She tore her gaze from his, staring at her hands. “Ivy’s three.”
“So she’ll tell it like she sees it.”
She glanced at him. “My father is a hard man.”
Archer turned the wheel, slowing as they approached a gate. “No man should make you cry, Eden. Especially a girl’s father.” He climbed out of the truck before she could answer. She watched him open the gate with sure motions, all muscle and man. She was breathless and flustered by the time he climbed into the truck and drove through the gate.
“I can get it,” she said, needing fresh air. She climbed down and closed the gate behind his truck.
He was smiling when she pulled herself up into the truck. “Thank you,” he said.
She nodded.
“Your father.” His expression was thoughtful when he looked at her. “Tell me about him.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “My father is a businessman. He’s used to being in control of...everything. He and my brother are very close. He and my ex-husband are close.”
“But you’re not?” he asked. “Close to him?”
She shook her head. “No. He’s so busy all the time. Too busy for me and the girls. Sometimes I think, to him, I’m more of a...nuisance than a necessity.” She saw his knuckles whiten, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
“Why do you say that?” he asked.
She stared out the window, trying to encompass years of condescension and digs into an accurate explanation. “He’s said as much. No matter what I do, it’s not good enough. But the more he complains and points out what I do wrong, the more I want to prove him wrong.” Her laugh was hard. “Maybe that’s his plan. To push me until I get it right?” She felt Archer’s eyes on her, but refused to look at him. “He’s more bark than bite. The girls and I have never wanted a thing—he’s taken care of us. He may not be there, but he’s all we’ve got. For that, I’m grateful.”
Silence filled the truck cab, so thick Eden felt it pressing in on them. She rolled down her window; the steady hum of the cicadas filled the air.
“Then why not stay here?” he eventually asked, driving slowly along a barbed-wire fence. “You’d be necessary to the refuge.”
But not to you? She swallowed.
He parked the truck, looking at her. “We work fine together, Eden. I’d try my hardest to treat you with nothing but respect.”
She stared at him, caught up in everything about him. His strong, chiseled jaw. His angular features. The constant intensity in his blue eyes. She should tell him, now. He deserved the truth. Here he was, talking about respect... And she was lying to him.
“Like I said, my life is—” she murmured, so torn.
“Complicated.” He nodded. “Doesn’t need to be. Life here’s pretty simple. Something’s broke, you fix it. You do what needs to be done, then what you want to do.”
You do what needs to be done.
That was a concept Eden could agree with. She had something very important that needed to be done—she needed to help Archer. She needed to help save the refuge, in whatever small way she could.
“I’ve had pretty much everything a body needs. Never wanted much.” His words wavered ever so slightly, drawing her attention back to him. He was staring at her. “I want you to stay.”
Breathe. Just breathe. Keep it together. Her trembling fingers slid over the turquoise stones on her bracelet. He wanted her to stay? For the job? Or was there more to it? She remembered the featherlight brush of his lips on hers and trembled, her gaze falling to his mouth. “Archer...”
r /> He cleared his throat and shook his head. “Don’t answer. Just think about it.” He smiled as he opened the truck door. “I figure taking a tour of Boone Ranch might help you make your mind up.”
He was as good as his word. An hour of driving later, Eden knew that Boone Ranch was beautiful country. Archer wasn’t much of a talker, but he shared his family history—how his great-great-grandfather had staked his claim on Texas and how the following generations had done their best to be responsible landowners. She saw the pride on his face, the determination he exuded when he talked about his hopes for the refuge. What would it be like to be part of something so big? Deep roots, solid family, a rich history and satisfaction in a worthwhile job. He wanted her to be a part of that. When he pulled up in front of the refuge offices, he was relaxed. And she was on edge.
She’d had plenty of time to tell him the truth—but she hadn’t. She couldn’t.
His phone started ringing, giving her the excuse she needed to slip out of the truck. She didn’t want to intrude on his phone call. And if she was being honest, she needed to regroup. Her head and heart were at opposite ends of the spectrum this time... But then, how long had it been since she’d listened to anything her heart said? She walked down the path, her mind racing. And hopeful. She’d planned on telling him the truth, but how could she tell him now? Now that she might, possibly, want to stay on the ranch—with Archer. And how could she stay, without him knowing the truth?
Chapter Nine
Archer had been staring at the same screen for thirty minutes. He’d read the same paragraph on wound treatments at least six times. The words were in order, it made sense, but Archer had no idea what he was reading. It was late and he was worn out. He’d had another emergency, a house cat that had ended up being the neighbor dog’s chew toy. The cat was stabilized, covered with a dozen or more bald patches and sutures.