Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

running downhill. All the chairs were taken, and the standing room

up against the counter was constantly changing as Noel whirled

and bullied her way around her work space. Everyone was talking

and laughing and arguing at the same time, and although Helen

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couldn?t understand a word, somehow they all seemed to be understanding

each other. It was a Delos symphony, and Noel was the

maestro.

As an outsider, Helen could see Noel for what she was?the center

of the family, the beating heart that fed all that muscle she was

tripping over while she was trying to cook. She was the personification

of a warm fire and an open door, and she welcomed, even expected,

strays like Helen to wander in and eat her food.

?There you are,? she said without looking up from the stove. ?I

called your father and invited him over for dinner. I figured you?d

be too worn out to do any cooking yourself.? She turned the vegetables

she was sautéing with a deft flick of her wrist, just like Helen

had seen celebrity chefs do on TV. Helen had always wanted to

learn that move, and for a moment her slightly shell-shocked brain

was distracted by it. Then she registered that Noel had been talking

to her.

?You invited my dad?? Helen asked shrilly.

?I sure did. Pallas is finally home, and since you?re going to be

spending a lot of time at our house to train I?ve decided it?s time

our families met each other. I asked Jerry to bring your Kate as

well, but she?s working the store tonight, so that will have to wait.

Your dad?s going to be here in about fifteen minutes, so if there?s

anything you need to brush or wash first,? she said, finally turning

around to inspect the windswept girl standing in her kitchen wearing

clothes that were about four sizes too big for her. ?I?d do it