one of the
husbands handled the business end, and most of the money was
filtered right back to the Elite.
    “Another way to be Elite,” I corrected. “My
mother recently accepted the lead board position so I'll be there
to support her. I'd like you to go with me, as my date.”
    “Oh.” Keira hung her head and mumbled, “Of
course. We'll be there.”
    I traced my finger along the edge of her jaw
until she smiled. “And I'll see you on Thursday night.” Thursday
was Aimee's Grand Opening. I focused my attention on the rest of my
food. I was finally able to enjoy it.
    Eberhardt noticed the more relaxed
atmosphere at our booth and drifted over.
    “So what brought you two here this
afternoon?” I ventured to ask.
    “Brody,” Keira said. “I know how to keep him
alive now, but I'm afraid it's going to kill him.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, he's part of our team now, part of
the Resistance, in a way that he wasn't before. We've become real
friends.” She grew quiet again.
    “And?”
    “They're after me, and that's not just
speculation. Because the wanted posters aren't working, they think
they can get to me through him. We must have been spotted together.
The only way to keep Brody safe is to let him go. It's gonna kill
him.” She shook her head sadly. “And he can't help us with air
travel anymore. It's too risky, for him and for us. You'll have to
put Raquelle back to work getting people through.”
    I nodded. We could work with that. “Do
what's necessary to keep him safe. Then toss that red wig, and let
me take care of the rest.”

 
     
     
-Keira-
Cole's Dilemma

    “Who's he?” Guy asked.
    I leaned over to look. “Oh, that's Cole.
Excuse me.”
    I'd hoped I'd run into him today. Guy helped
me from the booth.
    “What's he doing here?” Cole asked when I
hopped onto the barstool next to him. He kept his back to the
room.
    “Working. Do you have a problem with
that?”
    “Nope. I saw your picture.”
    The tabloid photo. “Yeah, I wanted to talk
with you about that.”
    Cole turned to look at me. “You playin'
him?”
    “No, I'm with him. He's asked me to marry
him and,” I took a deep breath, then finished in a rush, “I've said
yes.”
    Cole's gaze drifted around the room. “He
knows what you do, where you come from. He knows you're not Kendra
James.”
    “Yes, he's known since the beginning.”
    “That where you been for the past year?”
    “Yep.”
    He nudged me with his elbow and grinned.
“Way to go!”
    I blushed, recognizing high praise from
Cole. “Thank you.”
    “I saw you talking to Jenna before. What'd
she have to say?”
    I shook my head. “You know I can't, but have
any of your clients gone missing lately?”
    “Missing? Yeah!”
    “Who?”
    “Some of my military contacts, high up
officers.”
    “Special Ops?”
    “Some, not all. And my