Page 82 of A Texas Hero

She couldn’t have hoped for such good news. This was the luck that the rain had brought. These were the kinds of blessings that arrived when you had faith in love, took your time and never gave up hope.

“I got an offer today and told him I’d think about it.”

“Think about it? What’s there to think about? You’ve got to do it, Archer!”

When the words came flying out, she feared immediately they sounded too presumptuous. Maybe he didn’t want to give up Asia for her.

“First, as you know, Texas is a big state. I’d still be far from Charming, all the way up in the Panhandle.”

The Panhandle was far, but she could handle it. And her father lived there, too, so she could see him more often.

“It would still be a hell of a lot closer than Asia.”

“Yeah, but while Asia would be temporary, this job in Texas would be permanent. I’d have to move everything and make it my home. Houston would no longer be my base. I wouldn’t be doing much traveling.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know, baby.” Archer took her hand and kissed the inside of her palm. “There’s so much to consider.”

“Well, who’s the client? Are they going to pay you well?”

“Extremely well,” Archer said and met her eyes. “And that’s the other thing I have to tell you. The client is your father.”

At first Zoey thought she’d heard wrong.

“My daddy? Why would he offer you a job?” She froze for a moment. “It isn’t to be Robin’s bodyguard, is it?”

“Not directly, no,” Archer said. “It’s a family job. He said Alec is retiring and recommended me to take his place.”

“So, you’d be working for my father? At his ranch outside Amarillo?”

“And going with him on whatever trips he takes.”

Her mind immediately went to all the times she thought a man was actually interested in her but really wanted to get close to her father. And, of course, Peter, who Daddy would have loved for her to marry. Her father didn’t see her with Archer, obviously, or he wouldn’t be taking him so far away. Or, was he still trying to control her? Trying to get her to move closer to him, where he would always know every move she made.

She’d almost forgotten that the first reason Archer came here was because her father had indirectly hired him.

“He doesn’t realize how close we’ve become,” Zoey said. “Or, maybe he does.”

“I got the feeling he realizes we’re friends, but that’s it.”

“He’s trying to entice me to come home to Amarillo, and this time you’re the carrot stick.”

She’d worked so hard to find her own way here in Charming. To create something she could believe in and pass on. She loved her father, but especially with his upcoming marriage to Robin, it was important to establish boundaries.

“I can’t deny I was tempted, but I’ve decided I’m not going to take the job,” Archer said, tucking her close. “I need to be clear which Lambert comes first with me. Working for your dad would come with its perks, but I’ve always made my own way. No shortcuts for me.”

It was amazing to hear those words, even if they were not giving her what she wanted. For once, someone was truly choosing her.

“Are you sure?” Zoey framed his face. “Because it would keep you in Texas. I may not like you working for my father, but I like the staying in Texas part.”

“I’d much rather have my home base be Houston. That’s home. But Zoey, the truth is, right now you’re home to me. Wherever you are, that’s exactly where I want to be.”

He couldn’t have chosen sweeter words to say to her.

“I love hearing that,” Zoey said, and then she kissed him and took him to bed to show him how much.

Chapter Thirty