Page 25 of The Archer and his Rosebud

My hand stills on her back.

“I look at her and see a human I need to take care of, this burden.” Her voice breaks. “What kind of mother doesn’t love the baby she carried for nine months and gave birth to? She doesn’t even feel like mine. I want to love her. I want to know her. But I can’t. There’s this wall.”

Disconnect. Like Devin worried.

“It’s okay. I see your daughter, Willa. I see her, and a day will come when you will, too. I promise.”

She runs a hand beneath her running nose. “I should talk to my doctor, shouldn’t I?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, I think you should.”

After a few minutes, Willa’s soft breathing lets me know she’s fallen asleep, and I sit in the dark with one girl in my lap and another on my chest. My heart aches for them while my mind argues the risks of becoming further involved in Willa and Clementine’s lives. So many complications and obstacles. She’s not my responsibility, and yet I feel responsible.

I’m already in too deep. I’m attached to this baby.

I’m attached to her mother.

ChapterNine

WILLA

It’sa few minutes past 9:00 p.m. Sunday when my cell phone vibrates from where I left it charging on my bedside table. Pausing Pam and Jim’s oh so crucial first kiss scene, I help Clem grasp her squishy bear rattle and retrieve my phone.

I smile as I unlock the screen and Archer’s text appears.

Archer: Is my sweet girl still awake? I could use some sloppy kisses.

Willa: Yes, I’m awake, but I assume you mean Clem with that kissing comment.

Willa: Rough night?

Archer: Wiseass.

Archer: Open the door and I’ll tell you all about it.

Open the door?I glance down at the purple silk pajama short set I slipped on after Clem and I showered earlier to help brighten my mood. A record forty hours of on and off vomiting sessions will make a girl feel like roadkill. Poor Archer held my hair when I woke up feeling ill again; I’m sure he won’t be offended by my lack of proper clothing. Tugging a cardigan over my camisole, I unlock my door.

And am greeted by an Archer Thomas I’ve laid eyes on one other time. The dark, slim-fitting trousers, crisp button-up dress shirt rolled at the tan forearms, Archer. He was dressed up the day of the boys’ open house, but I’d been so intent on ignoring him, my heart burdened with missing Devin after he left. Tonight, I’m not ignoring. Tonight, I’m drinking my neighbor in from head to toe because he is one gorgeous man.

Blue eyes scan my face. “Hi.”

“Hi, yourself. You’re mighty dressed up for a visit with us.” I wave him inside.

“I had a date.” His fingers brush mine as he walks past me and straight toward Clem, who grunts with excitement when he’s in her eyesight. “I didn’t want to risk changing and miss saying goodnight.”

“You’re back from a date at nine?” I pull my cardigan closed and cross my arms over my chest.

Archer scoops Clem from the blanket on the floor and covers her cheeks in kisses, until she squeals. “It is Sunday night. We just met for dinner.”

Metfor dinner. So, he met someone out? Couldn’t have been a serious date if he didn’t pick her up, right? Not that it matters. We’re just friends. Archer’s thirty years old. He’s got two boys, owns a business, and even mentioned going house hunting this summer. He’s going to be a homeowner! I’m a twenty-year-old single mom struggling with her mental state and having an identity crisis. Me worrying about his dating life is the furthest thing from my mind.

“Who is she?”So much for the furthest thing from my mind.“Sorry. I meant, tell me about her. About your date. Did you have a good time?”

Cradling Clem like a football, Archer’s gaze slides over my silk-clad body and my skin grows hot. “Would I be here if I did?”

“Sounds like you need a drink. I hope Coke is strong enough?”

“Perfect.”

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