“You need to find a hobby that doesn’t involve skirt-chasing,” Deacon snapped.
Archer followed his gaze to find Eden Caraway standing on the front porch of the administrative office. She stretched, arching her back before leaning forward on the porch railing.
Archer scowled. She should be working, not distracting his staff. He agreed with Deacon. Toben couldn’t keep a clear head around any attractive woman—which was, as far as Archer was concerned, Toben’s greatest weakness. Women were just people. And Eden Caraway was...just a woman. He cleared his throat, grappling with the effect this woman had on him. He frowned, tugging at his shirt collar and focusing on his anger instead of the curve of her neck or the swell of soft curves he found all too distracting.
Fester whinnied.
“Damn.” Deacon sighed. “That horse has got it bad. Pretty sure he’s stayed penned because of her.”
Archer agreed, watching the large black horse with interest. Fester was doing everything in his power to grab Eden’s attention, prancing along the fence line, nickering, whinnying. He smiled in spite of himself.
“Look at that,” Toben murmured, equally impressed with Fester’s little display.
His irritation flared. Poor Fester. He had no idea his affection was one-sided. But Archer did, and he was sad for the horse. And fuming. Eden had no idea what a gift Fester was giving her. “Too bad Miss Caraway doesn’t seem to care about Fester.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Deacon said.
Archer froze, glancing back at Fester. Eden had made her way, smiling, to where Fester waited at the fence. When she was close enough, she held her hand out, letting Fester blow and nuzzle it. She moved forward then, standing on the fence so she could rest her arms along the top beam.
“He’s just eating it up,” Toben said. “Wonder what she’s saying.”
Fester nudged Eden’s clip from her hair, letting her long hair fall around her shoulders. Archer watched, a strange tightness pressing in on his chest. She laughed, the sound ringing out and stirring a flare of hope in Archer’s chest.
“You should talk to her about—”
“Miss Caraway is here to get the books in shape. Then she’ll be on her way.” His words were a reminder. It didn’t make sense to be hopeful when it came to this woman. She had her own life, one that had no room for him—or his horses.
“When are you heading in to the hospital?” Toben asked.
Archer sighed. He worked part-time at the local veterinary teaching hospital. His extensive experience with exotic animals made him the resident expert on everything that wasn’t a cat or dog. “Shortly.”
His current patient, a poisoned cockatoo, was almost recovered, his feathers returning to their normal bright white. But the bird was finicky about being handled and seemed to tolerate Archer best when it came to taking his meds.
He also needed to confirm that Mrs. Ballencier was bringing in the lion cub she’d inherited from some eccentric uncle. He wanted to convince her that finding the cub a permanent home—one prepared to accommodate the size and needs of a full-grown male lion—was h
er only option.
As much as he enjoyed cases that offered him a challenge, there were times he’d gladly resign his position to work full-time at the refuge. This was where his heart was.
But Toben’s question wasn’t about Archer’s responsibility to the vet hospital. He suspected it had to do with Eden Caraway. Once Archer was off premises, Toben wouldn’t have anyone intercepting his attempts to charm the woman.
“She’s leaving next week.” Archer shot his cousin a look.
Deacon groaned. “Don’t make her more appealing than she already is.”
Toben’s laugh grated on Archer’s nerves.
“You know she’s an actual person? Here for work?” He glanced at the woman carrying on a conversation with Fester. “It is possible she has no interest in you.”
“It’s possible. But highly unlikely.” Toben nudged Archer, winking.
Archer glared at him.
“Oh, come on, Archer. Just because you’re a monk doesn’t mean the rest of us are.” Toben shook his head. “You’re gonna have a hell of a time catching up to your brothers if you don’t get to work soon.”
Archer’s glare didn’t waver until Toben had disappeared around the end of the shed.
“He’s a dick,” Deacon said, clapping Archer on the shoulder.