MasukI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
“Arthur,” I pant, “I’m going to—”“Not yet,” he commands once again, slowing his pace. “Not until I say so.”I whimper frustratedly, but before I can protest further, Arthur pulls out completely. I’m about to complain when he flips me onto my back, hoisting my legs over his shoulders before entering
IrisArthur gently lays me down on the bed and hovers over me, kneeling between my legs. For a long moment, he just looks at me in the darkness, drinking me in.“Pregnant,” he finally says, brushing his hand across my belly. “I still can’t believe it.”I reach up and grasp the front of his sweater,
After that, we move to the kitchen, where the three of us work together to prepare our feast. Arthur handles the roast, seasoning it with herbs and sliding it into the oven. I peel potatoes for mashing, while Miles helps wash the vegetables for the side dishes.It’s ordinary and messy and absolutely
IrisThe ranch feels different in winter. The rolling hills that were once lush and green are now gray, but somehow even more beautiful. The stables are quiet, the horses tucked away in their warm stalls. The cold air smells like woodfire smoke and pine.I stand on the porch of the cabin, wrapped in







