Eden sat, holding Ivy close. “Did the storm wake you?”
“Uh-huh,” Ivy said, relaxing against Eden.
“I’ll put Lily to bed,” Archer said, heading into the suite. He sat Lily’s car seat on the dresser and unbuckled the clip, lifting her little body close. She stretched before curling into herself with a sigh. He smiled, placed her into the crib and covered her with one of the blankets.
He stared down at the baby, hoping Lily would stay asleep for her mother. Ivy’s tears had subsided, but the sharp tones of Eden’s and Clark’s voices let him know things were far from peaceful. As much as he’d like to pull Eden into his arms and have a long night’s sleep, he knew that couldn’t happen. He wasn’t raised that way. Before he took Eden Caraway back to his bed, she’d know what he wanted. And it wasn’t sex. Well, not just sex. He loved her. Now he just had to find the courage to tell her. And if need be, beg her to stay.
Chapter Thirteen
It was hard to ignore Clark pacing in front of the windows that lined the back of the Lodge. His expression was tense, his movements agitated. And while Ivy was already drifting into an easy sleep, Clark kept glancing her way. He was truly upset.
“It’s not your fault, Clark,” she offered, touched that Ivy’s tantrum had affected him so. “She’s a bear when she’s woken up.”
“What?” He paused, looking at her. “Oh. I... I’m so out of practice.”
She couldn’t argue with him about that. But he was the one who broke their plans, not her.
“His father going to be okay?” Clark asked.
She nodded. “Hopefully.”
He sat opposite her, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “What are you doing, Eden? Do you know how upset your dad is?”
“I’m tired of living my life around his moods, Clark. Contrary to popular belief, I have marketable skills. I can get a job somewhere else.”
“In Texas?” Clark shook his head. “Your dad’s got a pretty long reach.” He paused. “But I’m not just talking about you here, Eden. I work for him, too.”
She stopped rocking Ivy. “He won’t fire you, Clark. He loves you. He made that perfectly clear during the divorce.”
Clark stood, pacing again. “What about the Boones? You think they’ll find donations rolling in if your dad’s blacklisted them?”
She stood. “So the plan was to come here and back me into a corner? Make sure I knew that rebelling would lead to dire consequences for everyone?”
Clark shifted on his feet, his hands on his hips. “You think I like being in this situation? We might be divorced but, for crying out loud, I still care about you. I love Ivy and Lily. If I had another solution, I’d share it.”
She stared at him, a sinking feeling in her stomach. “What does he have on you?”
Clark’s expression shifted, as if her words insulted him deeply.
“Knock it off, Clark. Tell me the truth,” she whispered, fearful of waking Ivy.
He deflated. “I never could get anything past you.”
She waited.
“I might have been caught taking Mrs. Bryant to a hotel room after the Spirit of Giving Ball,” he mumbled, avoiding her eyes.
“Mrs. Bryant as in the wife of the chairman of the board?” She shook her head. “And...”
“You come back with me or we both lose our jobs and I will undoubtedly get blacklisted, if not my ass kicked.” Clark shrugged.
She shook her head. “Your inability to keep your penis in your pants stopped being my problem the day our divorce was final.”
Clark had the decency to look chagrined. “Eden, I’m asking for your help.”
“No, you’re not. Asking for help would be helping you find a new job. Someplace far away.” She kissed Ivy’s head.
“Eden—”