Chapter Twenty-seven

ARCHER

Tim's friends turned out to be a good bunch of kids. I guess I should have expected that from him. A little high-spirited and loud, but at that age, with few responsibilities and worries, why not? They dug out Dad's old pool table from the clutter in the stables and set it up in the hall, and it kept them happy for hours.

I did my best to make them feel welcome, but it was obvious that when I asked them about themselves, it sounded more like an inquisition than conversation. Thank God for Ollie, who smoothed everything over, drawing me into the discussions and not letting my awkwardness with small talk get in the way.

On their last day, I came back to the house to find them collapsed in the sitting room looking exhausted, rather than crowded round the pool table. Anna was leaning against Tim, but I couldn't tell if it was because she was having problems keeping herself upright or something a little more friendly.

Ollie spotted me at the door and tugged me out of the room after him. "I told them what Tim was doing in the kitchen garden, and once they'd had a look, they wanted to help. It's brilliant, Archer—they've got so much done, more than Tim and I would have managed before his term starts. I think Toady might have dug up the runner beans by mistake, but even so, it's amazing."

I was impressed. Grateful, too. I didn't have time for the gardens, other than a quick ride around on the mower every couple of weeks to keep the grass from becoming too jungle-like, and anything Tim hadn't done by the time he went back to uni would remain undone. Though Ollie seemed to have taken an interest, so perhaps the garden wouldn't be completely neglected in Tim's absence. What they'd done was hard work, shown by the lack of the laughter that had been ringing through the house the past few days.

"That's above and beyond," I said. "Reckon take-out and some beers would go down well?"

Ollie looked at me, his eyes messaging something, and I finally realised what it was. Of course. "I'll check with Tim, find out whether he'd like that."

His smile at me was fond and encouraging. "Do it quickly because I can't wait to go to Avebury."

I left Tim with my credit card and a spending limit, and Ollie and I had a swift supper cobbled together from leftovers in the fridge before heading out. I couldn't help but compare this to the last time we'd gone to Avebury together to fly, when I'd thought of him as nothing more than an infernal nuisance.

This time, flying with Ollie over the stones was magical. It probably helped that he didn't crash into me. The night was cloudy and wild, with a strong wind gusting, and occasional breaks in the clouds allowed us to see the stones standing sentry as they had for millennia.

I could have stayed there all night, flying with Ollie, but I had a long day ahead of me, so at some point in the early morning, I headed back to earth. He followed me willingly, even though I was sure he wanted to stay here.

As I shifted, a strange, tight feeling gripped my heart, and I wondered if something had gone wrong with my shift. But no—it was the realisation of how much Ollie gave, while asking for so little in return. From everyone, but especially from me. And he deserved more.

My fingers fumbled over my buttons as the truth hit me, jolting through me until my breath stuttered. I loved him.

I knew I had to tell him. If this was just a bit of fun for him while he was staying with us, better for us both to know that before I got in any deeper and embarrassed him.

And if it was more than just fun for him… He deserved the old Archer, not this dragon I'd become who was nothing but duty and control. There'd been a time when I wouldn't have thought of the weakness I was exposing by sharing my feelings. I wouldn't have been obsessed with all the ways this could come back to bite me and those I was responsible for. Although I needed to protect my family, it couldn't be at Ollie's expense. He deserved to know what I felt for him, whether he accepted it or pushed me away.

Once we were both dressed, I pulled him to me with fingers that felt cold and clumsy with nerves. In the darkness, I couldn't see him well, but I could feel every beat of his heart, every breath he took. He'd become part of me.

"I love you." I forced the words out, my voice hoarse and strained.

He stood stock still, his heart pounding against mine, and a spike of panic hit me. I loosened my hold so he could easily turn away if that was what he wanted, and I thought it was. I'd fooled myself. Ollie was loving, giving, and full of life. He'd never want to be tied to someone like me.

Then he moved—but not away. He flung himself closer against me, his arms squeezing me tight.

"I love you too," he whispered.

We held one another, and the stones around us stood silent witness, our love now part of their history.