Time and Again

probably enough." But William held his opinion on the rest in reserve.
    "I was just about to make lunch." She had to do something, Libby thought, to keep everyone busy until she'd worked out a solution.
    "Good idea." Caroline pulled fresh cauliflower out of a bag. She'd found the chips, and a jar of pickled hot sausages William had smuggled in. "But I'll make it. Why don't you give me a hand, William?"
    "But I-"
    "Brew some tea," she suggested.
    "I'd love some tea," Libby said, knowing it was a sure way to her father's heart. She took Cal by the hand. "We'll be right back." The moment they were in the living room, she turned on him. "What are we going to do?"
    "About what?"
    With a sound of disgust, Libby paced toward the fireplace. "I've got to tell them something, and it can hardly be that you've just dropped in from the twenty-third century."
    "No, I'd just as soon you didn't."
    "But I never lie to them." Torn, Libby poked a charred log with her toe. "I can't."
    He walked over to cup her chin in his hand. "Leaving out a few small details isn't lying."
    "Small details? Like the fact that you came visiting in a spaceship?"
    "For one."
    She closed her eyes. It should be funny. Maybe it would be in five or ten years. "Hornblower, this situation would be awkward enough without the added bonus of you being from where-make that when-you are."
    "What situation?"
    She tried not to grind her teeth. "They're my parents, this is their house, and you and I are-" She made a circling gesture with her hand.
    "Lovers," he supplied.
    "Will you keep your voice down?"
    Patient, he laid his hands on her shoulders, gently kneading. "Libby, they probably figured that out when I almost kissed your mother in the refrigerator."
    "About that-"
    "I thought she was you."
    "I know. Still-"
    "Libby, I realize it wasn't the most traditional way to meet your parents, but I think that of the four of us I was the most surprised."
    She couldn't help chuckling. "Maybe."
    "Absolutely. So I think we should just get on to the next step."
    "Which is?"
    "Lunch."
    "Hornblower." With a sigh, she dropped her forehead on his chest. It was a pity this was one of the things she loved about him-his ability to appreciate the simple things. "I wish you'd get it through your head that this is a sensitive situation. What are we going to do about it?" She waited one beat. "If you ask me about what, I'm going to smack you."
    "You talk tough." Framing her face with his hands, he lifted it. "Let's see some action."
    Libby didn't make even a token protest as his mouth lowered to hers. It was all some sort of a dream anyway, she told herself. Surely she could make everything come out all right in her own dream.
    There was a loud, annoyed cough from behind her. Jerking away from Cal, she looked at her father.
    "Ah-"
    "Your mother says lunch is ready." Though he hated acting so predictably, he gave Cal one last measuring look before he went back into the kitchen.
    "I think he's warming up to me," Cal mused.
    In the kitchen, William scowled at his wife. "That man always has his hands on one of my women."
    "One of your women." Caroline let out a long, robust laugh. "Really, Will." She tossed her head so that both of her earrings danced. "He does have very nice hands."
    "Looking for trouble?" With one arm, he scooped her up against him.
    "Always." She gave him a warm and very provocative kiss before turning toward the doorway. "Come sit down," she said, sharing her radiant smile with Cal. "I just threw a salad together."
    She had four bowls set out on her own woven mats.
    In the center of the table was a concoction of vegetables and herbs, with the surprising addition of green bananas, sprinkled with whole-wheat croutons and ready to be mixed with a yogurt dressing. Libby gave one wistful thought to the BLTs she'd planned on before she sat down.
    "So, Cal-" Caroline passed him the bowl. "Are you an anthropologist?"
    "No, I'm a pilot," he said, just as Libby announced, "Cal's a truck driver."
    Libby muttered under her breath as Cal calmly dished up salad. "Cargo," he explained, pleased that he could honor Libby's wish to stick with the truth. "I deal primarily with cargo. Libby figures that makes me an airborne truck driver."
    "You fly?" William drummed his long, skinny fingers on the table.
    "Yes. That's all I ever really wanted to do."
    "It must be exciting." Caroline leaned forward, always willing to be fascinated. "Sunbeam, our other daughter, is taking flying lessons.