Read Online Holding On (Road House Series) by Madison Stevens - Free Book Online

open and stepped back.
    “What happened to you? Did you get into a fight with a plant?”
    Luc grinned at her good humor. “Something like that.”
    God how she wanted to hate him, but there was just something about him. He held out his hand, and she took it to get out of the car.
    “So I suppose this was your planning?” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
    “Don’t think Pan made it easy on me.” He winced. “I’ve heard castration more times than I ever wanted to.”
    Iris once again laughed. It had been so long she suddenly felt lighter from it.
    “So,” he slowed down the walk, “I’ve been wrong. In more ways than one. And, well, I wanted to show you that I do know you.” He stopped and took her hand. “You were right. We do have something, and I’m sorry I was so afraid. What you were offering was just so wonderful. Almost too wonderful.”
    Luc stopped walking and took her other hand.
    “I just want you to know that I’m still worth trying with.”
    He turned her to look at the yard. Nearly every inch was covered with crocuses, the small delicate flowers creating a canvas of color on the lawn.
    Iris nearly fell to the ground. There was only so much emotional overload she could handle. Her knees began to shake and just as she thought she would fall, strong arms wrapped around her middle.
    “In the iris family and means cheerful. There are over ninety varieties, and they bloom at various times at various places. But mostly it’s associated with a story. A story that a little girl who likes books might be drawn to.” Luc nuzzled his face into her neck and felt her take a deep breath.
    “Oh?” She drew in another shaky breath.
    “A story of a physician who was jailed for his faith. When he discovers the jailer’s daughter is a blind girl he once treated, he leaves a note before his execution. Inside is a crocus that cures her sight and is the first thing the girl sees.”
    Iris looked down to see the yellow crocus nestled against her and the loving arms around her.
    “So do I know you?” Luc whispered in her ear.
    “Almost,” she said and turned in his arms.
    “Oh please tell me I got it. I’m miserable without you.”
    Iris wrapped her arms around his neck and reached up on her tiptoes for a soul-blazing kiss. When she pulled away, she waited until she had his eyes.
    “I was going to call,” she said. Luc looked like he wanted to speak but stopped when her fingers touched his lips. “That morning, well, it meant something to me, but now it means so much more.”
    She took his hand and placed it on her stomach.
    Luc’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “I have a room.” He blurted out and then laughed at his excitement.
    “I don’t think,” she started.
    “No really, come see. The whole place has been placed firmly in the present.” Luc grabbed her hand and pulled her in the house.
    He really hadn’t been kidding. The whole place was him. All over it breathed the ease and comfort that he usually held. No more manicured purple room but a nice calm blue. The space reflected him. She didn’t have long to enjoy it before she was being pulled into an empty white-walled room.
    “See?” Iris didn’t really know what she was supposed to be seeing here. “I’m a little confused here, hun.”
    Luc grinned at the endearment.
    “For the baby. We can paint it whatever you want.” Luc dropped down to his knee and spoke to her tummy. “Hey, do me a solid, kiddo. Tell your mom to give me a chance.” Luc looked up at her. “Give me a chance to be the man you deserve and father I want to be.”
    Iris couldn’t take much more. She slumped to the floor as tears flooded her eyes. She threw her arms around him and stared at the yellow crocus.
    “You are so stupid.” She sobbed into his shoulder.
    “Yes. Yes, I am,” he said and pulled her in a little tighter. “But it’s real, and I’m holding on to that.”
    Iris pulled back and stared at Luc. “Me too,” she said and kissed him with