Coming back from town, Walt strutted into the kitchen and struck a heroic pose, puffing up in overstated pride. "There's a new sheriff in town," he pronounced. A shiny star adorned his chest, and a stunner pistol hung from his belt. All he needed now was spurs and a cowboy hat.

"We're saved!" I drawled like a southern belle, fanning myself with a towel. "Somebody catch me when I swoon."

With hands working bread dough on the counter, Riya giggled at our little melodramatic show. Over the last week, she insisted on helping by cooking and cleaning, and we were happy to accept. As a bonus, she was also an exceptional baker.

After meeting with the regional Agricultural Extension Agent, we made a farm plan, breaking it up into manageable chunks. Walt impressed me with his business sense. We rented out the back half of our property to a neighbor for dairy cattle grazing, who was particularly interested in the small burbling creek, since water was in short supply around here. Walt had borrowed a sod-buster tractor attachment from the cooperative and broke ground for crops while Riya helped me establish a garden bed behind the shed.

"Oh," Walt said, coming back to his real persona, "Kiran will come by after lunch with the chicken fencing, and he said he would help us put it up. I couldn't say no to that."

Kiran had a claim a few klicks away, and he was the one who sold us his chickens. He planned on expanding a successful orchard and wanted to get out of the chicken business. Maybe he got tired of chickens like I had.

*****

Kiran's rounded face carried a friendly smile, bright white teeth contrasting with smooth brown skin, trimmed black mustache, and bushy dark hair. A tall, fit man, he came dressed to work, wearing sturdy boots and rugged brown trousers, partially covered by a long, stained cream-colored t-shirt.

"I'd like you to meet someone, Kiran," Walt said, leading our guest into the kitchen. "This is Riya. She only recently arrived on this world."

Riya's small hand disappeared within Kiran's massive paws. "I am happy to meet you, Riya," he said with a short bow.

Before Riya could respond, Kiran's eyes shot wide open, and he sucked in a breath. "Is that naan? Do my Martian eyes deceive me?"

"It is so," Riya replied with a widening smile. "With garlic and herbs — my grandmother's recipe."

"I have many fond memories of my grandmother's naan. She made it in the traditional way."

Riya lifted a wooden tray heaped with warm, puffy bread, presenting them to Kiran. "I have no tandoor, but I just made these in the oven. Would you like to try one?"

Holding his breath, Kiran slowly reached forward, reverently cradling an oblong naan within two hands. After sniffing the garlicky aroma, he tore off a piece and stuffed it in his mouth. While chewing, his eyes rolled back. "I have achieved nirvana," he mewed, then looked upon the baker with appreciative eyes. "And you, my dear Riya, then you must be goddess."

Riya absolutely glowed with the compliment, which sounded kinda cheesy to me, but that might be the cynical part of me. Her smile widened as she shyly dipped her eyes, then lifted them again, rounding her lips.

"Where was your home, Riya? he asked.

"Mumbai."

"New Delhi," Kiran said, pointing to himself, "but many years ago."

Walt winked at me. Both of us noticed the vibe between these two. "Would you like to join us for dinner this evening, Kiran?" I asked. "I'm sure there will be plenty of bread to share."

He bowed and said, "For naan and Riya's company, I must answer yes."

Holding her breath, Riya's eyes tracked Kiran as he followed Walt and me out through the back door.

We spent the afternoon installing posts and fencing to make a chicken run. Now and then, Kiran stepped indoors to snatch another naan bread, but I think he had another motive, too. While we worked, I explained Riya's terrible experience, so he would be sensitive to her situation. For a moment, anger flashed across Kiran's face that anyone would dare hurt her.

For dinner, Riya made a spicy tomato-based stew with vegetables and wheat-kernels, served along with cheese-stuffed garlic naan bread, and fruit tarts for dessert. Rice and curry spices were hard to find on Mars to make a traditional meal, Riya explained, so she had to make do. But I'll tell you what — this was dang good for making do.

Kiran savored every morsel, to Riya's delight. He lived by himself on his claim, and in his own words, was 'unskilled in the culinary arts.' Not sure if Riya was fishing or not, but she done hooked Kiran.

Riya sent the left-over naan bread home with a grateful Kiran. At the doorway and under a Martian starry sky, he turned back to her. "The Mars Day festival is the day after tomorrow," he said, raising a dark bushy eyebrow. "Will I see you there?"

"I would like that."

That night in bed, while Walt sawed logs in the living room, I flashed a grin at Riya.

"What?" she said, leaning up on an elbow. An unstoppable grin popped up on her face.

"You like him, don't you?"

Riya plopped back on her pillow and sighed. "I think so... Yes. But is it too soon?"

"Kiran is a hard worker, and he seems like a good man. I think he likes you, too. But you go at your own pace, girl." I shifted onto my side. "You have one big advantage, though."

"What is that?"

"Give him naan, and he'll do anything for you."

*****

When Riya emerged from the bedroom, my jaw almost smacked the floor. She wore a silky sari in patterned yellow and turquoise that complimented smooth dark skin, and had a yellow ribbon braided into thick, dark hair. Leaving one shoulder bare, it draped seductive-like over willowy curves. She must have brought the outfit with her from Earth.

A little bit of regret twinged in my throat for not bringing a fancy outfit. With my black leggings and green t-shirt, I was, well, not glamourous. But then again, just wearing clean clothes was an achievement for me.

"You look stunning, Riya," Walt said, beating me to the compliment.

"Thank you," she replied, dipping her head, all demure-like. I never could pull off demure because you actually had to have some innocence.  

As the sun set, Walt drove us to the Mars Day Festival, which commemorated the first colonists' arrival. Just about the whole cooperative showed up, I figured, packing the gathering place near the Olympus town hall.

And right festive it was, with strings of twinkling lights and colorful banners that fluttered in the breeze. Gleeful children dashed back and forth carrying pinwheels or sparklers, and I heard someone mention fireworks later. Grownups gathered in small groups, laughing and carrying on, while others danced to happy tunes played by fiddle and guitar. Couldn't help but tap my foot. A long table to one side held all kinds of treats and drinks folks brought.

Riya brought a basket of fresh naan to share. And they went real quick as folks lined up to get one. Some people offered to trade or pay for more, and even the general store owner asked her about supplying bread for sale. And just like that, Riya started her own little business.

But I could tell she was distracted, looking back and forth among the crowd. And I knew what for. A big smile burst on her face as she spotted Kiran. He had dressed up for the occasion, too, wearing an embordered white collarless shirt over black slacks.

"Riya, you are so beautiful," Kiran said, bowing elegantly. His eyes looked her up and down, but not in a creepy way, like some men I had known. He held out a hand. "May I introduce you around, and then, perhaps, a dance?"

"Yes," she simply responded, placing her slender hand within his.

Had to admit, they made a fine-looking couple.

Walt came up to me, extending a hand with an elegant bow. "My fair lady, would you care to dance?"

I wrinkled my forehead. "You ain't tryin' to romance me, are you?"

"Wouldn't think of it," he answered, grinning. "My motives are pure."

I was almost disappointed about that. Almost... "Alrighty, then. I accept."

"Do you know how to dance?" he asked, leading me to the grassy dance area by the band shell.

"Phfft! I was two-step champion back in Oklahoma."

"What's two-step?"

I grinned. "Well, I'm gonna show ya."

Dancing two-step at lower gravity was different — had to be careful not hopping too high. Walt picked it up quick, though, and we danced the evening away. By now, the western glow had faded, and one-by-one, stars appeared in the sky. It was the perfect fun evening, and something about Walt holding on to me made it all better.

That was, before I spotted the low-life.

"Damn," I grumbled, stopping our dance.

"What?"

I pointed to the shadows near the stacked-rock wall that surrounded the gathering place. "Damion is here. Looks like he didn't take the hint."