We leave the bike and, since Michael isn’t going to make me pedal home, head for Grandma’s.
At Grandma’s, he secures my bike in the back courtyard and then waits beside the gate to verify my safe return home. I enter the same way I exited earlier, through the back door.
The rooms are dark, and, not wanting to be caught returning from a trip I never told them I was taking, I slip silently into the house. I tiptoe through the back enclosed porch, into the kitchen and dining area.
The lights flicker to life. I freeze solid, stick in place. Grandma is leaning into the wall beside the light switch. “Where have you been?”
Chapter Nineteen
My mouth falls open, and my gaze wanders to the clock. According to the big and little hand, we have slipped into Sunday, leaving Saturday in the past.
“It’s actually really early,” I say.
Grandma’s hand punches the air, her finger striking in a sharp slice. “Do not play word games with me, Belle. The streets are not safe at night and you had me worried to my core.” She exhales a harsh breath. “Last I knew, you were in the house. And then suddenly, you were gone. I sent Phillip and Miri out looking for you.”
“I’m sorry, Grandma.” I drop my head. “But I was out with Michael, so I was completely safe.”
“Is that what you think?’ She steps away from the wall and takes a step closer. Better to pierce me with her accusing glare. She has left her cane propped against the wall and moves unassisted. “And what were you and Michael doing at this dark hour?”
“Um…” My mouth is lax, unwilling to pull forth words explaining my day to date.
The front door opens with a bang. Grandma and I snap our attention to the sound. Miri and Phillip enter with my brother Michael in tow.
“Guess who we found parked in front of the house.” Miri shrugs off her jacket and lays it over the back of the sofa. Phillip does the same. Michael leaves his zipped in place, clearly not intending to stay. His lingering gaze shifts from me to Grandma.
“I don’t know what the big deal is?” He shoves his hands deep into his jacket pockets. “I simply gave Belle a lift home from her friend’s house.” A half-truth, but I’m not going to clarify such a thing to the rest of my family.
Phillip hangs at the back of the group and leans against the side of the sofa, choosing not to get involved in our family drama. I kinda wish I could do the same.
“You went back to Luna’s?” Miri spins from Michael to me.
“Well… yeah. I couldn’t leave things the way that I had,” I say. “I needed to make them better.”
“And did you?” she prompts.
Grandma’s intense stare is set firmly on me, silently beating me into the ground. With a sharp intake of breath, the floor draws my sudden interest and I drop my gaze. Shake a solid no. “I don’t believe I did,” I say.
The room falls uncomfortably quiet. Raising my gaze, I sweep over my attending family. Grandma’s peer darts to Phillip, then to Miri. Michael catches the action and shifts his attention, albeit temporarily, to the blond boy leaning against the sofa and resting his eyes.
It’s late. He’s tired. And… he’s not in the magickal know. Grandma is silently requesting Phillip go.
“Phillip.” Miri moves to his side and places her hand on his chest. His eyes pop open.
“Sorry,” he blurts. “Did I miss something?”
“Nothing important,” she quips. “But you’ve had a long day. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep?”
He jerks to a stand and glances over our little group. “If you all don’t mind,” he says. “I wouldn’t mind catching a few winks before the day starts rolling in.”
“Go ahead, Phillip,” Grandma says with a mild smile tacked in place. “You’ve done more than enough, and I couldn’t possibly properly thank you.”
“No need for thanks,” Phillip says. “We’re soon to be family, and family looks out for one another.”
“Indeed.” Grandma nods.
“I’ll just see him out.” Miri places her hand on Phillip’s back and leads him to the front door. Michael turns and follows. And I, wanting to get a word in with Miri’s fiancé, tag along at the back of the procession.
“Where to you all think you are going?” Grandma’s voice punches the air.
“Like Phillip…” Michael spins back and shoves a pointed thumb toward the exit. “I’d like to catch some sleep before Sunday gets officially underway.”
“Oh no.” She waves her finger in the air like a speeding metronome. “You aren’t going anywhere. Not yet.” Her gaze shifts to me, awaiting my answer to the question presented.
“I just want to ask Phillip something real quick,” I say.
Miri and Phillip glance back at my admission.
I shift forward, close at their back, and lower my voice in hopes of keeping the knowledge of the request from Grandma’s ears.
“What’s up?” Phillip asks, and pushes the fall of hair from his face.
“I was wondering if you might be able to check on Caleb?” I say.
Phillip’s gaze darts from me to Miri. “You sisters sure do appear to be operating on the same wavelength.” He half grins and half laughs.
“I asked him earlier today,” Miri says in way of an explanation.
“It’s on my action list for tomorrow,” Phillip adds.
“Oh.” My lower lip drops. As does the tension in my shoulders. “Great. Thanks. Thanks, Phil.”
“No problem. I’ll let you know what I find out in the morning.” He glances out the window. “Or late morning, possibly lunchtime.”
I choke on a bubble of laughter, and Miri escorts Phillip to the porch. I turn away, not wanting to invade their private moment or their kiss goodnight.
Resigning to my current fate, I return to the dining table, discard my jacket, and drop into a chair. “Lay it on me,” I say.
“Lay what on you?” Grandma asks.
“All your anger and frustration, of course.” I slouch in my seat.
Clearly accepting the fact
