Chapter 238
Iris
“Welcome to Whispering Pines!” the cheerful pilot announces as our small private plane touches down on what can barely even be called a runway. It’s more like a cleared strip of land in the middle of nowhere.
My eyes widen as I look out the window and recognize the familiar landscape of rolling hills and dense forest. No fucking way.
“Arthur…” I start, turning to face him. He’s grinning like a kid in a candy shop.
“Surprise,” he says simply.
I can’t believe it. Whispering Pines–our place. The tiny, quaint town nestled in the wild northern territories–where there are no
countries or cities, but rather individual pack lands, just like the old days–that Arthur and I used to escape to.
It’s the place where we fell deeper in love with each passing visit, far from the pressures of Ordan society. Where we kissed under
the stars and where I painted next to waterfalls and where we were happy and free.
I never thought I would see this place again after our breakup.
As we disembark the plane, Miles jumps up and down with excitement, holding both of our hands and swinging between us.
“Where are we? What are we gonna do? Are there animals?”
Arthur laughs. “Patience, buddy. You’ll see everything soon enough.”
The drive through the countryside is familiar and yet new. The same winding roads through dense pine forests, the same
breathtaking views of distant mountains, but now seen through the eyes of a mother watching her son experience it all for the
first time.
“Look, Mommy!” Miles cries, pointing out the window at a pair of deer bounding through the trees. “Animals!”
“Yes, little wolf,” I say, smiling at his excitement. “There are lots of animals here.”
After about twenty minutes, our driver turns onto a gravel road I don’t recognize, leading up to a sprawling ranch house
surrounded by fenced pastures and outbuildings.
“What’s this?” I ask Arthur as we pull up to the main house. “We usually stay at the inn in town.”
“I wanted something a bit more private this time, and for all of our future visits, which there will be many,” he explains as w
climb out of the truck. “So I bought you a ranch.”
“Bought?” I squeak. My jaw drops. “You bought an entire ranch?”
He shrugs as if it’s nothing. “The old owner passed and the place went up for cheap. Came with all the animals and erything.” He glances at me, and the meaningful look in his eyes almost makes me burst into tears. “We’ll be coming back
intend to have lots of family vacations.”
plenty, Iris. I
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Chapter 238
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I feel like I’m going to collapse. Arthur bought us a ranch. It’s not that I’m worried about money–Goddess knows he has always had more than enough, and with our combined fortunes, we could probably buy every ranch in the entire world at this point–but
it’s just… hard to wrap my head around.
Suddenly, Miles spots a small herd of goats in a nearby pen and lets out a shriek of delight, which pulls me out of my reverie. Before we can stop him, he’s bolting toward the pen, his little legs pumping as fast as they can go.
“Miles, wait!” I call, hurrying after him. Arthur’s booming laughter follows me all the way across the lawn.
A little while later, once Miles has had his fill of baby goats, we head inside to get settled. The ranch house is small and rustic but luxurious nonetheless, with exposed wooden beams, a massive stone fireplace, and floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking the property. It’s nothing like the cozy little rooms at the inn Arthur and I used to stay in, but it has the same warm, inviting feel.
“I can’t believe this is ours,” I murmur, turning to Arthur as Miles excitedly explores every nook and cranny. “Arthur, this is…
incredible.”
Arthur grins and gives me a peck on the tip of my nose. “I hope you like it.”
“Like it?” I breathe. “I love it. But… You know you didn’t have to do this, right?”
He simply shrugs. “I know you don’t expect extravagant gifts. But this isn’t just for you or me. It’s for Miles.”
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