Page 114 of Kylie

Archer made his way up to the porch slowly, his gaze swinging around, taking it all in.

“Sorry to drop by unannounced,” he said as he stopped at the base of the stairs as though he feared he would scare me if he moved too fast. “I just wanted to come by and see how you’re doin’.”

“I’m good. Thank you.” Remembering my manners, I smiled. “Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thank you.”

Yep, he was definitely going out of his way not to overwhelm me.

I patted the chair beside me. “Would you like to have a seat?”

He chuckled and his grin widened. “I would, but I’m not sure I could explain to your husbands when that thing fell from the rafters.”

I laughed, and it felt good. No, it felt amazing. “At the very least, come up here.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He took the steps two at a time.

“Do you live around here?” I asked, trying to make conversation.

“Right now, I’m stayin’ at the B and B.” Archer turned and pointed. “But we’ll be movin’ in a few doors down at the end of the month.”

“We?”

“Simon and Violet and me.”

“Oh.” I processed that. “I didn’t realize…”

Archer chuckled. “Not like that. They bought a big ol’ house, and I’m gonna camp out in one of the guest rooms for a while.”

“Ah.” I nodded. That made sense. Well, not really, but I pretended it did because that was something I would’ve known if I hadn’t been gone for so long.

Leaning against one of the posts, Archer looked comfortable. “How’re you doin’?”

“Tryin’ to find my footing,” I admitted, though I wasn’t sure why.

“How’re the kids doin’? I bet they’re happy to have you home.”

“I think they’re gettin’ used to it. It’s a process.”

“I’m sure it is.”

We stared at each other for a moment, and I could tell he didn’t know what to say either.

Finally, Archer stood tall. “Okay, look. I’m gonna be honest because I don’t know how else to be.”

I smiled. “Okay.”

“I’m sure this is weird for you, but I wanted to check in, see if you needed someone to talk to.” He held up a hand. “I’m not sayin’ you don’t have plenty of people to chat with. I just … I thought maybe you’d like someone who doesn’t look at you differently. Since I didn’t know you before, I can only look at you one way.”

I found him adorable. “What way is that?”

“Like an idiot, apparently.” He laughed. “Sorry. This is not goin’ the way I thought it would.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure it’s as awkward as you expected.”

He chuffed a laugh. “More than I could’ve possibly imagined.”

“Don’t beat yourself up,” I teased. “I appreciate the company more than you know.”