Page 55 of A Texas Hero

The Salty Dog Bar and Grill had a bar section on one side, separated from the restaurant section by a short hallway. The walls on the grill side were red brick, and there were handwritten chalkboards announcing the daily specials. The hostess greeted them at the door and led them to their table. As Zoey walked ahead of him, heads turned. He was not surprised, though some caveman instinct in him wanted to throw a blanket over her so no one else would appreciate her the way he did. Their server came, and they placed their orders.

“Question from a newcomer to your town,” Archer said when their server had left. “What in the world is up with the wood placard in the front window that says, Mr. Charming, and lists a bunch of years?”

Zoey laughed. “That’s an annual contest we have here during the summer. Both men and women compete for the title of Mr. Charming. It’s Ava Del Toro’s brainchild. She used to run the Chamber of Commerce before she got married and opened her coffeehouse.”

“So, one of the workers here won it?”

“Yes. Cole Kinsella, one of the owners, was the most recent Mr. Charming. He’s actually won a few times.”

Archer had met Cole before. He was definitely gregarious and friendly, so it made sense. He’d heard him more than once refer to an elderly woman as “darlin’.” There were probably not many people who didn’t love that guy. Were Archer to enter a Mr. Charming contest, he’d lose handily. He identified far more with Max than he did Cole.

“I’ve met the owners,” Archer said. “I’m especially fond of Max.”

“Yes, I can see why you would be. He’s a good guy.”

“You know, Zoey, there’s no reason you can’t have Twyla and Noah over on the fourteenth, in place of the party.”

“And you’d be my plus-one?” She smiled.

“Of course, if you don’t mind.”

“Obviously, I don’t mind, but actually, I was thinking about taking the day to do some quiet reflection instead.”

“Also a good idea.”

“Maybe it’s time for me to rethink the importance of having a silly grown-up version of a party like the one I used to have with my mother as a child.”

“I don’t think it’s silly,” Archer protested. “No one does.”

“Really? Sweetheart Day?” She gave him a wry look. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m not ten anymore.”

“It’s not silly to celebrate love.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it.

“We have February for that.”

He was about to tell her she could celebrate it all year long if that’s what she wanted, and he’d fight anyone who said otherwise, when a couple joined them.

“Hi,” said a pretty brunette. “I was sorry to hear about the party.”

“We were looking forward to it and already had a sitter,” said the dark-haired man with her. He turned to Archer. “Hi, I’m Adam Cruz and this is my wife, Stacy. Heard a lot about you.”

Adam was the sole restaurant owner Archer had not met yet, but apparently Max had been talking about Archer. Adam had previously worked as the chef and now supervised the kitchen, so it made sense for him not to be as visible as Max and Cole. He also ran the support group Archer had been avoiding. Even if he had wanted to attend—and he didn’t—he didn’t have time. After all, he couldn’t very well leave Zoey to go to a meeting.

He was still on the job even if these days it felt too pleasant to be called work.

* * *

“Join us,” Zoey said. “At least we can hang out a little bit tonight.”

Archer stood to give the couple the opportunity to sit together on the opposite side of the bench. He took the seat next to Zoey.

“So, I hear you’re working for Zoey now,” Stacy said. “And business is booming.”

“Well, I do what I can,” Archer said, biting back a smile.

“I thought you were former military,” Adam said, which meant he knew exactly what he did for a living. “This must be a change for you.”

“Yes, it’s definitely a change.” He winced.