Chapter 146

As if sensing her gaze, he turned to look at her. Their eyes met. A jolt of electricity seemed to pass between them, leaving her tingling and rooted to the spot, forgetting to look away. He smiled then, as if once again reading her thoughts. Reaching out, he gently patted the back of her head twice—the way one might comfort a frightened, lost child. Though no words were spoken, her heart swelled with warmth and security. It felt like taking refuge in a beautiful, cozy glass house during a blizzard. Watching the raging snowstorm outside while warmed by the fire, she felt no fear—only a strange sense of being in a fairy tale... despite never having believed in such things. Claire turned away. Across the room, Sylvia Thompson watched them with a bittersweet expression, as though remembering something painful yet resigned. "A boy should protect the girl he loves. I know my Jason never regretted it..." Silence fell over the group. Whether there had been regrets was too difficult a question—