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“Well, now, I wouldn’t have brought up orgies if I knew you’d just proposed,” Beatrice huffed. Iris turned, pressing her cheek to Kane’s chest, hearing his laughter echo hers as more people crowded through the front door.
“Who is having an orgy? I thought this was a surprise party?” Gracie demanded.
“Did you throw me a party?” Iris asked, pulling back to look up at Kane.
“Well, I’d meant to help you hang the painting and then drag you upstairs after my awesome proposal, and then everyone was supposed to come in and set up for a surprise party,” Kane said, narrowing his eyes at Gracie.
“You proposed?” Gracie shrieked, ignoring Kane’s annoyance, and descended upon them both. Soon, Iris was surrounded by what felt like the whole town as everyone passed drinks, admired the ring, and hugged each of them. It was overwhelming, chaotic, and totally out of either of their hands. Yet somehow there was beauty in the messiness of living in a community that insisted on being involved in their business whether they liked it or not.
This was family now, Iris realized, looking around at the party that was now in full swing. She shouted, raising her arms, and someone shut off the little speaker blasting music.
“Thank you all for coming to my surprise party, and well, surprise proposal, I guess?” Iris beamed down at her ring, sparkling on her finger, and then up at Kane as he came to her side. “I had promised myself when I was ready to open the shop that I would hang this stunning painting from our resident genius artist–Aislinn.” Cheers went up as Aislinn bowed in the corner.
“The name of the painting is The Beginning. And I think the title is so very apt for so many reasons. Not the least of which is all of you. Being here for me, tonight, and showing me that I can start over, that I can rise, that I can still do the things that I love surrounded by a community who will support me. I’m humbled to have your support, and I’d be grateful for you to witness the hanging of this priceless piece of art.”
Everyone in the room cheered and quieted as Kane took out his hammer.
“A little to the left,” Iris said.
“Are you certain?” Kane asked.
“Oh boyo, just do as she says. You’ll get used to it soon enough,” someone quipped from the audience.
“She’s the boss. It’s her business,” Kane said, his eyes steady on Iris’s. “She can hang it any way she wants. I just want to make her happy.”
“Aw,” Gracie called. “Don’t make me ruin my makeup.”
“You make me happy,” Iris beamed at Kane. “And thank you for listening to me. Yes, that’s the perfect spot.”
With that, Kane hammered two nails into the wall and hung the painting with a dramatic flourish. Iris stepped back, her hands at her heart, and beamed at the beautiful depiction of the cove. The light from above highlighted the colors of the sea just right, and the dark paint on the wall behind it made the painting stand out like the showstopper it was.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Cait called as she came through the door, a leather book in hand. “But I had to run back to the pub when I heard the news.”
“What are you talking about?” Iris asked, accepting a kiss on the cheek as Cait breezed past, immediately commanding the room much like she did her pub.
“Who won, Cait?” Gracie called.
“Who won what?” Iris asked, narrowing her eyes as Cait flopped the book on the table and paged through it.
“I think we’re about to find out just how close the town is,” Kane said. He put an arm around Iris’s shoulder, pulling her in close, and Iris warmed at his touch.
“Did they bet…on us?” Iris asked, looking up at Kane, torn between annoyance and surprise.
“Looks to be that way,” Kane said.
“You proposed today?” Cait looked over her reading glasses at Kane, a stern look on her face.
“Yes, ma’am. Are you needing the exact time? The weather? The phase of the moon?” Kane asked.
“Cheeky one, isn’t he?” Cait raised an eyebrow and returned to her book, trailing her finger down the page.
“Is this a thing that the Irish do?” Iris asked, honestly bewildered at what was going on.
“Not as a tradition, no, though we do like a wager here and there, I won’t lie.”
“Ah, perfect,” Cait beamed. Looking around the room, she waved. “Congrats to Beatrice!”
“Well, sure and I must be dreaming!” Beatrice squealed and clapped her hands. “I never win anything.”
“It’s your lucky night. I’ve got your winnings up at the pub. You’ll be making your way up there, won’t you?” Cait asked, slamming the book closed and turning. It was more of an order than a question. With that, she breezed back out, and people followed her like the Grand Dame she was.
“We could stay behind and…” Kane whispered a particularly dirty suggestion in Iris’s ear, and lust pooled low in her stomach.
“That’s for later, you two. It’s time to celebrate with me.” Beatrice hooked Iris’s arm and dragged her to the front door, surprising a laugh out of Iris. “You’ll have enough time for that later. It’s only just the beginning, after all.”
Iris’s eyes caught on the painting as she locked the shop door, her new family surrounding her on the sidewalk, and she smiled. Unmuting her spirit guides, she listened and was surprised when silence greeted her.
Turning, she stepped into her future.
