I thought about my talk with Manny as I walked home.

It was amazing how comfortable he was with psychic ability. Not freaked out or afraid I was going to read his mind. He acted like it was a thrilling game. Maybe to him, but not to me. It was hard enough to survive in this world, much less deal with other worlds, too. I’d use my “powers” for the Mystic Manny column as I promised, but that was all.

“I don’t need your help, Opal,” I thought. “You can sit on the sidelines and watch while I use my other five senses to find the vandals.”

The smell of spicy herbs filled the house when I stepped inside. I found Nona in the kitchen, whistling while she stir-fried vegetables and rice in a skillet. I knew she was making a large batch so she’d have plenty left over for Dominic. She never talked about it, but I’d noticed her taking food out to the barn.

Dominic.

He’d given me until six o’clock—or else. And the clock on the VCR showed 5:49.

I could hope he was bluffing. But that was a slim hope. Dominic took himself too seriously for idle threats. I could almost respect him for being protective of my grandmother, if he hadn’t acted so high and mighty about it. But if anyone was going to talk to Nona, it was going to be me.

“Need a hand?” I asked my grandmother as I entered the kitchen.

Nona turned from the stove with a smile. “Thanks, but I have it under control.”

“Smells yummy.”

“It’s almost ready. Then later, I have tons of work to do for a new client who is so demanding it’s driving me crazy. He doesn’t want a wife who’s too tall or too thin or paints her toenails. He insists that she be college-educated, but not too brainy. And she has to have a June birthday. Tough nut to crack, but I think I found his match. As long as I can convince her to stop painting her toenails.”

“Do you hear wedding bells yet?” I asked. Nona could always tell when her matchmaking efforts were on track because tinkling bells would ring in her head. If it was a soul-mate match, she’d also get a vision of white doves.

“Not even a jingle.” She put the lid on the pot. “Maybe by tomorrow.”

“I have lots of confidence in you. It’s amazing how you bring people together. And your clients are always so grateful, inviting you to their weddings and that one lady named her daughter after you. I really admire how hard you work and—”

“Sabine, what are you trying so hard not to tell me?” She wiped her hands on a dishcloth, and fixed me with a deep look. “Something is troubling you.”

“Stop reading me.”

“Is everything okay at school?”

“Great.”

“And with your new beau?”

“Even greater.”

“So why is your aura out of alignment? I get a definite sense of conflict. What are you afraid of?”

I crossed to the table and sank wearily in a chair. The clock on the microwave showed 5:52. “Nona, you’re right. I am afraid—of telling you something.”

“Never be afraid to tell me something.”

“But you’re going to hate me.”

“Rubbish. I could never hate you. No matter what you’ve done, I’m here for you.” She put her hands on my shoulders. “What is it, honey?”

“I lied.” I sucked in a deep breath, then blurted out the rest before I lost my nerve. “When I was little and told you I saw ghosts and had an invisible friend, you were the only one who believed me. You made me feel like it was normal to talk to my spirit guide. But everyone else freaked out—especially Mom. Then I got into trouble at school, scaring people by knowing stuff. And that boy died.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

I glanced away, swallowing hard.

“Besides that’s all in the past,” Nona added, giving my shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to deal with it anymore.”

“Yes, I do.” My voice trembled. “Nona, I still talk to Opal and know things before they happen. I hate myself for deceiving you, but I never lost my gift. Can you forgive me?”

Her hazel eyes narrowed thoughtfully. There was a ding from the timer and she turned to check on the simmering sauce. Then she fixed her gaze back on me and said, “There’s nothing to forgive.”

“Go ahead and yell at me. I deserve it.”

“You don’t owe me an apology.”

“I owe you much more! You were so disappointed when I said I lost my powers and couldn’t carry on the family gift. And you brought Dominic here as some sort of an apprentice. Only you don’t need him anymore because you have me.”

“I was afraid of this,” Nona said with a sad shake of her head. “You found out I was mentoring Dominic and you’re jealous.”

“No! That’s not it at all.”

“You don’t resent his being here?”

“Well … a little.” I paused. “But that’s not the issue. In fact, Dominic was the one who insisted I tell you the truth.”

“Honey, you don’t have to pretend for me. I love you even if you didn’t inherit my gift.”

“But I did!” I argued. “I was lying before, not now.”

She gently squeezed my hand. “Sabine, you’re my granddaughter and I adore you more than the universe. I’ll admit, I was disappointed when I found out you’d lost your psychic ability, but I’ve accepted it. And you have to, too.”

“But I didn’t lose anything. I still see ghosts. I talk to Opal all the time. I get strange visions.”

“Are you sure? Or do you only want to think you have your gift?”

“I don’t think anything—I know. Why can’t you believe me?”

“I want to, honey, but I’ll need more.” She put her hands on her hips and gave me a challenging look. “Prove it.”