Page 26 of The Archer and his Rosebud

I grab my giant hospital-issued mug to refill with water and head for the fridge.

“What have you little rosebuds been doing tonight?”

“Rosebuds?” I chuckle.

Archer shrugs with a smirk. “Willa Rose and Clementine Rose are sort of a mouthful. And since you gave me a nickname, it’s only fair.”

“Of course.” My smile can’t be contained. “Well, you know, we’ve been up to all the hot girl stuff: crying, showering, crying more—”

“Watching reruns of The Office.” He jerks his chin toward the television.

“Yeah, that too.”

I hand Archer his drink. “You know, I’m trying to get her to wind down for bed.” I point to a kicking Clem, balancing on his arm. “Some article online said I need to establish a routine so she understands when it’s bedtime.”

“Right. Sorry. No playtime today, Clem.”

He drops to the floor, stretching his legs as he leans against the couch and settles his little buddy on the blanket near his hip. After cracking open his drink, his hand lands where it always does—splayed over her chest and belly, in a way that helps him jiggle her like a human rocker chair.

There’s something about the way his large hand looks against the soft pink cotton of her sleeper. The way his tan fingers look when her tiny ones wrap around them. The way her eyes flare as she stares up at his face hovering over hers. He’s such a good man, and I’m lucky he’s bonded with Clem.

“So, a date?”I won’t be jealous of some nameless woman. I won’t.But I am. Maybe my jealousy is more because some woman got to dress up and have a nice meal with a nice man and go about her nice life the way she planned it. Maybe Archer wasn’t the one for her, but she can date, she can try out the possibilities like shoes in a store. I miss being that girl. The one who dates, hangs out with her friends, goes to a party, or college football game, or an impromptu trip to the coast. To any place.

“It was this mom I met at Nolan’s open house. She lives in Leah’s neighborhood, so Nolan and her son have hung out.” Archer huffs a laugh, rolling his eyes. “I should have said no. I should have known that dating my kid’s friend’s mom wouldn’t be the best idea. Where in the hell is the manual on dating after divorce?”

Sitting on the opposite side of Clem, I angle my body toward Archer, and using the couch as a prop for my elbow, I rest my head in my hand. “How long have you and Leah been divorced?”

“Since 2016. A few months before our sixth anniversary.”

I do the math. Eli’s sixth birthday is next week.

“Do you mind if I ask why your marriage ended?” Archer’s arm stops rocking Clem. “You followed her to Vermont to be close to Nolan and Eli, which makes sense, but…” If I’m going to ask for his story, I should be willing to share mine.

“I suppose it’s obvious I have trouble believing men are that selfless. My dad left before my ninth birthday. He moved to Boston, mailed his court mandated support checks, and touched base once a year, but never on special occasions like birthdays or holidays. It was always on his time. When he had a minute to call.” I reach for Clem’s hand as Archer resumes jiggling her. “And, well, you’ve had a front row seat to how involved Clem’s dad is.”

“So, we’re sharing our sad stories tonight, huh?”

“You’ve seen me at my worst. I figure it’s time you show me yours.” Archer’s brows lift with my unintentional innuendo, and I drop my head and shove his shoulder. “That’s the first time you’ve acted in a way that made me feel like you’re no different than any other guy I’ve met on campus.”

“As opposed to what?”

As opposed to the type of man I could see myself falling in love with. The kind of man I would have picked to marry. If things were different, and I were five years older.

“As opposed to your wonderful self, Archer Thomas. Stop fishing for compliments and start talking.”

He laughs low and props his arm on the seat of the couch. “Since you asked so sweetly. Leah and I grew up together in Beaumont. We were inseparable from junior high, so I suppose it was inevitable she’d end up pregnant before we graduated. Things get real when you’re holding a positive pregnancy test on your eighteenth birthday and money is tight. Our families were supportive, but they weren’t bailing us out. So, we got married that fall, and I went to work with my dad on an off-shore oil rig.”

“An oil rig, really?” That’s unexpected.

“It’s great money for a boy who needs to be a man. I was working two weeks out and two weeks home. We found a cheap rental house, and Leah seemed happy. It wasn’t easy, but I made good money, and I gave her and Nolan every moment of my attention when I was home.”

“But?”

“But it wasn’t enough. Even though we found out we were expecting Eli at the beginning of 2016, our marriage was unsalvageable.” Clearing his throat, he rolls his shoulders. “Honestly, there’s so much more to the story, but I might need a beer to tell it.”

Noting his hesitation, I rest my hand over his on the couch. “Okay, when you’re ready for a beer, you let me know, and I’ll listen.”

Slipping his hand from beneath mine, Archer juts his chin toward Clem. “She’s falling asleep. We should feed and change her. I’d like to sleep tonight.”

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