what would happen next. Despite his reaction, our grandmother didn't release him. Instead, she held him tighter until the stiffness in his body, finally, weakened. He wrapped his arms forcefully around her neck as he melted into her
embrace.
"Can you do me a favor, Miles?" Gram relinquished her hug.
"Mmhh." Miles’ green eyes widened in anticipation.
"Do you think you can call me Gram? Grandmother Mae makes me sound
like a little old lady.”
Miles beamed at her. “Gram,” he asked in a whisper, “can I live with you now?”
Tears glistened in our grandmother’s eyes as she kissed him on the cheek
again and held his face between her aged hands. “Miles, I would love nothing more than for you to live in our home.”
“I told you they would love you. Didn't I?” Meg grinned.
Miles slid off Gram's lap and hugged Meg. She whispered something to him,
and they both beamed as they looked at our grandmother affectionately.
“Miles, I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there for you, but I am now.” Gram took
a vial from her pocket and handed it to Meg. “I brought this for you. Drink it and
tell me what you think?”
Meg inspected the vial, which I knew held the memory potion. I silently
watched my sister drink the liquid. I was thankful Gram had thought to restore
her memories. There was no guarantee that tonight would go as planned.
Meg returned the empty container. “We need to make some of that for Miles.
It was so delicious.” She let out a big yawn. "I missed you, Gram," she said,
snuggling into our grandmother’s arms and drifting off to sleep.
Gram smoothed my little sister's hair. “I missed you, too, my little dancer. I
missed you, too.”
Chapter
Thirty-Six
We continued the bumpy ride in silence as the truck drove towards
our home. When we arrived, Cedric drove past the house and over
to my grandfather's woodshop. Slamming on the brakes, he sent us
sliding into the back of the truck cab.
“Now, the fun begins,” my father whispered to himself.
Having parked, Cedric turned the engine off and hopped out of the front.
After Cole exited the black truck, he held his hand out for Eliza. “It’s a long
step down. Let me help you.”
Eliza accepted his offered hand and allowed him to help her out. “You
always had such nice manners, Cole. You should teach them to my daughter.”
"I'll try." Cole smiled.
Cole and I are going to have a conversation about being too nice to theenemy, I thought bitterly.
Cedric lowered the tailgate, and roared at my father, “Stone, why aren't you
tied up like I left you?”
I stood in front of my father. With hatred in my voice, I responded, “I untied
