Drake was suddenly antsy to get home. "I have to get to the ranch."
Joey nodded and turned to Marcella. "Do you feel like traveling?"
Drake almost snickered as he wondered how Joey was going to explain how they traveled.
"Travel? I just got home. I'm not leaving here."
"I can't leave you alone. What if you..." Her voice trailed off.
"Forget? Then I forget. But I'm going to enjoy every second while I can, just in case."
Drake wrapped the idol back up. "Do you know where this came from?"
Marcella let out a sigh. "It was a dark family secret. Your grandfather, one whom you never met, could see things. I'm talking like... uh..."
"Dragons?" Joey supplied.
"Okay, so you've figured it out. Anyhow, your grandfather stole this idol from somewhere. I don't remember where, but not because of my memory. I'm not sure I ever heard exactly where. He worked with his brother, your Uncle Malcolm's father. Something terrible happened when they stole it, and they had a huge falling out when they got home. Your grandfather hid the statue so his brother couldn't find it, and they never spoke again."
"See'er's," Drake said. "They were see'er's."
"Seems like I've heard that term, so probably."
"Mama," Joey began, "I have that ability, too. I see double entities when I look at some people."
"Your father told me, sweetheart. I figured if you wanted me to know, you'd tell me."
Joey turned to Drake. "But her memory. What happened?"
Drake's voice was quiet. He did not want to ask her his next question, but it needed to be asked. "How did your father die?"
"Natural causes as far as I know," Marcella answered. "Why?"
"I don't think it was. I think he was probably poisoned, by his brother or someone who knew he had the idol, and you probably had residual effects that mimicked Alzheimer's. With my healing power, I somehow broke the spell, so to speak, or effects, when I touched you."
"Then this really is permanent?" Joey threw her arms around Drake. "Thank you!"
Marcella mimicked the gratitude. “I feel like a new woman.”
He held her tight. "I want to celebrate, but I really need to get home."
"Go," Marcella urged. "I'll be fine. I just want to enjoy my home while you’re gone."
Joey kissed her mother. "I'll be back soon. You call me if you need anything and stay in the house."
Drake could feel her reluctance at leaving all the way back to the ranch. When he landed and shifted, he pulled her close. "Your mom will be fine. She's just going to enjoy her house for a bit."
"You're positive that she's fine?"
"I never would have taken you away if I hadn't."
Vinia was relieved to see them. "Finally."
Drake handed her the idol and gave her a quick rundown of what had happened. "So, apparently Joey's grandfather and great-Uncle were the ones that Dad was trying to stop."
Vinia studied him closely before she gestured at Joey. "You're okay with that?"
Drake frowned. "What do you mean?"
