Archer's Angels (9 page)

Archer slowly took in what his older brother was saying. “Are you saying we buy Mimi’s place for Clove?”

“For our babies,” Mason said. “The way we’re popping out all over here, this ranch isn’t big enough for all of us. I have to think of the economics of future generations. How will we send them to college? What will we buy their wedding dresses with?

“I ran a forward proposal the other night on the costs this ranch is running, with wedding gowns, educations, braces, college—these are just the basics for each child in the family—and we’re going to have to expand. Tighten up.

“Mimi’s place is ideal for two reasons. One, we know it’s a good property. The sheriff kept that place right. Also, we know ranch land here will appreciate. We’ll have more space to branch out, and I haven’t decided yet if that means cattle or agriculture, or something entirely different. For the moment, I think we buy it, keep strangers from moving in who may give us trouble over
the pond, and offer the house to Clove. I don’t see her and three babies fitting into any of our available scenarios. But Mimi’s place is just right.”

“Clove said they already have a farm of some type in Australia,” Archer said.

“Yes, but this is Texas land, next to her Texas family, where the Texas man she wanted so bad lives.”

“True, but her ties to her home are pretty strong,” Archer said, thinking of the inscription on the back of the picture. “She and her sister are very close.”

“As her husband, you’ll be closer,” Mason said.

“I don’t know. She was pretty desperate to have children for Lucy.”

Mason’s eyebrows shot into his hair. “What are you talking about?”

“Clove claims she’s giving the children to her sister to raise.”

“Have you gone stark raving mad?” Mason demanded.

“I didn’t say I like it—”

“I know you don’t! Well, figure out a way to make her change her mind. Those children are staying here. There’s no other way for it to be. Their Jefferson birthright is on this ranch.”

Archer shook his head. “I completely agree. I just don’t know how to get Clove to see it that way, and I’m not sure that a house is what would make her look favorably on me. Clove’s extremely independent.”

“And you’re an extreme wuss. Get back to her and win her heart. Surely you are not going to be the only brother in this family who can’t get his girl.”

“No, I’m not.” Archer glared. “I’m looking at the other brother who can’t.”

He strode away to find Clove.

She was morosely eating a muffin, looking as if she’d lost her best friend. She stood when he walked into the kitchen.

“Earlier you asked me a question,” Clove said.

Archer blinked. “I’m kind of lost on the question. There’s been so much drama. Could you refresh me?”

She took a deep breath. “You asked me, your bed or mine?”

Archer perked up at the mention of beds. “So I did. Yes, I did. Do you have an answer?”

She nodded. “I do. I’d like to stay in a hotel in Union Junction. I called my sister, Lucy, and she will be here tomorrow to stay with me until my visa runs out.”

He looked down for a moment, thinking about Mason’s words. Mason could not win his woman, and he was willing to give her house to Clove and the babies they were expecting. Frankly, he had not expected Mason to back him to this extent, given the reaction he’d had to Last’s baby.

Of course, this situation was entirely different from anything the brothers had experienced so far.

“I’m glad your sister is coming to be with you,” he said carefully, “but I’d feel bad for the two of you to be in a strange town with no one you know. There’s plenty of room here for the two of you to have time alone.”

She looked at him for a long moment. He saw something in her eyes change. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” he said, feeling hopeful that he might be targeting what was bothering her. “But right now, I’m going to tuck you into bed.”

“We have three houses, and Calhoun built his own on the property,” Archer said. “We juggle houses when necessary. Right now, Valentine, Last’s ex-girlfriend, is living in one of them with their child. Valentine would be glad to let you stay there. Knowing you might feel awkward about that, and figuring you might like a very quiet place to completely relax, I would also like to propose the foreman’s shack. Well, we call it a shack, but it’s a modest bungalow. Very homey.”

“Where will the foreman go?” Clove asked.

“Oh, we don’t have one anymore. I mean, we’re about to hire some extra help, since we’re down so many brothers, but no one’s living there now. Every once in a while, Shoeshine Johnson comes out to give us a hand, and he likes staying in the bungalow. He’s a real good farmer, and bus driver, and he knows bulls. So we use him when he’s available. But he’s not here now. As I say, the place is simple, but I like it. There’s a VCR and a video collection. Nothing on DVD yet, but…”

She smiled at him. “I’d feel very comfortable there. Thank you.”

“I thought so. It’s probably hard to be around strangers.”

“Archer…you and your family are being very kind, considering…everything.”

He nodded. “Let’s get you resting.”

She walked behind him as he took her bag. He reached back and put his arm around her shoulder, guiding her down the porch toward the truck.

“I’m all right,” she said.

“I know, but something about becoming a father to three makes me feel protective.” He grinned, opening the truck door for her. “I don’t think my brothers thought I had it in me. For fatherhood, that is. How are you feeling, by the way?”

“A bit tired, actually.”

“Well, you’re about to feel a lot better. You’re going to rest a lot, just like Dr. Edna Fern said.” He shuddered and started the truck. “I still can’t get over that name.”

“Archer isn’t the world’s most common name.”

“Nor is Clove, when you think about it. Or Clover.” He frowned. “What would you have done if your plan hadn’t worked?”

“Truthfully, I don’t know. Now that the consequences have come home to me, I wish I hadn’t done it at all.” She looked down at her hands. “I changed your life and I didn’t mean to. I think I would go to a sperm bank. That’s what I would do.”

He stared at her. “And miss out on all that fun?”

“It’s not fun for you or your family.”

“Actually, I meant the making love part. That was fun.”

“But over so quickly. You know what I mean?” She looked at him, her eyes wide.

He couldn’t believe his ears. “I was trying to be gentle since it was your first time.”

“Oh.” She blinked. “You mean it gets better?”

“Well, yes.” He wasn’t sure if his pride was hurt or not, and he decided he needed to overlook his ego screaming at the insult. “I’ll give you the chance to try to wear me out in a few days. When you’re feeling better.”

She shook her head at him. “My sister will be here.”

“Did you ever consider that I might have some restraint?” he asked.

“No,” she said.

“Don’t tell me you’re one of those women who believe that men are solely interested in their own sexual pleasure?”

“Well, yes,” Clove said. “You know, you did share an awful lot about yours and your brother’s exploits.”

“Yeah.” He frowned at her. “I am mad at you, just for the record. Personally, I think it’s wrong to make love to a man, get pregnant and not tell him. I know a lot of single guys would debate that with me. They’d love it if a woman kept that news to herself. Kind of spoils the routine, you see.”

“Yes, I do,” she said dryly.

“But not me. I always want to be right in the thick of things. Here we are.” He shut off the engine. “Simple, but peaceful. Just what Dr. Edna would recommend.”

She looked at the serene bungalow, then at him. “Thank you so much,” she said, “for everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I just don’t understand why you’re so nice about it all.”

He sighed and pushed his hat back on his head. “Look. I’m kind of a floater. I’m too far down in the family food chain to understand huge pressure. I watched my twin, Ranger, fall in love with a saucy young lady, and he had a helluva good time doing it. You might say it was an adventure for all of us. Now, I guess I’m on my own adventure. You hit me between the eyes—”

“Legs,” she reminded him. “But it was an accident.”

“That’s right! I’m still mad at you about that, too!” But he shrugged at her. “The fact is, if this is my adventure, then I want to enjoy mine as much as he did his. Well, some days it looked like Ranger was having fun, and other days he looked like he was pretty confused. My twin is happy now, though. You and I are bound together forever by three little bundles of joy, and I want us to get off on the right foot. If our feet don’t end up at the altar, so be it. But let’s have fun together.” He thought about that for a minute. “I’m sure it’s best for the children if we’re laughing instead of bickering.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“So, on to movie watching. Let’s get you tucked up in bed, and then we’re going to watch
Batman!
”

He saw her pucker.

“The one with Michael Keaton? Lots of stunt work,” he said hopefully.

She got out of the truck and walked toward the bungalow. Grabbing her case, he hurried after her. “My second choice would be
The Adventures of Mr. Bean.
Not dangerous stunt work, but I do love economical humor. How about that?”

She smiled and followed him inside after he unlocked the door. “Oh, it’s so homey,” she said. “I love the fireplace! And the plaid blankets, and the deer wallpaper—is that a real armadillo?”

“Yes, it is,” he said proudly. “And this is a real deer head, and this is a real squirrel and this is a real mountain lion. We’re very proud of him.”

She shivered. “It’s not very pretty, is it?”

He looked at the mountain lion with some bemusement before taking in her round-eyed expression. “I guess not. You know, I think I’ll move these critters into the attic. Make yourself comfy, and pick a movie you want to watch.”

Quickly, he put his old friends away and hurried down the stairs. “What did you find?”

She held up a video. “Is this what they call a girlie film?”

“Girlie?” He read the label, feeling himself blush. “Er, it’s a guy film. We don’t need to watch that.”

“But it’s
Suzanne and the Gunslingers.
I think that sounds adventurous.”

“No.” He hid it behind the other fifty videos they had. “This may be a problem,” he said. “We moved the VHS machine here when the DVDs came out because we figured we could watch the old stuff when we came here.
Sometimes we use this place as a hunting lodge, when Shoeshine’s not on the ranch. In fact, I think that’s
his
girlie movie!”

She laughed. “It is not. Poor Shoeshine.”

“I’m certain he left it here,” Archer said innocently. “Now, how about…
Silence of the Lambs
? Or even
Braveheart
? It has stunt work—”

“Here’s one.” Clove pulled it out and smiled at him. “And look. This one actually does have Shoeshine Johnson’s name on it.”

Archer took the video from her. “
Driving Miss Daisy
,” he said. “Clove, I don’t think there’s much stunt work in this one.”

She nodded. “I know. I’m kind of unplugging from the job right now.”

He gulped. “I guess Shoeshine doesn’t unplug from his. Wouldn’t you know he’d leave behind the one movie about driving somebody. And it doesn’t sound like anything explodes, gets naked and or has espionage in it.”

“Which makes it perfect for relaxing.”

He was pretty certain he’d gnaw his nails off from boredom. But if this movie was what Miss Clove wanted, then that’s what she’d get.

A knock sounded on the door. They glanced at each other.

“Are you expecting company?” Archer asked.

“No. Not until tomorrow.”

He opened the door. Mason stood there, carrying two sacks. Bandera was carting drinks from the truck, and Crockett carried firewood.

“We figured you needed groceries,” Mason said.

“Comfort food,” Last said. “Beer, wine, juice, water. Beer and wine for the father-to-be. Water for the little mama.” He grinned. “And firewood, in case this place has a chill on it since we don’t keep the thermostat turned on when no one is here. Yes, it is a wee bit chilly.”

Clove sank onto the sofa.

Archer felt a little overwhelmed by all his brothers’ attention. “We’re not exactly in the wilderness.”

“Still,” Bandera said cheerfully, stacking drinks in the fridge, “when there’s no sustenance, you might start imagining you’re looking for locusts and honey. And we even brought Ben & Jerry’s ice cream,” he said with a satisfied smile, “and pickles. We figured we’d save you the midnight run to the grocery, Archer.”

Archer glanced at Clove. She was torn, it seemed, between amusement and mortification. “They’re my family,” he said apologetically. “We’ve always been a bit overwhelming.”

“How are you feeling, Miss Clove?” Crockett asked.

“I’m just ready to sit down and watch
Driving Miss Daisy.
That’s what Archer chose for us to watch.”

“Archer?” Bandera looked at him with surprise. “Our resident nonromantic?”

“Where’s Last?” Archer demanded. “Just wondering, since the rest of you rode to our rescue.”

“He’s talking to Mimi, on behalf of Mason, the emotional chicken,” Crockett said.

“Hey!” Mason yelled.

Crockett shrugged. “Last will be right here. Helga
made brownies, so we put a plate on the counter for you.” He frowned, looking around the room. “Where are all the friendly beasts?”

“Residing in the attic for the moment.” Archer gave him the raised eyebrow signifying
discuss later.

“Can we talk to you for a moment, Clove?” Mason asked. “On a more serious matter. We won’t take up much of your time.”

“All right.”

“Give her time to change,” Archer growled. “She’s supposed to be resting. Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”

“I think we should talk tonight.” Mason looked at the brothers, and they all nodded.

“All right. Clove, take your time getting ready. We’ll all sit here and drink a beer.”

“Thank you.” She disappeared into a bedroom, then came back out. “Which bedroom is mine, Archer?”

All the brothers glared at him. Archer blinked.
Wherever mine is,
he thought, but didn’t say it. “You choose,” he said. “I’m easy.”

He wasn’t, but for the moment, he would ignore the pounding in his chest. He needed to get his brothers out of here so that he could have time alone with Clove, before Lucy arrived and he lost the chance to bond with the mother of his children.

M
ASON CLEARED
his throat after Clove left the room. “Archer, we’d like to talk to you as a family.”

“Go right ahead,” Archer said. “I’m listening.”

“We want you to work hard at making an honest woman of Clove.”

“What the hell do you think I’m trying to do?” Archer demanded. “I’m watching chick flicks. I’ve hidden our best hunting trophies. I’m working on the situation. I’m sure I have it well in hand.”

“We think you could wind up in a dodgy situation, when her sister arrives. Clove told Helga she was returning to Australia with Lucy,” Mason said. “That’s not the best thing for our babies.”

“
Our
babies?” Archer stared at his brother. “Since when did you become the welcome committee for tiny beings wearing diapers?”

“Since you’re having three of them, and they’re yours,” Mason said. “Ours.”

“And what was Last’s baby?” Archer demanded.

“Well, there were too many questions up front,” Mason said. “He wasn’t sure about this, and he wasn’t certain about that. Made it hard to get excited about the baby when he wasn’t paying attention to whether it was his or not. We’ve rectified that since then, and Last’s bundle of joy gets plenty of uncle love. But in your case, you know you’re having children with Clove, especially as she set out to lure you to the bassinet.” He wrinkled his forehead. “I suppose that would be plural now. Bassinets.”

“Okay, okay.” Archer rubbed his face. “So what? You’re all here to team up with me to convince her that life here is just what she’s always dreamed of? Come on, Mason. Life here isn’t what anybody dreams of, ap
parently. Everybody up and left as soon as they found a bride. Except Calhoun, but there were extenuating circumstances there.”

“We’re more than shorthanded now, Archer,” Mason concurred. “We can’t have you jetting off to Australia to lie on the golden beaches and chase little joeys. We need you here. You’re going to have to make certain you don’t mess this up. Last has gone to make an offer on Mimi’s house and land. Before it goes on the market to the general public.”

“
Last
did? Is there something wrong with
your
mouth?” Archer glanced at his brothers incredulously. Crockett and Bandera shifted uncomfortably, staring out windows as they leaned against walls. “Are you the world’s biggest yellowbelly? How can you sit here and lecture me when the best thing that’s ever going to happen to you is moving off her family ranch into town where you’ll actually have to make an effort to see her, the baby and the sheriff?”

“Archer,” Mason said on a growl, “you’re mouthing off about stuff you know nothing about.”

“Peace, brothers,” Crockett interrupted. “Let’s get on with the business at hand. Archer, Last is making an offer to Mimi that’s fair. As the member of the family who can get the job done with a minimum of wrangling, not to mention hard feelings, we felt Last was the proper one to offer. We want you to make an offer to Clove. Mimi’s house for her and her children so that she’ll feel comfortable staying here.” He took a deep breath. “It’s the right thing to do, Archer. You got her into
this boat—or vice versa—but she has no choice but to return to Australia, unwed and her children fatherless, unless you act.”

“You know,” Archer said, “I would like to act. I really, really would. But it’s hard when you show up acting like all Clove needs is a roof over her head. I’m telling you, this girl is not that simple. This is not a scheme on her behalf to hook me. She does not want me. She is not acting out of a desire to be with me for the rest of life as we know it. I wish it were that easy. I could have all the gold in the world and she would not be one whit more interested in me than she is at this moment.” He frowned. “Hang on. Clove’s gotten very quiet.”