“You’ll think I’ve lost my mind!” I croak, unable to breathe.
Caine pulls me up and leans against the headboard, holding me. I wrap my body around his, allowing him to ground me back into reality. His warmth bleeds into me, comforting me.
“Did you have a bad dream?” he asks softly, his voice rough from sleep.
I shake my head. “No. It was perfect. I didn’t want it to end.”
“Then why did you scream?”
I breathe in and decide to just tell him. “I was with my dad. And it felt so real. And I didn’t want to wake up,” I explain, sniffing as I recall the dream. “I didn’t want him to go away.” I try to breathe, but the pain is right there, at the base of my throat, taking my oxygen. I shut my eyes, but the image of him is gone.
I cry. I cryhard. I can feel how hot my face is, and my nose is a stuffy mess. Caine gets up and grabs some tissues for me. After afew more minutes, I’m finally able to breathe again. “In the dream, he asked me to bring you to visit him.”
“If you want to go to the cemetery, now’s the time to do it. We have three hours before our flight,” Caine says, turning to look at the clock.
I squeeze Caine close and sigh, taking in the way his cologne lingers on his skin, warm, yet fresh. He places a soft kiss on my lips, and my heart finally slows.
“Let’s introduce you to my dad,” I say with a sad smile. I throw off the blankets and hop out of bed.
Chapter Forty-Two
Caine
Waking to the sound of Mikayla crying out in her sleep is not the most pleasant way to wake up first thing in the morning. At all. Ever.
I was terrified. My heart felt like it would burst from my chest. I thought she was being attacked.
I’ve never been a very vivid dreamer. Hell, half the time I don’t even remember what I dreamt. But clearly Mikayla’s dream was very different. In themonths that we’ve been together, she’s never mentioned having bad or such gut-wrenching dreams. I hope for her sake this is a one-off because she was heartbroken when she woke.
I can feel her tension, and I’ll do whatever I can to bring her comfort. She needs me to be her anchor, and that’s what I’ll be.
We quickly use the restroom and dress before heading to the cemetery. The ride is fairly quick, just ten minutes from the hotel.
I take Mikayla’s hand as we walk through the gate and down the path. She seems to know where she’s going because she just walks. I stay beside her, taking in how pristine the cemetery looks. Everything is immaculate, with the bushes trimmed, and the grass mowed perfectly. Is it weird that I don’t think I could mow a lawn in a cemetery?
We turn left, and Mikayla stops short. She just stares out, her brows knit. She tilts her head but doesn’t say anything.
“Mick?” I ask, unsure of what to do or what she sees. Her face is blank.
“That’s my dad’s headstone.” She lifts her hand and points it to where two people are standing.
“Do you know them?” I ask, pulling her along.
“No,” she whispers, shaking her head.
The couple turns as we approach, and I realize they aren’t a couple at all. They look alike. My heart begins to pound as I realize both have Mikayla’s green eyes and dark brown hair.
“Oh my God,” the woman utters, her hand flying to her mouth.
“Maggie!” the man says. “Don’t freak her out,” he chastises.
“Oh my God!” Mikayla cries out, stopping in her tracks.
“You must be Mikayla,” the man says. His eyes dart to me. “I’m Walter,” he says, holding out his hand to me.
“I’m Caine, Mikayla’s boyfriend. May I ask who you both are?” I ask, as Mikayla seems incapable of speech. I pull her into me, seeing she’s close to tears.
“I’m Phil’s brother. And this is Maggie, our sister.” He lays a hand on his sister’s shoulder.
