Chapter 18
Archer
Archer picked up his beer bottle and walked through the empty kitchens at Edward Hall. He waited for his sister, Daisy, to answer her phone. As soon as her face appeared on the screen, he blurted, “I think I’ve found a wife.”
Daisy scrubbed her face with her hand, waking herself up while she processed her brother’s statement.
“Go back to sleep. I’ll be back in a bit,” Daisy said to someone behind her.
“I’m sorry, Daisy,” Archer said. “I should’ve sent a text first.”
“It’s fine. I’m going to put you face down a second.”
Archer heard feet padding around on a tiled floor, and then the phone was back, showing her face while she moved through the bedroom. When Daisy was settled with a glass of water, her knees tucked under her, she put her phone on a cushion.
“I’m all yours. Tell me everything,” Daisy said .
“Who is he?” Archer asked, referring to the man she had in her bed.
“I’ll send you his LinkedIn profile later.”
“Are you safe?”
“You taught me how to be safe. Have faith your skills are being put to good use.”
Archer took his overprotective nature for his baby sister to the extreme. Their relationship was tight, just like his brothers, but he ensured Daisy was more okay than the other two brothers. This was the first time the four of them were separated for more than a couple of days and the further apart they had ever been. It didn’t sit well that he wasn’t there. What if something terrible happened?
“You’ll tell me if you’re in trouble, won’t you?”
“Honestly, Archer, you’d be the first person I’d call. You’ve got to know that. You’re my big brother.”
Mollified by her words, he nodded.
“Tell me about her,” Daisy prompted.
“She’s agreed to be my wife. She even offered when I told her why I couldn’t kiss her.”
“Did you get your kiss?”
“Yeah. That’s the problem. I like her and don’t think I can fake the relationship. For me, this is going to be a real relationship.”
“What’s the issue?”
“For her, it’s a short-term thing.”
“She said that?”
“Not explicitly, but she understands the deal is only until I get the business. I’ve abundantly made clear that this doesn’t have to be long term.”
“You know she could actually like you and want to see where this goes.”
“I’m not so sure. She’s been married before, and comes across as jaded about marriage. I don’t think she values the institution. For her, it’s a piece of paper to help us out.”
“From what you’ve said, you both like each other, as in like-like, so it won’t be a hardship. What is the agreement? How long? What happens when you get the business? Where will you live?”
Archer winced at her questions. They hadn’t discussed any of that. They were too busy kissing.
“I’ll probably have to iron those issues out. We didn’t talk about many details. I’m going all-in on this, and I think my all-in won’t be her all-in.”
“How long is she staying?”
“Her booking is for two months, but I need her to stay for at least three to make this ruse work.”
“What does she do for a living?”
“I think she’s a writer.”
Archer had no idea what Erica did. He didn’t think to ask. She’d hired five cottages for two months, so he didn’t much care what she did for a living.
“You think?”
“Erica’s reading a thick printed-out manuscript, so I figure she’s here to work through her novel. She wants to be an expert at synchronised swimming. It must be for her book.”
“You need to talk to her before she meets Aunt Cynthia. The dragon will go through her like a dose of salts if you don’t get to know Erica thoroughly.”
“How the hell am I going to sell this to Aunt Cynthia. She’ll never believe I’ve fallen in love inside a week.”
“Maybe date her for a month, then introduce her to our aunt. Cynthia misses nothing, so be visible with her around the grounds. Then, when you introduce her, our aunt will already know you’ve been dating her. ”
“Sounds good. It will take a month to organise a wedding date, and I’ve already wasted a week since the deal I made.”
“Make sure you tell us the date. We all need to be there to throw rose petals at the happy couple.”
Daisy grinned at her words. Archer had never met another person so bright and optimistic as his sister. She could see the good in everyone, including their mother, who she didn’t remember. It was the only sticking point between the two of them. He remembered his mother and still couldn’t understand why she’d walked out on her family.
“I promise to tell you when we’ve set a date. Thanks for listening to me. Go back to whomever you’re dating, and I’ll see you soon.”
“I love you, Archer. Take care of yourself. It’ll all work out.”
Daisy waved her goodbyes and ended the call.
“It has to work out,” Archer said aloud to the empty room.