<b>Chapter </b>39
James cradled the coffee mug in his hands, taking a sip with a refined air. “After you left, your grandmother had quite a
bit to share with me.”
Mirabe thought of Catherine, who rose at the crack of <b>dawn </b>to cook breakfast and silently waited at the doorstep each evening with a warm smile <b>ying </b>at the edges of her lips. “How Is Granny doing?”
“She’s managing, I guess. Though she’s not quite as <b>spirited </b>as she used to <b>be</b>. Probably misses you and needs someone to brighten her mood.” James spoke gently.
Mirabe’s eyes tell slightly, <b>a </b>momentary silence enveloping her. On the day Mirabe left Elm Creek, she hadn’t
aited for her grandmother’s return from the hospital because she feared the parting <b>would </b>be too sorrowful.
Catching her expression, James added. “But your foster mother brought her over here. If you want to see her, you can do so anytime.”
With a soft hum, Mirabe acknowledged the information. She was aware that Mandy had brought her granny over, so it wasn’t a surprise. However<b>, </b>Mirabe looked at James with aplicated gaze and asked, “Howe you know so much?”
Back in Elm Creek, when James <b>lived </b>next door, he rarely mingled with them, and Mirabe didn’t recall her granny mentioning him.
James arched an eyebrow and deflected, “I also know where your grandmother is staying now.”
At his words, Mirabe’s response was tinged with mock amusement, “With all this knowledge, you wouldn’t happen to be a bodyguard my foster mother hired, would you?”
The smirk on James lips twitched at the idea.
A bodyguard? Him?
It took him a moment to coolly reply. “You certainly have an active imagination.”
“Thanks for thepliment,” Mirabe replied airily, pausing before adding with a hint of disdain, “But honestly, I can’t imagine my foster mother being generous enough to hire a bodyguard<b>.</b>”
James snorted softly.
Just then, the waiter arrived with their meals. Once the dishes were served <b>and </b>they were alone again, James seemed to recall something and inquired. “Were you stopped outside Parkside High School this morning because the security took your eptance letter?”
“You know about that too?” Mirabe shot him another nce.
James smiled. “Overheard by chance.”
Mirabe rolled her eyes and speared a piece of steak, murmuring. “<b>You’ve </b>got some sharp ears then.”
Languidly leaning back in his seat, James forwent his utensils and remarked cryptically. “Seems like your <b>school </b>switch isn’t going as smoothly <b>as </b>you’d <b>hoped</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Her hand paused, and the memory of Mandy’s call the previous evening caused <b>a </b>scoff to skim across her lips, “Just a bit of skullduggery.”
“Need a hand?” James offered with a hint of mischief.
Without looking up. Mirabe mumbled through a mouthful “No, thanks.”
After dinner, with the bill settled, James <b>asked</b>. “Want me to drop you off to see your grandmother?”
Mirabe considered it briefly before shaking <b>her </b><b>head</b><b>. </b><b>“</b>Not tonight, it’ste. Maybe <b>some </b>other time.”
James didn’t press, simply <b>saying</b><b>. </b>“I’ll <b>send </b>you the addresster.”
When Mirabe returned to the Davis household around eight, she immediately sensed an <b>odd </b>tension in the air. Shawn and Delh were sitting in the living room in solemn silence, the TV off, their expressions unusually grave.
Mirabe was puzzled for a moment, then called out, “Dad, Mom, I’m home<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Delh rose from the couch, approaching Mirabe. There was a strained smile on her face, betraying an underlying concern, “How was your first day back at school? Is everything okay? Will you <b>have </b>any issues getting used to it?”
“It was fine,” Mirabe responded casually, pausing before she probed further, “Is there something on your mind your
wanted to talk about?”