Page 27 of Halstead House

Eliza pursed her lips. “Perhaps. However, you’re still young enough to clean all the toilets.” I’d have felt a little bad for him, being scolded in front of Ana and me, if I thought for a moment he cared. Eliza turned to Ana and me with a smile. “Where are you two off to?” she asked.

Ana replied cheerily, “We’re off to the Historic District to try to breathe some life into Grace’s wardrobe.” I managed to not melt into a puddle of mortification, but then it got worse. “You can see for yourself that her outfits need some help relaxing into island life.” She gestured to me.

I blushed hard as the two Halsteads took quick stock of my outfit, my light coloring making it impossible for them not to notice my face reddening. How embarrassing. I’d been so proud of myself for the more casual attire today. I was wearing a floral print blouse and cream slacks with flat sandals. I thought I looked relaxed and touristy.

“What’s wrong with it?” I found my voice.

“It still looks a little...”

I held up a hand and closed my eyes. “Don’t finish that thought. If you compare me to your abuela, or Marshall’s granny, I will have to kick your shins.”

Eliza chuckled as Ana said, “Kick my shins?”

I opened my eyes and looked firmly at Ana. “Yes. Your shins are in danger. No comments about my outfit. This is why you wanted to shop, right?’

“Sounds like you’ve got an interesting afternoon ahead of you,” Eliza said. I wasn’t sure if I was insulted or not. “You two up for some company?”

I smiled warmly at her. “Of course.” I meant it. It would be fun to have one of those shopping trips I’d always heard girls talk about taking with their mother. Eliza would fit into that role very neatly.

“Wonderful. Lucas here has been working too hard. I think an afternoon off with two lovely ladies would be just the thing.”

Lucas, Ana, and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows, wearing the same expression of complete shock on our faces, then back to Eliza, and then back at each other.

Her request surprised us so much that even Ana stayed silent as I counted my own heartbeats pounding in my ears. Lucas shopping with us? For clothing for me? I was knocking on death’s door at the moment, grasping for a reply as my entire face flooded with twice the heat it had before. There was no way he was invited to my therapy session. No way. Ever.

“I have a few things that I need to work on...” Lucas began stiffly.

“Nonsense. How could you possibly turn down the company of two such beautiful young women?” Eliza returned before he could finish. “Besides, I don’t believe that you actually have any friends, which is quite tragic.” She sniffed a little and looked away, and I swore she was stifling a laugh, knowing she was poking at him and meaning none of it.

His mouth fell open, his expression reminding me of a highly insulted six-year-old. “I have friends.”

Eliza shrugged. “Well, I never see any.”

“Fine.” His smile was patently false as he turned to face Ana and me. “I’ll drive.” He turned back in the direction he’d just come from, obviously confident that we’d follow, and began heading around the large building, toward the back side of the carriage house. “My car is in the garage.”

He was right about one thing, because after a nod and a chipper little wave from Eliza, we did follow him. What else were we supposed to do? The battle had been won and the general had spoken. The two of us stumbled along, bemused.

As soon as we rounded the corner Ana turned to me with big eyes. “What is happening?” she mouthed.

“You. You did this,” I mouthed back, pointing my finger at her.

“Me?” She shook her head violently.

“You. You... are... dead... meat,” I whispered, enunciating each word precisely.

“Just through this side door here.” Lucas looked back at us. We both pasted on smiles and nodded.

He opened a man-door and held it, letting us through before he came behind and closed it. I was in an area of the property I hadn’t known about until now. It was a large garage that housed two sleek black sedans and a luxury sports car of some kind.

Lucas led us to one of the two sedans and opened both of the passenger side doors. Ana and I stood in front of the doors and looked at each other.

“After you, Ana.” I smiled stiffly and motioned for her to get in the front seat.

Ana waved her arm toward the car. “No, no, please, you take the front seat,” she said as she dove for the back.

Lucas made a noise that could have been amusement, or it could have been him swallowing down something cynical and annoying. This was bad. I had no choice but to sit down in the front passenger seat. Lucas bent down slightly to look in at his passengers.

“I need to change out of these motorcycle boots before we go. I have a change of shoes in my trunk. It’ll just take a minute to switch.” He closed the doors and walked around to the trunk of the car. I made good use of the time.

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