A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"Cooking isn't hard, you know. I'll teach you. And while we're at it, I'll show you a few recipes I know that are a little more...well, restorative. If he can't keep much down, maybe these will help. I'll add something to boost his appetite, too."

Calliope let out a long sigh. She stared out the window at Hudson, feeling a knot in her chest.

He knew his own fate now. He knew he could go at any time.

What could he possibly be thinking right now?

Maybe, she thought, he wasn't afraid of dying. But she was sure he wasn't ready to leave Lance behind, or everything else he cared about.

"Okay." Lance wiped away his tears, his voice trembling. "Callie, are you sure there's nothing else we can do?"

"At this point, I really don't have any better options." Calliope lifted her head. "I've reached out to everyone I know. No one has a solution. So our best bet is just to make sure he's comfortable, keep him as happy as we can."

"Mood really matters, you know. If he's in good spirits, that can help him hang on longer. And Lance, you have to look after yourself, too. The way you feel, he feels it, too."

"I know." Lance nodded.

into the kitchen. She didn't

up quickly, maybe because he was putting his

help but grin

this. Shame you never tried

the three

enjoy the meal. He ate more

of roast chicken onto Hudson's plate and said, "Slow down, will you? No

looked up, a smile tugging at his lips. "Funny.

what do you think. Can you tell this is Lance's handiwork? He's

"No kidding?"

what to do, but I did all

enthusiastic round of applause. And he ate

of them sat out in the yard, soaking up the sun and