“Is it really five hundred steps to Alienn?”
Axel laughed. “It is if you have a really long stride, maybe like a giraffe.” He glanced down at her legs, assessing her stride length. “You might have to tack on a few more steps toyourcount, puny earthling.”
“You all are really funny with that ‘puny earthling’ stuff,” she said, picking up speed to match his steps.
“Well, we always aim to entertain our customers, so it comes naturally.”
Juliana did her best to keep up with Axel’s pace, which was healthy. The wooden boardwalk was weathered but well-built and in no time they were closer to the houses she’d noted in the distance when they started their 500-step journey.
“Is Alice an old girlfriend of Diesel’s or something?”
He frowned. “No. Never. She’s an employee. There are strict rules. Why?”
“She just seemed rather uncooperative from the first moment I stepped inside and asked for directions to Diesel’s office. I’d never seen her before, but she seems to already have a dim view of me.”
Axel pushed out a long sigh. “You have to understand this place is likely the biggest gossip mill in the state. When Diesel took off work on Friday—I’m assuming to go see you—rumors flew around like autumn wind driving piles of raked leaves into the swirling air.”
“So what’s the rumor?”
Axel shrugged, seemingly unwilling to share.
“Oh, come on. Tell me.”
“The rumor I heard was that Diesel has a new secret girlfriendout of town.” He stressed out of town like it was something gossip-worthy.
“Out of town? Meaning what?”
“Meaning not a girl from Alienn.”
“He has to date someone from this town? That’s a bit draconian and archaic, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. He can date anyone he wants, he just never has before. In fact, I don’t know that he’s ever even had a girlfriend.”
“Why not?”
“Is this a trick question?”
“No. I’m just surprised. He’s attractive and I’ve seen the way females talk to him and react to him.”
Axel ran his hand though his hair in what seemed like a nervous gesture. “Listen, I’m not comfortable discussing his love life, but I will say he’s very devoted to his job, likely because he took it over from our father last year.”
“So he’s never dated anyone? I find that hard to believe.”
“He’s dated. I think. Thing is, he’s been busy with being the Fearless Leader up to now. Before he took over from our dad, he was in training for the job for years. Maybe now that he’s settled in, he has more time for…distractions.”
“Oh, is that what I am? A distraction?”
“I don’t think he views you that way. Personally, I think it’s a good thing.”
“So what are the rumors about me?”
He hesitated, like he was afraid he might hurt her feelings. “It’s not you in particular, but just that you’re—well—an outsider.”
“I see.” But shedidn’texactly get it. Anyone not from Alienn was an outsider? That didn’t seem fair.
“Some folks are just suspicious of outsiders.”
Juliana nodded. “Thank you for telling me.”
