Page 80 of A Texas Hero

Archer stuck his hands in his pants pockets. “How can I help you?”

“You can’t. I’m just here to thank you for everything you’ve done.”

“Ah, well, sir, I was simply doing my job. Zoey is a nice girl and easy to be with.”

Patch snorted. “My daughter is a lot of things, but easy is not one of them. She’s special and beautiful and unique. But…not easy. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for last night. I had not realized that you and my daughter became such good friends.”

Archer didn’t think it his place to tell Mr. Lambert they were far more than friends now. He didn’t think any father would want to hear that, so he went with the safe and plausible. It was also true, which helped.

“She mentioned that in her previous experience with bodyguards, they became like part of the family.”

“That’s true.” Patch walked to the window and looked outside. “But you have influence with her, and I have a feeling it had a lot to do with the way she’s accepted Robin. At our dinner, you might have noticed things weren’t going well.”

“Yes.” Archer cleared his throat. “I noticed.”

“But when Robin went to get her dress the next day, everything had changed. We both expected to get some pushback—it wouldn’t have been out of character for Zoey. I think you might have had something to do with how quickly she came around.”

“Zoey wants everyone to be happy and find love, and she wants that for you, too. It just happened sooner than she’d expected. Robin took her by surprise.”

“She took me by surprise! Happened sooner than I expected!” Patch laughed. “Son, do you know what it’s like to lay eyes on a woman and not be able to speak for several seconds?”

Archer almost lied and said no, he didn’t have any idea, but Patch kept talking.

“That never happens to me. Being a football player, naturally I was used to the attention from the ladies. They came after me hard when my wife died, but I had Zoey there, intervening, knowing I wasn’t ready. We spent a lot of time together, the two of us, grieving. And after she left, well…” He tugged on his shirt collar. “Let’s just say I had some fun for a while. There was no point in getting married again. I’m pushing sixty and not having any more kids. It seemed like all the women after me were too young, anyway. I don’t fool myself—I know they’re after a lifestyle I can provide. But Robin…she knows me, she doesn’t need my money, and damn, she’s still so beautiful.”

“You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

“That might be true, but I felt guilty. Like I’m almost too lucky. Twice in a lifetime, when some people don’t even get this once.”

Again, Archer could understand the feeling. There was something rare about feeling this way. When he and Zoey were together, he felt like they were the only two people in the world. He’d never felt that way before.

“Anyway, I’m not just here to thank you. You were doing your job and doing it well. I have an offer for you.”

“Sir?” Archer cocked his head.

“As it turns out, Alec is retiring early. He really likes you. What would you think about coming to work for me and taking old Alec’s place?” He turned to Archer. “I will pay you twice what the agency is and you can stay in Texas. I think my daughter might appreciate that.”

It was the last thing Archer had ever expected to hear, and it was punctuated by the sound of thunder crackling.

The rain began to fall in sheets, and all Archer could think of was how happy this would make Zoey.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The storm gradually let up. Cole picked up his little family and one by one, her shop emptied. Did Zoey have an umbrella with her when she closed up shop? Why, yes, she did, because hope sprang eternal. Hers was a yellow, orange and white-striped parasol printed with little smiling pumpkins. She had the matching galoshes, but those were at home.

Despite the rain, she navigated to the grocery store fine and got home in time to start dinner. Although she was by no means a great cook, she found herself wanting to get better. Because good food brought joy, and she wanted to bring joy to those she loved. And yes, she was talking about Archer.

She loved him.

He was strong and kind and, most of all, loyal to her. She could see the loyalty shining through in everything he did and said. His first loyalty had been to her, even when he had obviously liked Robin from the get-go. Point being, he didn’t like her on principle, because Zoey didn’t like her. She came first with him. It was all she’d ever wanted. A man who would put her first.

The problem was that he would leave soon, and telling him she loved him wouldn’t be fair. She’d simply have to accept that he had to go for a while, and he’d be back. It would be similar to the times her daddy would leave for extended periods. Occasionally, he’d be gone for months. Only now they had FaceTime and Zoom and so many ways to stay connected. No, it wouldn’t be the same, but they’d get through it. He’d be back in Texas and they’d have a beautiful reunion.

She could almost see it now, through her tears, as she gently added saffron to the rice for flavor. Five days wasn’t going to be enough time.

Archer arrived promptly at seven and actually rang the doorbell. Zoey wiped her hands on her apron, untied it and went to greet him.

“Oh, hello! Have we met?” she joked.