Except what did Caley want?
Issy glanced over at Caley to check on her. She looked pale and tired. But there was a smile on her face. And there was a lightness to her that he hadn’t seen before. He knew then that this was the right move. For too long, she’d been on her own. She needed people around her that cared. That would look after her if anything ever happened to him. He never wanted her to be on her own again.
“She looks better than she did,” Kent commented to him.
Only Daisy, Jed, Clint, Charlie, Kent and Abby were left, the others having gone once the presents were opened. He could tell by the shocked look on Caley’s face that she hadn’t imagined anyone doing something like this for her. She was now surrounded by a pile of gifts, from soft blankets to bumblebee slippers to fuzzy socks.
He was going to have to figure out how to spoil her.
Better but not great. He knew she was hurt by the way Archer just left. And he couldn’t tell her that was his fault. That he’d snapped at his brother and told him to fuck off.
Christ. What had he done?
“Half expected Archer to be here with you.”
“Why is that?” he asked, stiffening.
Kent took a sip of the beer he’d helped himself to from his fridge. “Offered him a job.”
He spun to gape at his boss. “You did? Why? Why would you need a shrink?”
Kent looked around then nodded to the back porch. “Come talk out here.”
Doc glanced over at Caley. Kent turned to his brother. “Clint, watch Caley, will ya?”
“Why? What trouble can she possibly get up to when she’s bundled up in a blanket with both her hands bandaged?”
Kent just stared at him.
“Yeah, okay,” Clint replied. “Clint’s Little-sitting service is here.”
Doc rolled his eyes at Clint’s grumbling. Truth was, the big guy watched over and protected everyone on this ranch. Whether they wanted his help or not.
Doc walked out with Kent. “Well? Why’d you offer Archer a job?”
“Is that so bad? Are you not getting along with him again?”
He ground his teeth together, looking out at the woods. “He loves Caley.”
“Told you, did he?”
Doc swung back to him. “You know?”
“It’s pretty damn obvious. I think the only one who doesn’t know is Caley.”
“So you knew he loved her, and you offered him a job? Have I done something to piss you off?”
“Pretty much dail
y. And yet I still care about you. Which is why I’m going to tell you this, don’t let your pride get in your way of happiness. Yours, your brother’s, but most importantly, Caley’s.”
“What the hell are you saying?”
“Archer loves Caley. You love Caley. You and Archer love each other. So…”
“You think we should share her?” he asked. Had everyone around him taken fucking crazy pills?
“Is that so crazy? I know several ménage couples. Hell, Bain was telling me that Ari’s three best friends are looking for a woman to share and there’s three of them.”