The Sheriff's Plus One (The Kincaids) Page 9

  “You know what I don’t care what you were doing. You did me a favor. I sincerely hope you’re happy with your life. I am with mine.” He gathered his things and headed inside, even as Liz called after him.

  “You really don’t want to know?”

  He shook his head. “No. Have a good life, Liz, and stay the hell out of mine.”

  “You haven’t seen the last of me, Archer. I made you love me before and I’ll do it again.”

  Archer kept on walking, never looking anywhere but straight ahead. Molly waited for him at the end of his new path and there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d stray from that.

  Molly wiped the back of her hand on her forehead, but still managed to get flour in her eyes. She blew out a breath so hard that her hair moved with it. It didn’t matter though she was almost there with a new gingerbread recipe that showed cased pumpkin spices and min-chocolate chips.

  Hopefully, she could get Mr. Woodhouse to taste test these since Archer wasn’t a fan of chocolate—the hot weirdo. Who didn’t like chocolate? Her boyfriend, that’s who.

  Oh well, more for her.

  She giggled.

  Someone knocked on her door. Puzzled at who it could be, she washed her hands and attempted to fix the messy bun on her head as she rushed to answer it.

  Another insistent knock had her calling out, “Coming.”

  Liz stood on the other side. Shocked as anything, Molly simply stood there, her jaw falling open.

  “Oh, thank God, you’re home.” Without an invitation, Liz walked inside, snapping Molly out of her stupor.

  “Won’t you come in,” Molly muttered under her breath.

  “I’m so sorry to bother you, but I didn’t know who else to turn to. Obviously not The Yarn Shop—those women hate me. My parents are barely talking to me. I have to pay them back for the wedding.” Liz rolled her eyes. “But what can you do?”

  Show up, Molly wanted to say, but kept her silence on that topic. “Why do you think I can help?”

  “Because Archer trusts you more than anyone else, even the guys he works… his family.” She laughed. “If I didn’t know the two of you were best friends, I’d swear y’all were a couple. But that’s never been the case.”

  Molly didn’t respond to that.

  “Anyway, I thought the best course of action would be to talk to Archer first, but that didn’t go too well.”

  Liz didn’t know they were a couple. Did Archer not tell her on purpose? Was he regretting their relationship, now that Liz was back? She had to be cursed. She just had to be. “What did he say?” Molly asked lightly, trying to keep her emotions off her face.

  “Not a lot. I think I shocked him into silence.” Liz tucked a red strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll make my confession to you since I know you won’t hold it against me. That’s one of the things I’ve always liked about you, Molly. You never told Archer anything bad about me.”

  Molly tilted her head to one side. “What was I supposed to tell him?”

  “Nothing. I’m just saying that if I were best friends with a hot guy, I don’t know if I could keep things platonic.”

  “You can if you have respect for each other.”

  Liz gave her a look. “Maybe your nickname should have been Saint Molly instead of Parrish.”

  Wow. Was Liz always this petty and jealous? How had she missed it and was she only seeing it now because she wanted it to be true, or—

  “Over the past few months, I’ve realized what I mistake I’ve made, and I think it takes a lot of bravery to come back here.”

  “Am I supposed to compliment you for coming back after hurting my boy—best friend?” That much was true. Archer was her best friend.

  “You have to help me. As my former friend and best friend to Archer, you should want what’s best for him. And yes, I do think you should compliment me for showing up. People think I’m the worst.”

  “You are the worst.” Molly narrowed her eyes. “Furthermore, I don’t think demanding that I help you force your way back into Archer’s life is brave.”

  “How can you be so selfish. You see that I’m here. I want to make things right.” Liz stomped a foot like a child would. “Nothing’s worked out like it should since I left. Only when I was with Archer did anything make sense.”

  Molly knew exactly how that felt. Only, Liz had her chance, and she blew it. “No. My answer is no. If you want him so badly, then you’ll need to earn his trust back, and if he’s not ready for that or doesn’t want to try to be ready for that, then that’s for him to decide. Not me.”

  “You little bitch.”

  Molly gasped, then Liz did the same a second later.

  You’re in love with him, aren’t’ you.” Liz laughed bitterly, “This is rich. Of course, you don’t want to help me. You were simply waiting for me to get out of the picture. How long did you wait to crawl into my bed? A week. A couple of days. That night.”

  Molly fought the urge to slap Liz’s smug face. Instead, she pointed to the door. “Get out of my house.

  “Do the right thing, Molly. You know he deserves to at least have answers from me, and if it means he chooses me over you, then…” Liz shrugged. “or in some alternative world, he might pick you… but I doubt it.”

  “I feel sorry for you.”

  Liz’s face got all blotchy. “Not as sorry as I feel for you. Because here’s the facts, Parrish. You always do the right thing, even if it means you lose. And you know that asking Archer to give me the chance to explain is the right thing because you’d want to know the reason why I left, just like Travis left you.”

  Molly reeled as if Liz had struck her. “Leave.”

  Liz walked out, shutting the door behind her while Molly stared after her, moving to the window to make sure she actually left and didn’t camp out in her driveway. As soon as her call pulled away, she sat down in the nearest chair.

  The thing was Liz was right. She would do the right thing. Archer was hardheaded and yet she knew how much it bothered him that Liz left him without an explanation. If she were in his place, she’d want to know. Heck, when Travis broke it off with her, it nearly tore her into pieces until he confessed that he simply wasn’t ready for a commitment.

  So she couldn’t be a child or allow her insecurities to stop her from doing the right thing. But she wouldn’t do the right things for Liz’s sake.

  She’d do it for Archer, and pray that in the end, he’d pick her over Liz.

  Chapter 10

  Autumn afternoons in Star Falls were a sight to behold. The trees were vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. The air was crisp, smelling of campfires and Friday night football game tailgates. It was Molly’s favorite season, and she lived for the decorations, the town’s fall festival, and all the sweaters.

  Yet her entire life was crumbling around her into a black fire pit of despair.

  She had to tell Archer about Liz. It was the right thing, and if he decided that he needed to give Liza another chance, then she’d have her answer.

  Her stomach churned. She really didn’t want that kind of answer. In fact, she wanted to pretend she hadn’t seen Liz at all.

  Maybe she could cancel and put off the inevitable?

  The heard the front door open, and her heart sank as Archer called out her name.

  “Molly, how many times have I said to lock your door?”

  “A thousand,” she answered. “But I knew you were on the way.”

  He grinned at her, a sexy, familiar grin that would probably never be given to her again, and he swept her up in a hug. “Sorry, the cop in me and all that. I’ll do better.”

  “I have to tell—” He cut her off with a kiss so hot that she forgot her name, forgot where they were, and made her wish she could simply take him to bed. A beat later, they broke apart.

  “Wow. This is getting a lot harder.” He blushed. “No pun intended. Anyway, before we go, I need to talk to you.”

  Here was her chance. Her opening to do the right thing.
She wouldn’t have to tell him over dinner. She could make her confession in the privacy of her home, and when Archer decided to go after Liz, no one would see her tears. “Can I go first?”

  He ran a hang though his dark hair. “Of course. What’s up?”

  “Liz came by here yesterday. She uh…” Molly swallowed hard. Tears were starting to gather in her eyes. “She wants to talk to you, to make things right, and apologize for abandoning you on y’all’s wedding day.”

  Archer didn’t say a word. He simply stared at her like she had two heads or had revealed what was actually in Area 51.

  “So, um, I thought… oh God. I thought…” Tears started to fall on her cheeks. “I thought you should give her another chance. You two were together for so long that it’s only right you listen to her. I’d want the chance if I were in her position.”

  He made a noise, then said, “Is that really how you feel?”

  Biting the inside of her cheek, she nodded. Her stomach churned harder at her lie. She back up a couple of steps to run… to leave the room or Star Falls, she didn’t know. All she knew was that her heart was breaking, and she was sick—heartsick, more than she’d ever felt before.

  “You are a damned liar, Molly Parrish. Tell me how you really feel, or I’ll never speak to you again.” His voice was harsh, his features firm. Resolved.

  “Pick me. I want you to pick me. Not her. She’s not good enough for you, and I don’t care how that sounds. I would never leave you on our wedding day. I would never leave you at all, on any day.” Molly swiped at her tears, tipping up her chin. “I told Liz that I wouldn’t help her, but then I felt so guilty of standing in the way that I had to tell you. I had to do the right thing even if it cost me because I—

  “I love you Molly. I pick you. Every damn time, I pick you.” He crossed the small distance between them, kissing her with a ferocity that made her toe curls.

  “I love you, Archer. I love you so much it scares me.”

  He swept her off her feet, walking to her bedroom. “I told her no. I told her I didn’t want her in my life. I should have told her it was because of you, but I didn’t want to cause you trouble. I had no idea she’d come to you, and for that I’m sorry.”

  She cupped his face as he laid her on the bed. “No more apologies.”

  He stripped off his shirt and pants, toeing off his shoes at the same time. “I want to marry you. Hell, I already have the ring.”

  “What?” His words distracted her from the sight of his hard abs, powerful thighs, and the hungry look on his face. “You do?”

  “Yeah. That was the plan tonight anyway.” He nodded at his pants on her bedroom floor, then picked them up and pulled a box from one of the pockets. “I’m not waiting for a second longer, because I’ve waited my entire life for you.”

  He got down on one knee, and she sat up. He flipped the top open, a solitaire glittered at the center of the black box. “Marry me, Molly. You will always be the first person I kiss good morning and the last person I kiss at night.”

  “Yes.”

  He slipped the ring on her finger and threw the box over his shoulder before launching himself at her. They fell to the bed, laughing. Then kissing, and as his hands and lips traveled over her body and helping her out of the clothes she wore, there was nothing but the sound of their breath becoming one for a very long time.

  He loomed over her, his wide shoulders almost blocking out of the ceiling. She breathed heavily, her world full of stars as she came back to earth. He smiled tenderly, then laid down beside her, one of his hand caressing her bare hip. “You are so damn beautiful. I never expected to see you like this. Ever.”

  She smiled shyly, then more confidently as he kissed her forehead. “Would you mind if we had a very short engagement?”

  “Already have cold feet?”

  “Never. Besides, my body is too hot to ever have cold feet when it comes to you.”

  “You really know how to boost a man’s ego.” He smiled, full of male satisfaction. “I say we get married in two weeks.”

  “Perfect.” She pushed him down on his back and straddled him.

  “Again?” His large hands came to rest on her hips. “You’ve worn me out, woman.”

  “Well, you did all the work before now.” She bit her bottom lip. “It seems only fair that I contribute.”

  He cupped the back of her head and pulled her down to kiss him. “Anytime, love. Anytime.”

  Epilogue

  One year later

  Archer arrived at the lake on two wheels, worried as hell that he’d messed up on the time he was supposed to be there. Of course, Molly was already there, her pregnant belly on full display in the red bikini he’d convinced her to wear because he knew she’d look amazing in it. She wasn’t alone, though. His parents, along with most of his siblings, were with her.

  He smiled. With a family as large as his, none of them ever had to worry about being alone.

  Now, his small family of two would soon be three. Would they have more after this one? He’d like to think so, and Molly said she wanted an even number of kids. He guessed they’d wait until Baby Kincaid got here to decide.

  Right now, he’d settle for a first name that they could agree on.

  Quickly, he parked his truck and grabbed the bag that his wife had thoughtfully pre-packed for him from the passenger side before joining everyone lakeside. Damn, he was a lucky man.

  Molly turned his way, her green eyes lighting up as soon as she recognized him. “Archer, you got here just in time. Gunnar was about to eat the plate I fixed for you.”

  “Sounds like him.” Archer gently grabbed his wife up in a hug, kissing her as if he had all the time in the world.

  “Dude, if you don’t stop slobbering on Molly, I will eat your lunch.”

  Archer pulled away long enough to say. “Go for it. My wife has a back up plan for me.”

  She grinned. “You know I do.”

  He kissed her again, dropping the bag on the ground and wrapping his arms around her. Their son kicked against her stomach, effectively distracting him. “Oof. That boy is strong. Future soccer or football player, I think.”

  “Or he already knows how to edge out the competition for his momma’s time,” Gunnar said.

  “Those are fighting words,” Molly said as she broke free of Archer’s hug. She walked straight up to Gunnar, pointer finger going right in his chest. “Be careful what you say because that kind of talk will come back to haunt you.”

  “Please. No woman would ever ignore me.”

  Molly laughed, pleasing Archer to no end with her confidence. “Just you wait, Gunnar Kincaid. There will come a day that no matter how much you flex your muscles or smile charmingly, you will meet your match, and she won’t have the time of day for you.”

  Gunnar rubbed his jaw, his blue eyes glinting. “Archer, your wife just said that my smile is charming.”

  “Oh, Lord.” Molly rolled her eyes. “There is no help for you.”

  His brother shrugged. “Probably not, but I’m okay with it.”

  Archer got between them before Molly did something she’d regret, like throw his back up lunch on Gunnar. “I think you should take Banner wakeboarding.”

  Banner shook her head as she joined the trio. “Not today, bro. I’m working on my tan.”

  Gunnar arched a dark brow. “Yeah, nope, kid. We’re going in the boat.” He picked up their little sister, tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

  She grinned, giving Archer a thumb’s up while she complained loudly, “Put me down, Gunnar. I don’t want to go. I’m too old for this stuff.”

  “Not listening.” Gunnar didn’t stop until he got to the edge of the lake and motioned for their little brother Asher to bring the boat close to shore. “We’re going to wakeboard until you remember your age.”

  Molly slipped her hand in Archer’s. “Your sister might be a better strategist than Gunnar.”

  “There’s no might to it. She
played him like a fiddle.” Archer caressed her belly with his free hand. “You sure you have two more weeks, because…” He let out a whistle. “My boy is big.”

  “Stop scaring her,” his momma chided. “Can’t you see how wide her eyes get when you say that?”

  Whoops. “He’s regular-sized. Perfectly proportioned for an easy birth.”

  “Now you’re just over-doing it,” Dad said. “Women aren’t stupid, son.”

  There was no winning in this family. “I don’t think women are stupid.”

  “Of course not, dear.”

  “We raised you better than that.”

  Molly stood up on her toes. “I knew what you meant. Let’s go for a walk—it’s good for this boy of yours and me.”

  Archer gave the table with his plate of food sitting on it a longing glance, but he went along with Molly. His lunch would be there when he got back, mostly because Gunnar was nowhere near it. “Do you think we’ll have to start adding the boy as our plus one now?”

  “No, just family of three.” She giggled, then took a deep breath, wincing as her hand gripped his so hard that he winced along with her. “So, I’ve been having contractions.”

  “What?” He looked around, slightly panicked. Okay, a lot panicked, but he had training for this sort of thing. Only this sort of thing had never involved Molly before. “Should I call for help? An ambulance?”

  “Maybe the sheriff?”

  He nodded. “Good idea. Wait. That’s me.”

  “Yeah, that’s you.” She smiled widely, then grimaced again. “It might be false labor or Braxton-Hicks, but they’ve been on and off since ten this morning.”

  Abruptly, he did an about-face, taking Molly with him. If he thought it would help, he would have carried her the entire way. “I’ll take you to the hospital. You call the doc.”

  “I need my phone.”

  “You can use mine.” He waved at his parents. “We’re going to the hospital.”

  His parents cheered.

  “Call us.”