Page 68 of A Texas Hero

“Oh, my God, Patch!” someone said as he walked toward the entrance, flanked by his bodyguards.

“I can’t believe it’s you!”

“You’re the best running back that ever lived!”

“Thank you. Thank you, folks.” Patch made his way through with grace, nodding, waving. Then he stopped and turned. “Just here to have dinner at this fine establishment.”

“No pictures,” Harry ordered, holding up his palm.

It was always the bodyguard’s job to be the bad guy, and no need to let Patch’s stalker know he was in Charming. Last night, Archer had checked in with Ian to advise him of this latest development. Ian hadn’t known about it, and he was definitely not happy. Archer saw his point.

“He came to see his daughter? When he’s got this stalker possibly following him?”

But Archer had discovered, through Harry and Alec, that the police would be making an arrest today. Both law enforcement and Patch thought it best he leave the area when that happened. The arrest would make public what had been happening and might elicit sympathy for the man from Patch’s other haters.

Now here he was, staying close to Zoey, while they waited for Patch to get through his sea of admirers. Inside, he shook hands with the lined-up staff, even the cook, broke rank and graciously took some selfies.

“Is it always like this?” Archer whispered to Zoey. He hadn’t been with his first celebrity assignment long enough to know.

“You have no idea,” Zoey said. “I’m sure we have a table in the back for some privacy, but believe me, it won’t stop them. It’s like my father belongs to everyone. And honestly, he likes it. Loves the attention, all the fawning and interruptions. It’s tougher for those of us in his life who would like his exclusive attention.”

When they were shown to a table in the back, a group of patrons sitting nearby clapped for him and called out his praises.

“This is going to be tough for Robin to get used to, believe me,” Zoey said, and he detected a hint of pleasure in her voice. “She’ll have to share him. They don’t want to see her, or anyone else. They only want him. That’s how it is.”

Archer was about to say that she might not mind but thought better of it. He sincerely hoped the woman was kind—like Mother Teresa kind—or she didn’t stand a chance.

Archer pulled out a chair for Zoey to sit, then made his way to stand a few feet behind her. Enough to give them privacy, but not too far, in case he was needed. Harry and Alec did the same for Patch.

“We’ll take turns eating,” Harry said, motioning for Archer to take a seat. “Go ahead.”

Zoey looked up and patted the seat beside her. No sign of Robin, but Archer figured she was coming on her own to avoid the attention. No sooner had they sat down than they were served with an appetizer…and they kept coming, one after another. Platters of stuffed mushrooms, calamari, barbecue. Zoey didn’t touch a thing.

After about fifteen minutes, a tall, svelte, beautiful Black woman dressed in a conservative green dress joined them. Patch stood and so did Archer.

“Hello, sweetheart,” Patch said, embracing her. “Robin, meet my daughter, Zoey.”

Zoey didn’t get up, but Robin went straight to her, offering her hand and a beaming smile. “I’ve heard so much about you. You look a lot like your mother.”

“She does,” Patch said, beaming with pride. “I’m so glad my two girls finally get to meet.”

“Just in time for the wedding,” Zoey said with a bite. “A little later and we might have had to meet at the altar.”

“Patch, you told her we’re getting married?” Robin said. “You could have eased her into this.”

Zoey straightened the cloth napkin on her lap. “I didn’t even know you were dating. Had no idea my daddy signed up for the dating apps.”

“That’s not actually how we met,” Robin said, turning to Patch. “Did you tell her?”

“She knows you were my high school sweetheart,” Patch said, softly touching her shoulder and helping her into her seat next to his.

Archer elbowed Zoey, hoping she’d get the message.

Be nice.

“That sure was a long time ago,” Zoey said. “You two are probably not the same people you were back then.”

“I think she just called us old, Patchy.” Robin chuckled. “And she’s right. We are not the same people.”