Axel turned. “Guess I’ll have to find a better hiding place.”
The woman with Lucy cleared her throat very loudly and gave the director an annoyed look.
Director Patmore, not taking the hint, changed his direction toward Axel in mid-step, turning instead toward Lucy and the other woman. “Ah, Mrs. Duvall. How are you enjoying your stay here on Earth?”
Mrs. Duvall lifted her sharp gaze. “It’s…well…” She paused with an expression that seemed to be desperately trying to find a word that wasn’t disparaging or rude. “It’s interesting.”
“Excellent.” Patmore sounded overly pleased, as if he’d suddenly realized she was being polite and now he didn’t know how to extract himself from his approach.
“Did you say you were looking for me, Director Patmore?” Axel wasn’t trying to help the director so much as disengage Lucy’s employer from further discussion. Still, he thought he saw the barest glint of gratitude in the other man’s eyes.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Duvall. Enjoy your shopping.” To Axel, Patmore said, “Well, Mr. Grey, did you get my missive?”
“I did. And I forwarded it to Cam because he’s on duty today. But as to your departure and the fuel needed two days from now, I have everything set up for theRoyal Caldera Forte’s scheduled departure.”
Patmore gave him a stare. “Shouldn’t you be part of the meeting since you were the one to shepherd the ship in ten days ago?”
“Nope. I filled in for Cam then and now he’s back in charge.”
“You filled in last month, too. And you were available for the departure and arrival of that visit.”
Axel nodded. “Yes. All of us brothers help each other out from time to time. Family, you know?”
Patmore narrowed his eyes as if he’d never heard the concept of family or how they operated in his whole life.
“As far as the fuel needs, we are ready to go, Director Patmore. No worries this time in that regard. As to anything else, you’ll have to check with Cam.”
“If your brother has returned to his duties, then where is he?” the director asked. Axel though sourly it was almost as if the man deliberately intended to take up all his precious time with Lucy.
“Check in his office, he’s probably there waiting for you.”
“I see. I guess that will be fine. It’s likely too much to expect thatwhatever personin charge this time around would greet me as I leave the ship.” Patmore sniffed.And thedrama queen is back.
“I figured you’d be happy to be back to normal and have Cam in charge.” Surely, he didn’t prefer working with Axel. Would Cam feel the same way about Patmore? Likely not.
“I simply hope that you won’t be switching back and forth each time we arrive. The constant change is exhausting.” He turned on his heel, showing Axel his back. Axel made a face that Lucy apparently saw, because she grinned in his direction.
Patmore exited the shop, nodding once to Mrs. Duvall and Lucy before leaving.
Axel tried not to take offense at Patmore’s clear preference for his brother or the apparently exhausting trial of them switching places to help each other out.
They’d had a rather interesting time during last month’s arrival and departure, but things had worked out well from his perspective.
Across the room, Axel overheard Mrs. Duvall say, “All right, then, make your purchases and meet me back on the ship. Don’t be late.”
“No, ma’am,” Lucy said. “I won’t be late.”
Mrs. Duvall swept out of the convenient store. Lucy’s employer never once looked in his direction. Hopefully she hadn’t even noticed him. Lucy had, and that was all he cared about.
The moment the older woman was gone, Lucy gave him a grin that was big enough to light up the world. Axel couldn’t help but return her exuberant smile. He stopped studying the sweet and salty snacks. Lucy was the only thing worth his attention, and what he really hungered for.
Lucy carried a few small toiletries as she approached him.
“I thought she’d never leave,” Lucy said, juggling the items in her hands.
“I’m just glad you’re able to meet me.” Axel reached for a small shopping basket from the stack in the wire holder next to them. He opened the handles so she could drop her purchases into the bottom.
“Thanks.”
