Page 173 of The Archer Brothers

CHAPTER2

RYLEY

The sun barely peeks over the horizon, casting a soft glow into our room. Evan’s pressed against my back, holding me tightly. He’s been this way since we moved back, and I fear he’s going to live with a constant internal battle, wondering if we’re being watched or not. Part of me wishes I hadn’t suggested we move. I wouldn’t if I had known he was going to be on edge. Evan tells me he’s happy, that he’s fine, that moving was the right thing for our family, but I wonder if he’s ever going to stop looking over his shoulder.

Soft lips brush over my shoulder while a strong arm pulls me even closer to his warm body. I smile and snuggle into the embrace of the man who is so close to being my husband. Our wedding day is finally within reach. We’re down to weeks, no longer months, and I can’t wait to walk down the sandy aisle to marry my best friend as the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash into the shore. My mom is finally able to walk on her own, and I told Evan once she could, we’d marry. Seeing her take those first steps without any assistance was one of my happiest days.

“Are you ready for today?” Evan’s lips ghost over my skin, causing goosebumps to pebble all over. I shiver, even though I’m not cold.

“I suppose today will be like any other day with our family and friends.”

“Mhm, something tells me you’ll be pampered.”

I roll over his arms to face him. “What do you know, Archer?”

“Nothing,” he says, smiling. “I swear.”

“Why do I not believe you?”

Evan shrugs and kisses the tip of my nose. “I don’t have a clue about these things, Ry. I’m just guessing that a bridal shower’s the time when the bride gets pampered by her friends.”

“And what will my groom be doing?”

“Standing in the background, admiring my soon-to-be wife.”

Evan and I lean in simultaneously, and his body starts to roll over mine. That is until our bedroom door bursts open, and we’re attacked by fifty pounds of dog with a slobbery tongue. I scream out while Evan wrangles Deefur away from us, and EJ laughs in the doorway.

“Time to get up,” EJ shouts. Since we’ve been back in California, I’ve seen a difference in him. Before, he was a kid, going through the motions of a daily routine. Now, he’s jubilant and excited to do any and everything he can before the sun goes down. I know a lot of that has to do with my father and the fact that he picks him up every day for fishing, hunting, shooting, and any other sport-type activity they can do.

“Hey, bud,” Evan says as he sits up, while I choose to whine that it’s too early when in fact, I’m not sure what time it is.

“Papa and Grandma are here. They’re trying to be quiet and said not to wake you, but—”

“But where’s the fun in that, right, bud?” Evan says.

“Of course!” EJ lifts his hands up as if waking us is a no-brainer.

“Fine, we’re getting up, but only if you make me some coffee,” I tell my son, who readily nods and calls Deefur to follow him. Deefur will do anything EJ asks him to do. I love their relationship but have often thought about adding another dog into the mix. Deefur is getting up there in age and often can’t keep up with EJ’s fast-paced way of life.

Evan pulls our covers to the side, leaving me no choice but to get up. Of course, with my father being here, Evan will want to visit with him. He and my dad have a special bond, one that cemented solidly after Archie died. My dad was there for Evan and Nate, by their side, as they buried their father. Men like Jensen Clarke are hard to come by, and I thank him every day for being an example to the men in my life.

Evan is up, out of bed, and dressed before I can even begin to swing my legs over the side. Lately, sudden movements have caused my stomach to spin and my head to become lightheaded. My mom says it’s the heat, and I’m not accustomed to it yet, but I’m not so sure. Sometimes I feel off and slightly paranoid, although I don’t have a reason to be. I’ve yet to say anything to Evan out of fear he’ll think someone is watching us. I don’t necessarily think that’s the case, but one can never be too sure. I’ll never forgive myself for moving us back here if someone is.

The cold hardwood floors feel good against my bare feet. Maybe my mom is correct in her thinking. It’s so much hotter here than Washington. I don’t remember the heat being so unbearable before.

I point the shower dial more toward the blue rather than red. My body shivers as I step under the spray. The cold is a welcomed relief. I tell myself I’m going to call the doctor, but the reality is, I won’t. I’m sure that whatever I feel right now is paranoia or anxiety.

By the time I’m out of the shower, dressed, and my hair and make-up are done, my house has come alive with varied voices and music. When I get downstairs, decorations in my wedding colors of purple and cream adorn every possible free space in my family room, and my mother is barking out orders to the guys. Evan walks with his hands full of white folding chairs and kisses me softly. He lingers there, waiting for my reaction. All I can do is smile at him and thread my fingers through his hair.

“Finally,” I mumble.

“Finally,” he replies.

My father and Tucker march into the room without a second glance toward me. They lift my couch seamlessly and maneuver it out of the room. If I had known my sister-in-law and best friend were planning to have my bridal shower here, I would’ve insisted this room stay sparsely decorated to avoid what’s happening now.

“Ryley,” my mother’s voice grabs my attention. She walks toward me with just a slight limp. We hug much longer than need be, considering I saw her last night, but I’ll never be over the fact that she almost lost her life because of the situation we were all put in. I’ve come to realize I’ll never have the answers I want or need for closure either.

“Mom, you didn’t have to do all of this.” I look over her shoulder just in time to see Evan lift his recliner. He heaves it over his head, causing his shirt to ride up a bit on his stomach, showing off a small sliver of his abs.

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