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“Uh, I rented a place. You’re right, I just couldn’t…walk away. Not yet. Not if there’s a chance she’ll eventually forgive me.”
“Well, put a pin in that because you wouldn’t believe what’s going on here.”
“Iris is burning effigies of me in the backyard?” he guessed.
Henry Dale laughed. “Dial back the self-absorption. It’s… Actually, why don’t you come pick me up? I heard you’re rich, so you can buy me lunch, and I won’t need to explain as much if you witness this with your own eyes. I’ve seen some stuff over the years, butnothinglike this.”
Despite Eli’s grim mood, he started feeling intrigued by whatever had Henry Dale so lost for words. “Fine, I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Should we hit Bev’s?”
The answer came in a cheerful tone. Well, as cheerful as Henry Dale ever got. “I was hoping you’d say that. I’m craving a burger with fries and the big pickle on the side.”
Just as he was about to hang up, he realized something important. “This isn’t just about what’s happening at the house, is it?”
“Of course not. I miss you.” Henry Dale said it quickly, as if he might be arrested for possessing human emotions.
“Me too. See you soon.”
Oddly, that made Eli feel better.I wasn’t just an accessory to Iris. I made impressions on my own.Even if things didn’t work out with her, he’d made real friends, connections he intended to keep. Maybe…he’d sell the condo in Ohio and look for property in St. Claire.
After grabbing his wallet and keys, he headed out. He’d been instructed to park on the far right of the cement pad so there would be no issues getting in and out. It took only fifteen minutes to get to Violet Gables, and Henry Dale was already waiting at the end of the gravel drive. Surprisingly, Rowan was with him.
And then henoticed.Once he did, he couldn’t believe he’d processed anything else. The house was covered in violets, like something out of a fantasy book. He even rubbed his eyes, but the house-garden didn’t go away. Only the doors, roof, gingerbread, and windows weren’t blanketed in tiny purple blossoms.
Rowan hopped in the truck first and slid into the back seat; then Henry climbed in front. He slammed the door and motioned for Eli to take off. “It’s not that I think we’re doing anything wrong, but Iris is unsettled enough right now.”
“What happened?” Eli asked, fighting the urge to keep looking back at the gorgeous, unearthly spectacle that was Iris’s home.
“That’s whatwewant to know,” Rowan said. “We suspect it has to do with her fae heritage, but…” They shrugged.
“Honest to God, I don’t know how I’ll replace that trim now. I’ve got hay fever!” Henry Dale was so aggrieved that it made Eli smile.
Rowan suggested, “Maybe you could wear a mask?”
“I’ll figure something out. You remember the way to Bev’s?” Henry Dale asked Eli.
“Why don’t you remind me?” Eli could have put it in the map on his phone, but Henry Dale had a complex about being needed.
This was an easy way to reinforce that the older man haduseful knowledge and others could benefit from his wisdom and experience. When Eli had first met the older man, Eli had never imagined that Henry Dale would reach out first. But here they were, going to lunch on his invitation.
Henry Dale gave some directions; then Rowan filled the conversational lull. “I was promised gravy! We’re finally going to Bev’s.”
“I try to keep my promises,” Eli said.
Rowan added, “So I got the gist of what happened with Iris. Sucks, but I understand why she’s so upset.”
“Yeah.” His tense answer probably made it clear this was tough for him to discuss.
“But I came along because I wanted you to know I’m not taking sides. I like both of you, and I hope you can patch things up. I miss you around the house.” Rowan grinned, affecting a childish voice. “Don’t fight, Mom and Dad, it’s my birthday.”
Since he and Iris were of an age to be Rowan’s older siblings, that genuinely did make Eli laugh and lightened the mood considerably. “Thanks. I miss everyone too.”
Henry Dale snorted. “Does that make Sally and me the grandparents?”
“I mean, not collectively, but…yeah.” Rowan seemed in much better spirits, now that they’d been out of their family home for a while. “Forgot to tell you. I’ve been kinda doing a new web comic based on…well, us. And it’s getting major views. People are tipping a lot, begging for updates. Fans will lose it when the magic house becomes a botanical garden.”
Before Eli could say anything, Rowan added, “I changed our names and everything, don’t worry. And I changed some of thephysical traits too. I don’t think anyone would know where my inspiration comes from.”
“So I’m a comic book character on the internet?” Henry Dale didn’t seem to know how he felt about that.
