The Strawberry Patch Pancake House

A few days after the kitchen incident, Iris visits Hazel’s cottage with Olive. While Olive and Noah’s nieces, Cece and Ivy, play checkers, color in Hazel’s popular Pumpkin Spice coloring books, and make friendship bracelets, the adults converse about Olive’s nighttime wandering. Olive easily defeats Noah at checkers, demonstrating her skill and growing comfort with the cousins.

During their conversation, Iris and Hazel discuss Olive’s repeated attempts to visit Hazel at night. They also talk about Cate, Olive’s deceased mother, who used to bring Olive to Hazel’s bookstore regularly. Iris asks Olive about her favorite color and learns that it’s yellow. She suggests repainting Olive’s pink bedroom, which excites the girl. When Hazel inquires if Iris will check with Archer about this change, Iris admits that she’s been avoiding him since their intimate moment when he licked batter from her finger. After Noah takes the children outside to play, Iris confides in Hazel about her attraction to Archer. Hazel advises against pursuing anything with her employer, making Iris outwardly resolve to maintain professionalism despite her internal struggles.

When Noah returns with the rain-soaked children, Iris helps Olive dry off, experiencing a moment of deep attachment to the child.