She lived in a neighborhood of small homes on a neat and tidy street. Each house looked the same, manicured bushes and a tiny yard. Not enough room for the girls to play in. He felt pinned in the farther down the road he went.
A moving truck was parked in front of Eden’s house.
He climbed out of his white Boone Ranch Refuge truck and stared at the front door. It was now or never. He walked down the concrete walkway and knocked on the door. But he doubted she’d hear his knock over Lily’s crying. Poor little bug needed to cut those teeth.
He rang the doorbell and stepped back, the light by the door coming on and temporarily blinding him. He heard the squeak of the front door as it opened.
“Archer?” He’d managed to surprise her. “Wh-what are you doing here?”
He stared at her, taking in her tousled hair and smudged eyes. “Can I come in?”
She blinked, clearly confused. “Okay.” She stepped back, bouncing Lily on her hip.
He knew she was watching him, wondering what the hell he was doing there. But he wasn’t ready to talk—not yet. He needed to ground himself or he’d screw things up. He stared around the small house. It was in chaos. Packing paper, Bubble Wrap and boxes covered the floor and most of the furniture.
“Moving?” he asked. “All this in, what, a few hours?”
“I’m being evicted.” She smiled. “Jason Monroe doesn’t like being made a fool of. Or being proved wrong.”
Archer waited. “This isn’t about the refuge, Eden. Tell me it isn’t.”
She shook her head. “It’s not. It’s about the truth. Doing what’s right. Renata told you? About...about my mom and my...dad?”
He nodded.
“After I gave the board members a copy of my report on the refuge, I reminded them my mother was an advocate and she wanted to help the refuge whenever she could. Jason wasn’t happy...but the facts speak for themselves. Once that was done, I quit. I wished him well, told him I was going to find my father and that if he tried to stop me from finding work, from fending for myself, he’d regret it.”
She’s never looked more beautiful to Archer. Strong and defiant. He was proud of her. And sad for her. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, he knew she was hurting. Hell, he was hurting for her.
She shifted Lily, patting her little back. “It’s okay, little bug.”
Lily sniffed, her breath hiccuping as she rubbed her eyes.
“Past your bedtime, little bug,” he said, his voice low and soothing.
Lily looked at him, yawned and reached for him.
“Can I?” he asked.
“Archer.” Eden’s voice broke. “Why are you here?”
He took Lily, cradling her close and patting her back. “I came to get you.”
She frowned, shaking her head.
He cleared his
throat, trying not to get lost in how beautiful she was. And how much he wanted to touch her. “Come home, Eden.”
She backed away, wrapping her arms around her waist. But then she stopped, her spine stiffening as she faced him. She looked just like she did that first day, all cold indifference. “So this is some sort of rescue mission? To save me? Did it ever occur to you that I don’t need to be rescued?”
He swallowed again, clearing his throat. “You don’t. I do.”
And just like that she melted. “Archer—”
“I love you. I need you and the girls. You’re my family.” He broke off. “I’m hoping you can forgive me for...being an ass.”
She was blinking rapidly. “And my lie, can you—”