Kingston’s face grew pinched as I parked the car. “Gran, I don’t know what you think you know, but Mr. Harry is still in the manor.”
She ignored him and opened her door. We both scrambled out, as well.
Instantly, Harry was there, bowed low at the waist before Gran. “It is an honor, High Priestess.”
She tipped her head back at him. “The honor is mine. Please forgive me, Mr. Harry.”
Harry stood tall and straight before us, that old stern expression he once wore softened by the love of Buck and respect for Gran. “Dear lady, there’s nothing to forgive. You didwhat you could for this land while the curse existed, and I always appreciated it. It strengthened me more than you’ll ever know.”
He bowed his head again. “And, please, there’s no formality in family. Call me Harry.” Aw. I knew Harry loved us.
Kingston stomped his foot, drawing all of our attention. I’d only thought he couldn’t get any cuter, but over six and a half feet of man throwing a temper tantrum like a three-year-old? Yeah, so adorably cute.
“Will someone please explain what in the hell is going on today? I feel like I went to bed and fell down a rabbit hole. Nothing’s making sense.”
Gran smiled sweetly at her grandson. “It can feel that way sometimes. I’ll teach Sky how to help you. It’ll be fine.”
Harry’s back stiffened as his gaze swung to Kingston. “I’m sorry I couldn’t speak to you of all I knew. Your grandfather explained the situation, so I’ve been waiting patiently.”
Kingston threw his long arms in the air, reminding me of one of those tall inflatable tubes that blow in the wind. “Patiently for what? And why does everyone keep mentioning Pops? Is he?—”
“Right behind you,” I said, cutting him off, while pointing at the older Black gentleman who’d appeared at Gran’s side.
“Hello, grandson.”
Kingston gasped. He stepped toward the old couple. “Pops? How are you here?”
“I’ve always been with you. With you and my Rosie. She walked by my side no matter where I needed her to go. Is it any wonder I stayed by hers even in my death?”
Kingston squeezed his eyes closed. “I think I need to lay down.”
Wrapping my arm around his waist, I was pleasantly pleased when he leaned into me. I wouldn’t ever be able to carry the big lug physically or anything, but a feeling of rightness settled inmy chest as he allowed me to be a crutch for his weary trudge into the manor.
Jetty and Chance bounded down the stairs, and Buck popped into being in front of us. I directed Kingston toward the parlor with his grandparents and Mr. Harry following right behind.
“I got everyone like you said, Mr. Harry,” Buck said.
“What’s going on?” Jetty asked, rushing to Kingston’s side. “Are you okay?” His eyes widened, and I knew he’d seen the couple behind us. “You’re out of the house, and you’re…” He pointed from Gran to Pops.
Gran giggled. “Jetty, it’s so good to see you. This is Kingston’s grandfather, Lee, but you can call him Pops.”
“Okay,” he said, drawing the word out. “It’s really nice to meet you, sir, but is someone going to tell us what’s going on?”
Scotty walked into the parlor, waving his cell phone around as Chance moved the pillows out of the way so I could sit Kingston down on the sofa. “I called Elyse, like Buck told me to. She said they’ll be here in the blink of an eye.”
Chance rolled his eyes. “My mother doesn’t actually move that fast. She has to?—”
Gran’s cackle cut him off. “She’ll be here soon. Don’t underestimate what your mom is aware of. You young ones set off a whole sequence of events when you rid the world of the girl in the pond and helped the other spirits cross over. My grandson’s gift is all the way open now. He’s going to need all of you.”
Chance stretched out his hand and walked toward Gran. “Sorry. I didn’t formally introduce myself. I’m?—”
“Chance Chancellor,” she said, interrupting him and taking his hand between both of hers. “I knew you’d be back someday. My Lee saw you in a vision when you were a little boy. We knew that you were the answer to what my ancestor started so many years ago.”
A vision?If Kingston took after his grandfather, did that mean he’d have visions, too?
“What does that mean?” Jetty hissed at Kingston.
Kingston opened his mouth to speak, then shut it, and shook his head. I noticed he hadn’t taken his eyes off his grandfather, and the older gentleman hadn’t stopped staring at him with the softest expression of tenderness I’d ever seen.
