“Clark, go to bed. It’s been a long day, and honestly, I need time to think,” she murmured, breathing Ivy’s scent deep.
Clark hesitated, his gaze bouncing between her and Ivy.
“What?” she asked.
He opened his mouth, then closed it. “Nothing. I’ll see you in the morning. Ivy was telling me there’s a big Labor Day parade?”
She stared at him. “I’m not feeling very celebratory at the moment.”
“So he’s staying?” Clark asked, pointing at her bedroom.
Right. Archer was in her bedroom with Lily. Chances are he’d heard their entire horrible conversation. The perfect way to end her evening.
“You barely know the guy—”
“Are you kidding me?” She headed toward her bedroom. But there was a ring of truth to Clark’s words. She’d known Archer only a week. A week and he was putting her children to bed and treating them like they were his own. That wasn’t normal, was it? She should have her guard up, be cautious. Instead of aching for his touch and the comfort of his arms.
“Come on, Eden, you’d freak if I did this,” he chided.
“Did what? He’s taking care of Lily so I can deal with Ivy. You should be thankful he was here or you’d have to actually engage with your children.”
Archer chose that moment to stroll out of her room. His expression was neutral—guarded. “She’s sleeping,” he said, acting like he hadn’t intentionally walked in on their fight. “Guess I’ll turn in.”
She knew there was no way he could stay, but she’d hoped they’d have time to hold each other. After Clark’s verbal minefield, the thought was doubly appealing. But Archer’s day had been long and stressful. In his gorgeous blue eyes, she saw the tension. She crossed to him. “I know tonight’s been... stressful.”
He stared down at her, making it easy to pretend there was no one else in the room. “Dad was lucky. We all are.” His gaze fell to Ivy, sound asleep in Eden’s arms. “She needed her momma.”
Eden nodded, smiling. “Nice to be needed. But I should put her to bed.”
His jaw locked, a slight crease forming between his brows before his gaze shifted to Clark. “I’m staying in Dad’s room here if you need anything. Get some sleep.”
She nodded, wanting to hug him, to burrow closer. “You, too.”
He ran a hand over Ivy’s head, hesitating only briefly before cupping her cheek. “Night, Eden.”
She smiled up at him. “Night.” She shifted Ivy and headed to her room, shutting the door behind her. She tucked Ivy in, stroking her soft curls and planting a kiss on her silky cheek. She didn’t know what the hell she was going to do, but she’d find a way to make it right.
Somehow.
For all of them.
She tossed her clothes aside, the simple act of brushing her teeth wearing her out. She took a quick shower, smoothed on some moisturizer and headed to
bed. But Clark’s coat and briefcase were there. And the box of her mother’s letters was sitting on the floor by the nightstand. Not stored underneath the bed, where she’d left it earlier.
* * *
“CLARK CARAWAY,” HE SAID, offering Archer his hand.
“Archer Boone.” Archer shook his hand, trying not to smile at the intentional pressure the man used. If the man needed to feel strong, he could squeeze Archer’s hand all he wanted. Archer knew the truth. Clark wasn’t strong. Hell, as far as Archer was concerned, Clark wasn’t much of a man.
“I appreciate you helping Eden with the girls,” Clark said.
Archer waited.
“She’s got a lot on her plate. Always going,” Clark continued.
That much was true. But he still wasn’t sure what this man was looking for. As far as Archer could tell, Clark Caraway was one of those men who used his looks and charm to make things easy. His brother Ryder could have been like that, but he’d been too hotheaded for anything to be easy. But that wasn’t the only difference between Ryder and Clark. Ryder would never try to put his problems onto someone else. No one should. No man should.