11. Geneva

11

GENEVA

When I walk into the kitchen, ready to make breakfast, I find Archie standing beside the counter with my coat in his hand. "I'm taking you out for breakfast, sweetheart. You're not cooking today."

"But I like cooking for you."

"And I like you cooking for me, baby. However, today, I want you to treat me. Will you let me do that?"

My stomach dips. I've never been spoiled by a man before. Heck, I've never been spoiled by anyone before. "Are you sure? You don't have to. I don't mind taking care of you. In fact…" I blush. "I like to do it."

"Come here." He holds open his arms.

I lay my head on his chest and wrap my arms around his waist. "Are we going to have sex in the kitchen now, honey? I did like the shower sex this morning. I bet sex in the kitchen will be fun. I can think of a few things in here I can use on you to make it spicy." I laugh.

"I am taking a raincheck on that offer, sweetheart." He hooks his hands around my hips. "But for now, I'm putting your coat on you, carrying you to my truck, and driving you to Willow's Diner for breakfast. Then we're going for a drive around Whiskey Creek. And then I'm taking you to Clyde's General Store so you can stock up on as many cooking supplies as your heart desires. Does that sound good?"

"That sounds absolutely divine." I tip my head back. "However, I do need you to promise me something."

"Done."

"But you don't know what the promise is, honey?"

"Whatever you want, I'm going to give it to you, sweetheart." He tugs me in closer. "What is it you want?"

"I want you naked tonight." I point to the big braided rug. "There."

His eyes fill with heat. "You've got it. Will you be naked, too?"

"Maybe." I lean up on my toes to give him a kiss. "We'll see."

He cradles my face in his hands. "I need to tell you something, sweetheart."

I kiss him again. "Okay."

"Take a deep breath for me first."

"A deep breath?" I wrinkle my nose.

"Humor me, sweetheart."

I keep my eyes on his and take a huge, deep breath.

"I'm in love with you," he declares.

My knees buckle as my heart soars but then falls so fast that I have to hold onto Archie to keep from passing out. "Is this real?" I hear myself whisper. "Is any of this real? Because… I feel the same way about you."

Archie yanks me off my feet, hoists my legs around his hips, and kisses me breathless. "It's real, baby. It's all real."

I rest my forehead against his. "I'm scared I'm going to wake up."

"It's not a dream, sweetheart."

He sets me down, and I'm still a little unsteady. "I've never been this lucky before."

"Neither have I, baby." He strokes my hair. "Neither have I."

"Archer has never brought a woman here. Ever." Ada fills my cup with tea. "I'm glad he's sharing you with us."

Dressed in a long flannel and a pair of jeans, she looks younger than her eighty years. There isn't an ounce of fat on her body. The woman is the epitome of good health. I hope I'm that lucky.

"He thinks the world of you and Clyde." I smile.

"We think the world of him. He's like a grandson to us."

"He's an intense man."

"He's a solid man." Ada sits down, her hawkish gaze studying me. "A good, solid man. They don't make ‘em like that anymore."

I pour a dash of cream in my cup.

"How about you? Are you a solid woman?" She asks abruptly.

"I think so."

"Good," she says as she pats my hand. "I was hopin' you were going to say that." She smiles wide. "And I already knew you were anyway. I was just testin' you, is all."

"How would you know?" I sip my tea.

"He chose you, that's how." She tips her head back and laughs. "There's no way he would ever choose someone who wasn't a good person, sweetie. If he's bringing you here to meet us, you're more than special, more than solid." She leans in close. "You're the one."

My mouth falls open. "Are you psychic?"

"No, sweetie. I just know the people I love, is all."

I look up to see Archer walking through the kitchen door. My chest squeezes at the sight of him.

"Hey, honey." I smile.

"Hey, you." He winks. "How would you feel about staying with Ada for a bit? I have a few errands to run."

"I would love the company." Ada points to the counter covered with baking supplies. "I have ten blueberry pies to make for the church bazaar. I could use another pair of hands."

"Ada, you don't know this, but my girl here is one heck of a cook. You get her to help you with your pies and enter them in the church baking contest, and I guarantee you'll win."

"Is that so?" Ada steeples her fingers. "I've never won. And I sure would love to steal the trophy from Emma Williamson. What do you say, Gennie? Feel like helping an old lady gloat?"

"I'd love to." I get up and head for the ingredients. "Let's win that trophy!"

Archie puts his arms around me. "I'll be back before you know it."

I lean into him. "Good. Because I can't stop thinking about our plans for later."

The heat in his smirk makes my toes curl. "Keep that thought, baby," he whispers in my ear.

"I will."

I watch him walk away, and every thought I had about running away evaporates into thin air. If he's willing to trust me without any doubt, I have to take the risk.

And I have to trust him back.