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Willow didn’t look convinced.

“I am, I promise,” I lied.

Warrick’s big, scarred fingers were curled around the back of my sister’s neck, even while he spoke to someone else. He was a good male, one of the best, and I loved my sister had found that kind of goodness in her life.

She nodded, but the look in her eyes told me she still didn’t believe me. Thankfully, she didn’t push. “Relic’s cute, huh?” she said under her breath instead.

I sighed. “Seriously, Willow, you need to stop with this.”

Her hand covered mine. “It’s been six months and…I want you to be happy.”

“I don’t need a male for that.”

“I know…I was just…”

“I’m not ready. I’m not sure I ever will be.”

Willow seemed obsessed with finding us, me especially, a man. She wanted us mated for some reason, in a way that bordered on obsessive. Oh, she thought she was being subtle about it, but I knew why they were bringing Warrick’s brothers here all the time.

“So where’s Mags?” Wills asked.

“The tree house. She’s there most of the time these days, sleeps there most nights as well.”

Willow glanced out the window toward Bram’s tree house. “Do you think they’re together?”

“No. She’s still struggling with…a lot of things that happened. Bram makes her feel safe, you know.” Bram was also desperately in love with Magnolia, in a way that was heartbreaking to witness. And our baby sister didn’t seem to have a clue.

Like Mom and Art had been before. Now they were sitting pressed together, holding hands. Seeing Mom happy like that, both of them happy, filled my heart with warmth.

“Have you seen Ren?”

Sadness filled Willow’s eyes. “A couple of times, but he’s still not ready to come back.” Her gaze became distant. “He’s so different, Iris, and not just the way he looks. You wouldn’t recognize him.”

I squeezed her hand as Warrick leaned in and kissed the top of her head, sensing her pain.

Mom moved to Rose, crouching by the chaise she was napping on, and brushed her hair back. She didn’t like to miss out but tired so quickly. “Do you want some tea, sweetheart?”

Rose didn’t stir.

“Rose?” Mom shook her gently.

Still nothing.

“Rose,” Mom said more sharply, fear clear in her voice.

Ronan shot to his feet across the table, and Art rushed to Mom’s side. I sat frozen, watching in abject terror as Mom tried to wake my frail sister.

Rose finally moaned softly and blinked up at Mom, and the relief was so strong, I had to bite back a sob. Art scooped Roe up in his arms and carried her out of the room, Mom right behind him. Wills squeezed my hand, but neither of us said anything. This wasn’t the first time this had happened, and not knowing how much longer we had with Rose was a constant fear in our hearts.

Suddenly all the people, the noise, it was too much.

I had to get out of here.

Willow had turned to Warrick, and they were talking in hushed tones, and Nia was asleep. My girl had been extra protective since that night in the cemetery, and by the end of the day, after following me literally everywhere, she struggled to stay awake.

So careful not to wake her, I slid out of my chair and quickly left, then kept on walking out into the night.

As soon as I hit the yard, I sucked back a desperate breath. It wasn’t enough, though, and as my gaze slid to Cora and Brody’s house, the house where I’d spent so much time, my breathing grew fast, panicked.