The cedar dining room set was older then Kaia's mother, and Granny Blue waved a hand at one of the sturdy chairs. "Sit," she directed, just as the teakettle on the stove whistled.
All five dogs sat at once, eyes trained on Granny Blue.
"You already had the kettle on?" Kaia plunked down at the table, used the toe of her boot to scratch the back of the nearest dog. The other four gathered around her foot, waiting their turns.
Granny Blue smiled an ambiguous smile. "The cactus rose bloomed this morning."
"You knew I was coming?"
"I knew someone was coming. You must pay closer attention to the world around you, Ky. Signs are everywhere if you will but look and listen." Granny plodded to the stove, lifted the kettle's handle with a knitted potholder, and poured water into two teacups already sitting on the sideboard.
Granny Blue carried the cups to the table, went to the cupboard for a tin filled with various flavors of teas and a sleeve of Fig Newtons. She sat down across from Kaia, eyed her a moment, and then plucked a tea bag from the tin and passed it to her.
Kaia made a face. "Echinacea?"
"You need to keep your strength up," Granny Blue mused.
"What makes you say that?"
Granny Blue shrugged, a common response she gave to questions that had no solid answer. "A feeling."
"Could I have peppermint instead?"
"Are you having digestive issues?"
"No, I just like it, and it goes better with Fig Newtons."
Granny Blue shook her head, but slid the tea tin toward her.
"Thanks." Kaia claimed the peppermint tea, and they both dunked tea bags into the water steaming from their cups.
They sipped in silence, munching on Fig Newtons, and then Granny Blue said, "What is your news?"
"Who says I have news?"
"You don't visit on Sunday mornings. Something is different."
Kaia poked the tip of her tongue against the inside of her cheek, trying to think of the best way to broach the topic. "I . . . um . . ." She cleared her throat, took a sip of tea.
Studying her intently, Granny Blue leaned forward, but said nothing. Warm wind stirred through the open window, blowing wisps of silver hair that had strayed from her braid against her noble cheekbones and craggy jaw.
"I . . . well . . ." Kaia moistened her lips, pressed a palm to the back of her head, couldn't quite meet Granny's fierce dark-eyed gaze. "I've got questions. Lots of questions."
"What is puzzling you, Ky?"
"Before I say anything, please tell me again the story of what happened when you met grandfather."
"You've heard the story dozens of times."
"I need to hear it again."
Granny Blue's face and voice melted into downy softness. In that moment, Kaia saw exactly what she must have looked like as a young woman.
"Ah," she said. "I see. Tell me what you've been hearing."
Kaia chuffed out the breath of air she'd been holding. "A beautiful, soft humming noise buzzing right at the base my brain, and I need an explanation for it."
Granny Blue lowered her eyelashes. "You know the explanation."
"I don't. Not for sure. It could just be ringing in my ears. Tinnitus. I should go to the doctor."
"It's not tinnitus."
"Maybe. It could be. I pray it is."
Granny Blue's eyes opened wide and she looked slightly alarmed. "Oh, my dear sweet child. Who kissed you?"
"Please," Kaia begged. "Tell me how to stop it."
"If it is the Song of the Soul Mate"-Granny shook her head, her expression both joyous and rueful-"it is unstoppable."
Kaia gulped, squeezed her fingernails into her palms. She'd been terrified Granny was going to say that. "Hopefully it's not the soul mate thingy."
"But my child," she whispered "why would you wish away our cherished family blessing?"
"Or curse," Kaia said. "Depending on how you look at it."
Granny Blue clucked her tongue. "Right now, you sound as stubborn as Ember. Normally, you are as easy flowing as the water sign you were born under. Who has you so scared?"
Ridge Lockhart, that's who! But she wasn't saying that out loud. Not yet.
Not while she was busy logging all the reasons they were incompatible. He was rich. She came from modest means. He was her older brother's best friend. He used to call her Braterminator and tug on her pigtails. She was still going to school and didn't need the distraction. He was off to China for six months. She was-