Cattail Ridge (17 page)

“Emma?”

She set the picture back down and turned, her arms going around his waist as she sobbed.

Stunned, Archer stood there for a minute, then enveloped her in a hug. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m here, Em. It’s okay.”

“H-hold me. Please, h-hold me. Hold me tight, so I don’t come apart.”

He got her to the couch and sat down. Maneuvering around, he stretched out and then pulled her down on top of him. He wrapped arms and legs around her, turning so that her back was against the couch, trying to surround her as much as possible. Then he held her while she cried.

A long time later her tears started slowing. He reached over his head to the table at the end of the couch and grabbed the box of tissues. He set it beside his hip and she took a couple of them and wiped her face.

“She’s my best friend, Archer. I can’t lose her.” Her voice was rough from the tears and she let out a jerky sigh as she relaxed against him. “Please tell me she’s going to be okay.”

“You know I can’t do that,” he murmured. He kissed her forehead. “But I think she’ll be fine. Doctors aren’t usually that optimistic if things don’t look good.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

She pushed against his chest and sat up. “I need the bathroom again. Sorry. Where are the washcloths?”

“The cabinet behind the door.”

The phone rang while she was in the bathroom. He saw that it was Logan and picked up. They’d almost gotten into a pattern of talking every day, and the new relationship they were building was stronger than ever.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“Just checking in. How are things?”

Archer told him about the accident. “Emma’s here now. She’s pretty upset.”

“I imagine so. Geez, Archer. Sounds like a damned close call.”

“That’s an understatement.” He got up and went to pour the coffee. “Zanny isn’t out of the woods yet, but it doesn’t look as grim as it did earlier.”

Emma came out then and he handed her a mug. He had half an ear on his conversation with Logan as he watched her move around the apartment. She stopped again at the bookcase and picked up the picture.

Logan picked up on his distraction. “You need to go. We’ll talk soon. Call if you need me, and tell Emma hi.”

“Okay. Take care.” He laid the phone down on the counter as she approached with the picture. “Feel better?”

Her smile was shaky but genuine. “Some. So this is Logan?”

“Yep. That was a couple of years ago, in Florida. He says hi, by the way.”

“That was him just now?”

Archer went around the counter to stand beside her. “It was.”

“He doesn’t smile very often, does he?” She sighed and leaned into him. “Sydney has told that newspaper joke to everyone she’s encountered, you know.”

“He reminds me a lot of Rachel, actually. Quiet, a little somber. There’s still some mischief there, though. He had to grow up way too fast and it took a toll.” He nuzzled her temple, then placed a kiss there. “What a day.”

She set her coffee and the picture down, and turned to wrap both arms around his waist. “I know I need to head home, but I just want you to hold me.”

“Your dad was going to call, tell them we’d be a while. You don’t have to go right now.”

“No?”

He shook his head and cupped her cheek, then tipped her face up. “No. Let me hold you for a while. Then I’ll take you home.”

Emma stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “You don’t have to do that. I can drive if you’ll drop me off at my car.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I don’t want to be separated from you. What with half your family at your house to chaperone, I’m thinking about inviting myself over for the night.”

She touched the hair that curled around his ear. “I think that sounds like an excellent idea.” She kissed him again but before too much heat could build up, she pulled back. “Now, about that holding?”

They resumed their spot on the couch. Legs tangled together, they took comfort in touching each other and being close. Archer tucked her up next to his side, and she smoothed her hand over his chest.

“What about Pip, sending Michelle and Burke down to the diner together?” she asked after a few minutes. Her voice reflected her amused pleasure. “Think it will work?”

Archer frowned. “I don’t know. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

She rose up on an elbow to blink at him. “Why wouldn’t I be?” When he shrugged in answer, she moved so that he had to look at her. “Archer, he’s only a friend. Always has been. Not to sound arrogant, but if I’d wanted Burke I’d have had him.”

He knew that was true but old insecurities died hard. “He’s an up-and-coming state trooper. I’m just a mechanic.”

Emma actually rolled her eyes at that. “And I’m such a stuck-up bitch that I care. You’re not stupid but I swear sometimes you’re an idiot. Just a mechanic, my ass.”

He had the grace to flush. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry. And today of all days… I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I heard from Candace last week and that has me a little out of sorts.”

A stillness came over her that told him she wasn’t pleased by the news. “What did she want?”

“Not what I expected to hear, that’s for damned sure.” He told her about the conversation. “I’m not sure how I feel about it. I guess I don’t feel much of anything and that has me a little guilty. Shouldn’t I? We were married for four years.”

Emma unbuttoned a couple of buttons on his work shirt and tugged the collar of his T-shirt down to expose the top of his scar. She traced it with a fingertip before letting the cotton go. “Seriously? You feel guilty? I’d be rejoicing from the rooftops. She’s getting what she deserved.”

Her fierceness made him smile even though the subject was grim. “You and Logan will get along well. And you would not be celebrating. You aren’t that vengeful. It’s a sad situation.”

She ducked her head. “Do you still have feelings for her?”

“No.”

“Well, you were married for four years,” she came back, an eyebrow quirked.

He tickled her ribs and pulled her down on top of him. “Any affection or fondness I felt for her died when she pulled the trigger. You can’t honestly believe I’d still be in love with her? Hell, I don’t know that I ever was.”

“I still don’t like her. I don’t like hearing about her, hearing her name.” She laid her head on his chest. “I’m a small and petty person and I don’t care.”

“Hush. You’re not small and petty. You’re jealous.”

He expected her to protest but she snuggled closer instead, reaching up to place a kiss on the underside of his jaw. “So? What’s your point?”

Archer laughed softly and tightened his arms. His hands were resting on the small of her back above the curve of her buttocks, and he moved them down slowly. The feel of her against him—her weight, her warmth, her softness—coupled with her admission, made the worries of the day seem a little less stressful.

“Emma…”

She stretched out along his length, her legs falling to either side of his hips in a casual, lazy slide. The movement brought her lower body into contact with his in a way that made his blood sing. He pulled her closer and she gave a contented moan as she sealed her mouth over his. Archer let her take control for a little bit but then he decided to turn the tables. With a smooth flip he had her underneath him on the couch.

Emma gave a surprised laugh but she didn’t hesitate in wrapping her legs around his hips. The cotton of his work pants and the silky fabric of her dress slacks were no real barrier, and he ground his hips down into her softness as the kiss grew more heated. He felt her fumbling with his shirt, pulling it out of his pants, and he lifted up so that she could have better access. She’d just gotten it untucked and her hands were sliding over his back when the phone rang.

She gave a frustrated growl. “Damn it to hell. You should get that.”

Archer was already leveraging off her, no more pleased than she was. He grabbed the phone off the counter. Emma’s own number showed on the ID, and he answered. “Hello?”

“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you,” Amelia said. “But Sydney is starting to get worried. Is Emma still there?”

“Hang on.” He handed the cordless phone to her without a word, his eyes locking onto hers as they both tried to calm their breathing. She bit her lip and Archer turned away with a groan.

“Hello? Oh, hey, Pip. She is?” There was a pause and Emma’s voice softened. “Hey, baby girl. I’ll be home in a few minutes, okay?”

He felt like a heel. Sydney, and the fact that she’d be upset given the day’s events, had been the last thing on his mind a few minutes ago. That guilt cooled the last of his ardor.

Emma sighed as she placed the phone back in its cradle. He heard her stand but didn’t turn around from where he had his hands braced on the counter.

“I have to go.” She moved until she was hugging him from behind. She let her head rest on his back. “Did you mean it when you said you wanted to go with me?” The question was tentative.

Archer turned around. “If you want me there.”

“I do. Do you want to pack a bag, and that way you can go straight to work in the morning?”

He leaned down and gave her a swift kiss. “Sure. Think Ben will be okay with me staying tonight?”

“It’s my house. He’d better be.”

Archer laughed as he headed to the bedroom to grab his things and change into street clothes. “He’s your brother. It doesn’t matter if it’s your house or not.”

“Does the idea of spending the night bother you?” She stopped in the door to watch him pack.

“A little.” He could tell the answer surprised her. “I don’t want your family–or you, for that matter–to think I don’t respect you. Because I do.”

She crossed her arms over her chest but her smile was soft. “If it makes you feel any better we can leave the door open. And I know a certain little girl who will probably insist on sharing the bed.”

“I could always bunk down on the couch.”

“No.” That was all. Just a simple “no.” The word was accompanied by a look so intense, Archer felt the world shift.

Once they got to Emma’s house the opportunities for intimacy went out the window. A tearful Sydney met them at the door and she clung, first to Emma and then to him, until he carried her upstairs. He sat in the big rocking chair beside her bed telling her a story from memory, and held her until she went to sleep.

Ben came up a few minutes after she dozed off and he stopped in the doorway to watch as Archer stood carefully and put Sydney in bed. He didn’t say a word, not until they were headed back downstairs. A hand on Archer’s arm halted him, and he turned to face Ben.

“I’m not going to do anything so old-fashioned as to ask you what your intentions are. You and Em are both adults and you’re responsible adults, to boot. And I like you. Always have. But I will say this. If you hurt my sister or that little girl in there, I’ll kick your ass all over Perry County.”

Archer gave a single nod. “Understood.”

Ben smiled. “Good. Let’s go get some food, you have to be starving.”

That was the end of it. Archer knew that Ben meant every word. He was going to do everything in his power to make sure Emma and Sydney were never hurt by his hands. If he failed he’d gladly offer himself up to Ben and any other Campbell who wanted a shot at him.

Chapter Twenty-Two

B
y Friday, Zanny and the baby were home. Sarah and Owen were staying with them until Zanny got back on her feet, and the whole family was in and out of the house, helping with anything that needed done. They decided to forego that week’s Sunday dinner as everyone was running on nerves and fumes to varying degrees.

Monday evening Emma closed up shop early, and after stopping by the house to change into comfortable jeans and a T-shirt, she headed up to John’s to do whatever she could to help. He’d gone back to work that morning and life was slowly returning to normal for everyone.

She didn’t see Sarah’s car in the driveway but Amelia’s little hatchback was there.

“Where are the folks?” she asked when she got inside and had greeted the boys and Sydney, who went back upstairs to play. Amelia had picked them up from Mrs. Hendricks’s house.

“We sent them home,” Zanny answered from her seat on the couch. She still looked a little tired, but her color was good and she was smiling. Her leg was propped up on pillows on the table in front of her. “They needed to go. Sarah will be back tomorrow, probably.”

“She and Rachel are going to take turns,” Amelia said. “The days Rachel has to teach, Mom will be here. When Rachel is off, she will. You and I get the weekend shifts, and I’ll stay the next few nights just in case.”

Zanny groaned. “I told you all I’ll be back up and able to do more soon. The doctor wants me to move around as much as I can. As soon as he gives me the all-clear from the surgery, I start therapy.”

Emma and Amelia exchanged a look. “Uh-huh. Give in gracefully now. As soon as you are physically able to push us out the door we’ll go. Until then, enjoy having us at your disposal,” Emma told her, walking over to look down into the bassinet where Molly lay sleeping. “Where do you need me?”

“Laundry and dishes,” Amelia answered promptly before Zanny could. “I have dinner going.”

Emma sniffed the air. “I noticed that. It smells scrumptious.”

“Beef stew, cornbread. Simple, good stuff.”

Molly shifted then, coming awake with a wide yawn. Eager to get her hands on the baby, Emma picked her up before she could do much more than kick at her blanket.

“Look who’s awake. What a beautiful little miracle girl you are,” she cooed. She sat beside Amelia and was still cuddling the baby when a soft knock sounded on the door. Amelia waved Archer in. He had a bright bouquet of fall flowers in one hand, a sweet teddy bear in the other.

“Hey. You’re looking much better,” he told Zanny as he handed her the flowers and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “How do you feel?”

She smiled up at him, a pleased flush spreading across her cheeks. “Almost human again. Thank you. These are gorgeous.”

“I’ll get a vase,” Amelia said, excusing herself. Archer took the seat she’d vacated.

“Look at her. I swear she’s grown since I saw her and that was only a couple of days ago.” He set the bear on the table and touched Molly’s foot with a gentle finger. She pushed against the contact and the smile that went across his face was beautiful to watch.

“Here. You should hold her.” Emma made the transfer carefully. Far from the hesitant way he’d accepted Sydney the first time he’d held her, he took Molly so naturally it took Emma’s breath away.

Molly seemed as fascinated by him as he was by her. He praised her, telling her how special she was, and Emma happened to glance at Zanny. She was surprised to see her friend reaching for a tissue to blot her damp eyes with.

“You okay?”

Zanny nodded. “Just glad she’s here.”

Emma reached over and clasped her hand. “Amen to that.”

Before long Molly was starting to whimper, a sure sign that she was hungry. Amelia reappeared just in time, a bottle in hand. She handed it to Archer, who settled in to feed the baby.

“You do that so naturally,” Zanny remarked.

“Yeah? I enjoy it,” he said. “Been a while since I had the chance to feed a baby.”

“Probably since Syd was little.” Amelia had perched on the side of the loveseat, and was supervising him closely. “Don’t forget to hold that end up a little or she’ll get gas.”

He shot her an indulgent look. “Yes, momma.”

Emma laughed. Standing, she stretched. “I’m going to get started on my chores.”

She got some laundry started in the basement and was halfway through the dishes when Archer came into the kitchen. He leaned against the counter beside her, hands in his pockets, and watched her.

“You looked natural holding Molly. You should have another one or two.”

Emma almost dropped the pot she was washing. “I beg your pardon?”

“You should have more kids. You’re a good mom.”

Surprise kept her silent for a long moment. “It isn’t quite as simple as just having a child, you know. There typically has to be a man involved in the process at some point.”

He nodded. “There usually is, yes.”

“It isn’t like I could go pick one up off the streets. ‘Hey, you’re a good-looking guy. Give me a baby, mister.’”

That got her a wicked grin. “Surely you’ve met one or two who’d fit the bill?”

Emma wasn’t sure where the conversation was going but she decided to play along. “Maybe. Not counting my brothers of course, I’ve met a couple. But most of the men I’ve met in the last few years weren’t interested in being fathers.”

He turned to face her, his hand gripping the sink inches from her hip. “Then maybe you’ve been meeting the wrong kind of man.”

“You think?” She wiped her hands on the dishrag and faced him.

“I do.”

“Huh. What do you think I should do about that?”

He moved a little closer to her. “Maybe you should look around, see if you’ve missed someone.”

“Are you volunteering?” she asked softly.

“Maybe I am.” He stepped in, pinning her back against the sink with his body. Before she could retort, he was kissing her.

Although they’d shared some passionate kisses before, those encounters didn’t hold a candle to this embrace. He threaded his hands into her hair and held her head still while he ravaged her mouth, using his tongue to penetrate her in a rhythm that was blatantly sexual. One of his hands went to her left breast, covering it with a heat that threatened to engulf her. Conscious of Amelia and Zanny in the other room, Emma struggled to hold back a moan. When he finally let her surface for air she rasped out his name.

“Archer, we can’t–,” was as far as she got before he took her mouth again. His lower body was pressing against her firmly and his arousal was obvious. He pulled back enough to trail his open mouth down to her jaw, then along the side of her neck. When he reached the spot where her shoulder met her collar he bit down lightly. Emma’s fingers curled, her nails driving into his shoulders as she hissed out a breath from between her teeth.

“If there weren’t other people in this house I’d have you across that table over there,” he growled in her ear. He took the lobe between his teeth and sucked lightly. “I intend to have you in my bed, Emma Campbell, and when I do get you there, I’m not letting you out.”

She somehow managed to stammer a response. “I’m a package deal. I don’t just have myself to consider.”

He came back to her mouth. This time the kiss was gentler, though still intense. “I know. I’m well aware of that. Always have been.”

Amelia’s gasp was the only warning they got. “Oh, geez! I’m so sorry.” As quickly as she’d come into the kitchen she was gone.

Emma’s face heated up to an almost painful level. Even through her embarrassment, though, she didn’t want Archer to move away from her. He touched her face as though he knew that and with obvious reluctance, stepped back.

“I’m going to go. Will you make my excuses?”

She nodded. He adjusted his erection, his eyes on hers the whole time. “If I stay… I have to go. I’ll see you soon.”

He went out the back door and for what felt like hours, Emma stood there, exactly where he’d left her. Her hands were curled, tucked up against her chest, and she felt like she’d been electrocuted. Her entire body tingled, especially her breasts and between her thighs. The temptation to head out the door and follow him home, finish what he’d started, was strong. If Zanny hadn’t needed her she knew there was a damned good chance she would have.

Amelia poked her head around the door. “Is it clear?” When she saw that Emma was alone she came in. “Did he leave?”

Emma nodded. “He kissed me.”

Her little sister laughed. “No, really? I didn’t notice. Damn, Em.”

Still dazed, Emma walked past her to the living room. She went to the loveseat and sat down, barely aware of the concerned look Zanny was giving her. Amelia came in a minute later, a glass of water in hand.

“I’m surprised this isn’t steaming, as hot as that kiss was,” she said as she handed the glass to Zanny. “Emma, are you okay?”

“Oh, God. Oh, my God. He… oh, I’m in such trouble.” She dropped her head onto her knees and tried to remember to breathe.

Amelia’s gentle hand on her back made her jump. “Is that a good, ‘Oh, God,’ or not?”

“Let me just say that I need a cigarette after that kiss, and if we ever end up in bed? The fire department had better be on stand-by.”

“That’s what I thought. I knew the two of you were for each other.” Amelia’s voice was full of satisfaction. “You can name your firstborn after me as thanks.”

Emma gave a strangled laugh. “That’s what started it. He told me I needed to have another baby. Oh, my God.”

For the rest of the evening, getting any sensible conversation out of her was pointless. Eventually Zanny and Amelia gave up. John gave her some odd looks after he got home but he thankfully didn’t try to puzzle it out. She knew he’d probably quiz Zanny once she and Sydney left, and that was embarrassing enough.

She wasn’t ashamed to have been caught kissing Archer, but it did concern her that something so simple as a kiss had left her addled.

“It’s only because you haven’t been touched like that in over five years,” she told herself as she loaded the dishwasher after they’d eaten dinner. “That’s what it is.”

It was too bad she didn’t believe that. No, something told her that Archer and the chemistry they shared was the explosive component in the mix, not her self-imposed celibacy. There was only one way to find out, she knew, and she was starting to look forward to that discovery more than she had anything in years.