Page 51 of Tempting Miles
The mention of my parents keeps echoing in my head long after he disappears.
Why did it sound less like advice… and more like a threat?
Chapter 14
Miles
“Smells so damn good in here,” I say the second I step into Mama’s kitchen, my stomach growling loud enough to wake the dead.
“Jesus, Miles. One of these days, you’re going to give me a heart attack with those ungodly noises you make,” Granny mutters from the stove as she stirs a pot of butternutsquash soup.
I grin and walk over to throw an arm around her shoulders. “As colorful as ever, Granny.”
She tsks under her breath, but I catch the tiny smile pulling at her lips.
“I came to fix the leak under the sink,” I say, already eyeing the soup, “but if there happens to be enough for lunch…”
Winter showed up way too early this year. Technically, it’s still fall, but it’s been snowing for weeks. Not enough to stop work, but just enough to make everything a pain in the ass. The first snowfall looked beautiful. Now everything’s turned into gray slush and dirty piles shoved to the side of the roads.
A couple weeks ago, right after Penny stayed at my place, I spotted a rose bush in the backyard. I know for a fact I didn’t plant the damn thing, and I'm pretty sure Gio and Ruin didn’t either before I bought the house from them. But the second I saw those roses, I thought about Penny.
So I cut a few and left them in her office this morning.
Having stopped thinking about her since.
“Miles, sweetheart.”
Mama walks into the kitchen and immediately wraps an arm around my waist. I pull her in with my free arm, suddenly sandwiched between my two mommas.
I tilt my back, feeling smug as hell. “Look at me. One lady on each side.”
Mama laughs and lightly punches me in the stomach.
“Ow,” I groan, folding in half like she actually hurt me.
“Go set the table before I smack you with the wooden spoon,” Granny warns.
“Okay, okay. I was just joking, Gee.” I get my ass in gear and quickly set the table in the kitchen before she follows through on the threat.
Mama serves three big bowls of soup, while Granny brings over a pan of freshly baked cornbread.
“Thank you, ladies. Truly out here doing the Lord’s work,” I say, pressing my hands together in prayer.
Mama and Granny both laugh, but neither disagrees.
“How have you been lately, sweetheart?” Mama asks while blowing on her soup. “It feels like you haven’t come to see us in the longest time.”
I give her a pointed look. “I was here last week.”
“Right.” She taps her temple with one finger. “Some days I feel like my brain’s running out of space. I can’t remember anything lately.”
Worry hits me hard and fast.
“Mama… is that a symptom of dementia?” I ask quietly, concern slipping into my voice.
Granny smacks the back of my hand. “Nonsense. Joss is just starting to feel the winter blues. All this snow so early in the season is enough to bring anyone down.”
I sag in relief, my chest loosening.
