Page 51 of The Archer Brothers

Ryley leans her head on my shoulder and I slouch down to make her more comfortable. Being on the beach, it’s as if we’re the only people in the world that exist. It’s as if the moment we start packing up and heading to the car, reality shines like a high wattage flashlight right in our path, reminding us that we can’t see what’s coming. Nate. Finding out what happened to us. Learning who’s responsible. They’re all catalysts for our destruction.

Deefur adjusts to sitting and stares at the kids down the beach. His growl is just loud enough to alert me that he doesn’t like something. I look around, trying to be as subtle as I can. Ryley doesn’t hear Deefur or she’d say something. Nothing looks out of the ordinary, but that doesn’t mean my senses aren’t heightened. Dogs are great at signaling when something isn’t right.

“EJ,” I yell. He turns his head, looking at me over his shoulder. “Why don’t you build this way? You’re getting too far.”

“Okay, Eban.” And just like that he turns toward us and starts his digging adventure. Deefur cocks his head slightly, alternating between looking down the beach and watching EJ before turning his focus back on the people not too far from us.

Eban. Him saying my name instead of “Dad” or “Daddy” makes me think. I’m waiting for Ryley to say something, but I’m not sure how long I’m willing to wait. I’m his father, dead or not. He needs to know the truth, and it’s better now than later.

“Should we think about heading home?” I’m reluctant to leave, but Deefur has me on edge.

“No, home is messy. The beach is serene and calm. Besides, EJ is having fun and we’re here as a family. Why do you want to go home?”

I can’t tell her that the dog has me concerned and that he thinks that there’s a threat here. I don’t want her to panic. The other night was enough. After spending time with River, Frannie, Rask and McCoy, we’re all on edge. There’s a fear we all carry. Someone doesn’t want us alive and they know we’re not going to stop until we figure out why. That puts our families in danger, and causes a lot of sleepless nights for me.

Shrugging, I try to play it off. Truth is, I want to pack her and EJ up and head to Washington for a while. I’d like to visit some of my father’s old Navy buddies and see if they can help. I figured the retired vets who are still working might have a better chance at uncovering something even though I know Carole is going to use her resources. I can’t let Ryley’s mom risk her career or her life for me.

I kiss Ryley on the head and stand, a ruse so I can change positions without having to ask her to move. I sit behind her and she immediately falls into my arms.

“Are you cold?” I ask as she pulls her long sleeves over her hands.

She shakes her head. “No, I just got a chill. It’s passed now.” Ryley rests her head on my arm and her back against my chest. This is perfection. At least it is for me.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Livvie moving in. I know you said it’s fine, but you also said she and my mother haven’t treated you very well since my…” I can’t bring myself to say the worddeathout loud. Being gone for six years is nothing compared to hearing that your family thinks you’re dead. “If you’re not comfortable with her being there, I’ll ask her to leave.”

Ryley sighs. “She’s good with EJ.”

I lean forward as far as I can to make eye contact with her. “But is she good with you? I don’t want things at the house to be awkward,” I tell her as I lean back and pull her to my chest. “You need to be comfortable in your home and if she makes you uncomfortable, I’ll ask her to leave. I’m sure she has friends down here, or she can stay with Carter and Lois.”

Ryley nods and her hands hang from my arms. “Lois would love that. Grace loves Livvie.”

“Who’s Grace?”

She chuckles lightly. “Grace is EJ’s future wife.” I tickle her sides when she says that and continue to do so even as she attempts to move away from me.

“You know he may be a boy, but no woman will ever be good enough for him,” I say once I let go. Ryley crawls back into her spot and faces me.

“I feel the same way and I know your mom does as well. Thing is, when you fall in love, it’s because of who you’re meant to be with, not who your parents choose for you.” Her hand caresses my face and I fight every urge to lean in and steal a kiss. “Grace is Carter and Lois’s daughter. She’s just a few months younger than EJ.”

Taking her hand from my cheek, I kiss her palm. “You and Lois were pregnant together.” I say matter-of-factly. “When we were in high school I remember Carter coming over one day all freaked out because Lois thought she was pregnant and all I could think about was what it would be like to see you holding our child. I was eighteen and having thoughts about us having a family. That day in the park, when I hit you – which I’m thinking wasn’t an accident at all but actually kismet – I knew then that you were meant for me, Ry.”

With the strictno kissing in front of EJpolicy in place, she wraps her arms around me. I want to lay her down and hold her, but won’t compromise her like that in front of EJ. There’s so much I want to do to her, but can’t. My hands are furtively tied behind my back where she’s concerned and I know I’m going to lose my shit if I see Nate touch her.

She pulls away, resuming her spot between my legs. She brings my arms around her, encasing her. “We need to talk about what happens when Nate comes back.”

There’s a low growl building when she brings up his name and pending return. I’m not looking forward to seeing him act as if he’s me. He’s taken my girl, my son, my dog and my house and if he thinks that I’m just going to walk away gracefully, he’s got another think coming. Ryley is the only one who can tell me to leave and I don’t think she will.

“I’m not going to pretend I know what I’m doing, but EJ can’t get hurt. Nate is going to come home soon, and whether you like it or not, he thinks of that house as his home. When he does… when you see him, you can’t hurt him. You can’t fight, not in front of EJ.”

“I want to kill him, Ry.”

She turns, facing me with tears in her eyes. Again, her hand caresses my cheek. “You won’t because your son loves him.”

I look at EJ, so innocent and unaware of the truth, a truth that he needs to know. If Ryley and Nate think I’m going to stand by and let this charade continue, they’re sorely mistaken. Children are resilient. That’s something I learned from the mission we were on. Each child we saved gave us hope even though they had none themselves.

Ryley brings my face back to hers. “Are you hearing me?”

“I want my family back, Ryley.” I leave her with that thought, and go back over to EJ as I had promised earlier. I start helping him build his sand castle, working together as father and son.

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