Page 87 of The Archer and his Rosebud

“I heard her as soon as you pulled her out of the car.” Without asking, Archer scoops her out of my arms, and as if she smells him or has memorized the shape of his body, Clem’s wails soften, her face nuzzling his neck.

And with that one tiny gesture, a new wave of tears burst from me. She misses him as much as I do.

“C’mon.” Archer loops his arm around my shoulder and guides me inside. It’s hard being back after so much time away, remembering what it was like being in this home with him and the boys for the holidays.

As he leads me to the kitchen, his head dips, showering kisses on Clem’s cheek, breathing her in, and I almost run for the door because I’m going to break all over again.

By the time I’m settled at his kitchen island, Clementine has almost completely calmed. Archer fishes a water from the refrigerator and slides the bottle across the granite. “You started back to school today, didn’t you?” He remains standing, pacing a small path on his hardwood as he snuggles a content Clem.

Nodding, I take a napkin from his holder and dry my face, black staining the thin paper.

“Who did she stay with?”

Why does he seem to brace himself for that answer? “A mom of one of the girls on our company team at the academy has a toddler, and she offered to keep her for a reasonable price while I search for permanent daycare. And Crystal from the building offered to help me in a jam.”

“So a stranger.”

His disdain turns on my waterworks. “God, Archer, it’s not like I don’t feel bad enough already. I’m doing the best I can. Ruby vouched for her. I know her daughter. She—”

“Hey.” He rounds the island, tipping my chin up, and swipes my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I was thinking out loud, not accusing. It now makes sense that Clem’s stressed tonight if she spent half her afternoon with someone she doesn’t really know.”

I draw my face away from his hand before I give into the urge to kiss him and drop my head. “I’m sure that’s a part of it, but honestly, the longer we’ve gone without you, the crankier she’s become. It’s why I found my way here. I think she misses you, Arch.” Braving the look I know I’ll find in his eyes, I lift my gaze. “I know I do.”

Archer shifts back, his jaw tensing, and I crack the seal on my water bottle, swallowing down a quarter of the liquid to keep from saying more.

“I could keep her for you, Will.”

“No.” I slide off his barstool and cross the kitchen, putting as much space between us as possible. “You can’t say that. You know you can’t.”

“Why? Because Ty doesn’t like me? Have you spoken to him since that night? Has he followed through with his threats? Has he even come over again? Come to actually spend time with her?”

My fists clench when the realization hits that he hasn’t returned to my apartment. “We’re meeting for lunch tomorrow on campus.”

Fear slashes across his face. “Is he forcing your hand? Is he trying to take her away?”

“No, I asked for the meeting. I…” I ring out my hands before gripping the counter behind me. “I think I’m going to move back home.”

Archer stills.

“I want to tell Ty in person and see how he reacts. I’m hoping he’ll drop this act of caring once he knows seeing Clem would require the sacrifice of traveling to Michigan. No judge in their right mind will give him sole custody. He has no reason to declare me unfit.”

Aside from claiming I was dating a murderer.

Archer’s long strides devour the space between us until we’re toe to toe. “Please don’t.” With one hand he clasps the back of my neck. “Baby, please don’t do that. Don’t let him win. Fight him.”

Clem sits up in Archer’s hold, acknowledging my proximity. Taking her pudgy hand in mine, I kiss her fist. “She’s my soul, Archer. I can’t risk it.”

“And you two are half of mine.” His nostrils flare like he’s fighting off tears. “If you run off to Michigan, how will I get it back?”

He can’t say stuff like that right now. It’s so unfair. With all my uncertainties, he’s never pushed for me to make choices in all this time. Not once.

Until today.

“I should go. We shouldn’t have come.” I reach for Clem, and though Archer hesitates, he releases her into my arms with a savored kiss to the top of her head. “Seeing you only makes it harder. This was a mistake. I’m sorry. This wasn’t fair to any of us, especially you.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m here anytime you need me.” He rubs his chest, right over his heart where Clem curled up. “Anytime Clem needs me.”

Turning, I hold a hand out, keeping him in place. “Please don’t follow me, Arch. I need to leave.Please.” Despair mars his features, but he nods, ever the respectful Archer Thomas.

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