billion book
Chapter 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.”
Mirabella thought of Catherine, who rose at the crack of dawn to cook breakfast and silently waited at the doorstep each evening with a warm smile playing at the edges of her lips. “How Is Granny doing?”
“She’s managing, I guess. Though she’s not quite as spirited as she used to be. Probably misses you and needs someone to brighten her mood.” James spoke gently.
Mirabella’s eyes tell slightly, a momentary silence enveloping her. On the day Mirabella left Elm Creek, she hadn’t
aited for her grandmother’s return from the hospital because she feared the parting would 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, Mirabella acknowledged the information. She was aware that Mandy had brought her granny over, so it wasn’t a surprise. However, Mirabella looked at James with a complicated gaze and asked, “How come you know so much?”
Back in Elm Creek, when James lived next door, he rarely mingled with them, and Mirabella 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, Mirabella’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 the compliment,” Mirabella 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.”
James snorted softly.
Just then, the waiter arrived with their meals. Once the dishes were served and 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 acceptance letter?”
“You know about that too?” Mirabella shot him another glance.
James smiled. “Overheard by chance.”
Mirabella rolled her eyes and speared a piece of steak, murmuring. “You’ve got some sharp ears then.”
Languidly leaning back in his seat, James forwent his utensils and remarked cryptically. “Seems like your school switch isn’t going as smoothly as you’d hoped.”
Her hand paused, and the memory of Mandy’s call the previous evening caused a scoff to skim across her lips, “Just a bit of skullduggery.”
“Need a hand?” James offered with a hint of mischief.
Without looking up. Mirabella mumbled through a mouthful “No, thanks.”
After dinner, with the bill settled, James asked. “Want me to drop you off to see your grandmother?”
Mirabella considered it briefly before shaking her head. “Not tonight, it’s late. Maybe some other time.”
James didn’t press, simply saying. “I’ll send you the address later.”
When Mirabella returned to the Davis household around eight, she immediately sensed an odd tension in the air. Shawn and Delilah were sitting in the living room in solemn silence, the TV off, their expressions unusually grave.
Mirabella was puzzled for a moment, then called out, “Dad, Mom, I’m home.”
Delilah rose from the couch, approaching Mirabella. 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 have any issues getting used to it?”
“It was fine,” Mirabella responded casually, pausing before she probed further, “Is there something on your mind your
wanted to talk about?”