“I’m not a tattletale, Cam.”
“It’s not tattling when it comes to the colony’s safety.” Cam helped Ed stand, quickly changing the subject from wayward truck-stop employees. “I’ve never seen you with a cane.” Alphas rarely needed aid like this. They had healing abilities. Was Ed sick? Being affected differently by whatever was going on downstairs?
“It’s only temporary. I broke my gol-durn ankle a couple of days ago and my healing is just slow.”
“Slow?”
He nodded. “Getting old isn’t for sissies, young man. Alphas aren’t immune to age and all that comes with it. They get slower in their twilight years, too, just like the humans.”
“No doubt.”
“And I know what you’re thinking. Why don’t I just go on home to Alpha-Prime like every second Alpha old timer here?”
“Not what I was thinking at all, Ed.”Maybe a little.“I have no doubt you’ll recover and be back to your old self again in no time.”
“The thing is, I’ve been alone now for a quite a while. Lately, I’ve reconsidered having a romance in my later years.”
Ed? Romance? Cam absolutely didnotwant to discuss romance and all it entailed with the senior.How can I change the subject?
He nudged Ed, nodding at the pump area. The humans were waking up. The other Alphas hadn’t managed to gather all the rogue tires. He didn’t know how he’d explain the mess. Strong wind gust?Maybe. Mini tornado?Possibly. Act of nature?Another possibility. Alien Defender technology issue?No, absolutely not. Maybe no one would ask.
Ed cleared his throat, leaned close and whispered, “Do you think your aunt Dixie is looking for a sweetheart?”
Cam was so focused on the earthlings it took a couple of seconds to realize what Ed had asked.
“What?” The world around him fell away as the idea of Aunt Dixie romantically involved with Ed the Tire Man circulated in his head.Would it be better? Could it be worse?What if Aunt Dixie had a boyfriend? Maybe she’d be distracted and wouldn’t cause as much trouble. Hmm.
“Is she seeing anybody?” Ed asked as if fearful of the answer.
“I honestly don’t know. I haven’t seen her with anyone.”
“Would you put in a good word for me?”
“Of course, Ed, I’d be happy to. Aunt Dixie would be lucky to have you.”
“Aces. Thanks, my boy.”
“Sure thing.” Cam would have to share this tidbit with his brothers. They could discuss the pros and cons of a romance between Aunt Dixie and their neighbor. Axel approached, wiping the back of his hand over a brow shiny with sweat from slinging tires.
Nova came running outside. She was out of breath again. “Come downstairs. Bad news. Bad.”
Now what?
“Now what?” Axel said, echoing Cam’s thought.
Nova motioned urgently.
Diesel told his brothers, “You go. I’ll follow after I clean up this mess.” A couple of the earthlings seemed puzzled to find themselves where they were. Diesel was the best one to deal with the fallout from Carl’s accidental Defender use.
Nova led them directly to Gage just outside the double silver doors to the medical zone where they’d quarantined Prudence and her relatives.
“Bad news,” he said. “Now the neighbor across the street from the Westfall’s home has also come down with the same illness. He called for help. They brought him in while you were dealing with the situation up top.”
“It’s spreading further?” Easygoing Axel looked more worried than Cam had ever seen him.
Gage shrugged. “That’s what it looks like.”
Axel turned to Cam. “We’ll have to send a team to the aunt’s house.”
