Page 83 of The Archer and his Rosebud

“Bo wasn’t a bad guy. He’d never hurt Leah before. Apparently, that night was an out of character type of thing. Leah admitted during the trial that originally she’d lied to Bo and told him Eli couldn’t be mine, that she hadn’t been with me in months. She was trying to hold on to both of us for as long as possible. By stringing Bo on about Eli, she had a backup if I left her.” Man, I hated her so much at that point. I didn’t recognize the woman I’d known most of my life. “His anger was a little more understandable once I knew about her lies. He’d stayed with her even after Eli’s paternity test named me the father, but he was suspicious of her feelings. After he saw us out together that night, he flipped.”

I rub the back of my neck and sink deeper into the couch. “I protected my boys. I protected Leah. Who knows what Bo’s intentions were that night. Willa, I didn’t murder him.”

With tears running down her cheeks, she leans into my side, taking my face in her hands. “I believe you.” She kisses the side of my mouth. “I’m so sorry Ty dug into you like that, Archer. He shouldn’t have brought up your past, but I wish you had told me.”

Taking her hand and kissing her palm, I chuckle. “When? When you were a scared, tired, new mom having a breakdown on my front doorstep? Or when you were so overwhelmed I had to force you to let me help you get something as basic as a shower? I didn’t want to scare you with my past. I just wanted to help you. I had no idea we would turn into anything more than friends.”

“And once you did know?”

I comb my fingers through my hair. “I tried to bring it up. I was going to tell you on our first date. I was laying it all out for you, but you told me I didn’t owe you anything, that you trusted me —”

“I thought you were talking about your marriage.”

“I know. And I took the easy way out. It’s just—” Moving to the edge of the couch, I grab her hands and give her my full attention. “I was living day to day until I met you, Willa. My life was put on hold. I have nightmares. I have insomnia. Since being released from custody, I’ve spent the last few years building relationships with my sons. Befriending you and helping with Clem was the first thing after Nolan and Eli that gave me a feeling of purpose again. I didn’t want to lose it.”

“I just assumed you’d worked on the rig all that time.” A lightbulb goes off in her eyes. “That’s why you slept with Leah again, isn’t it? When you said it was a drunken mistake, you didn’t mean you were stuck on her all those years. You slept with her after you were released from custody?”

I nod. “As much as I wanted to block her from my life for what she’d brought into our family, I couldn’t. She stood by me throughout the trial. She rallied anyone who might be able to help, and she raised funds for my defense. When I got out, my head was a bit messed up. I wanted to get my life on track, and I wanted to spend all my time with my family and my boys. Leah was around to help the bonding process, especially when it came to Eli. He didn’t even remember me.”

“So, you took comfort in familiarity. I get it.” She squeezes my hands. “While I understand, I really wish you hadn’t kept this from me. I hate that Ty was the one because I believe him when he says he’s not going to let this go.”

“I know.” I lift a hand, my thumb stroking her velvet skin. “And I thought about telling you every day. I’m sorry. I’ve never wanted to hurt you. My only goal has been to make life easier for you.”

She nods and leans in to brush her lips against mine. “No more secrets.”

“None.”

ChapterTwenty-Six

WILLA

Archer looksat Clem babbling on the floor, his forehead wrinkling. “Can I… Do you mind if I play with her for a bit?”

I made him think I didn’t want him to touch her.Damming my emotions, I wave him forward. “Of course, you can. Actually, I could use a shower if you’re okay—” He’s already slid onto his stomach and buried his head in Clem’s tummy before I finish my question.

“Yeah, I think you two are good,” I say to myself as a giggling Clem grips Archer’s disheveled hair.

With my back straight, I move to my bedroom to undress. My hands won’t quit shaking as I unlock my cell phone and stare at the unread messages. The phone had slipped beneath my leg as Archer told his story, and the entire time the vibrations traveled from my thigh to my heart, shredding it. I knew they would all be from Ty and, God help me, I knew what they would say. Tapping his name, I scroll to the first one and read the thread.

What are you doing with a man like that, Willa?

He’s thirty! He has two kids and an ex-wife!

He killed a man. The man who stole his wife!

Willa?

He better not still be there…

Damn it, I’m not kidding here. My parents know about her. They know about your boyfriend’s past.

This won’t end well for you.

You can’t keep her away from my family. I have parental rights.

My knees buckle, and I press my palm into the wall to remain standing. Archer’s muted voice and Clem’s delighted squeals filter into my room. I inhale deeply, concentrating on the sweetness of those two together as I strip out of my clothing. We haven’t been acting like a family. ArcherisClem’s father. He has been everything a daddy would be to a little girl. I tug on my robe and grab my pajamas, swiping away a rogue tear before exiting my room and heading for the bathroom.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” I say in as firm a voice as I can muster while combing my hair onto the top of my head to keep from looking Archer in the face.

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