Page 85 of A Texas Hero

“They just opened this year. I heard about it from Max. You didn’t know about this place because you’ve single-handedly tried to bring fall to Charming, but there are others out here doing the same thing.” He held out his hand and she took it.

“I’ve simply tried to do my part with the shop.”

“Well, this is here, and we’re going to enjoy it.”

“Now that I’m no longer in any danger,” Zoey said, “I feel kind of like a bird that’s been released from its cage.”

“I know you felt trapped,” Archer said sadly, pulling her closer as they walked side by side.

“Not so much because of you. I love being stuck with you.”

Hand in hand, they walked under an archway marking the entrance. On one side were vendors selling everything from corn to hot dogs to waffle fries. Interestingly, there were no pumpkin spice lattes in sight. Archer stood in line to get tickets for the various activities, and they decided to try all of them. While waiting in line, Zoey took advantage of the opportunity to full-on kiss Archer. She held on to his tie (yes, he was still wearing one) and kissed the stuffing out of him.

Someone behind them nudged them both and Zoey laughed. “Um, guess it’s our turn.”

“Yeah,” Archer said, and reached for his wallet.

While he paid, Zoey turned and caught the eye of someone she hadn’t see in a while.

Scott.

Chapter Thirty-One

Scott stood alone in a lineup for food, looking at Zoey as if she’d just slapped him. The idea that she was responsible for causing someone else’s pain was not one she’d ever get used to. Swallowing hard, Zoey quickly stepped out of line and went to greet him. She would not hide from him; she had nothing to be ashamed of.

“Hey there,” Zoey said. “How are you?”

“Is that the guy you were talking about? The Italian dude?” Scott nudged his chin to where Archer stood at the front of the ticket line, paying for their tickets.

“Yes, he’s the one. I’m sorry.” Then she reconsidered. “You know what? I take that back. I’m not sorry.”

He scowled. “You could have been honest with me and told me I didn’t stand a chance.”

“What are you talking about? I was honest with you!”

He threw his palms up. “Zoey, you didn’t even give us a chance! One month, that’s all I got.”

Zoey sighed. “One month, and all you talked about was my father.”

“That’s not how I remember it. Sure, of course, I love football as much as the next Texan. But that doesn’t have anything to do with how I felt about you.”

“Scott, you barely took the time to get to know me. You might not have noticed, but I don’t really care about football.”

“How can you not care about football?” Scott looked horrified.

“Well, there you have it. I love my father, not football,” Zoey said, thinking that she couldn’t believe how quickly this conversation had turned to the subject.

“Your father is the greatest of all time! You should be proud.”

Zoey straightened. “Well, I am proud of him.”

In the next moment, Archer joined them, and when he did, he literally placed his body between Zoey and Scott, forcing Scott to take a step back.

“Everything okay here?” he growled, the tone in his voice announcing that it had better be.

Obviously, he recognized Scott. The look Archer gave him said he should consider running, but Scott stood his ground and didn’t move.

“It’s fine.” Scott shrugged. “Zoey and I were just talking. We used to date until you came along.”