I want Georgia here, and that want has nothing to do with her body or sharp tongue, and everything to do with the peace I feel with her by my side.
“Crazy, huh?” Wilder murmurs. “People in this town really care about your grumpy ass.”
“What is this?”
“Your house warming party,” he says quietly, shooting me a wink. “Surprise.”
Grinning, I shake my head, still too shocked to move. Now I understand why they kept me out all damn day, refusing to let me come home.
“How the fuck did you pull this off?”
He barks out a laugh and smacks my stomach. “I love that you think I possess the ability to pull something like this off, but it was all your mom.”
“And us,” Colby says, skipping up to me, Clem right behind her. “We were sworn to secrecy.”
“It was so fun,” Clem agrees, smiling widely as she throws herself in my arms. “And you were so oblivious.”
Chuckling, I catch her a second before Colby shoves her way into my other side.
God, they’re so tall and grown up. When the fuck did that happen?
I squeeze my eyes shut and hold them hard, knowing damn well they won’t wanna hug me like this for much longer. Soon enough, they’ll be graduating high school, off to college or following their dreams.
And I’ve already missed most of their lives.
“We’re so happy for you,” Clementine whispers, sniffling.
Colby buries herself in my chest, curly hair tangling with my beard. “We can’t wait to meet our niece.”
The word punches me in the gut, but I barely have time to process it before another Archer voice cuts through the room.
“Move aside, baby sisters. The eldest and wisest has arrived!”
My eyes snap open and the girls giggle, slipping free from my arms as the oldest Archer child barrels her way into me. I suck in a sharp breath and hug the hell out Gemma, blinking back the burn in my eyes.
“What the fuck, Gem?” I breathe, tucking her short frame under my chin. “When… how…” Swallowing thickly, I push her back a bit and meet her glossy eyes. “You’re here.”
“So are you,” she whispers, wiping away a tear. “You’re in your house, Kade. On the farm, with your family…” Her throat bobs. “And a daughter? I’m so fucking happy for you.”
Gemma hasn’t been back to Heart Springs in over a year. Between Ryland’s constant work relocations, and their oldest, Finn, recently being diagnosed with autism, she’s had her hands full. And Grady—barely three—is already a whole damn whirlwind.
Jerking a nod, I glance away and rub the back of my neck. “I know,” I say thickly. “I’m happy too.”
At least, I think I am.
In reality, I’m still freaking the fuck out.
Barely got the call from Ethel twenty minutes ago. Haven’t even had a second to process.
“Give the boy some space,” my mom chides, tugging Gemma under her arm. She presses a kiss to her head and murmurs into her long, dark hair, “Missed you, sweetheart.”
A quiet conversation filled with tears breaks out between them, and I step away, giving them a minute.
But as I pass my mom, I pause, kissing her cheek, heart heavy and soaring all at once. “Thanks, Ma. Love you.”
She grabs my arm, yanking me into a quick, tight hug that nearly undoes me, then pulls back and gestures around us.
“Everyone in town came together,” she murmurs, smiling softly. “Donated things from their homes, or bought things forwhat you’re building here. Stocked the cabinets, and fridge. Filled your pantry with linens, and necessities. Susie Jacobs and Faith Clemmons both had daughters in the last couple years. They brought what their little ones outgrew. It’s not everything, but it’ll get you through for a while.”
