Holiday Illusion by Lynette Eason Page A

own. He knew exactly how he would look in thirty years. The man moved stiffly yet regally to stand before Lucas, all signs of a stroke carefully hidden. Even his words were crisp; no slurred speech in evidence, although he spoke slowly, in a deliberate way that Lucas didn’t remember from before. “So, the prodigal returns. Shall we kill the fatted calf?”
    Lucas swallowed hard. He hadn’t realized how he would feel actually seeing the man face-to-face. He felt…he didn’t know how he felt…weird. As usual when he felt uncomfortable, he reverted to sarcasm. “The Bible, Father? Did you get religion?”
    â€œReligion? I daresay, not in this lifetime. It was merely an expression. Welcome home, Lucas. It’s about time you came back to reclaim your rightful place in the family. I do hope you’ve managed to, shall we say, sow all your wild oats, and are ready to settle down. I’m quite ready for grandchildren and have a perfectly suitable woman picked out for you.”
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    Between the throbbing in her head and the way her eyes were ping-ponging back and forth between father and son, Anna thought she might very well be on her way to her first migraine ever. This was Lucas’s father? This stiff, unyielding block of…cement? She shuddered. No wonder Lucas had escaped to Brazil. Why on earth had he come back to this house?
    â€œExcuse me, sir?” said a timid voice above the commotion. “I’ve got the rooms ready if Mr. Lucas and Miss Anna would like to retire to them.”
    â€œGood. That will be all.” The man never turned to address the woman. Anna knew some of the upper crust didn’t acknowledge their help and that it was perfectly acceptable in some circles. She thought it was just downright rude.
    Stepping around Godfrey to offer the woman a warm smile, she said, “Yes, thank you so much for getting it ready.”
    A hesitant yet appreciative smile slipped across the young woman’s face. Anna thought she looked to be about her own age or maybe a couple of years younger. Black curls were pulled back into a ponytail. Anna almost waited for her to offer a curtsy before leaving. Instead, she flashed another smile and an audacious wink that had Anna biting her lip to keep from chuckling.
    Lucas said, “Thanks, Maddy. It’s good to see you’re still here. We’ll be right up. I know Anna probably wants to lie down after our little incident.” He turned to Anna. “Father, I was just making introductions. Anna, this is my father, Thomas Bennett.”
    Anna once again held out her hand. The man’s hesitation was so scant it was barely noticeable, but Anna caught it. In too much pain to worry about it right now or even feel offended, she just longed to crash onto her bed. She’d worry about finding other living arrangements in a few hours. Judging by the undercurrents and tension emanating from the room, she had a feeling these accommodations weren’t going to work out.
    â€œVery nice to meet you, sir. I appreciate your hospitality in allowing me to stay in your home.”
    â€œWasn’t really given a choice, but I suppose you’re welcome.”
    Tell me what you really think. Anna zipped her lips tight and stretched them into a closed smile so the words would stay in her mind and not pass her lips. Better to bite her tongue than say something that would later come back to haunt her. Instead she managed, “I’ll just be in my room. Thanks.”
    â€œThis way, miss.” Maddy had ignored her earlier dismissal from the older man and was waiting for Anna, who followed the woman up the curving stairs, down the wood-paneled hallway to the last door on the right. “Here you are, miss.”
    â€œMy name’s Anna. May I call you Maddy?”
    â€œOf course. You’re a guest. You may call me anything you like.”
    â€œWell, we’ll see how long I last as a guest.” Not