Page 83 of A Texas Hero

There was no other way around this. Zoey would have to confront her father. She’d have a long talk with him about boundaries, always a difficult subject for him. The more she considered it, the more she realized that her father had always wanted her to come home. He’d dropped hints over the years, some bigger than others, and anytime he heard of a shop for sale in the small town closest to his ranch, he told her about it. As many times as she told him that she wouldn’t love being so far away from everything out in the country, he didn’t understand. All he required to be happy was a home with all the amenities and a golf course nearby.

There hadn’t been one at the time he’d moved, so he and a few partners had gone in and created one. He’d had his fill of parties and people and relished the quiet comforts of home. So did she, but her home was now in Charming. She loved being near the bay, the gentle Gulf Coast breezes and the people. After a brief, initial adjustment period when she did miss home, Zoey had never wanted to leave again.

Now, with Archer as his bait, Patch thought he could get her to move nearby so he could then try and recreate the life he’d lost—a life with his new wife and his daughter by his side. Not going to happen. It was time to grow up, time to move on, time to accept the new reality. She’d had to, and so would he. He was trying; she’d give him that.

Tonight, after work, she had plans to see Archer, but first a trip to the hotel to see her father before he went back to Amarillo. She worried that Robin would be there and make it difficult for them to have a private conversation, but she had to try. Naturally, he was staying in the penthouse suite, and Zoey took the elevator to the top, knocking once on the double mahogany doors. Harry opened the door.

“Hey, Zoey. How are you, sweetheart?” He waved her inside. “Your father’s working out in the gym.”

Harry directed her to a room in the back, which was a dedicated weight room. Ever the athlete, it did not surprise her to find her father lifting, Alec spotting him. He waved a greeting.

Daddy groaned and set the barbell down. “Zoey! Didn’t expect you. You just missed Robin. She’s gone back home a bit early since she got her dress. Her patients needed her.”

Zoey was relieved that Robin wouldn’t be here to witness this. “I’m glad I had something she liked.”

“Liked?” Her father got up, grabbed a towel and wiped his neck. “She loved it.”

“Obviously, Daddy, I’m not here to talk about the dress.” She crossed her arms.

“Let me guess. Archer told you about my offer.”

“Yes, he did. What were you thinking?”

“Hey, Alec is retiring, and he likes Archer.” He hooked a thumb toward Alec.

Alec put up his hands. “Don’t bring me into this. I just suggested it. You’re the one who ran with it.”

Daddy threw his towel at Alec, and he caught it with a laugh. “You’re no help.”

“Were you trying to get me to move back to the area?” Zoey said.

“Aha!” Daddy pointed at her. “I knew something was going on between you two. Did I call it, Alec? Did I?”

Alec lowered his head, sighed and removed his wallet. He handed a bill to her father. “You win, Patch.”

“Oh, my God, y’all are still betting on stuff like this?” She pointed between them. “This is my business. My personal life.”

“Sorry, baby girl,” her father said. “You’re so easy. It’s written all over your face when you dig a man.”

“You’re the one who sent him to me!”

“He was your bodyguard, not someone to date!”

“Okay, okay,” Alec said, walking out of the room. “I’m outta here.”

Zoey caught her breath, taking a long, deep one to calm herself. “I want you to know, he was always a complete professional. He’s got incredibly high ethics and wouldn’t violate them. It’s the kind of man he is.”

“Why do you think I’d like him working for me? I sensed it, too.”

“I hope that’s the reason and not that you’d like me to find more reasons to visit you or even move back.”

“Of course I’d like that. I’m a father. You never visit anymore.”

“I was just there in February.”

“And it’s now September.”

“Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t know how much it meant to you for me to visit.” She took a breath. “Honestly? I don’t like running into Peter. And it feels like he’s always dropping by the house unannounced.”