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." Olivia heard herself talking, and she didn't want to tell him, didn't want to share her thoughts and her fears with him, but she couldn'tRichie Tankeisley Cusickseem to help herself, and the words just kept coming."I can't get away from the feeling that something's going on here that I can't see.That something's hidden here—something I don't know about.""Old houses have many secrets.And the family is.unusual."Olivia almost laughed at that."Miss Rose seems to be the only person everyone respects.Including Skyler.""He adores her," Jesse said simply."We all do.""But the house." Olivia thought a long moment."And this place.""It touches you, doesn't it?" Jesse murmured."In ways you never expected."His perception startled her.For one panicky instant she had the feeling he could see through her, could see straight into her soul and her motives, and she watched him closely, trying to read some sort of recognition in his calm, dark eyes."Sometimes," he said, gazing back at her peacefully, "it's like something's a part of you.As if it's always been a part of you.Even though maybe you've never —physically—been a part of it"Olivia felt entranced.For an endless moment she seemed to be drowning in the depths of his eyes.Then she gave herself a firm mental shake."You understand," she said, puzzled."How is it that you understand so well?"Jesse was silent.It was several moments before he spoke."It's this house," he murmured finally."This house.the family.the past.the future.everything strung together in an endless chain.Itconnects you.it makes you feel things that nothing168else could ever make you feel.It wraps around you.And it never lets you go."Olivia stared at him a long time.She felt a slight pressure against her hand and looked down to see Jesse's hand alongside."I'm rambling." He sounded embarrassed."No, please," Olivia said, and she meant it."I like to hear you talk.You have such a nice voice."His glance was almost shy."I'd rather hear you talk.I can hear myself anytime."She smiled at that.It surprised her when it came so easily to her lips, that it wasn't forced or phony or painful.It felt nice.Natural with him."What was your family like?" Jesse asked.And if he saw her smile fade, if he noticed the slight stiffening of her body, he gave no indication.Olivia thought quickly.No need to lie, really, to make up something totally outrageous—Mama was dead now, anyway, and she'd been gone from Devereaux House such a long, long time.But she couldn't help saying, "I thought you said you already knew a lot about me."Jesse's smile was ambiguous."Go on," he prompted."Well." Olivia began uncomfortably, "my mama was sick a lot.""I'm sorry.""No, it's all right.She had.problems.""Taken out on you."She looked up sharply."How did you know?"Again that vague smile."I guessed.""We didn't get along very well.""You.hated her."Olivia froze.A thousand emotions coursed through her—a thousand excuses—a thousand denials—"Yes," she whispered.She felt his hand again, gently against hers."Brothers or sisters?""No.Just me.""That's very hard.Friends at school?""I wasn't happy there.All the kids thought Mama was crazy.They called me names and made fun of me.They never came to my house, and I was never asked to go to theirs.""How lonely for you."A long pause.Then, "Yes," she whispered again.Why am I telling him this — it's none of his business — why am I being so honest — why can 't I stop talking —"Not even a make-believe friend or two?""No.Mama had plenty of friends.I liked being alone."Jesse seemed to be thinking.After a while he said tentatively, "And these friends of your mother's—"Olivia drew into herself."I hated them, too.""But." Jesse was quiet a long time, his voice lowering even more.".they didn't hate you?"Olivia's heart raced frantically."Why are you saying that to me?" she burst out, angry now."What do you mean by that?""Olivia, wait, I—"And suddenly—in that moment—she wanted to tell him—wanted so desperately to tell him everything—her past, her pain, her true identity and all her plans—because he seemed like he might be able to understand—understand and sympathize and forgive and love—"I don't want to talk anymore." She stood up and the moment was gone."I'm very tired."170"I didn't mean to upset you [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]