Chapter 129: Declan

Declan knocked on the door and then stepped back, a grin on his face. Iris was going to love today's present.

She opened the door and he held up a large paper bag. "Fresh catnip," he said proudly, in lieu of a greeting. "My neighbor has a patch that is out of control, and the neighborhood cats all seem to think that her flowerbed is their new home. She practically threw the catnip at me and told me to make a run for the truck."

Iris bursted out laughing, and Declan felt pride and happiness swell in his chest. He'd made her laugh. He felt ten feet tall.

She stood back and let him past her and into the apartment, closing the door behind him quickly. "It's getting to be that time of year," she said, burrowing down into her sweater. "I can't believe Halloween is almost here."

"Which just means that it's a perfect time for us to go to the Harvest Festival together."