shared the same cautious smile and sharp eyes, but there was more
of Jason?s and Ariadne?s prettiness about him than Hector?s blunt
masculinity. He shook Helen?s hand politely, but his curious stare
followed her long after the introduction was over and it began to
make Helen feel uncomfortable. She wondered if he was just reacting
to her taboo name or if he had heard unflattering things about
her from someone in the family. His stare made Helen jumpy. She
tried to hide herself behind Lucas.
?Okay, everybody out. I have to get started on dinner,? Noel
ordered as she entered the kitchen, waving her hands in a shooing
motion. Helen found herself being pulled out the back door by
Lucas.
?It?s a good idea to stay out of my mom?s way when she gets like
that or you?ll end up chopping vegetables for the next hour,? he
said. He led her back outside toward the grassy lawn between the
tennis courts and the pool.
?I don?t mind helping,? Helen said, starting to head back toward
the house.
?I do,? Lucas said with a sly smile, tugging on her hand. ?Besides,
I thought you wanted to learn how to fly. Isn?t that what caused all
the fuss earlier this afternoon??
Helen could tell he was upset and trying not to show it. ?About
that,? she began, scrunching her face up guiltily.
?Yeah, that was bad. And it was all my fault. I should have taught
you to fly as soon as we healed from our fall, but I didn?t trust . . .?
he said, stopping himself and shaking his head ruefully. ?Never
mind. The point is, once I learned I could fly all I wanted to do was
get back in the air. I couldn?t sleep, I couldn?t eat. It was stupid of
me to think you would wait.?
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