Rain Saga (31 page)

Even so, there was still a lot of humanitarian need out there, and she had spent the greater part of the past two years travailing from one refugee camp to the next, helping in any way she could as the swamp gradually receded. In fact, she had only been back to New Denver once before: to attend Bridget and Keith’s wedding.

“You come here often?”

The sudden question cut through her thoughts and she turned.

“No more than you do, Mark,” she said with a smile, wrapping her arms around him. “It’s good to see you in person again.”

He returned the embrace. “It’s good to see you, too.”

They parted and walked over to sit on a nearby bench. “So, Mark. How have things been up in the CEO’s office?”

“Busy. Carl Landers left some pretty big shoes to fill when he retired. It’ll be hard to find a man to replace him.”

“Have you thought any more about maybe giving Keith the job?”

“How can I forget with you reminding me all the time?”

She laughed.

“You’re right, though,” he continued, “he does have all the qualities of a good chief of security. Plus, Landers already listed him as his top candidate.”

“He’s a good man. I think he’d make a great chief,” she said. “How’s the reintroduction program going?”

“Slowly. All those years without sunlight really did a number on the environment. But thanks to the Ark project’s DNA library and the Unitech cloning facilities, we should be able to restore things to the way they were in about a decade or so.” He glanced down and indicated her hand with a quick nod. “How’s the arm?”

She pulled up her sleeve revealing the flawless skin beneath. “It’s good. The surgeons did a great job putting it all back together..”

“They sure did,” he said then added with a grin, “
and
it looks like you’ve been enjoying the sun these past few months. Am I right?”

She blushed, looking over her tanned complexion. “Yet another benefit of shutting down Cathedral.”

They both laughed then Mark asked, “So what are you planning on doing, now that the sun has cured everyone for you?”

“I’m not really sure. I mean, we already saved the world. Next to that, everything sort of pales in comparison.”

Mark chuckled. “I can’t argue there.”

“So what about you? Once you get things under control here, what are your plans?”

“I haven’t really thought about it. But I still want to do something where I can help people. Edgard destroyed a lot of lives all over the world. And I want to do something to help make that right.”

She nodded her approval. “That sounds like a noble thing to do.”

“I was hoping you’d feel that way.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and slowly slid his hand toward hers. In a softer tone he said, “I … would really like to have a partner. Are you interested?”

“That all depends on what you’re asking me,” she whispered, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“Well? What do you think I’m asking?”

“I think … you’re trying to propose something.”

He smiled and took her hand in his. “I think you might be right, Miss Luna McKelly.”

Wordlessly, she inched her head toward him, and their lips met as he wrapped his arms around her. After all they’d been through together, there was no place else she would rather be.

The future beckoned like the first light of the new day. Her rain saga was over, but her life was just beginning.

Acknowledgments

It’s been a long road since 2009. Rain Saga has gone through many different shapes and forms—from alien abductions to fantasy worlds. But it has been a fun ride. It’s been long and sometimes annoying and frustrating—but overall it’s been a good experience. And I just wanted to thank all those who made it possible.

First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the inspiration and foundational framework for the story. I never would have started this adventure if it weren’t for Him.

Secondly, I want to thank the members of Tricia Goyer’s creative writing club—they were the first ones to see Rain Saga. Without their input and enthusiasm, I never would have made it this far.

I want to thank Heather Campbell for her insight and editing assistance. And I’d also like to thank my proofreaders and the other people who helped me with the editing process.

Thank you to Valerie Seelye of Valerie Seelye Design for her wonderful cover art.

And, of course, thank you to all my readers and friends for your continued support and interest in my works.

See you in the future!

~Riley Barton

About the Author

Riley Barton was born in Boise Idaho, and now lives in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. He began writing
Rain Saga
at age 19, and completed the novel a year later. He plans on pursuing a career in Young Adult Fiction.
 

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