Eden paced the floor, bouncing Lily. It was after ten and she hadn’t heard a thing. She’d sent Clara to the hospital, knowing that’s where she needed to be.
Lily hiccuped, still sniffling.
“She’s having a hard time,” Clark said.
Eden nodded. Her tension wasn’t helping Lily’s fragile state, she knew that. But Archer’s face, the fear in his eyes, had haunted her mind since he’d left the refuge.
“Ivy didn’t do this.” He paused, looking at her. “She didn’t, right? I mean, I don’t remember this.”
Eden shook her head. “No, Ivy didn’t cry much.”
“Didn’t think so.” He seemed relieved. “What can I do?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“But you want to be there?” he asked.
She nodded.
“You like this Archer guy, don’t you?” he asked. “His family?”
She patted Lily, avoiding eye contact with her ex-husband. They’d always been friends. He was a nice guy, charming and easygoing—on the surface. But Clark was also an opportunist. His top priority was taking care of himself, even at others’ expense. If he learned something interesting, he’d file it away until it could be useful. That, and his cheating, had made it impossible to sustain a trusting relationship. And yes, he’d heard her earlier conversation with Clara—as veiled as it was—but she didn’t feel like baring her soul to him. Especially when she had yet to tell Archer just how much she loved him. Or who she really was.
She ached for him. And now, hurt for him.
“I can take care of the girls,” he offered.
She shot him a look.
“Okay, take Lily. I can handle Ivy.”
She shook her head, smiling. “She’s asleep.”
“Yeah, I got this.” He grinned.
She hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“I’m her dad, Eden. I might not be the best dad, or anywhere in the top hundred, but I do love her.” He rubbed his hand over Lily’s head. “Both of them.”
She nodded. “Okay. I’ll take my phone.”
“I’ll crash on your bed?” he asked. “Since Ivy’s already sleeping—I’d hate to disturb her.”
She nodded, packing supplies into Lily’s diaper bag before buckling her into her seat. She fussed, but there wasn’t much Eden could do. She loaded Lily’s seat in the car and drove carefully, the storm still raging.
She wasn’t family, and she didn’t want to intrude, but she needed to make sure Archer was okay. That Clara was okay.
And Teddy.
It had taken thirty minutes to find him. Toben had stopped by long enough to let her know Teddy had been found and a neighbor was using his helicopter to take him to the hospital. They assumed River had gotten spooked by the storm and thrown Teddy. He’d been found, unconscious, in a field. And until the patriarch was talking, it was the only thing they’d come up with.
She drove through the rain, using her GPS to guide the way. After she’d parked, she held Lily close and ran through the downpour.
She stood inside the lobby, adjusting Lily under the blanket she’d covered her with, and glanced around. It was a small hospital. But then, Stonewall Crossing was a small town. She approached the desk but hesitated, knowing she wasn’t family and she’d probably get turned away.
“Eden?” It was Toben, carrying a tray of coffee cups. Deacon followed, equally coffee-cup-laden.
“Hi,” she said. “I...I wanted to see if I could do anything.”
“About time you got here,” Deacon grumbled. “Follow me.”
She frowned at Deacon but followed him through two swinging doors and down a blindingly white hallway to the waiting room packed wall-to-wall. Faces, some familiar, others not, regarded her with mild curiosity or disinterest. They didn’t care who she was; they all wanted to know one thing: Was Teddy okay? The level of love and concern in that small room was palpable.
“He’s in the hall,” Deacon said.
Eden headed in the direction Deacon pointed, turning the corner to find him. Archer. He leaned against the wall, hands shoved in his pockets, head back and eyes closed. Totally still, shutting out the world—wanting to be alone.
Lily hiccuped. Again. And again.
Archer’s eyes opened, a small smile forming on his lips as he looked her way. He straightened, pulling his hands from his pockets and flexing them. It was the look on his face—defeat, fear and sadness—that made her go to him.
She didn’t hesitate, but slid her free arm around his waist and pressed against him—as much as possible with Lily between them. His arms wrapped about her, supporting Lily’s weight while keeping her close. His sigh was deep and slow, but his hand gripped the back of her shirt, pulling her closer.
“What can I do?” she murmured against his chest. “Do you know anything?”
“He was unconscious when I found him. Don’t know if he was thrown or fell...” His words were muffled against the top of her head. “Good damn thing it had been raining. Mud made his landing a little softer.”
Lily peeked up from under her blanket then, shooting Archer a sleepy grin. Her little fingers reached up to stroke his chin.
Eden looked up to see him smile at Lily with love. He shifted, cradling Lily across his chest and tucking her blanket around her. “Bedtime, little bug,” he said, using Eden’s pet name. “Sleep now.” His voice was low and soft.
Lily burrowed in, yawned, smiled another sleepy smile at Archer and shut her eyes.
Eden’s heart was so full of love. And being near him only reminded her of how important he was to her.
“Your shirt is wet,” he murmured, sliding his fingers through her hair. “And your hair.”
“It’s raining,” she said, unable to look away from the blueness of his gaze.
He frowned.
“I wanted to be here.” She paused, searching his gaze. “I needed to.”
He leaned forward until his forehead rested against hers. “Needed.”
She nodded.
He nodded, too.
“You don’t want to sit? Some coffee? Something?” she asked. “She gets heavy after a while.”
Archer glanced at Lily, smiling. “She’s fine.”
“Archer.” Toben waved him forward. “The doctor.”
Eden followed. Archer reached back a hand for her, and Eden held tight. All she could do was hope and pray Teddy would be all right. He was fit and strong and, according to Archer, stubborn...all things working in his favor.
“Everyone here now?” the doctor asked. At Archer’s nod, he continued, “I’m Dr. McBride. I think most of you know me. And I know your father, so let’s cut to the chase. He took a hard fall, knocked his head. We’ve already run a preliminary CT to check for any subdural bleeds. So far, he looks good. A concussion, to be sure, but we’ll know more shortly. He’s started to come around, and he’s disoriented and crotchety.”
That made the waiting room relax; a few people laughed.
“That’s a good sign,” Fisher, the Boone brother she’d met, said.
Dr. McBride nodded. “It is indeed. I plan on making him a whole lot more crotchety through the night. We’ll do another CT in about twelve hours. Make sure it’s clear.”
“What are you looking for?” a young woman asked, someone Eden didn’t know.
“Any injury to the brain, swelling, that sort of thing.” He held his hands up. “Let’s not worry about that unless we have to.”
“When can he go home?” Renata asked.
Dr. McBride shook his head. “Not for at least twenty-four hours, Renata. With that hard a knock to the head, I’d feel better having him closely monitored for a solid two days. Just to be sure.”
Eden squeezed his hand.
“Nothing else?” Archer asked.
“So far, no.” Dr. McBride shook his head. “That’s all I can tell you right now, Archer. You all let him know you love him, remind him he’s here for a reason—and he needs to listen to his doctor, won’t you?”
Renata nodded, patting the man on the shoulder. “Thank you.”
Lily wriggled, prompting Archer to bounce her without thought. “Can we see him?” he asked.
“For a minute,” Dr. McBride said. “I mean a minute, too. Just the kids, or it’ll take an hour to get everyone out of here.”
Archer nodded.
She hurt for him, knowing how badly he wanted to see his father. And how hard it was for him to keep up the cool, distant facade everyone seemed to expect from him.
“Here.” She moved in close, shifting Lily into her arms. “Give him a kiss from me,” she said.
He nodded, smiling down at her. “Can do.”
She stepped back, patting Lily to keep her sleeping. But Archer stayed at her side, waiting for his siblings to join him.
“We haven’t met. I’m Hunter. The oldest,” he said, smiling. “The giant one is Fisher. You know Archer and Renata. And this is Ryder, the baby. You must be Eden.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry we’re meeting under such circumstances.”
“Dad’s tough,” Ryder stated. “He’s probably looking for some sympathy from his new girlfriend.”
The siblings smiled.
“Where is Clara?” she asked.
“Dad woke up and wanted her,” Renata said, shrugging. “He gets what he wants.”
Eden smiled.
“Be back,” Archer said.
“I’ll wait.” She kept patting Lily’s back, trying not to react to the head-to-toe inspection by each and every member of the Boone family.
* * *
“WHO KNEW YOU had it in you?” Ryder said, clapping Archer on the shoulder.
Archer scowled at his little brother.
“We’re happy for you,” Hunter exclaimed, smacking Ryder on the back of the head.
Archer ignored their teasing and followed the nurse. For once, he didn’t mind the picking. They were all so relieved their father was okay. Because if there was one thing they all agreed on, it was how much they loved their father. He was their rock, their cornerstone, a constant in their daily lives.
Even catching his father mid-kiss didn’t rattle Archer. Hell, his father had a right to be kissing Clara. He should have someone to kiss every day, to smile with, talk to and laugh with.
“Oh.” Clara jumped up, blushing.
Their father was grinning ear to ear. “If I’d known this was the way to get kisses from a beautiful woman and all my kids in one place at the same time, I’d have nose-dived off a horse years ago.”
“Daddy.” Renata laughed, moving to the other side of the bed to drop a kiss on his cheek. “No more diving. We’ll be better about getting together.”
“I’ll take that as a promise.” He patted Renata’s hand.
Archer stood at the foot of the bed, trying not to get hung up on the IVs, the beeping heart monitor or thick white bandage wrapped around his father’s head. “You hurting?” he asked, sitting on the end of the bed. He patted his father’s foot, resting his hand there, the slight contact enough to ease Archer’s lingering worry.
“My back, a little,” he said. “My head.” He smiled. “Guess that goes without saying.”
“What happened?” Hunter asked.
“Don’t know. Can’t remember much.”
Archer sat, content to watch his father and siblings. The quick banter and gentle teasing. His father might be bruised and bandaged, but he looked happy. Patting Clara’s hand on his shoulder, laughing at Fisher’s story—Fisher always had stories—Ryder’s quick comebacks, and Renata and Hunter taking turns shushing them all and telling them to behave.
“I’m only going to say one thing.” His father drew in a deep breath. “We need to be better about making time for this family. All of us, so these babies know their roots and they’re loved. You hear me?”
They all mumbled agreement, a long awkward silence stretching out before Hunter asked, “You like Archer’s gal?”
“You missed it.” Ryder paused, holding up his hands. “Archer was holding a baby. A baby.”
Archer sighed, running a hand over his face.
“She’s a very cute baby,” Renata said.
“She is that,” Clara agreed, smiling at him. “So is her momma.”
Archer grinned.
“She here?” his father asked.
Archer nodded.
“She was worried about him.” Fisher nodded in Archer’s direction. “I’m sure she was worried about you, too, Dad.”
The others laughed.
“I’m fine with her worrying about him. He needs someone to worry over him.” His father smiled.
“Okay, that’s a wrap.” Dr. McBride came in. “It’s late. You need rest. And there’s far too many children up past their bedtime in my waiting room.”
“Come on now, Rupert,” their father argued. “You can’t tell a man his grandkids are here and not let him see them. Bad for a man’s heart.”
Rupert McBride shook his head. “You can see them tomorrow. If you behave tonight.”
His father frowned. “Now hold on—”
“Dad,” Archer interrupted. “Getting worked up isn’t going to change his mind.”
His father frowned at him, then Dr. McBride. “Fine.”
The five of them hugged and kissed their father before leaving the room.
“She’s not going anywhere,” Archer heard his father arguing with Dr. McBride.
He smiled, returning to the waiting room. Eden sat, rocking Lily, talking with his brother’s wives. It was a cozy picture, one that struck him as right. He wanted her to fit with his family, to find friendship and love here. And his brother’s wives were good women—as far as women went.
She saw him and smiled. “How is he?”
He nodded. “Good. Don’t think you’ll be getting Clara back tonight.”
She laughed.
“We have to come back tomorrow,” Hunter said. “He wants all of his grandkids under one roof.”
“We need to work on that.” Renata shook her head. “We live in the same town, a small town at that. How hard would it be to get together once a month?”
The idea of regular family gatherings didn’t appeal to Archer. But if it would make his father happy, he’d do it. Nothing had prepared him for the terror he’d felt driving through the rain. He couldn’t find him. And every minute was one more minute his father was missing, hurt, bleeding... Seeing him in the mud, still and pale... He shivered at the memory. He’d slammed the truck into Park and dropped to his knees in the mud, frantic until he’d found a pulse.
Hunter had already called Caleb Brewer, a friend with a helicopter. It might normally be used for counting and tracking the white-tailed deer and exotics that lived on the ranch, but it had doubled as an ambulance. Archer had used plywood, a saddle pad and tie-downs to secure his father’s neck before they moved him into the helicopter. Seeing his father gray and lifeless... He shook his head. “I can do once a month.”
His brothers nodded.
“When he gets released,” Renata said. “At the Lodge?”
Archer glanced at Eden. He wanted her to be there, a part of this—his family. Maybe she wouldn’t go if he told her how he felt. Hell, telling her to stay and offering her a job wasn’t the same thing as asking her to stay—with him.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
“I’ve got my van,” she said, standing.
He shook his head. “I’d like to take you. We’ll get the van later.”
“Thank you.” Her smile was a thing of beauty. “Now?”
He didn’t realize his family was watching him. Until he tore his gaze from Eden’s. Every single one of them was staring. Even the kids. He sighed. “Now’s good.”
“It was nice to meet you all. I’m so glad he’s going to be okay.” Eden gave smiles, hugs and handshakes to the whole damn room before he managed to get her to himself.
It was only as he was moving Lily’s car seat into his truck that he realized someone was missing. “Where’s Ivy?” he asked.
“She’s with Clark.” Eden clipped Lily into her seat.
“Clark?” Archer started the truck, frowning. Who the hell was Clark?
She glanced at him, suddenly nervous. “My ex-husband arrived. He volunteered. Ivy was sleeping, so I figured he could handle it.”
The son of a bitch was here. Talk about exercising self-control. He glanced at her, hearing more than she said. “Not too hands-on?” He pulled the truck onto the highway and headed toward the ranch.
She shook her head. “He loves them, but they’re not a...priority. If that makes sense. I’m not sure it does.”
“You’re amicable?” he asked. He couldn’t imagine how that worked. But then, he couldn’t imagine letting Eden go.
“We try. He’s not really a bad guy. Just not family material.” She paused, stroking Lily’s brow. “He wanted...more.”
He watched the sweep of her finger, the way Lily’s brow relaxed, and smiled. More? Than his wife? His daughters? “Sounds like his priorities are out of whack,” he mumbled, taking her hand in his.
They settled into a comfortable silence. It was easier to breathe now, knowing his father was in good hands. And having Eden with him. Everything was better with her.
She squeezed his hand. “Your father is going to be okay, isn’t he?”
“The CT scan tomorrow will tell us more. But hopefully, it’ll be a matter of resting.” He turned his hand over, threading his fingers with hers. “I think we’re all willing to take turns making sure that happens.”
“Clara, too,” she added.
“You’re okay with that?” he asked, curious.
“She deserves happiness. I think your father makes her happy.” She ran her thumb across the back of his hand. “What about you? Are you okay with the two of them?”
“It’s good.” Never in a million years had he imagined his father letting another woman into his heart. But Archer had never been in love or shared a connection. Losing that, being alone, would be hard. If his father had found someone to love, who loved him, he had no business interfering.
“You’re a good son, Archer Boone.” He liked hearing her say that. And felt no small amount of pride at her words.
He parked the truck and carried Lily’s car seat inside.
“See, she’s home.” A man was holding Ivy. Ivy, who was crying. “She’s home.”
“Momma, where did you go?” Ivy wailed, tears streaming down her red-cheeked face. “I can’t find Mr. Snuggles. And you were g-gone.”
Archer frowned.
Eden crossed the room. “I’m so sorry, Ivy. You were asleep and Daddy wanted to stay with you. Mr. Teddy had a big fall and I went with Archer to see him in the hospital.”
Ivy was still sniffing, her breath coming in little puffs of air. “I-is h-he okay?” she asked.
“He’s gonna be fine, Ivy, don’t you worry,” Archer said.
Ivy nodded, still sniffing. “I couldn’t find you,” she said, burying her face in her mother’s neck.
Eden sat, holding Ivy close. “Did the storm wake you?”
“Uh-huh,” Ivy said, relaxing against Eden.
“I’ll put Lily to bed,” Archer said, heading into the suite. He sat Lily’s car seat on the dresser and unbuckled the clip, lifting her little body close. She stretched before curling into herself with a sigh. He smiled, placed her into the crib and covered her with one of the blankets.
He stared down at the baby, hoping Lily would stay asleep for her mother. Ivy’s tears had subsided, but the sharp tones of Eden’s and Clark’s voices let him know things were far from peaceful. As much as he’d like to pull Eden into his arms and have a long night’s sleep, he knew that couldn’t happen. He wasn’t raised that way. Before he took Eden Caraway back to his bed, she’d know what he wanted. And it wasn’t sex. Well, not just sex. He loved her. Now he just had to find the courage to tell her. And if need be, beg her to stay.