Here with us the archer.., p.1
Here With Us (The Archer Brothers), page 1
HERE WITH US
THE ARCHERS BROTHERS
HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN
© 2022
The right of Heidi McLaughlin to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000. This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
COVER DESIGN: Sarah Hansen: OkayCreations.
EDITING: Edits by Amy / Briggs Consulting
Created with Vellum
CONTENTS
1. Evan
2. Ryley
3. Evan
4. Ryley
5. Evan
6. Ryley
7. Evan
8. Ryley
9. Evan
10. Evan Jr.
About the Author
Also by Heidi McLaughlin
CHAPTER 1
EVAN
As soon as I pull up to the curb, Ryley rushes out of the car and up the stairs of the two-story home she’s had her eye on for months. Denying her would’ve been selfish. When she started hinting that she wanted to move back to California, I knew it was because of Lois, Penny, and her mom. When we moved to Washington, it was to get away, to hide from what was going on. I needed to protect Ryley and EJ and monitor Brigadier General Harold Chesley. However, with Ted Lawson and his father, Admiral Jonah Ingram, behind bars and Frannie dead, being away from our family didn’t seem to make sense anymore.
The truth is, even though my relationship with my mom is strained, it isn’t with my sister, and I’d like to spend more time with both of them, we well as my brother, Nate. We still have a lot of rebuilding to do, as far as our relationship goes, but we’re getting there. I know deep down he did what I asked. I guess I never thought he’d take it as far as he did. Since our lives have calmed down, I’ve seen a therapist to deal with my issues. It was my choice because I needed someone impartial to listen to me about Nate and Ryley’s relationship. There are times when I can’t stop thinking about them being together. I know I was presumed dead, but I feel like he took my request to watch after Ryley to the extreme. I never meant for my brother to take over my life, especially where my son is concerned. I’m still waiting for EJ to call me dad, and at this point, I’m starting to think it’ll never happen. That right there increases the anger I still have for Nate.
EJ and I merge from the truck and head toward the back of the trailer. He walks next to me with his matching work boots on. When we sat him down to tell him we were moving back, he was more than excited, even though he had already made some friends in Washington. Living here means he’s with his grandfather, which I know Jensen will love. Honestly, being near the Clarkes will be better for all of us.
Also, being back here means Ryley will be closer to her bridesmaids, making our upcoming wedding easier for her to finish planning. I’m told I need to show up when I need to be in places, smile when the camera is facing my way, and find my way to SEAL beach the day of our wedding. As if I wouldn’t be there. I’ve been waiting to marry Ryley for as long as I can remember.
EJ holds Deefur by his leash and stands back while I lower the gate on the pull-behind trailer. A moving company is bringing our big stuff in a few days, but Ryley didn’t want to stay in a hotel or at her parents' until they arrived, so we packed our essentials and towed them behind us.
“We have a lot of stuff,” EJ says as he climbs up the ramp.
I stand behind him with my hands on my hips and sigh. I thought about asking McCoy and Rask to come by and help but didn’t want to bother them on their weekends. McCoy is busy being a father and husband, not to mention training would be SEALs, and Rask went back to active duty, which surprised me, although he has nothing else but the Navy. His parents still haven’t come around, and as far as I know, he’s given up on trying to convince them. Can’t say I blame him.
“Can I help?” EJ asks as I start pulling boxes out.
“Yeah. Why don’t you take Deefur and put him in the backyard?” I motion toward the house, and EJ nods. He takes off running with Deefur trotting along right beside him. Ryley’s still in the house, and I have a feeling she’s making her way through each room, posting sticky notes where she wants everything to go.
I survey our new neighborhood, trying to see who is peering out their windows right now. I hate thinking everyone has an ulterior motive where my family and I are concerned, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that people are watching. This area is full of military families. It wasn’t what I wanted, but Ryley fell in love with this house, and I can’t deny her anything. Ryley has given up so much. I just want her to be happy.
A line of cars pulling onto our street grabs my attention. They’re going too slow for the speed limit. My hand instantly goes to the piece I have in my waistband. I know I’m being over the top, but once you go through the shit I have, you can’t be too cautious. Frannie may be dead and Lawson behind bars, but I’m not convinced every player in the massive cover-up has been caught.
The lead car slows as it nears me, and the grip on the metal handle tightens, and I start to pull the gun out as the somewhat tinted window rolls down. “What’s up, asshole?” Tucker McCoy leans out of the window, laughing and smiling as his car passes by. The truck behind him is Justin “Rask” Raskin with my sister in the last vehicle.
My hand finally relaxes once everyone is out of their cars. The screeching of Ryley turns my attention toward the house where she’s running down the stairs toward Penny. They meet halfway and crash into each other in a fierce hug, and then head into the house without a backward glance. My reservations about moving back here quell when I see how happy Ryley is.
“You missed me so much you had to move back?” Tucker McCoy slaps me on my shoulder. I finally release my grip and bro-hug McCoy. He knows why we are back. It’s not only because of him and his family but also the Clarkes, my sister, Rask, and Raymond “River” Riveria. River’s around, but things haven’t been the same since we rescued Penny. Unfortunately, River fatally shot Frannie, and I don’t care how much damage someone does to you. Shooting your wife has an effect on you that is hard to shake.
“I couldn’t live without your charming good looks.” We both laugh until he steps aside for Rask.
“About damn time. I need more family down here,” he says. His words hit me square in the chest. I’ve often thought about visiting his parents but realize they won’t listen. Their son died as far as they’re concerned, and Rask is an impersonator. Hence one of the reasons I fear there are more players out there trying to bring us down.
“Well, thank Ryley. Moving back was her idea. I’m just along for the ride.”
The guys make room for my sister, Livvie. She hugs me tightly and whispers into my ear, “Thank you for coming back. I’ve missed you, EJ, and Ryley.”
“You’re welcome, Tink.” I kiss her on her cheek, and when she pulls away, she hides her tears.
“Aunt Tink,” EJ yells, getting all of our attention. He rushes down the steps and launches into her arms. Livvie catches him flawlessly and twirls him around in the air. Seeing them together is another reason why moving back was the right decision. EJ needs his family. When I came back, I uprooted him from the life he was accustomed to, thinking I was doing the right thing. I’m not sure if either decision to move to Washington or return to California is what’s best, but I want him to grow up surrounded by people who love him. EJ needs to be a boy, a kid who runs around and plays, gets dirty in the mud, and rides his bike until the sun goes down. He shouldn’t have to worry about who could be lurking in the shadows. That’s my job.
“Not that I want to break up this happy reunion, but these boxes won’t haul themselves into the house.” I point to the small stack I already pulled out and to the trailer. McCoy and Rask each grab a box or two. “Ryley will tell you where they go. She has a system.”
Ryley’s system of packing and unpacking the boxes is unique. Instead of labeling the boxes by room, she numbered them, and if I know her, everything is corresponding inside the house. She swears this will help us unpack effectively.
“I’ll take this one,” EJ says as he squats to lift a box. I watch, waiting to see if he’s going to struggle with the weight, but he seems to lift it like a champ. But I’m still cautious, so I follow him inside with Livvie right behind me.
“It’s good that you’re back.”
“I know,” I tell her. “Things will be different.”
Her heavy intake of breath doesn’t do anything to calm my nerves. There’s tension between her and our mother. They live in a house divided. Livvie is on my side while our mom favors Nate and still feels he should be with Ryley. Never mind that Nate and Cara have been together for a while now, and to my knowledge, Nate hasn’t made any unexpected trips to see Ryley. When he does come visit, Cara is there. Why my mother can’t seem to grasp her sons are with the women they’re meant to be with boggles my mind. However, I do know she’s not shy about sharing her distaste with Livvie, which puts her in an awkward position.
Inside, the house is bustling with noise. It’s not th
“Archer,” she says as her fingers brush my hair away from my ear. There’s something about the way she says my last name that drives me insane. My hands lock behind her back, pulling her close until her body presses against mine. I thought I was happy our friends came to help, but now I want them all to leave so I can be alone with her, in our new home. “Thank you.” Her lips briefly press against mine. The kiss doesn’t last nearly as long as I’d like, but we have an audience, and I’m not about to embarrass her. I’m saving that for the day she finally becomes my wife.
“For what?”
“For this house. For moving us when you weren’t sure it was the right thing to do. I don’t know why, but being here feels right. Coronado is our home.”
“Yet, we met in Washington. One could easily say our home is there.”
Ryley nods and pulls her lower lip in between her teeth. “One could, but our lives started here.”
“I beg to differ. Our lives started the day I threw the football at you.”
“At me?” she cocks her eyebrow.
“Errant throw, but clearly someone was helping us along, making sure we met.” And thank God we did because she would’ve met Nate the next day, and I … well, I don’t want to think about what it’d be like not to have Ryley in my life. I’ve already lived it once. “We can argue all day about where we should or shouldn’t live. If being here makes you happy, I’m happy.”
“But I want you to be happy here.”
I lean down and kiss her, holding my lips there a bit longer than she did. When I pull away, I lightly cup her cheek. “As long as I have you and EJ, I’m happy. We could live in an igloo in Alaska or a tiki hut in the middle of the desert for all I care. As long as we’re together, my life is complete.”
Ryley rises onto her toes and kisses me again. “I love you. Now put those boxes in the kitchen.” She tries to pull away, but not before my hand swats her on her ass. She lets out a little yelp as she hurries away from me. I do as I’m asked and deposit the boxes into the kitchen before heading back out to the truck.
CHAPTER 2
RYLEY
The sun barely peeks over the horizon, casting a soft glow into our room. Evan’s pressed against my back, holding me tightly. He’s been this way since we moved back, and I fear he’s going to live with a constant internal battle, wondering if we’re being watched or not. Part of me wishes I hadn’t suggested we move. I wouldn’t if I had known he was going to be on edge. Evan tells me he’s happy, that he’s fine, that moving was the right thing for our family, but I wonder if he’s ever going to stop looking over his shoulder.
Soft lips brush over my shoulder while a strong arm pulls me even closer to his warm body. I smile and snuggle into the embrace of the man who is so close to being my husband. Our wedding day is finally within reach. We’re down to weeks, no longer months, and I can’t wait to walk down the sandy aisle to marry my best friend as the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash into the shore. My mom is finally able to walk on her own, and I told Evan once she could, we’d marry. Seeing her take those first steps without any assistance was one of my happiest days.
“Are you ready for today?” Evan’s lips ghost over my skin, causing goosebumps to pebble all over. I shiver, even though I’m not cold.
“I suppose today will be like any other day with our family and friends.”
“Mhm, something tells me you’ll be pampered.”
I roll over his arms to face him. “What do you know, Archer?”
“Nothing,” he says, smiling. “I swear.”
“Why do I not believe you?”
Evan shrugs and kisses the tip of my nose. “I don’t have a clue about these things, Ry. I’m just guessing that a bridal shower’s the time when the bride gets pampered by her friends.”
“And what will my groom be doing?”
“Standing in the background, admiring my soon-to-be wife.”
Evan and I lean in simultaneously, and his body starts to roll over mine. That is until our bedroom door bursts open, and we’re attacked by fifty pounds of dog with a slobbery tongue. I scream out while Evan wrangles Deefur away from us, and EJ laughs in the doorway.
“Time to get up,” EJ shouts. Since we’ve been back in California, I’ve seen a difference in him. Before, he was a kid, going through the motions of a daily routine. Now, he’s jubilant and excited to do any and everything he can before the sun goes down. I know a lot of that has to do with my father and the fact that he picks him up every day for fishing, hunting, shooting, and any other sport-type activity they can do.
“Hey, bud,” Evan says as he sits up, while I choose to whine that it’s too early when in fact, I’m not sure what time it is.
“Papa and Grandma are here. They’re trying to be quiet and said not to wake you, but—”
“But where’s the fun in that, right, bud?” Evan says.
“Of course!” EJ lifts his hands up as if waking us is a no-brainer.
“Fine, we’re getting up, but only if you make me some coffee,” I tell my son, who readily nods and calls Deefur to follow him. Deefur will do anything EJ asks him to do. I love their relationship but have often thought about adding another dog into the mix. Deefur is getting up there in age and often can’t keep up with EJ’s fast-paced way of life.
Evan pulls our covers to the side, leaving me no choice but to get up. Of course, with my father being here, Evan will want to visit with him. He and my dad have a special bond, one that cemented solidly after Archie died. My dad was there for Evan and Nate, by their side, as they buried their father. Men like Jensen Clarke are hard to come by, and I thank him every day for being an example to the men in my life.
Evan is up, out of bed, and dressed before I can even begin to swing my legs over the side. Lately, sudden movements have caused my stomach to spin and my head to become lightheaded. My mom says it’s the heat, and I’m not accustomed to it yet, but I’m not so sure. Sometimes I feel off and slightly paranoid, although I don’t have a reason to be. I’ve yet to say anything to Evan out of fear he’ll think someone is watching us. I don’t necessarily think that’s the case, but one can never be too sure. I’ll never forgive myself for moving us back here if someone is.
The cold hardwood floors feel good against my bare feet. Maybe my mom is correct in her thinking. It’s so much hotter here than Washington. I don’t remember the heat being so unbearable before.
I point the shower dial more toward the blue rather than red. My body shivers as I step under the spray. The cold is a welcomed relief. I tell myself I’m going to call the doctor, but the reality is, I won’t. I’m sure that whatever I feel right now is paranoia or anxiety.
By the time I’m out of the shower, dressed, and my hair and make-up are done, my house has come alive with varied voices and music. When I get downstairs, decorations in my wedding colors of purple and cream adorn every possible free space in my family room, and my mother is barking out orders to the guys. Evan walks with his hands full of white folding chairs and kisses me softly. He lingers there, waiting for my reaction. All I can do is smile at him and thread my fingers through his hair.
“Finally,” I mumble.
“Finally,” he replies.
My father and Tucker march into the room without a second glance toward me. They lift my couch seamlessly and maneuver it out of the room. If I had known my sister-in-law and best friend were planning to have my bridal shower here, I would’ve insisted this room stay sparsely decorated to avoid what’s happening now.
