Page 20 of A Texas Hero

“Twenty, plenty old enough to stop modeling—I was almost aging out of the industry. The modeling world is pretty crazy. I was ready to do something different anyway, but I gave it up to be with her. She fought the good fight for years, and my father and I had time to get used to the idea. She was my best friend.”

“Your mother sounds wonderful.”

Zoey nodded and took a deep breath. “Archer, why are you here?”

“Same as you, to visit patients and support the hardworking medical professionals.” He winced and drank from his coffee cup.

Zoey made a face. “Okay, don’t tell me then. I just thought you’d hurt your foot helping me yesterday and I felt bad about it.”

Archer shook his head. “No, that had nothing to do with it.”

He wasn’t going to tell her, and since it was a medical issue, she couldn’t push it. Not everybody was as open as Zoey. She’d accepted this long ago.

* * *

Archer walked Zoey back to her car. He couldn’t bring himself to scold her about ignoring his orders to stay home. She was pretty much a saint and probably got her orders from the big guy upstairs. He wasn’t messing with that. Fortunately, Archer was well acquainted with women like Zoey. He’d grown up with them: his mother, his four sisters. Still, they were going to have to put some parameters in place. He had a job to do. To do it well, he’d have to outsmart her.

“Next time you want to come to the hospital, let me come with you.”

He had long ago learned that the best way to get a woman to do as he bid was to ask nicely. Better yet, let her think it was her idea.

Zoey hesitated, reaching for the door handle of her sedan. “Well, you would certainly cheer up many of the patients.”

“That would be my goal.”

He wasn’t above offering a harmless lie, if required.

“You really want to help?” She blinked.

“Of course.”

Another lie.

He didn’t love the idea of watching people suffer, having seen enough of that to last him a lifetime. But this was different than what he’d experienced overseas. It might even be uplifting, if he could somehow boost their spirits. Either way, he was going to call his family tonight and make sure they were all getting their regular cancer screenings.

“Okay, that’s fine. I’ll let you know next time I go.”

“And where are we going next? Would you mind if I tag along?”

“I was going to drop in at the bookstore and see Twyla.”

“I’ve been thinking of buying a book,” Archer said. “I didn’t bring any with me.”

This wasn’t technically a lie. He liked to read, but the bookcase in Zoey’s guest room was filled with romance novels. Not his cup of java.

“Then you’ll have to check out the only bookstore in town.” She climbed behind the wheel of her vehicle, and when she did, her skirt shifted and showed off her long legs. “Today is book delivery day and also books-go-away day.”

“Books-go-away day? What is that?” He leaned into her open door, his hand on the door frame.

“It’s when Twyla gets a new shipment of books, which is so exciting, but then because of shelf space, she has to return books that haven’t sold. It’s always a difficult time. Occasionally, we’ll go out for drinks at the Salty Dog afterward to commiserate over all the good books that just wouldn’t sell.”

She seemed serious about this, no hint of teasing in her voice. It wasn’t a joke. Her friend was sad when books were returned. Every now and again, Archer couldn’t quite grasp the nuances of American humor. But then again, no civilian understood gallows military-style humor. Especially not his mother.

“It sounds like fun,” Archer lied. “I wouldn’t mind following you there.”

Again, this was a skill. He could be grumpy that she wouldn’t fall in line, or he could try outsmarting her. Of course, he sensed he’d only get so far with this game. Zoey was as bright as they came.

“It’s downtown. Just follow me.”