A Cowboy to Call Daddy

by Sasha Summers

“Didn’t need a CT scan to tell me that.” Archer grinned. “You’ll survive one more night.”

  “You’re not the one getting poked and prodded, a damn light shining in my eyes every two hours,” his father grumbled.

  Archer chuckled.

  “What’s eating you?” his father asked.

  “I’ll go get some coffee,” Clara offered.

  “No, stay.” Archer sighed. “It’s about Eden.”

  Clara sat on the bed by his father.

  “Go on,” his father prodded.

  “Give me a sec,” he said, running a hand over his face. “I’m taking her out tonight—Renata’s watching the girls... Thing is, I love her. I want her and the girls to stay.”

  “Say that,” Teddy said.

  Clara smiled. “Teddy—”

  “I can’t just throw it out there,” Archer argued. “She deserves more.”

  Clara shook her head. “Archer, hearing that will be enough, I promise you. Love has always come with strings and addendums for Eden. Always. If you give her your heart, unconditionally, you will have given her something she’s never had before.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t understand, Clara, I’m not an easy man—”

  “But you are the man she wants, Archer. This, I know,” Clara finished. “Teddy, I am going to help Renata this evening.”

  Teddy nodded. “I know, I know.” He looked at Archer. “When you ask for her hand, you let her know she’s getting a family out of this. It might help.” He winked at Archer.

  “Thanks, Dad.” Archer sat back in his chair, pleased to see color in his father’s cheeks. And the smile on his face, on Clara’s face, was nice, too. He should stay a while, take some notes. He could use some tips on courting a woman, since tonight he was going to propose to the only woman he could see a future with.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Eden soaked in the tub, reviewing the proposal she’d finished for the refuge. She knew what the board looked for and could find no objective reason to deny funding. Especially since she now had proof that her mother wanted to support the refuge. She hadn’t had to read through the last packet of letters; her mother had stated clearly that she wanted to use her inheritance for a charitable endowment for the refuge after her first visit.

  She’d scanned the letter and added it to the proposal. That alone should warrant the board’s approval.

  But she’d learned so much more about her mother. How disillusioned she was with life. How unhappy and unloved she’d felt. How alone she was. Her parents had wholeheartedly supported her marriage to her father—wealth married wealth. Two powerful, ambitious families combining. Even if her mother was lost in the shuffle.

  Coming to the refuge, she’d felt free of all the restraints and expectations her life placed upon her. Eden related to that.

  She toweled off and slipped into the only dress she’d packed. Soft blue cotton with tiny white flowers and a ribbon under her breasts. It was feminine and pretty, exactly how she wanted Archer to see her tonight. She tied on her sandals and brushed through her hair, leaving it down. He liked running his fingers through her hair. She liked it, too.

  And if dressing to please him would ease what she had to tell him, she’d do it. Her stomach was in knots, anxious for the night to begin—so she could finally get the weight of this horrible lie off her chest. If he could forgive her, love her, was another matter altogether.

  “Momma, you look so pretty.” Ivy smiled. “Beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” Eden kissed the tip of Ivy’s nose, breathing deep to calm her nerves. “No tears tonight?”

  Ivy nodded. “No tears. But Lily might cry. A lot.”

  Eden smiled. “She might.”

  “No promises,” Ivy continued, shrugging.

  “Maybe you can help Renata?” Eden suggested.

  “I’m a good helper,” Ivy agreed.

  Eden took her hand and let Ivy lead her from the bedroom. Lily was on a blanket, furiously rocking on her hands and knees.

  “One day soon she’s going to take off and we’re all going to be in trouble,” Clara said. “You look so nice.”

  “Yes, you do.” Clark was not pleased.

  Eden had decided the best course of action was to ignore him.

  “I really appreciate you coming,” Eden said to Clara. “I know you’d rather be at the hospital.”

  “Eden, you are my family. These are my girls, too. Teddy understands. I will see him in the morning.” She patted her cheek. “It’s good, you taking time for yourself.”

  Eden glanced at the clock, surprisingly nervous.

  “He won’t be late,” Clara said softly, her eyes sparkling.

  “I brought cupcakes. And a horsey coloring book. And a movie with horses,” Renata said as she came in.

  “Ooh.” Ivy ran to her. “I love horses.”

  “I thought so. We still need to get you some boots, Ivy. But we’ll start with this.” She pulled a pink straw cowboy hat from the large bag she carried and plopped it on Ivy’s head. “Let’s see.”

  Ivy tipped the hat back, smiling broadly at Renata and Clara before turning toward Eden. Eden grinned, dropping to her knees. “Don’t you look precious,” she said, adjusting the hat just right. “I like it.”

  Ivy played with the string beneath her chin. “You need one so we can match. And Lily, too.”

  Lily cooed, making Eden look down. At Lily, right by her knee. “Lily?” Eden’s voice was thin. “Did you crawl?”

  “She did,” Clara said, clapping her hands.

  “First thing I saw when I walked in the room. Lily going for her momma,” Archer said, a huge smile on his face.

  Eden blew out a deep breath and scooted back, holding out her hands. “Show me, little bug, come on.”

  Lily wobbled, rocking back and forth, before crawling rapidly across the floor and into her mother’s lap. Lily’s giggle had the whole house laughing. Eden scooped her up and hugged her. “You’re growing up, little bug,” she said, pressing kisses all over her face.

  “She’s gonna be a big bug?” Ivy asked.

  Eden laughed. “Soon.” She hugged the girls close. “But not too soon.”

  “You two have fun,” Renata said. “We girls are going to have a great time.”

  Eden stood, holding Lily close. “She’ll wear herself out, that’s for sure. No wonder you were fussing earlier. You knew something big was coming, didn’t you?”

  “I’d say going mobile’s pretty big,” Archer agreed. “Speedy little thing, too.”

  Lily smiled at Archer, reaching for him with splayed fingers.

  “Yes, she’s adorable.” Clara took her. “And she will be just as adorable tomorrow.”

  “So go on,” Renata agreed. “Ivy, tell Mommy and Archer to go so we can color horses.”

  “Bye, Momma!” Ivy waved wildly.

  “Fine. Have a good time,” Eden said, looking up at the man who stood inches from her. “You ready?” she asked, her nerves returning big-time. She couldn’t lose him.

  He nodded, his slight smile warming her through and easing her nerves.

  She followed him out the front door, waiting as he closed it. But she wasn’t expecting him to tug her around the corner. Or press her against the wall, one hand on either side of her head. She held her breath, loving the look on his face as he bent slowly to kiss her.

  “I’ve been waiting to do this all day,” he whispered.

  She leaned into him, gripping his shirt with both hands. Her lips parted beneath his, wanting more. Hearing him groan, feeling the slide of his tongue against hers, made her hold tighten. Her arms slid up, wrapping around his neck for balance.

  He broke away, pressing a kiss to her nose. “Let’s go.”

  He took her hand in his, but stopped at the top of the stairs. She peere
d around him, absolutely mortified to find his brothers and cousins standing on the bottom step—in various stages of shock and amusement.

  “Archer,” Hunter, the oldest, called out in greeting.

  Ryder started to say something, but Hunter elbowed him hard in the gut.

  Archer sighed, shooting her an apologetic look before leading her down the stairs to his waiting truck. He held the door open for her, acting like they didn’t have an audience, even though her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

  She could only imagine what they said after Archer pushed her door closed. Whatever it was, they were smart enough to keep their voices down. But even then, she saw the slow shake of Archer’s head and his reluctant smile.

  By the time he’d climbed into the truck she was giggling.

  He took one look at her and laughed, too. “Guess I should apologize for them, but...”

  She shook her head, still laughing.

  He started the truck and backed up, waving a hand at the group still watching their every move.

  “You look good in blue,” she said, meaning it. His eyes were as clear as the Texas sky.

  “Same,” he said, shifting gears and taking her hand. “You’re beautiful, Eden.”

  She smiled. “I feel that way when I’m with you.”

  His gaze locked with hers, so intense and heavy she found breathing difficult. He swallowed, turning his attention to the well-rutted dirt-and-gravel road. They bounced along, the view growing more pastoral—they weren’t headed to town. It took a few minutes before she realized where they were going. But once she did, she relaxed. There was such an energy between them, being in public was hard. Going to his place would give them the privacy to talk through the laundry list of things they needed to talk about.

  After they were done diffusing the charge of want and hunger that filled the truck cab.

  * * *

  ARCHER’S NERVES WERE on high alert. He’d planned out what would happen. He’d escort her to his house, feed her dinner, talk to her and go from there. Losing his head was not part of the plan. But he hadn’t counted on how damn beautiful she was. How sweet her smile was. Or the way her laugh ignited a hunger deep inside him. It’d been a struggle to wait until they were on the porch. But once they were there, he’d had to touch her. And taste her.

  It hadn’t been enough.

  His brothers would never let him forget it. Not that he cared. They’d all made total jackasses out of themselves when they’d found their wives. Guess it was part of the courting process.

  But now that they were here, parking in front of his place, all the things he’d wanted to tell her sounded too harsh or too flowery. He climbed out of the truck and came around, but she met him halfway, taking his hand in hers.

  “How’s your dad?” she asked, the scent of her perfume tickling his nostrils as he opened the front door.

  “He’s good. He’ll be home tomorrow morning.” He pushed the door shut behind them, tossing his keys on the table.

  “How’s River?” she asked.

  He smiled. She would think about his horse—and it made him happy. “I think he’s okay. He was a little shy of me at first.”

  “Poor thing. I’m sure he knows what happened.” She ran her hand along the back of the couch. “Do you think he feels guilty?”

  He nodded. “Absolutely.”

  “So how do you tell a horse it’s not his fault?” she asked, sincere.

  He stepped forward, cupping her face in his hands. “You talk to them, wait for them to come to you, then give them physical and verbal comfort. They know. They’re far more intuitive than humans. A touch, a look, spacial proximity. The connection with them has to be genuine—something they feel.”

  “Is this close enough?” Her gaze met his as she slid her arms around his waist. “Touch?” He felt her fingers grasp his shirt, pulling it free from the waist of his jeans, before she pressed her hands against the skin of his back. He shuddered from the contact. “And look?” Her voice was husky. She was just as affected as he was. Her eyes were warm, inviting. But it was more than desire. He felt it.

  He shook his head. “No doubt about the connection.”

  “No?” Her breath wavered.

  “No.” His mouth brushed hers, his heart thumping like crazy. “Hell, no.” He wrapped one arm around her waist, his hand stroking her soft hair.

  Her hands wound along his back, her fingertips tracing his spine. He arched into her, pressing the soft curves of her breasts against his chest. His groan was caught in her mouth. Her lips clung to him, soft, yielding. Her offer was too sweet to refuse. Wanting her, the ache surging in his blood, was all that mattered.

  Her hands gripped his shirt before splaying wide to stop him. “Wait, Archer,” she gasped.

  “I don’t want to,” he argued, nuzzling the side of her neck.

  Her breath hitched when his lips latched onto her earlobe. “I know... Me neither...but...” She pushed again, putting the slightest space between them. “It’s important.”

  He waited, his eyes searching hers. “Then tell me.”

  She nodded, clearing her throat. “Hold on.” Her hands still gripped his shirt, making it impossible to miss her agitation.

  “You’re shaking, Eden. Talk to me.” He anchored his arms around her waist, keeping her close.

  She nodded. “I... When I arrived at the refuge I’d had a bad day.”

  He nodded, remembering their first encounter all too clearly. “And I ripped into you.”

  “You thought I was someone else.” She shook her head. “And I went along with it... Because I didn’t want to be who I am. I thought it would be easier. It gave me an in, a way to be there without being the...enemy, I guess. I’d do my job, compile my reports for the board and leave. You, your family, would never know the truth.”

  Archer stared at her, her words making no sense. “The temp job?”

  “No. I’m not a temp... I just let you think I was.” Her voice wobbled. “For too long.”

  Archer’s nerves went cold, his stomach leaden. “What job?”

  “Let me explain, please, first.” She spoke softly. “You need to understand.”

  He frowned. “What job?”

  “I’m a grant administrator for Southwest National Bank. And one of the foundations I manage is the Monroe Foundation.” She swallowed. “I’m Eden M-Monroe. Caraway was my married name.”

  His hands slid off her shoulders, but he never looked away. Monroe. “Why lie about that? I don’t understand.” He could tell there was more coming; her face said it all. He stepped back, forcing her to let go of his shirt, and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “You said you’d never felt trapped. But I am.” She shook her head. “People I don’t know treat me differently because of that name. It’s the thing that keeps me chained where I am—that puts up an obstacle for every door it opens. My life is about negotiating, sacrificing, fighting to be heard.” She broke off. “Being here...being someone else, freed me for a few days.”

  He turned slowly, staring down at her. “I need a minute.”

  “I came here to prove myself to my father. To show him I was worthy of the family name, that I was worthy of his respect. But now I know I don’t want it. His name or his respect. All I want is—”

  “How were you going to do that, Eden?” Archer asked, his throat tight. “No more lies.”

  She swallowed, wrapping her arms about her waist. All the color faded from her cheeks. “He wanted to deny the refuge more money—”

  “Why?” Archer snapped.

  She paused.

  “What was his reason?”

  “Things weren’t being accurately reported. Money was being...misused.”

  “So you came out here to prove it? You came to help him?” His heart seemed to stop.

  “Arc
her, I know it sounds bad—”

  “Lying about who you were helped with that,” he cut her off. “I’d have been less obliging to hand over my finances to you in the state they were in. Not to hide anything.”

  “I know.” She stepped forward. “The refuge—”

  “Why keep lying then, Eden?” Her name stuck in his throat. “Looking for other ways to gain your dad’s favor? Humiliating me, maybe? Making me think...” He broke off. No way he was going to admit what he’d planned tonight. He was a damn fool, so caught up in soft skin and big, guileless eyes that he never thought what he was feeling wasn’t real. Wasn’t true. “Did you find anything?” His voice rose slightly, anger kicking in. “Is your daddy going to be proud?”

  “You know I didn’t,” she said softly. “Archer, if I could go back, I would. I hate myself for lying. I should never have let things get so far. Never. This is all wrong.”

  He couldn’t breathe. He wasn’t sure what was worse: that she’d lied or that she would go back and change things. Her words gutted him, cutting his heart loose and leaving him to bleed out.

  “You need to leave...” He stared at the ceiling, searching for something to ease the roar in his ears. He hurt, a ripping, crushing pain that he hated. “I don’t need your money, Eden Monroe.” He glanced at her. “I don’t want it. All I want is for you to go.” He crossed the room, grabbed his keys and offered them to her. “Go.”

  “Archer, please listen to me.” Her voice wavered.

  “No point now. Hard to take much stock in a liar’s word.” He opened the door, ushering her out. “Tonight was goodbye, anyway.”

  She stood still, staring at him. “I don’t... I’m not a liar.”

  “Really?” He shook his head, his temper threatening his control. “Eden. Go.” The words were razor sharp, slicing through him, jolting her into movement. “I’m asking nicely. Just go.”

  She walked to the door, taking the keys from him. Her fingers brushed his, stirring all the things he needed to forget. He jerked away from her, shoving his hands into his pockets.

  “Leave the keys at the front desk,” he said, avoiding her gaze. “Tell the girls...” He broke off, hating the burn in his eyes and the fresh pain that sliced through him. It wasn’t just Eden he’d loved. And lost. “I’m sure you’ll think of something to tell them.”