“Probably couldn’t hear it over the pounding on the door.”
He was pushing buttons on his phone when they heard car tires screech to a halt out front. Axel walked a few feet to a window facing the front yard and peeked out. She watched as his shoulders visibly dropped in relief.
“It’s Diesel.” He paused and added, “And he’s not alone.”
Juliana inhaled and exhaled, feeling better knowing Diesel was here. “He wasn’t the one knocking, though, right?”
He shook his head. “No. He’s racing up the sidewalk after leaping out of his truck, which is still running, I think. And he left the driver’s door wide open, too. He’s in a hurry.”
Axel moved quickly to the front door to release the lock, the deadbolt and the chain. He popped the door open as Diesel took the porch stairs two at a time and practically launched himself through the door. He didn’t stop moving until he grabbed Juliana into his warm embrace, buried his face against her neck and whispered, “I was worried about you.”
Juliana wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. “I was a little worried about me, too. Did you see who was outside?”
Diesel pulled back to stare into her eyes. Concern filled his gaze. “No. Who was outside?”
“I don’t know, but they practically banged the door down pounding on it a few minutes ago.”
Axel nodded. “Could have been an aggressive salesman, wanting to ensure they woke the dead to get someone to answer the door.” He shrugged. “I was only spooked by what Juliana told me about finding an apple with a bite out of it tossed on her doorstep. Twice.”
“Twice?!” Diesel shook his head and used a deliberately calm tone. “Not sure what that’s about, but we can discuss it later. Okay?”
“Sure thing, bro.” Axel grinned, like he looked forward to a discussion about someone tossing apples at her door.
Juliana noticed the elderly woman standing in the doorway looking rather confused. “Miss Penny,” she said. She was shocked enough to release Diesel and move toward the front door. “What in the world are you doing here?”
Miss Penny’s gaze darted around the entryway, looking more and more confused. Behind her, Juliana could see someone else approaching the house. The newcomer was also an elderly woman, but she didn’t look confused. She looked madder than a hornet’s nest beaten to the ground with a bat.
“Diesel Zebulon Grey!” she shouted from the yard as she approached the front door.
Axel and Diesel looked at each other and said at the exact same time, “Aunt Dixie.”
“Who’s Aunt Dixie?” Juliana asked.
Diesel walked toward the door. “She’s our rather eccentric aunt.”
“Diesel! I want to talk to you.” The woman raced up the stairs to the door. The expression on her face seemed rather intense.
However, she slowed when she saw Juliana’s neighbor on the doorstep. She put a hand on Miss Penny’s shoulder, and said, “Hi. I’m Dixie Lou Grey. Want to join my women’s group? It’s a hoot.”
Miss Penny’s gaze hardened for a moment, which was very unlike her. Juliana wasn’t certain why or even how Miss Penny had gotten herself to Alienn, Arkansas.
So Juliana was shocked when Miss Penny nodded. “Yes. I would like to be in a woman’s group, especially if it’s a hoot. What sorts of things do you all do in this women’s group?”
Aunt Dixie threw her boney arms in the air with what looked like excitement. “Oh, lots of stuff. But mostly we think up ideas and fundraisers to benefit the Starlight Old Folks’ Home on the outskirts of Alienn.” She then pointed a thumb over her shoulder at Diesel. “Usually Our Fearless Leader, Mr. Spoilsport over there, shoots down every awesome idea we come up with. However, with some new blood in our ranks, maybe we’ll finally be successful.”
Juliana was shocked to her core when Miss Penny said, “Why, I’d love to join. Do I have to be a resident of the Starlight Old Folks’ Home?”
“Course not. You don’t even have to be a resident of Alienn. Besides, we can make you an honorary attendee, sort of like a…satellite member.” She laughed as if that was the best joke ever told, elbowing Miss Penny in the arm. “Get it. Asatellitemember?” She laughed uproariously again and even slapped her knee.
Miss Penny smiled. “Yes. I get it. Because of your funny space-themed gas station. That’s a good one.”
“It’s a truck stop,” Diesel and Axel said.
“Whatever,” Dixie said and wrapped an arm around Miss Penny’s shoulders. “So, are you looking for residence in an old folks’ home anytime soon? If you are, the Starlight is the best place on Earth to live for us old gals.” The two elderly women turned away from the door and started ambling toward the yard, discussing the merits of living in an old folks’ home versus living alone.
“I might be interested,” Miss Penny said. “These old bones are getting mighty tired. And to tell the truth, I don’t much like living by myself anymore.”
“Miss Penny,” Juliana said, her mouth still practically hanging open after finding her neighbor here at all. “What on earth are you doing in Alienn? How did you even get here?”
