Arianna Rose: The Arrival (Part 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

that,” Arianna said.  “I’m sure he’ll be back.”
    “He’s so odd,” Beth shook her head. 
    “Who’s odd?” Dane boomed f rom the end of the table. 
    “Jason.  Who else?” Beth replied.
    “Don’t go talking smack about Jay like that!  Especially not after he put out this spread,” Dane fired. 
    “Hello!  All of us are odd, in case you hadn’t noticed,” Avery added and silence befell their table.  The silence was quickly replaced by laughter and expressions of agreement.
    Arianna scanned the faces of everyone present and listened to their comfortable banter.  They had embraced her as one of their own, knowing fully that she was the Sola, and that a legion of others who believed in her prophecy sought to kill her.  The knowledge of their unquestioning acceptance of her made her chest clench.  She inhaled sharply and Beth locked eyes with her, asking with her gaze what troubled Arianna.  Arianna simply smiled sadly.  Beth offered a slight nod and a weak smile.  She knew as readily as if she’d read Arianna’s mind of the guilt and worry motivating her need to leave. 
    A sick pit twisted in her stomach.  She was not looking forward to saying good-bye to Beth.  She and Beth and had grown close.  Arianna had not had a friend in a long time, much less a close one.  The closest she’d come to a true friend had been Lily.  And Lily was gone, slain by the fanatical founder of the Soldiers of the Divine Trinity Church, Howard Kane.  Her death had been avenged inasmuch as any death could truly be avenged.  Kane was dead.  But that still did not return Lily to her life.  Lily was lost forever.  Arianna refused to sacrifice Beth to the same fate.  She regretted ever involving her in the mess that was her reality, even if the bond of their friendship was now a treasured gift she would cherish for the rest of her days. 
    “Here, have pancakes,” Beth broke the spell of her rumination and plopped two plump pancakes on her plate.  “Eat.  They’re good.”  Her warm, dark gaze was unwavering and Arianna was forced to smile her bravest smile.
    “Mm, they smell good,” she inhaled exaggeratedly and reached for the maple syrup to her left. 
    “Jason loves to do this.  He would miss not cooking for all of us when it’s his turn,” Beth said with careful emphasis on the word all . 
    Arianna closed her eyes for the briefest of seconds.  She could not keep anything from Beth.  Her friend possessed a unique knack for reading people expertly.  Arianna and Desmond had teased her about this gift and told her she ought to move to Las Vegas and make a career of professional poker.  With her exceptional talent and pixie-like attractiveness, no one would see her coming.  She would be a millionaire in no time.
    “She knows, you know,” Desmond’s lips brushed her earlobe as he whispered. 
    “Yeah, I’m getting that too,” Arianna said sarcastically.
    He ignored the edge to her voice and smiled at her.  His golden hair was still slightly tousled.  Sun streaks seeped through massive cedar and fir trees, kiss ing his exquisite features and making the blues and greens of his irises shimmer.  “Love you,” he mouthed and stole her breath away, drawing her deeper than she ever imagined possible.  She returned the sentiment, mouthing the same words he had, and they both returned their attention to their meals. 
    Arianna, Desmond and the Parker clan ate happily and lingered on the deck for more than an hour.  When everyone had finished his or her breakfast, plates were cleared and the tables were cleaned.  Beth’s aunt and uncle returned to their cottage to put the children down for their late-morning naps and the elders retired to their bungalow to rest as well.  MaryAnn and Adam remained, along with Dane, Jason and Beth. 
    “We’re going to train,” Jason announced as he and Dane disappeared inside, undoubtedly headed to the impressive gym set up in the basement of the