She doesn’t have to finish that statement. I’ve spent nights wondering the same thing.
“She’s so damn young,” I rasp, shaking my head.
“Keith and I are eleven years apart. So? The heart doesn’t see shit like that. Two souls connect, logistics be damned.”
Laura pats my back and joins her husband. I turn, and Iris’ hazel gaze assesses me.
“Everything okay?” she asks softly.
For the life of me, I don’t know what possesses me to do what I’m about to do, but it’s like a need I can’t ignore.
“Yeah.” I take her hands and pull her in.
Her body responds instantly, as if she knows what I need. I embrace her close. Iris holds me tightly, her soft cheek resting on my chest.
Fuck, this feels good. So damn good.
“We’re a team, husband.”
I squeeze her waist, holding her tighter because I want that. I want to feel a part of a duo, do life with someone again.
“Yeah, wife. We’re a team.”
“How the hellare we one-upping this next year?” I ask Iris as we clean up the chaotic mess.
Her husky laugh has my balls twitching.
“I was hopeful she’d like it, but even I wasn’t prepared for her reaction. I’m going to start planning for next year as of now. Challenge accepted.”
“I’m gonna need to add hours at work to pull this off every year,” I joke, opening the back door for Ginger to come back inside. Wagging her tail, she makes her way up to Olive’s room, where she sleeps every night.
“Oh God, Ellis. Did I spend too much? I tried to make as much of it myself. I promise to budget better next?—”
“Whoa, whoa,” I rush over to her and rub her arms. “Hey. It was a joke. We barely tapped into the budget I already set aside for her birthday.”
“Oh. Okay,” she nods, staring at my chest.
I tuck my finger under her chin to lift her face. “I promise you this: if I am ever upset or concerned about something, I won’t keep it to myself to fester. I hate that shit. I’d rather fight and resolve things than let shit grow into unnecessary resentment.”
The worry fades, and a small smile brightens up her face again. “Good. I’m a fan of that rule. I hate letting stuff linger.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Iris melts into my arms, embracing me again. I close my eyes and exhale, pulling her closer.
“We’re good on money, Iris. I got us.”
She nods.
“Is that something you’ve worried about?” I venture to ask. With work and Olive, there hasn’t been a lot of time to talk. I want to understand why she would take her sister’s place as a mail-order bride.
“Are you and your sister in some kind of trouble?” I ask.
Sighing, Iris lets go. “Can we sit?”
I nod and follow her to the couch.
Raising her leg onto the sofa, she faces me. “When our parents died, their will left Raven and me the farm and house. Jed and Raven took over since I was still in high school.”
