Any satisfaction over making contact with the book bag was lost when he chuckled in response. That did it. I dropped the bag, raising my curled fist to punch him in the face.

Knox grabbed my arm, stopping me inches from his cheek.

“Now, Leath,” he admonished. “That’s no way to treat a friend.” Releasing me, he turned away to pick up my book bag. Knox tossed it into the backseat, then opened the front door for me to climb inside.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, trying to maneuver around his massive frame to retrieve my book bag.

“Keeping my promise,” he said solemnly. He stepped between me and the back door.

“You told James you were coming here to see if I was all right. I’m fine. Mission accomplished. You can go back to Judaculla now.”

“I was on my way out when I ran into you at Judaculla Rock yesterday,” Knox said. “But I changed my mind. James gave me a month, and I’m going to take it.”

“Why on earth would you want to stay here?” I asked. The expression on his face gave it all away. “Oh my gosh. Anamae, really? Hasn’t Judaculla met its quota for girls from Woodvine?”

Knox laughed. “Not that I’m not tempted,” he said. “But James and I share the same views about how Judaculla is run, so I’m not here to bring a mate home. I’m going to stay in Woodvine as long as I can, because I know James will stay put until I go back there. The longer he stays hidden, the more likely things will calm down.”

“Makes sense,” I said. “What are you doing here, though?”

“Taking you to school,” he said. “If I’m going to tell James you’re okay, I’m going to keep an eye on you so when I go back, I’ll be telling him the truth. A lot can happen in a month.”

He was right, but I’d be gone before his month was up. Something told me if Knox knew this, he’d put a stop to my plans in some misguided notion of keeping James safe. I wondered where Anamae was. Rolling my eyes at Knox, I moved to climb into the car. After all, I did need a ride to school.

“Besides, I’ve got a date coming up. There’s no reason I can’t have a little fun while I’m here,” he said, taking the driver’s seat. “I’ve actually never been to a prom before.”

“So you do like Anamae?” I said.

“How could I not?” he asked with a grin.

“But what about your mate?” I asked.

The smile vanished from Knox’s face, causing me to immediately regret my question. I realized his memory, like James’s, must have been purged.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “You probably don’t remember her, do you?”