Archer's Angels

by Tina Leonard

  Archer stared at himself in the mirror. “It’s as good as it’s gonna get.”

  “I think she likes you fine, bro. By the way, Mimi accepted Mason’s offer.”

  “Offer to what?” Archer frowned, still fiddling with his bolo.

  “To buy her house and property.”

  Archer stopped fiddling and stared at his brother. “Just like that?”

  “I guess so. I made the offer, and she said yes.”

  Archer thought about that. “Mason’s letting her leave. Just like that.”

  “Archer, nothing is just like that. Especially not with Mason.”

  “Why did you make the offer and not him? I don’t understand that.”

  “Because it’s Mimi. Because he can’t face her with any big decisions. You know him.”

  Archer chewed on that. “Something’s fishy here. Mason didn’t even blink when he learned Mimi was going to sell her place.”

  “He did. He threw his napkin down and left. But he knew it wouldn’t do any good to steam over it. You know Mimi. When her mind’s made up, it’s all hell’s-bustin’-loose. Mason figured we needed the land now that we’re filling out as a family.”

  “Well, I’m not letting Clove go,” Archer said with determination. “Mason may be a wimp, but I’m not. I know how to handle my destination.”

  “Destiny, Archer,” Last said with a sigh.

  “Same thing to me. I’m outta here.” Archer left, sweeping all thoughts of his family from his mind. As far as he was concerned, he was going to convince Clove that she and the babies belonged right here. With him.

  THE LAST THING Clove expected was how handsome Archer was when he came to pick her up. He’d always been attractive, but all dressed up in his best jeans and boots and combed hair, he was downright hot. She glanced at Lucy for confirmation.

  Her sister’s eyes were huge as she took in Archer’s appearance. “Mind the fence,” she said to Clove. “I’d be getting down off it if I were you.”

  “What fence?” Archer asked.

  “No fence at all.” Clove sent Lucy a warning glance. “Thank you for coming to get us.”

  “Thank you for joining my family for dinner. This will be a simple, quiet meal. Just what the doctor ordered.”

  Lucy followed them silently as Archer led the way to his truck. He helped Clove into the cab, then opened the door for Lucy. “Seat belts, ladies,” he said.

  Clove sat quietly, enjoying seeing the ranch as it went by. “It’s very peaceful here.”

  “Yes. I’m sure Australia is, too. I’ve always wanted to go to Australia.”

  “You told me that once,” she murmured.

  Lucy cleared her throat in the back seat.

  “Maybe you’d like to come see my house sometime,” Clove said hurriedly.

  “I’d like that.”

  Clove could almost hear her sister exhale with relief. She frowned, thinking it wasn’t right to invite Archer to her home just yet. They had too much to figure out, and proffering an invitation gave off meaning she wasn’t ready for.

  “Here we are,” Archer said. “The humble abode.”

  Clove got out of the truck, and Archer ran around to help her walk up the steps.

  “I can do it,” she said.

  “I know. But you’re not supposed to stress or strain anything.”

  She sighed. “I’m not a doll, Archer.”

  “That’s debatable, Miss Penmire,” he said. “Hope you like roast beef and mashed potatoes, because Helga’s cooked that and a Yorkshire pudding.”

  “I’m dying and going to heaven,” Lucy murmured behind them. “Real Texas cooking.”

  They went into the dining room, which was aglow with candelabra. “My,” Clove said. “This is very pretty.”

  “It looks fancy,” Archer said, “but don’t get the impression we eat like this every night. This is the holiday tablecloth, and these are the special-event candles.” He wrinkled his forehead as his brothers filed into the room, taking seats at the table. “If Mimi and the sheriff are moving to town, who gets Helga? Us or them?”

  Bandera stared at him. “We don’t know.”

  Mason shrugged. “Haven’t thought about it. Miss Clove, Miss Lucy, forgive my brother’s manners and allow me to reintroduce ourselves to you. Bandera, Last, Crockett, and me, Mason.” He lifted a wineglass to Clove. “Congratulations on your pregnancy, and more importantly, welcome to the family.”

  All the brothers raised a glass to her. Clove blinked, not sure how to take their welcome. “Thank you,” she finally murmured, picking up her water glass.

  Lucy patted her back. Clove felt so guilty. The Jeffersons seemed so sincere, even though she had enticed one of the brothers under false pretenses.

  Helga served her plate, heaped high with aromatic food. She nearly sighed with anticipation. “This looks wonderful.”

  Helga nodded, filling Lucy’s plate. “Heaven,” Lucy said.

  Clove glanced at Archer. She found his gaze on her, watching her every move. “What?” she whispered.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered across the table.

  Everyone heard him. Clove felt herself blush, so she looked down at the napkin in her lap. As Mason began to eat, she followed suit, though she’d lost her appetite.

  “How are you feeling?” Bandera asked.

  “Wonderful, actually. Thank you,” Clove replied.

  “Good,” Mason said. “Because we’d like to discuss some living arrangements with you.”

  Clove lowered her fork. “Living arrangements?”

  “Yes. Now that you’re here and expecting children, we’d like to make your life a bit easier. Less complicated.”

  He paused to look at her.

  “Thank you,” Clove said, wondering if she should be grateful or worried.

  “Next door to us is a house you may have seen on your way up here,” Mason continued. “It’s the sheriff’s house, but he and his daughter and her baby are moving to town.”

  “I see,” Clove murmured.

  “We’d like you to consider living there,” Mason said. “We’d like for you and your children to have a place to call your own.”

  Clove’s fork fell into her plate. She put her hand in her lap as she glanced at Archer. He was watching her, waiting for an answer. Clearly, he’d been in on this plan, too.

  “Careful,” Lucy murmured. “Think before you speak.”

  But Clove couldn’t react beyond the angry astonishment she felt. “No,” she said. “We already have a place to call our own. It’s my home, and I don’t need another one.”

  What they didn’t understand was that she didn’t want them to rush in and take care of her. Her feelings would be different if Archer had wanted her—ever wanted her—but he was obviously doing what he had to do to save face in his family. “You don’t even know me,” she told them all. “And most especially you,” she said with a pained look at Archer. “There’s just no way I can accept such an…arrangement.”

  They stared at her, completely buffaloed by what was lacking in their offer. She sighed. Lucy patted her hand. “Look. I’m a practical woman. I want the best for my children. That doesn’t mean moving away from the people who love me, away from the land where I’m comfortable.”

  “I also want the best for my children,” Archer said. “And I echo your sentiments.”

  Lucy and Mason stared at each other. “We’ve got ourselves some hardheaded ones,” Mason said to Lucy.

  “Don’t look at me,” Lucy said. “I may be eldest, but she’s always been her own woman.”

  Mason nodded and bent his head to eat. The other brothers followed suit. Archer’s gaze remained locked on Clove. She stared back, her chin lifted. Clove rose and went to the window. Lucy smiled, going to stand beside her sister.

  Mason looked at Archer. “You’ve got your hands full with that one,” he said. “Best of luck to you. You’ve finally met your match.”

  Clove turned away from the window.
“Archer, would you mind taking me home?”

  The men instantly stood.

  “Are you all right?” Archer asked.

  “I’m fine. Lucy, you stay here and eat. I’m going to go lie down.”

  “I’ll go with you—”

  “No,” she told her sister. “There is no reason. Please stay and enjoy the wonderful food and company.”

  Lucy looked from Archer to Clove. “All right,” she said, sitting down. “If Archer doesn’t mind.”

  “Happy to be of service. Step out carefully this way. Wear my jacket,” he said, laying it across her shoulders.

  “I’m sorry to be such a party pooper,” Clove told the brothers. “Thank you so much for everything.”

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Archer asked once they were outside.

  Clove looked up at Archer as he once again settled the jacket better over her shoulders. “Archer, could I talk to you, just the two of us?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Archer gazed down into Clove’s eyes, seeing concern there. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” he asked. “Maybe we overdid it. I should have made sure you stayed at the bungalow tonight. I didn’t know it was going to rain—”

  “Archer.” She put a hand on his arm. “Relax.”

  His heart seemed to stop. “You worried me.”

  Her gaze stayed on him. “I really need to talk to you.”

  “Let’s go.” He led her to his truck, his heart pounding nervously. He kept his arm protectively under hers, steadying her on the ground that was beginning to slick with the light rain.

  He wanted Clove to grow to trust him. To understand that he wanted to protect her. And he hoped that she could love him.

  Because he was pretty certain he was falling in love with Clove. Fallen, more likely, since he’d felt ill when the cramping had started and he’d realized the babies might be at risk. He wanted Clove to be healthy, wanted her to enjoy this pregnancy she’d wanted so badly and which he now wanted as well.

  Silently, they drove to the bungalow. Going inside to the den, Clove turned on the lights, keeping them dim. She sat in front of the window, looking out. “It’s like a fairyland,” she said. “So pretty here in the country.”

  “Yeah. Unless there’s an ice storm. We get some of those. And once, a twister. This is supposed to be Tornado Alley, but luckily, we’ve only had one wild one come through in all the years we lived here. And one big, big storm, which nearly took out the town with flooding.” He went into the kitchen, putting the kettle on for coffee. “What can you drink? What would you like?”

  “Hot tea would be wonderful.”

  He liked her being willing to allow him to fix something for her. “You didn’t eat much.”

  “I have very little appetite right now. I wonder if that’s bad or good.”

  Shrugging, he said, “Probably fine, as long as you’re listening to your body. When do you see the doctor again?”

  “In a week. But I plan to be at home seeing my own doctor by then.”

  He dropped a tea bag into the hot water, his shoulders tightening with dread at the sure tone of her voice. “So is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “That, and some other things.”

  He brought the cups over, joining her on the sofa where they both faced the window. “I’m listening.”

  “I need to go home,” she said softly. “I need to think.”

  “About?”

  “About a lot of things, but mostly, what I’ve done.”

  He sipped his coffee, put his boots up on the ottoman and watched her intently. Her hair fell over her shoulders. It still held an occasional twinkling droplet of water shining among the strands. “I should make a fire,” he said. “Hold that thought. I don’t want you getting chilled. It’s still nippy, like spring will never fully arrive.”

  Getting up, he stuck a few pieces of rolled newspaper under the logs that were already in the fireplace. With a long match, he lit the paper and replaced the screen. “I really enjoy this bungalow. More in the winter than in the summer, obviously. It’s a great place to come when I want to sit and think.” He glanced up at her. “How about I leave you alone so you can think? I know you’ve got plenty on your mind.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I’d be better off getting my thoughts out in the open. My conscience is killing me, Archer. I took advantage of you, and you and your family are being so nice to me that the guilt is overwhelming.”

  “You’re overwhelmed because we’re nice?”

  “I’m overwhelmed,” she said softly, “because of what I did. They say no action goes without a reaction, a consequence of some kind. My actions had consequences for you, your family, and even my sister.”

  He sat beside her again, certain that the fire was going to catch. “What has your sister said?”

  Clove’s eyelids lowered for an instant. “That her husband left her. About the time he found out I was pregnant.”

  “I see.”

  “Archer, I was really desperate and I thought I could make things right, but I made matters worse for everyone. And not only that, but I did it in a super-huge way.”

  He patted her hand. “I thought our family was fertile, but you’re like a peach tree, popping out all over.”

  A nice peachy blush hit the tops of her cheeks, which he thought was kind of sweet. “Hey, it’s a good thing,” he said. “I like odd numbers. We’re lucky.”

  “One would have been good,” she said dryly.

  “But three’s something to brag about. It’s like Poppin’ Fresh Family. All that lovin’ in the oven.”

  “That’s exactly it. It’s just outrageous!”

  He laughed. “Well, I’m excited. You have to do all the work, and I get to be Instant Dad. Why should I complain? I see that my job is to support you and comfort you when you begin to feel like this ottoman has lodged in your tummy.”

  That earned him an eye roll. She sipped her tea for a second, then said, “Archer, if you hadn’t discovered I was pregnant, would you have wanted to see me again?”

  He thought about that for a moment. “I suppose not,” he said. “You didn’t seem too keen on me. I did come looking for you, but I didn’t really expect to find you, and it’s usually not a good idea to chase a woman who doesn’t like you. The rewards just aren’t there.”

  “I don’t believe you’ve ever experienced that.”

  “No, not me personally, but my brothers have, especially Mason. It’s not good when the love wires get crossed.” He touched her finger, stroking her skin lightly. “I’m glad you’re pregnant,” he said. “It gives me a tie to you. A claim on you.”

  Her eyes widened. “Why would you want it?”

  “Because I want a family.”

  “You could have had one with any woman.”

  “But you were so cute. And you set your big eyes on me, and I liked that, and then you were sweet in bed, and I liked that even more, and then you turned out to be remarkably fruitful. I can say, this is Clove, she’s pregnant with my triplets.” He gave his chest a solid thump. “Makes me look very studly. Potent. Quite moved me up in the brotherly food chain. Beat that, brothers!”

  “You’re crazy,” she said, “and you’re making all this up.”

  “No, ma’am. I truly am excited to be a father.”

  “I was planning to deceive you.”

  He put his coffee mug down, getting up to look out the window at the rain, which was falling harder. “Quit beating yourself up, Clove. I’m from a family that does things for crazy, sometimes inconceivable, reasons. I’ve met your sister. I can imagine you’d want her to be happy. It’s not that big a deal. It would be if I didn’t want to be a father, but I think I always secretly dreamed of being the brother to do something big. It’s hard to make a statement in a family of twelve.” He turned and grinned at her. “What else do you want to say to me?”

  “It’s just hard,” she said. “Simply put, it upset me that your br
other mentioned the house next door for me. Mimi’s house? Is that what you call it? I don’t feel right about having a house bought for me just because I became pregnant. I just can’t accept it.”

  Archer nodded. “I completely understand. I would feel the same way.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes,” he said, coming back to the sofa to stroke her chin once with his finger. “I’d feel the same way.”

  Her eyes sparkled, and he decided he missed her without her glasses. “Your eyes are beautiful, but I liked you with your glasses. You were spunky like that. Why don’t you wear them anymore?”

  She looked at him shyly. “I feel more attractive without them. They’re very bulky. I’m trying a new kind of contact lens Dr. Fern’s friend recommended to me.”

  “Really?” He looked close into her eyes. “I can’t tell you’re wearing them.”

  “I am.”

  He’d only meant to look into her eyes and see the contacts, but now that he was this close, he could smell her perfume. He could sense her unease, which he found attractive, too, because it meant she felt something around him besides nothing. “I like you,” he said softly.

  “I think I like you more than you like me,” she said.

  “You don’t act like it,” he said.

  “Be patient. I’m not very good with men yet,” she said.

  “You never let on in your e-mails. I would have thought you were quite the sophisticated Aussie with your stunt work and fun.”

  “I’m not,” she said.

  “I’m not sophisticated, either,” he said, running one finger lightly over her lips. “But if you hold still a second, we can both practice.” And then he kissed her ever so softly, and he felt so much better just having her lips touch his that it didn’t matter that she hadn’t fallen for him head over heels the way he wanted her to. All that mattered was that he had her now, and she was letting him kiss her—

  “Oh, Tink,” Clove said ruefully, moving away when the kitten patted playfully at her leg. “You little minx.”

  Clove scooped Tink up, her eyes no longer gazing at him. Archer felt a moment’s tingling regret, and yet, he knew he shouldn’t be pushing the limits right now. “You need to rest.”