Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
Archer placed the blanket on the ground while Candy secured it with the heavy picnic basket.
“How do you feel? Does your stump hurt at all?” she asked as she opened the lid and took out two waters for them.
“It feels good,” he said, glancing down at the temporary prosthesis. “I need to hit the gym soon. The short walk nearly wore me out.”
“Do you want me to call for a ride back?” she asked, her eyes immediately went to his foot.
“No. By the time we eat and rest, I’ll be ready for the walk back,” he assured her as he adjusted his crutches and held onto her as he sat down. “What about you? You’ve seemed quiet since you returned from the hospital.”
Candy knelt on the blanket and proceeded to unload the contents of the basket. Archer pulled her onto his lap. “I lost you once because I didn’t have the words to tell you how I felt. Please don’t let it become another reason.”
She cupped his cheek and softly kissed him. “I’m worried about Dakota. She’s gone through so much, and I’m afraid they won’t find a suitable placement for her. I hate to think of her back at the teen home again.”
“You have feelings for this kid,” he said, watching her.
“I care about all of them,” she said, swiping at her eyes.
Archer brushed her hand away and used his thumb to wipe away the tears. “I know you do. It seems like Dakota has captured your heart.”
She nodded. “I guess she has.”
“Have you ever considered fostering her yourself?” he asked, picking up the strawberries and pulling one from the container. He held it to her lips.
Scoffing, she bit into the fruit, letting the juices dribble down her chin. Archer leaned in, licking it from her face.
“I’m a single woman. I don’t know if I qualify for fostering a teen,” she said quietly.
“I believe they do let single people foster these days. You won’t know unless you ask. Surely Kassie will back you. She wants Dakota to stay close,” he reasoned.
Picking up another piece of fruit, she held it for him to bite. “What about you? We’re living together. I can’t foster her without including you in the picture. We recently found each other again.”
Archer chewed and swallowed. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small box, handing it to her.
“Jonah made me promise to find you, and I believe in some way, he knew we were meant to be together. I’ve carried this ring in my pocket every day since I returned stateside.
Hoping one day, you’d find your way to forgive me.
We agreed not to waste time. It’s too precious.
If you want to welcome Dakota into our home, then I’ll support your decision.
I’ve grown fond of her. She’s a sweet kid. ”
“Oh, Archer,” she exclaimed as she opened the box to find a brown diamond cut in an emerald shape with diamonds along the band. He took it out and reached for her hand.
“I love you, Candace. I’ve known since the night I taught you how to dance at your cousin’s wedding.
Holding you in my arms, I realized how well we fit together like two puzzle pieces.
You belonged to someone else, and instead of speaking up, I did something unthinkable which hurt you.
I’ll spend my lifetime making it up to you, and I’ll never repeat the same mistake.
If you want Dakota to join our family, then let’s not waste time. Please marry me.”
Candy nodded, and he slipped the ring onto her finger. She peppered his face with kisses. “Yes, I’ll marry you,” she cried.
His hand ran along her back, and Archer leaned to the side, sending them sprawling onto the blanket. He kissed her lips and nibbled his way to her ear. His arm swiped the food, now forgotten, out of the way.
“I can’t believe this,” she whispered, still astonished as she glanced at her hand.
“We’re seizing every opportunity. Do you like it?
The chocolate coloring reminded me of your eyes.
Every time I peer into them, they warm my heart and the feeling floods my chest, down to my stomach, and through my toes,” he confessed.
“Every night, when I drifted off to sleep, they were there in my dreams, reminding me of why I needed to come home.
“I love it,” she murmured as her arms went around his neck.
“Pick a date and I’ll be there,” he vowed.
“Jonah’s funeral is this weekend. Since he’s the reason you returned to me, it’s only right I let him know I forgive him, too,” she said, glancing at Archer with tears in her eyes.
He caressed her face. “Why don’t we eat? Then we’ll head to the hospital and speak with Kassie. She’ll know who we’ll need to talk to concerning Dakota. This weekend, we’ll send Jonah off in peace, knowing we’re together. For what it’s worth, he did love you.”
“I’m sure he did. It must’ve taken a piece of his pride to admit he knew about how you felt,” Candy said, sitting up and gathering the fruit, cheese, and pinwheels she made that morning.
Archer shrugged as he reached for an apple. “Jonah never learned how to love one woman at a time. He never forgot about you, and I think the guilt of his deeds ate at him. This was his way of making it up to you.”
“He brought you back to me,” Candy said. “I can’t hold it against him any longer.”
He held out a sandwich to her, and she took it while giving him his water and feeding him.
“Let’s not say anything to Dakota yet. There’s bound to be a bunch of paperwork and home visits. If we don’t qualify as foster parents, it’ll break her heart. She doesn’t need another disappointment.”
“I agree. We’ll keep it to ourselves,” he said, giving her a bite of cheese. “It will help with my new job at Serenity Securities. I’m the weapons man. I’ll be in charge of stocking them, ordering ammunition, and inspecting each item after each use. Leo runs a tight ship, and I like the team.”
“Why didn’t you say something earlier? Congratulations,” she exclaimed.
“Thanks. I start when Doc says I’m in the clear,” he said, smiling. Archer couldn’t recall when he felt this happy. The woman before him pushed him at every turn. Candace brought him warmth and made him feel whole when he felt at his lowest.