Page 209 of One Big Little Secret

Archer pulls out an empty chair next to him.

“Have a seat,” he says, unusually kind. Not that he’s everunkind, it just seems extra gentle, coming from a human bear.

Plus, I doubt Archer Rory ever makes being gentle a habit.

I look at Juniper for guidance, but she takes the seat beside Dexter. They exchange a slow, heavy look that feels like an entire secret conversation condensed into a wordless second.

Ugh, I miss that.

I had it with Patton.

He hasn’t told his family about our argument, I’m sure. I get the feeling he hasn’t said much, even to his brothers, before he decided to disappear.

“Let’s say a prayer. We owe it to this family tonight—and to little Arlo,” Delly says. I look down at the meal in front of me.It’s simple enough, beef brisket and whipped potatoes with some collard greens. I’m in awe that anybody had the energy to cook.

Warmth floods my eyes and I blink rapidly.

She doesn’t know.

She doesn’t know he’s her grandson and she’s already giving so much energy to making sure he’s safe and happy and comfortable.

Archer pats me clumsily on the shoulder, clearing his throat.

I. Miss. Patton. So. Much.

He knows when to be tender, when to be serious, when to lighten the mood with humor and when I need his stoic, gruff advice. He’d probably hold my hand under the table and mutter some wisecrack.

I’d get annoyed, but I’d also—

A rattle slips out of me, escaping my tight throat. Archer doesn’t look at me deliberately.

Thankfully, no one else notices.

I listen in as Juniper and Delly carry on about some art-related project. The conversation turns away from me like the tide, leaving me free to talk to Archer.

Halfway through dinner, I ask him the question I know Junie has been waiting for me to ask.

“I need to know,” I whisper. His gaze flicks to me and away again, training it on the fork in my hand. “Where’s Patton? He hasn’t spoken to me in days and Juniper made it sound like he’s gone.”

“He was tight-lipped about the details.” He swallows, still not looking at me. “Honestly, it’s not my place to—”

“Screw that, Archer.” My anger boils over, and I struggle to contain it. I’ve burned enough bridges with this family already. “I need to know.”

“It’s—”

“My business.”

He sighs, knowing I’ve won.

“All right, dammit. He asked me not to tell you,” he growls. “But he went after Evelyn himself. Left a few days ago. He said he was heading to Miami first, and from there, anywhere else he can get a lead on her. And before you ask, no, no one’s heard anything.”

The shock pins me in my chair, the iciness spreading to my hands. I drop my fork. Holding anything now feels impossible.

Of course he went after Evelyn. I already knew that.

But hearing confirmation hits different.

On the one hand, she’s an old lady. He’s much younger and he’s a Navy veteran. He’s strong and he works out regularly. He’s more than capable if anything goes horribly wrong.

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