Archer shrugged.He honestly didn’t know.From the bits and pieces he’d picked up, she’d been in the hospital for a while, so he wasn’t sure what the hold-up was.
“You gonna go to the hospital?”
Archer frowned.“I wasn’t plannin’ on it.I don’t think one conversation with her makes us best buds.Why?Are you goin’?”
“Probably not.”Simon pulled out his phone and began texting.“I’ll let Violet know I’ll meet her at the house if she wants to go up there, but I don’t want to get in the way.”
Yeah, that was kinda how Archer felt.Plus, he wasn’t a fan of hospitals.
“If she doesn’t go, you wanna grab dinner with us tonight?”
“Can’t.Got a date.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yup.”
“With whom?”
Archer replied with a roll of his eyes because Simon already knew that Archer was interested in Violet’s best friend.Hell, he was more than interested.He was intrigued.Now, it was a matter of getting to know the man on more than a primal level.That would come eventually if their kiss that morning was any indication.And when they did, it would be so fucking good.
But he had to take things slow with Spencer.If he was being fair, it was partly because of Spencer’s revelation, but only a small part.He could still recall the conversation like it was just last night.But it wasn’t.It had been a couple of weeks since the night Archer interfered, making it his business to come between Spencer and the woman he’d been arguing with at Moonshiners.
“Excuse me,” the woman all but hissed.“I’d like to take my friend home if it’s all right with you.”
“It isn’t,” Archer told her.
“What?”
“I’ll take him home.”
The woman shook her head.“That’s not necessary.”
“I’ll talk at you later,” Archer called to Paige, hating to leave her but eager to figure out what the hell was going on between Spencer and the woman.
He urged Spencer forward and out into the humid September evening.
“I’ve got a room at the B and B,” he informed the man attempting to walk a straight line but failing.“You think you can walk?”
Spencer nodded.
“Good then.It’s a nice room.Not all that big, but it’s got a bed.You can have it.I’m used to sleepin’ on the floor.”
“I can call an Uber.”
“And risk that woman showin’ up at your place?”
Spencer didn’t respond.
Shortly thereafter, Spencer revealed the horrifying news that his ex-sister-in-law had raped him nearly a decade ago.Archer figured a revelation like that deserved a slow stroll rather than a sprint.He was sensitive to the situation to the point he would take his cues from Spencer, but he damn sure didn’t feel obligated, as Spencer had assumed that morning.
Archer also had some selfish reasons for wanting to take things slow.He was hoping to build something, and he knew from experience that racing to the finish line would not provide the foundation he was looking for.Coyote Ridge was the first place he’d been where he felt like he fit.It was weird, but he felt a spiritual connection to the small town, and he was eager to discover who he could be there.
“I know they’ve got personal stuff to deal with,” Simon said, pulling him out of his thoughts.“But I’ve got to get movin’ on this.I’ve stalled as long as I can.I’ll reach out to Brantley and Reese for a better time, but if they can’t do it soon, I’m gonna meet with Max Adorite and get the ball rollin’.”
Archer looked over at his friend.“You can’t go alone.”
“I know.”Simon glanced his way.“I found out Reese has history with one of Max’s sisters.I was hopin’ he could get me an in there.”
