Page 54 of Brother to Brother

She looked up at me with a slight frown, “What?”

“Come on and you’ll see,” I said and took her hand, hauling her up to her feet. I felt really good about the talk we’d had. Like a new man, with a brand new direction. One that was hopeful, and maybe, even happy. I liked that, and I wanted to see if I could give her some of that feeling, so it was back to the cabin for a minute.

Chapter 23

Melody

“Okay, now I know this place is right out of a fairytale,” I muttered when we reentered the cabin.

“What?” Archer asked, smiling.

“I’m putting money on furry little woodland creatures following Contessa around, cleaning up our mess.”

Archer raised his eyebrows at me and I wrinkled my nose, “What?”

“Nothing, I’m just glad to see the woman I remember making an appearance.”

I tipped my head and regarded him, “What do you mean?”

“I mean none of this has been ideal, for you, hell, foreitherof us… I don’t think I’ve seen you smile, or be so light since you showed up at the club a few months back. It’s like you’re getting some of your sparkle and shine back. It’s good.”

“Oh,” I murmured softly.

He shook his head and went to the closet, pulling out his saddle bags, “Come sit on the bed,” he ordered in his gruff, typical Archer style. I kicked off my boots to preserve the nice carpet and went over to the bed as directed, hopping up on it and drawing my legs into an Indian-style sit.

“I got you this,” he said and pulled out a wrapped gift from one of the bags, handing me the box. It was heavier than it looked and wrapped in white paper, brightly colored streamers, confetti, and balloons were printed on it along with ‘happy birthday!’ all over. I raised an eyebrow and looked at him, smiling hard…

“Um, we just got married. Why does it say ‘happy birthday’ all over it?”

“Because, I didn’t know when it was and you didn’t say anything. I missed it, and I wanted to make it up to you now.”

I blinked, surprised. “I didn’t think you’d care,” I said softly and he had the grace to look guilty.

“I’m not good with people, Mel; I’ll be the first to admit that. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t talk to me, or tell me what you needed. That wasn’t right, and as my wife, I want you to come to me with anything, big or small. I remember that Grind always used to make a big deal about your birthday and gettin’ you at leastsomethingeven when he couldn’t afford it. I just never kept track of when it was. I felt like a dick when the girls told me I’d missed it.”

“You know why, don’t you?” I asked softly, staring at the paper wrapped box in my hands, the bright, fabric yellow ribbon blurring.

“No, he never said.”

“It was because when I was growing up,” I had to clear my throat before continuing, “all of my friends at school had birthdays, but I never did. Phil didn’t believe in celebrating them.” Archer came and sat down next to me, putting a hand on my knee. “I don’t know why that always hurt me so much, but it did. It bothered me, a lot, and when Grinder found out about it, he always made such a big deal about it, you know? Always made sure to take me on a real date. Dinner, dancing, whatever I wanted, and he always made sure to give mesomething,always made sure to tell me he loved me. It was part of what made him so special.”

Archer nodded and asked gently, “So you going to open it? You’re killin’ my nerves here, Baby.”

I laughed and dashed at the collection of moisture on my lashes. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before tearing into the paper, edging the ribbon off around the corner of the box.

“No!” I gasped and looked at him, “Are you serious? Are you fucking serious right now!?”

“Hey, language woman!” he said, laughing.

“Archer, this must have cost you afortune!” I cried looking at the expensive, state of the art, digital camera; and I do meanstate of the art,like something a professional would use.

He shrugged and clearedhisthroat, “You like to take pictures,” he said as if that explained why I had a camera in my lap that probably cost more than what my car was worthwhen it was new!Okay, maybe that last was an exaggeration, but still, it was certainly worth more than twice maybe even three times what my car was worthnow.

“I don’t even know how I would work something like this,” I admitted hugging it and the box close to my chest.

“Well, it’s kind of a two part gift…” he admitted and pulled out an envelope from the inside of his cut. I had to set my beautiful new camera down in my lap to take it and Ireallyhad to blink at the return address on it.

“Art school?”

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