Read Online The Solar Flare by Laura E. Collins - Free Book Online Page B

two!” Rowan exclaimed as she stepped through a sliding glass d oor to the terrace from the house. In her hands she carried a large tray of dishes and glasses she meant to set the terrace furniture with.
         “Hi Rowan, let me help you with that ,” Ava moved quickly towards her but Rowan had already sat the tray down.
         “How do you like your new home?” Rowan asked pleasantly as the two women began to set the table.
         “It’s beautiful. I could not have ever imagined anything like it,” she replied honestly, still in awe about everything in her surroundings. She caught Wesley smile in the corner of her eye. “Your home is exquisite,” she continued, looking up at the large structure.
         “Well, when you live as long as we do, you need a lot of space to store the things you can’t let go of ,” she said pleasantly. “Now, what would you like to drink?”
         “Oh, whatever you have is fine, thank you.” Ava didn’t quite know what would be in store for dinner. It could possibly be something she had never eaten before. “Rowan, can I help you with anything inside?”
         “Oh, no thank you, I’ve got everything under control. Naomi and Andre should be here soon.”
          “That’s great . Will all of us be here?” Ava asked, without realizing she had included herself in the group with that statement. It was hard not to think of them as regular humans, they acted so normal.
         “We thought it would be nice for us all to welcome you on your first night, but we know you and Wesley have some things to sort out so we’ll let you have some space if you need it.” With that she took the empty tray and went back inside to pour some drinks. A few moments later Naomi and Andre walked up to the terrace.
         “Long time no see!” Naomi joked.
         “Very funny,” Wesley replied, greeting his friends.
        “Thank you for picking out some fabulous clothes for me, you have a good eye for style ,” Ava gestured to her outfit.
         “You are welcome, you look great. Tomorrow I’m going to take you shopping and we’ll get you some more clothes and things that you will need.”
         “But, I don’t have any money yet. . .”
         “That is true ,” Naomi gave Ava a mock look of pity, then changed to a happy expression and continued, “but Wesley does.”
         Ava looked at Wesley, who began to laugh. “Don’t worry Ava, I’ve been working for a long time, I’m sure I can afford to buy you the things that you need.”
         Ava glanced at the ground, still never wanting to be in anyone’s debt. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”
          “You are very welcome ,” he gave her shoulder a gentle rub and turned back to his conversation with Justin and Andre.
         “It will be so much fun, how about I pick you up at ten and then we can shop and eat lunch.”
         “Sounds good.”
         “Everything’s ready, come on over and help yourselves ,” Rowan called cheerfully from the table where she had set everything down.
         “Where’s Ash and Mia?” Ava inquired.
         “Oh, I did invite them, but they are our youngest members and they wanted to spend more time alone together doing their own thing tonight,” Rowan replied.
         “Nothing wrong with that ,” Andre commented with a smile.
         Ava watched the group closely as they began to congregate around the table and begin filling their plates. Anyone watching them would think that they are normal humans, she thought to herself. She began to wonder whether or not the fact that they were Asterions and she was human should impact her relationship with them at all. The news had shocked her and although it had only been a few days, the sting of it had begun wearing off. Whether she accepted it or not, she felt like she had become part of their family.