He really did a thorough job-looks like Stewart pulled out all the stops this time, just like Ste said.


    Briony pushed the thought aside and drove to her studio.


    When she arrived, the golden retriever puppy was already waiting at the front entrance, tail wagging in anticipation.


    "Woof woof!"


    Briony walked over, crouched down, and gave the puppy a gentle pat on the head.


    "Briony!"


    Hannah stood up from her desk. "Someone just dropped off a bouquet of roses for you. I put them on your desk."


    Roses?


    Briony straightened up and nced at Hannah. "Did they say who sent them?"


    "Nope," Hannah replied, "but I think there''s a card!"


    "Alright, thanks."


    Briony pushed open her office door.


    A massive bouquet of delicate blue roses sat on her desk.


    She walked over, picked up the card, and flipped it open.


    [The first time I saw you, there were stars in your eyes. Since then, you''ve filled my heart with a gxy of wonder.]


    In the corner, a simple ''Mr. F.''


    Briony frowned, tossed the card into the trash, and cradled the bouquet as she walked out of the office.


    “Hannah, take these down to the café on the first floor. Let them have the flowers."


    Hannah looked a little disappointed. "You really don''t want such beautiful roses?"


    "If you like them," Briony said, handing them over, "they''re yours."


    Hannah shook her head quickly. "No way, these are clearly from one of your admirers, Briony. I''d feel bad taking them!"


    "I''m not interested in flowers. Give them to the café-they could use them for their tables."


    "Sure thing!"


    Hannah headed out, roses in hand, and bumped right into James as he came in.


    "Morning, Mr. Dney!"


    James nced at the bouquet. "Got flowers today, Hannah?"


    "They''re not for me, they''re for Briony."


    He turned to Briony, raising an eyebrow. "What''s going on?"


    "Garry sent them," she replied.


    "He sent you flowers?" James narrowed his eyes. "What''s he after?"


    "No idea," Briony said, sounding annoyed. "But he knows Stewart."


    "Ah." James shrugged. "Well, no wonder he''s a pain."


    Briony let it go. "When are the other two artifacts arriving?"


    "Professor said tomorrow or the day after."


    She nodded. "Good."


    Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket.


    Briony nced at the caller ID, then slipped the phone back without answering.


    She hadn''t bothered saving Irwin''s number, but after he''d called several times over the past few days, she recognized it instantly.


    James raised an eyebrow. "Not gonna answer?"


    "No." Briony shook her head. "I''ve looked up some information. Come in and see


    if there''s anything to add. If not, we''ll head back to the materials market this afternoon."


    "Sounds good."


    In the private hospital suite.


    Irwin sat beside Rosita''s bed, pouting at his phone after the call was cut off.


    Rosita ruffled his hair. "Sweetheart, don''t be upset. Your Mom Bryn is probably just busy."


    "What''s so busy about her job?" Irwin huffed. "She''s not a superstar like you, Mom. She just fixes old stuff. I don''t get it-what''s so great about that? I really don''t like her job!"


    Rosita smiled, lips curving gently. "You know, maybe she''s not busy with work at all."


    Irwin blinked, then looked up. "If it''s not work, then why won''t she answer my calls? Is she still mad at me? She''s been upset for way too long!"


    "Didn''t I tell youst time?" Rosita''s smile softened. "Maybe your Mom Bryn has a baby of her own now."


    Irwin''s eyes went wide. "She''s having a baby? No way!"


    Rosita''s smile faded slightly. "Why do you think that''s impossible, Irwin?"


    "Mom Bryn said she''d always love only me!" His eyes glistened with frustrated tears. "I''m trying so hard to be a good kid-how could she have her own baby?"


    He swung his legs off the bed, determined. "I don''t believe it! I''m going to ask Dad!"