Page 57 of A Texas Hero

“Just a few things I had delivered,” Archer said, and then carried them into this bedroom like they were a state secret.

Fine. If it was a secret, she didn’t need to know. Maybe it was some kind of bodyguard paraphernalia, though she couldn’t imagine what. A new suit, so he’d look even more like James Bond? She could do without anything that made him more attractive. It hadn’t helped at all when he’d kissed her in the storeroom with such passion she’d lost her footing. They would be so good together, if they ever had a chance. But she didn’t see how it could happen with him taking off so soon. When it came to romance lately, she was in one of those “shutouts” Daddy used to talk about, where one team got all the points and the other, zip. She was in the zero column. It was time to give up.

After showering and styling her hair, Zoey sat cross-legged in front of her flat screen and pulled up an app. She’d closed her eyes and had started the guided meditation when the ring camera went off again. Another delivery for Archer? What in the world? She went and retrieved the package, then knocked on his door. “Hang on. Be right with you,” he said.

When he cracked open the door, she tried to look over his shoulder. “Another package for you.”

She hadn’t opened it, but the box was from a major retailer, so it could literally be anything.

“Thanks,” he said, took it and shut the door.

How mysterious. If he wanted her to lose interest in him, this was not the way to do it; the deliveries only had her more intrigued. Meanwhile, outside the sky continued to darken, the wind kicked up, tossing leaves around, and Zoey’s hopes soared. She went back to her meditation practice.

“In through the nose, and out through the mouth. Picture your happy place…”

Zoey focused on New England in autumn, falling leaves and cozy fires—but the image of the dark storeroom kept interfering. Archer pulling her close against him, his hands low on her behind, his lips pressed against hers, kissing her deeply.

Zoey had no idea how much time had passed; it could have been thirty minutes or thirty hours when she heard Archer’s voice.

“Zoey,” he said, sticking his head in the door. “Sorry to interrupt.”

“No worries,” she said, turning around to face him. “That was relaxing. How long was I meditating for?”

He glanced at his watch. “About two minutes, give or take?”

“Excuse me?” Zoey stood. “That has to be wrong. I feel like I’ve been sitting here forever!”

“Sorry,” he said, and once again seemed to be fighting the urge to smile. Or laugh. “But maybe that’s the point with meditation. You lose track of time.”

Ugh, whatever. “I was hoping it would be longer than two minutes. Did you need something?”

He walked to the window facing the patio. Sunlight poured in and once more South Texas weather had failed her. It was barely cracking the low seventies today.

He pointed. “Look. It’s not going to rain after all.”

“I can see that,” she huffed.

“That’s actually for the best,” he said. “Did you really want it to ruin your party day?”

“Don’t you mean former party day?”

“No, I mean party day. There’s a whole 2.0 happening.”

“Since when?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Archer said. “Just be ready tonight, about six o’clock?”

“Are you kidding? We’re seriously having a party? Um, thank you, but I’m not ready! I need to find an outfit.”

“About that…dress is casual.”

“How casual?”

“Jeans,” he said.

“Do you have jeans? Because I’ve never seen you wear them. You’re always in a suit and tie.”

“I’ve got something, don’t worry.”