Page 56 of A Texas Hero

“Actually, can you two keep a secret?” Zoey leaned in. “That’s just a cover. Archer is my temporary bodyguard.”

Next to her, she literally felt Archer’s body relax. Zoey felt better about the truth now. There was no shame in needing protection.

“He’s been a good sport about pretending to be my employee.” She reached to squeeze his forearm. “And the truth is, the party was canceled because we thought it best, since my father has one of those obsessive football fans after him again.”

“Good ol’ Patch.” Adam chuckled. “He tells it like it is and doesn’t pull any punches. The Chiefs defensive line has issues this year and somebody had the nerve to say it.”

“My father has never been shy when it comes to football,” Zoey said. “And when he talks and he gets haters, I’m punished for it, too.”

“You’re his only child,” Stacy said, and then gave Adam the side-eye. “We have two daughters, and though they’re little, I already see Adam is the same way.”

Adam made a face but nodded. “It may be a little retro, but fathers still want to protect their daughters whether they need it or not. I’m glad your father hired Archer.”

Actually, Zoey was, too, if for no other reason than she would have never met Archer otherwise. Not that it mattered. When he finished this assignment, he might actually leave the country. There was no room for any kind of relationship with him.

Falling for him would be the single most impractical thing Zoey could ever do.

Driving home, they talked about what a nice couple Adam and Stacy were.

“He runs a support group for veterans,” Archer said. “Max told me about it and gave me Adam’s number to give him a call about it sometime.”

“I didn’t know that, but it makes sense. Adam was a widower before he met Stacy, and he also had a lot of survivor’s guilt from his time as a soldier, apparently.”

“Yeah. I’m fine, though.”

“You seem fine. But, of course, sometimes it’s difficult to tell what’s going on inside.”

“I’ve already had therapy. Lots of it.”

He sounded a little defensive but Zoey let it go.

“Then maybe you could help the other guys in the group, offer your insight.”

“Yeah, I guess. I’m an encyclopedia of information when it comes to prosthetics, analgesics and physical therapy.”

“I bet you have a lot more than that to offer.”

He seemed resistant to talking about all the other losses he must have had. The friends he lost. Grief, she knew well, was not something that disappeared with time. It became a part of you.

“You seem thankful despite what you lost. I admire that.” She took a breath. “How many friends did you leave behind?”

“None,” Archer said, patting her chest. “Never leave a man behind. They’re still with me.”

It was something she understood far better than he realized.

Chapter Twenty-One

On the morning of the party, Zoey woke up early and managed five laps in the pool. It was official. She would be doing this every morning, not just on her day off. Why not make every day a “me” day? Swimming was a great way to recharge and she vowed to make the time to squeeze it in in the mornings. Last night, after dinner, Archer had retired to his bedroom and she’d downloaded several meditation apps. She looked forward to meditation and possibly yoga, if she could locate her pants.

She’d had a good cry over the loss of this year’s party, but hanging out with Archer was a good consolation prize. Archer gave her space when she needed it. The kiss in the storeroom had been amazing, but he was right, and nothing could come of this flirtation between them. They had chemistry for days, enough to start an electrical fire, but it didn’t matter. She had to put it out of her head and focus on self-improvement. Maybe love was everything, but she’d focused too much on romantic love. Showing Archer how a man and woman could simply be friends could only help both of them in the long run.

When she climbed out of the pool and toweled off, she witnessed an incredible sight and thought this day might be salvaged. The sky had darkened to a beautiful indigo, clouds laced with gray. Her heart soared: It might actually rain today. Last night, Archer had checked the forecast on his phone when they were sitting in front of the TV watching Frasier reruns, and he had seemed irritated about the possibility.

“But if it rains, we can do another fire,” she’d said, and he’d scowled.

Now she strolled inside and saw Archer was already up and settling a few packages inside. He’d been receiving packages for two days now and remained cryptic about them. Zoey had most of her packages, personal or otherwise, delivered to the boutique, but today of all days she’d hoped to get something to cheer her up. Maybe something she’d ordered a while back and forgotten about.

“For me?”