Champion

by Marie Higgins

  As Phillip’s laughter died down, he held up a hand. “Then I won’t argue with you. If you think she can handle the job then give it to her.

  I do think she can handle the job, as you put it.”

  Creases deepened in Phillip’s forehead and around his frown. “You don’t say.

  Actually,” Archer shrugged, “I did say it. So, are you in agreeance with me about this contest?”

  Phillip scratched his chin. “You are proposing we have an archery contest, right?

  Correct.

  And the winner gets ownership of the house?”

  Archer nodded. “Correct, again.

  And what about the loser?”

  Strange, but Archer hadn’t thought of the loser. Probably because he knew he’d win. “What do you suggest for the loser?

  The loser will have to pay for her half of the mortgage.”

  Archer hesitated in agreeing. If by chance he didn’t win, he knew Mary and Payton would not be able to pay for their share of the house. No, there would have to be another way. “In what time frame would they have to pay?

  Two months?” Phillips asked.

  Archer shook his head. “Six months.”

  The other man stared at him for a few silent moments. The only noises in the room came from the card game at the next table, three men at a long green table pushing colorful balls around with sticks, and the music playing...or at least it sounded like music. There was too much squawking and hollering for him to think of it as music, though.

  “Okay, you have a deal.” Phillip slapped his hand on the table. “We will have an archery contest. But,” he pointed his finger at Archer, “no funny business. Everything must be on the up and up.

  Tell me, how can it not be when it comes to archery?” Archer tried not to laugh, especially when ideas poured into his head quickly of different ways he could win. As long as they didn’t lay down specific rules, he was sure he could pull it off with the help from the women, of course. “Only you and I—and our seconds, of course—will compete.

  Fine.”

  Archer smiled wide. “So, do we have an accord?” He held out his right hand.

  “What’s an accord?” Phillip looked at the outstretched hand. “Do you mean a deal?

  Indeed, I do.”

  Nodding, Phillip slipped his hand into Archer’s and gave it a hard shake. “Then it’s set. One week from today we’ll have our contest.

  One week is plenty of time. How about we have it in the park?” Archer pointed across the street. “In the same area we were at earlier.

  That works for me.” Releasing a drunken, victorious laugh, Phillip pushed away from the table and stood.

  Archer stood, too. “Then I shall see you a week from today. Good evening, Sir.”

  As he walked out of the tavern, he wondered what plans Phillip was concocting in his tiny brain. He was certain the man would not play fair in this tournament.

  Then again. Archer didn’t plan to, either. Men like Phillip needed to be taught a lesson in humility.

  “DID PAYTON’S NEW MODEL ask about me?”

  Phillip swung his head toward the voice behind him. He blinked his fuzzy vision a few times until his focus cleared. Funny to think he’d forgotten about Calvin. Minutes before Payton’s new model had arrived at the bar, Calvin had gone into the men’s room. Phillip realized now how lucky they were that Archer hadn’t seen the other model.

  Shaking his head, Phillip sat back down on his chair. Calvin took the chair that Archer had been sitting in. “No, he didn’t ask about you. He was here to see me.

  You?” Calvin’s eyebrows lifted. “But why?”

  Phillip snickered and picked up his empty beer bottle, titling it to his lips just in case there was a drop or two left inside. There wasn’t. Sighing with frustration, he placed the bottle back on the table. “Because he’s trying to help Mary and Payton keep their house.”

  Calvin chuckled. “You’ve got to be kidding. He’s stupid. How is he going to help?”

  Phillip shrugged. “Beats me. But he talked me into having an archery competition with him.” He shook his head. “This time I’ll be ready and that man will not beat me again. He even went as far as to name Mary as his back up.

  Why does he need a backup?

  Just in case something happens to him, the contest will proceed with Mary in his place.”

  The pleasant look on Calvin’s expression disappeared. “I wonder why Archer made a bet like that—unless he didn’t think he would lose.

  Yeah, I wondered the same thing, but we aren’t going to let that happen.” Phillip leaned forward on the table and lowered his voice. “Which is why you are going to spy for me.

  Again?” Calvin grumbled. “One of these days Mary is going to figure out I’m the one taking information back to you and she’s going to fire me.”

  Phillip cocked his head, narrowing his stare on the other man. “Who pays you more? Me or my ex-wife?

  You do, of course.

  Then you’ll continue to spy for me whenever I need it. I want to know what plan Archer is cooking up for this ridiculous contest.

  How do you know Archer is cooking something up?” Calvin leaned back in the chair and folded his arms.

  Phillip rolled his eyes. Sometimes he wondered about Calvin. He was a good-looking man, and all the women drooled over him, and yet sometimes he could be so dense. At least the man’s appearance would get him through life, because his intelligence certainly wouldn’t.

  “I don’t trust that man, especially after what happened earlier today. He’s a crafty cheat.

  Better than you?”

  Phillip glared at Calvin. “I’m not a cheat! I just know how to play on people’s weaknesses.

  Yes, you sure do.”

  Phillip picked up his bottle of beer again and put it to his lips before remembering it was empty. If his mind was this fuzzy already, perhaps he’d better not play anymore card games tonight. He slapped his hands on the table, and using his arms, pushed himself up. “I’m going home now. But I want you to keep a close eye on that man—and Payton. This particular wager I don’t plan on losing, so I need all the information you can find for me.

  Yeah, I’ll get you some. Have I ever failed you before?” Calvin rose to his feet.

  “No, which is why you are still on my payroll.”

  As Phillip moved away from the table, he swayed. Quickly holding on to the nearest chair, he tried to steady himself. Had his head been clear when he made that bet with Archer? Phillip had thought he was the best, yet Archer had beaten him. Did Payton’s new model know something he didn’t know? Phillip would make certain that man didn’t win this time.

  He didn’t need to be sober to know Payton’s new friend was up to no good.

  NINE

  Payton tossed and turned all night. No matter what she did, she couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss...that incredibly steamy and unforgettable kiss. Not once had she been knocked senseless from one man’s passionate lips—until now. When their mouths melded together, fireworks had exploded inside of her head, and electricity had shot through her. At least she thought it was electricity. Whatever it was had jolted her to awareness.

  She couldn’t deny there was definitely an attraction between them, but she had hoped it would have gone away by now. Yet, once he held her so close and his mouth joined with hers, desire had stoked fires inside of her she hadn’t known existed. There was no way she could ignore him now. But neither did she want to dream about him night and day. She had a life to lead. She needed to concentrate better.

  Regardless of having a rough night, it was still easy to climb out of bed this morning. Her body was still weary with sleep, yet her mind was wide awake and wouldn’t stop. Energy began to flow through her as she dressed. While brushing her hair, she paced the floor. Her mind twirled faster now than it ever had before.

  Archer was no longer just a fictitious historic hero living in her imagination. He was a real, flesh and blood man w
ho could make her heart melt. Not only that, but he was actually someone she could picture herself spending time with...a lot of time with. But she really needed to know more about Robin Hood to know for a surety that Archer was indeed the fictional character. She wanted to know what motivated him and how his mind worked. And especially, she wanted to know if she could be the woman in his life instead of Maid Marion.

  She hurried to her computer and turned on the power. As she waited for the machine to boot up, she drummed her fingers on the desktop. Once more her mind returned to the exciting day she had with Archer yesterday. He looked so dreamy and he’d become breathless, but it was more than that which made her so awestruck. He was indeed, quite an archer, and he impressed her with his skills. When he had stopped the thief from stealing her purse... Amazing! Truly, he was one talented man.

  When the computer was ready, her fingers flew across the keyboard as she did an internet search for Robin Hood. When the results page popped up, she scanned the few links. Strange, but the other day when she did this same search, there seemed to be more links than just a few.

  Shaking her head, she refreshed the screen and tried again. This time, even fewer links popped up. What was going on? She clicked on the first link and read what it had to say about Robin Hood. The article didn’t talk about Robin Hood as much as it told about the Sheriff of Nottingham.

  She rubbed her forehead and checked out the next link. This one didn’t mention Maid Marion’s name at all. Payton scowled. That’s not right. Maid Marion was just as much a part of Robin Hood’s story as the sheriff was.

  As she clicked on the next few links, the more confused she became. Why did these articles not have all the information she’d read about Robin Hood the other day?

  A knock came upon the door, startling her from her thoughts. She jumped to her feet, her hand on her chest as her heartbeat quickened. Mary usually didn’t knock on Payton’s door. And the models weren’t here today...except one.

  She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled it, hoping to calm herself down. As she walked to the door, she rubbed her moist palms against the fabric of her jeans before opening the door. Archer stood in front of her, looking incredibly handsome. She’d given him Levis to wear, and yet he preferred the historic leggings the men wore back in those days and a large shirt with baggy sleeves, that accented his astonishing muscular frame.

  “Good morning,” he said with a smile. “I’m happy to see you are awake.

  Yes, I’ve been up for a few hours already.”

  His smile faded. “Oh, forgive me if I am intruding on your work.

  You’re not. I wasn’t working on anything regarding the business.”

  His charming smile returned. “Splendid. I have to talk to you about something. Would you go with me to the meal room so we can sit at the table and discuss this matter?”

  She still loved how he talked, and his British accent only enhanced the meaning of his words. “Sure.”

  He stepped away from the door and allowed her to leave her room before he followed her down the stairs and to the kitchen. Mary stood at the stove frying bacon. The other woman glanced over her shoulder at Payton and Archer and smiled.

  “I hope you two are hungry.”

  Payton nodded. “I know I am.

  Mary, you are here,” Archer said. “What I have to say definitely involves you, as well.”

  Payton’s mind paused. Archer had something to tell Mary? Disappointment sneaked over Payton. Was it wrong to want the handsome man all to herself? Something in the back of her mind reminded her that he was here because she wished him, so it was natural she didn’t want to share. Yet, it was wrong. She shouldn’t keep him from others. What she had learned about this strange man was that kindness poured out of him, and he made friends easily.

  “You want to talk to me, too?” Mary asked with one eyebrow raised higher than the other as she paused in flipping the bacon. “Now I’m anxious to hear what you have to say.

  Here, let me help you with breakfast.” Payton moved to the stove beside Mary. Within ten minutes the waffles, bacon, and scrambled eggs had been cooked and placed on plates, and they all sat around the table.

  “So, Archer,” Mary asked after she had swallowed a mouthful of food, “what did you want to talk to us about?”

  He took a sip of his orange juice before leaning back in his chair. “Last night I went for a walk and conversed with Phillip about an important subject.”

  Mary had lifted the fork to her mouth, but stalled in mid-air. Payton shook her head slowly, not believing she heard correctly. “You spoke with Phillip last night?

  Indeed I did, Payton. Phillip was inside an establishment called The Bull’s Head.”

  Mary rolled her eyes and set her fork on the table. “He was always going to that place when we were married. Why should I be surprised that he still visits that place?

  Archer,” Payton touched his hand, “why were you in there?

  When we were leaving the park last night, I saw him and another man with long hair enter the structure. I decided to go back after you had retired for the night so I could talk to him.”

  Mary exchanged worried glances with Payton before Mary asked, “Why would you want to talk to a creep like that?

  I wanted to find his weakness.” One side of Archer’s smile lifted higher than the other. “I wanted to find a way to make him give you back your house.”

  Mary’s loud gasp overrode Payton’s quick intake of breath. “Are you kidding me?” Mary questioned.

  “I am quite serious.”

  Payton leaned closer to him. “What did you discover about Phillip? Does the man have a weakness?

  Indeed he does. He loves to gamble and drink.”

  Mary groaned. Shaking her head, she ran her fingers through her hair. “Phillip has gambled and drank for as long as I’ve known him, which makes him very good at it.” She sighed. “Although it’s a weakness, he definitely knows how to make it look like a skill.

  Archer,” Payton turned fully toward him, taking his hands in hers, “Mary and I appreciate your help, but Phillip is an underhanded, deceitful, rotten—

  Indeed, I’m aware of that,” Archer interrupted, “and I know how to use that to our best advantage.

  How?” she asked.

  “When I spoke to him last night, he was well into his cups. While he was in this intoxicated state, we made a bet.

  Oh, dear,” Mary grumbled and closed her eyes, resting her face in the palms of her hands.

  Payton’s heartbeat took on an entirely different rhythm. Archer wasn’t used to the way people acted in this world. Back in his time, things were much simpler, she was sure. Because of his innocence, Phillip would take advantage of the situation. Panic surged through her. What had Archer done, and could she pull him out of it before something bad happened?

  She dared not ask, but she needed to know. “What kind of bet?”

  “I told Phillip I wanted him to leave you and Mary alone—and give you the house since the two of you were making the payments. When he did not take me seriously, I challenged him to an archery contest within one week’s time, and Mary will be my second.”

  Mary cursed as color faded from her face. “Oh, Archer. Tell me you’re joking.

  Mary,” he stood and moved around the table to her. “Please do not fret.” He patted her arm. “I know I will win.

  Oh, I know you will, too, but what worries me,” Mary said, “is that he’ll do something underhanded to you so you won’t be able to finish the contest. Then I’ll have to compete. I know Phillip and that’s how his mind works.

  Archer,” Payton sighed in disappointment. “Phillip is ten times better at archery than Mary. It’s his hobby to strive to be the best at everything.”

  He nodded. “Aye, I am certain Phillip strives to be the best. However, he is still not as good as me.

  I don’t understand why you are so positive about this.” Payton folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. “I don
’t think you quite understand what that man can do. He’s a sneaky little devil.”

  Chuckling, he sat on the edge of the table, in between Payton and Mary. “Ladies, Phillip may be underhanded, but there is something you do not know about me. I, too, am very crafty.” He gave Payton a wink. “Do you honestly believe I would have made a bet with that deceitful man, without having plans myself?”

  Payton traded glances with Mary again. She appeared as confused as Payton felt. Yet, as she recalled those things she knew about the fictional character, Robin Hood, she realized he was a very sneaky fellow. How else could he have tricked the sheriff so many times?

  When she returned her gaze back to Archer, she cocked her head. “What exactly were you thinking?”

  He released an evil laugh as he rubbed his hands together. She couldn’t help but grin over his behavior. Archer acted as if he had everything worked out, still appearing confident that they’d win.

  “I shall personally train Mary to get her ready. However, switching places with her might have to happen during the contest.

  You expect to trade places with her?” she said in a much louder voice. “How is that possible? Although you both are about the same height, I highly doubt you could wear Mary’s clothes and look like her.”

  He sat in silence while he stared at Payton. Every so often, he switched his attention to Mary, but he didn’t study her for very long before looking back at Payton. He still wore that sexy grin, but she could see his mind spinning in several different directions with how he would answer her.

  Finally, he gave her a nod. “I have it.” He stood before dashing down the stairs into the basement. Within minutes, he brought up two identical long, brown, historical cloaks that were kept in the model’s wardrobe. He handed one to Mary as he urged her to stand beside him.

  “Payton, close your eyes.

  What?” she asked.

  “If you will, just do as I tell you.”

  Nodding, she closed her eyes. She couldn’t hear what Archer was muttering to Mary, but soon came the shuffling of feet as a slight breeze blew past Payton’s face. Moments later, Archer cleared his throat.