Page 127 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

I’d never seen her up close like this. She’s beautiful. The light in her eyes is intriguing. And now that she’s not angry at me, she’s not as intimidating. Did she really stop being in love with Archer? Or was Archer right in thinking she was just shocked at the news that he’d gotten married?

She looks at me with equaled curiosity. Her gaze drops to my lips then flick up to look at something over my head. “Archer.” She beams at him. “Aunt Freya is taking us out.”

“I didn’t agree to anything, Gardenia.” Freya chuckles.

“I could use a night out in the city.” Jacob ambles into the living room and grabs a biscuit off the plate on the coffee table. “There’s really not much to do out here.” He pops the treat in his mouth and looks to me. “What do you do for fun around here?”

“Oh.” I smile, looking at Archer. “I’m not sure. I don’t really do anything outside of ballet.”

“Hey, remember when Gardenia dragged us all to the Dr. Who Experience in London?” Jacob points at Archer, laughing. “You hated that.”

“Yeah, I remember.” Archer shakes his head.

“Oh, come on. That was fun.” Gardenia jumps to her feet to greet Fisher. “Dad, you liked Dr. Who, didn’t you?” She hooks her arm under his.

“Well?” Fisher makes a face. “It was an experience, I can say that.”

“You guys are no fun.” She pouts.

“I thought it was a wonderful outing.” Freya beams at Archer and Gardenia.

“Thank you, Aunt Freya.” Gardenia motions toward her. “We all need to get out and enjoy the city before we go back. Wicked is not Dr. Who, but I hear it’s awesome. Or we can ride one of those handsome carriages around Central Park.”

“Go back where?” I ask, glancing up at Archer.

“She doesn’t mean us.” Archer guesses my concern.

I assumed that since he was renovating his home that he had plans to stay in the States. But now that Gardenia mentioned it, I realize I never asked if that’s what he wanted to do. Or why he’s even here in Bedford of all places when his business is in the city.

“I’m here to stay.” He sits next to me. “But Mom wants to return to her kids.”

“This old house has way too many conflicting memories for me.” Freya smiles at me. “But I’m happy that you two will be building new ones. That’s what this place needs.” She looks at Archer. “You’ve done a wonderful job restoring this house to its former glory. I mean, it’s even better than I remember. I’m certain the two of you will be very happy here.”

Flutters roam in my belly and my chest at the idea of building a life with Archer in this beautiful house. Jacob, Fisher, Freya and even Gardenia don’t bat an eye at the idea of Archer and I having a real marriage. Do they think of me as family?

I turn to Jacob and Gardenia, who are fighting over the last mini scone on the plate. Fisher ignores them and goes to sit next to Freya who’s still sipping her tea despite the chaos Jacob and Gardenia have created. Archer called them rowdy. And now I see why. I smile at them, enjoying their laughter as Jacob chases Gardenia out of the living room, only to come back a second later eating scone crumbs off his shirt.

“You know there’s a whole kitchen full of pastries, right?” Archer shakes his head, laughing.

“Yeah sure. But the spoils of victory are much sweeter.” Jacob winks at me then plops himself on the chair across from Freya.

“Teatime is supposed to be a time of reflection and civility.” Gardenia returns, wiping jam off her cheek and glaring at Jacob. “Don’t you have work to do?”

“Me?” Jacob squints at her. “Car is loaded and ready to roll.”

“Alright.” Archer puts up his hand to get Gardenia and Jacob to stop bickering, then shifts in his seat to look at me. “Do you want to go for a walk in the gardens? It’s not too cold today.” He rises to stand and offers me his hand.

“I would love that.” I beam at him.

“Me too.” Gardenia pulls Fisher from his seat next to Freya. “We all need some fresh air. Come on, Dad.”

“I guess we’re all going.” Fisher braces his hands on his knees and stands before turning to Freya to help her up. “What is it about the young ones just always on the go.”

“We’re not that old, Fisher.” Freya chuckles, patting his shoulder. “Gardenia just happens to have more energy than most.”

“That’s true.” Jacob skips ahead and opens the terrace door to let us through. When Gardenia steps out, he pulls her to his side. “How about you let the two lovebirds walk alone?”

I press my body to Archer and stroll out onto the terrace. By the time we reach the bottom of the stone steps, Freya and Fisher are already on the garden path.

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