Page 170 of Tempting Miles
“My time on this Earth is coming to an end, dear.”
I grip her hand tight. “Please don’t say that,” I whisper. “Millie needs to know her badass Granny.”
That earns me a soft laugh.
“I’ll be able to hold her and talk to her plenty, I promise.” She pats my hands gently. “But right now, I’m spending whatever energy I have left trying to help my last two stubborn grandsons find love. Those two are proving to be hard to break—even for an old sorceress like me.”
We laugh easily.
River and Merlin. Poor Granny truly has her work cut out for her.
“I think they’ll be on their way to love soon enough,” I say. “At least River is. Carly isn’t exactly the type to give up.”
Granny throws her head back and laughs loud enough to surprise me.
“From your mouth to God’s ears,” she says once she calms down.
“And Merlin…” I trail off thoughtfully. “I don’t know. Something tells me there’s someone important waiting for him too.”
Granny’s eyes twinkle knowingly. “I just hope that boy stops running long enough to let love catch him.”
Definitely asking Miles about that later.
“What do you say we have some of the biscuits and gravy we brought?” Granny asks suddenly.
I’m on my feet in a flash.
“Why didn’t you start with that? We could’ve had this entire emotional conversation while eating my favorite comfort food.”
I make quick work of serving us plates and pouring fresh tea.
I’ve barely taken two bites when Mami comes barreling through the door.
My heart jumps into my throat. “Is Millie okay?”
“Oh, yes, yes. She’s perfect.” Mami rushes to reassure me before waving her phone in the air. “I just got off the phone with Marta. Paloma is on her way.”
“On her way where?” I ask, feelingwhiplash.
“Here.”
My confusion deepens. “Here? Why? Is she coming alone?”
“Yes, she’s coming alone,” Mami says as she serves herself a hearty portion of biscuits and gravy. “Marta didn’t share much, she just said Paloma wanted a fresh start.”Even though there’s a thirteen-year age gap between us, Paloma and I have always been close.
“Well, it’ll be good to see her again,” I say slowly, already mentally planning to call her later.
“I’m heading back to Charlotte tomorrow to pick her up from the airport,” Mami continues casually. “Maybe she’ll want to spend some time in Azalea Creek too.”
The mischievous glint in her eyes tells me exactly where this is heading.
“Don’t even start, Ma,” I warn. “Granny is already the official matchmaker around here.”
Granny nods proudly while continuing to eat her biscuits and gravy at the pace of a sleepy turtle.
Mami’s shoulders sag, and she sighs.
“Boss, are you ready?”
