hued dress. Her long dark hair cascaded around her face like perfect, flowing silk. But what amazed me most of all, I think, was the remarkable resemblance she had to my sister.
Miranda turned to my grandmother first.
“Give him a chance, Verda.” Her lilting voice floated over me, through me. She wasn’t completely see-through, but she wasn’t completely, wholly there, either. What she was, however, was amazingly beautiful. Like Alice, but still different.
Every hair on my body stood up on end. I never actually expected to see her. The room hummed with energy, myriad hues sparkling softly all around us like raindrops of every color in the world. Grandma Verda smiled at the apparition and then sagged against the door, probably so she wouldn’t fall to the ground.
Who could blame her?
I tore my eyes off Miranda and searched out Nate. When I found him, I walked to his side. I’d never seen his skin so pale. I grabbed his hand, felt the iciness of it, and tightened my hold. He didn’t break free.
“What is that?” he uttered in a gravelly, what-the-hell-is-going-on-now sort of voice.
“Not what. Who,” I whispered. “And her name is Miranda. She is my great-great-great-grandmother. And yes, Nate, she’s very real.”
His eyes zipped around the room. But then he drew in a deep breath. Glancing at me, he said, “Really?”
At my nod, he focused on Miranda. “It’s—ah—nice to meet you. I think. Wow. Okay. Even I’m a little startled here, and I’ve seen a lot of wild things in my life. Maybe I’m losing my mind?”
Miranda laughed. A sound not unlike tinkling bells. “You’re adorable. He’s a good choice, Elizabeth. You did the right thing.”
Nate coughed. He cleared his throat. “Is this normal for your family?” he asked me.
“It’s becoming normal,” I answered.
He shook his head, as if to clear himself from a daze. “Then I might as well get used to it, huh?” He looked at Miranda again, and I saw something—acceptance, maybe—shimmer in his eyes. “I think I’m falling in love with your great-great-great-granddaughter. So I’m glad you think I’m a good choice.”
Falling in love? With me?
Miranda laughed again. “I won’t have the energy to stay long. But my granddaughters will fill you in.” She faced me. “Elizabeth, I need to tell you a few things, but I need to be quick about it. Don’t pass the gift on until you know who it should go to. Who it goes to is as important as the gift itself. You’ll know, soon, who the right person is.”
I nodded mutely.
“We’re a lot alike, you and I. This is why you were able to sense me in the very beginning, and this is why I’ve been able to connect with you. Your emotions pulled me to you, and now . . . your decision to take control and be strong allows me to even be here. There’s more coming. More you’ll need to know. But not now. Think about what I’ve said and listen to your heart. Do you understand?”
But then, before I could even answer and tell her, no, I had no clue what she was talking about, she reached her hand toward my grandmother. “Verda, I did try to come to you. To connect with you. When you struggled so much with your marriage and the wish you made. I’m sorry I couldn’t reach you, but I did watch over you. Always. I’m proud of all the women in my family. Never think otherwise.”
My grandmother nodded as she wiped the wetness away from her eyes. “I think I felt you then, when things were so difficult.” She smiled softly, as if she’d finally made peace with something. “I’m glad to see you. My mother spoke of you often.”
“I’ll see you again, Verda. I’ll see all my granddaughters again.” With that, Miranda’s form shimmered slightly, becoming more transparent. “I have to leave now, but remember what I said, Elizabeth.”
And then, as quickly as she’d arrived, she was gone.
I thought of everything she’d said, but honestly? My mind wouldn’t let go of the falling in love statement from Nate. What kind of power was that?
My grandmother tugged at her nightgown and then wiped more tears from her cheeks. “Let me go change, and then we’ll explain everything to your young man.” She disappeared into the bedroom and tightly closed the door behind her.
Nate grasped my shoulders and turned me to him. “I don’t know what happened here. Not really. But it won’t change that I have serious feelings for you.