Page 34 of A Texas Hero

Over the next few days, Archer and Zoey were together from sunup to sundown, with her insisting on making him both breakfast and dinner. He retired to his guest bedroom at the end of the evening, and she went to hers, alone. On Saturday, after she’d closed up shop and they were home, Archer once more brought up the idea of canceling the party. He’d mentioned it every couple of days in an offhanded kind of way.

Like, “Are you still having that event?” To which she’d unfailingly respond, “Are you out of your mind? Of course!”

Now, when he asked her again, she turned to him, as he sat facing her on one of the stools in the kitchen. “It’s a week away! I can’t cancel now.”

“But explain. What’s so special about this event?” He picked up one of the shiny red apples in her fruit bowl and bit into it.

“I already told you,” she said, reaching for a pan so she could start a quick dinner.

The main course was a pumpkin pasta recipe she’d looked up online, served with pumpkin spice tea and her pumpkin cupcakes. He didn’t complain about her food, just raised a brow every time she said pumpkin. He’d told her once that he’d be drunk in two minutes if he took a shot every time she said pumpkin.

He wasn’t wrong.

Every day, Archer insisted that she didn’t have to feed him, but he also didn’t hesitate to finish his plate. She’d explained over and over that this was what her mother used to do with their family bodyguards, and it just seemed natural to her. Besides, it was Saturday night and she’d invited Twyla over, too, so that the three of them could go over the logistics of the party. Twyla was in charge of the guest list and Archer had been asking for this meeting so he could get his hands on it. It shocked her to think he was actually going to do background checks on all of her guests.

“The party is my annual tradition and it means a lot to me.” She chopped garlic and stirred in some olive oil as the base.

“You’ve said that, but why?”

“I’ve already told you that I am a champion of love.”

“And there are a million people who feel the same, but they don’t have a party to celebrate it every year.”

She sighed. “I don’t see why I should cancel. You know I could take Scott easy, and with you here, we truly have nothing to worry about. I don’t even think he’s going to show up.”

When Twyla arrived on schedule, carrying with her a bottle of wine, Zoey hugged her tight and whispered, “He’s a little on edge about the party.”

Twyla got the message: Assure Archer the party guests would behave like relatives of Mother Teresa.

“It is nice to see you again.” Archer nodded. “I am enjoying the book. So far only one dead body but I am hopeful.”

Twyla chuckled. “Be patient, more are coming.”

Zoey led them into the living room, where she’d laid out a spread on the coffee table: a charcuterie board piled with cheese, olives, grapes, crackers and rolled slices of deli meat formed in the shape of hearts. A pitcher of pumpkin spice tea sat nearby next to three iced tumblers.

“How sweet. You didn’t have to do all this.”

“Nonsense, you’re my guest.” She turned to Archer, standing by as always, like a soldier who needed to be ordered “at ease.” “Twyla’s husband owns Nacho Boat Adventures, and he had a big event of his own today. You’ll meet him at the party.”

“Here’s the guest list of those who’ve RSVPed.” Twyla pulled it out of her purse and handed it to Archer, who started to peruse it immediately.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to do a quick check on these guests.” He took off down the hallway toward the guest room, and Zoey plopped down next to Twyla on the sofa, helping herself to an olive.

“I see what you mean,” Twyla said. “He’s very serious all the time, isn’t he? Even when he jokes.”

Zoey reached for Twyla’s hands. “He’s going to do a background check on each one of my guests, including you and Noah. I’m so sorry.”

Twyla shrugged. “He’s going to find out about that speeding ticket I got last year.”

“Oh, you and Noah are fine, but good grief! Can anybody say they’ve had a perfect past?”

Twyla frowned. “I’m thinking he’s looking for serious things like assault and battery. He is being paid a salary, so I can understand why he’s doing it. I’m sure it’s not much of a hardship to simply hang out with you every day.”

Zoey smirked. “Except for when a customer comes in and I make him work. I love watching him sweat when the ladies ask him for his opinion.”

“You’re so mean.” Twyla laughed. “I like seeing this side of you. How come you’re not nice to him like you are to everybody else?”

“I’m not mean. I’m flirting.”