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“Yes,” she said. “And the diner back there reminded me of a diner I like on Terra-58. Maybe they’re trying to help me feel at home?”
He began to chuckle.
“What?” she asked.
“I thought the diner was for me,” he said. “My parents run one.”
“A Terran-style diner?” she asked, incredulous.
“Your people got one thing right,” he said.
“Let me guess, coffee?” she laughed, rolling her eyes, though he couldn’t see.
“How did you know?” he asked her.
“Everyone says it,” she laughed. “I’m glad our hot bean juice is a hit with other species. But I had no idea old fashioned diner culture was part of it.”
“Fried foods and hot coffee are just about universally loved, especially served together,” he told her. “Believe me, we had every species you can imagine visit the diner.”
“Did you work there too?” she asked.
“When your parents own a diner, you work there,” he told her. “I didn’t mind though. I learned a lot. And for the most part, the people were nice.”
The horse began ambling off the road and onto the grassy area leading up to the maze.
“Once you solve the labyrinth, you’ll head up to the house,” Oberon said. “There will be a nice meal and some hot apple cider waiting for you.”
“Cider,” Alexis groaned appreciatively.
“What’s the difference between cider and juice?” Tiago asked.
“I’ll let Oberon take that question,” Alexis said. “I’m a city girl.”
“I would be delighted to explain,” Oberon said. “But perhaps you’d like to wait until you reach the house? Your time is running short.”
“Sure, good thinking,” Alexis said. “Ready, Tiago?”
He let go of her and hopped over the side of the cart, then waited below, his arms extended for her.
In the pale pink light of sunset, his russet horns and skin almost glowed with rich color. His massive size and strong arms gave her all the confidence she needed to jump.
He caught her effortlessly, cradling her like a baby against his chest.
He will be an incredible father…
But she wouldn’t be around to see it. The thought broke her heart a little.
She wiggled a bit, and he placed her down on the lush grass of the hillside.
“Our staff tried the maze in order to ensure it could be solved,” Oberon said. “The fastest time of any two-person team was twenty-eight minutes.”
Alexis felt a little sizzle of competitiveness just under her skin.
She scanned the hillside, certain they could beat that time. The maze wasn’tthatbig. Before she could begin, movement from somewhere in the maze caught her eye. She tried to focus on it, but couldn’t spot anything.
“Oberon,” she said. “Are any of the staff in the maze now?”
“No,” he replied simply.
