Page 35 of Archer

He wiggled the dining room window, testing the frame. His shoulders flexed beneath the material of his shirt as he worked, and I found myself tracking the movement.

Stop staring at the bodyguard.

I forced my attention back to the guitar. Tried another chord progression. Then frustration flickered.

My eyes drifted to the window again.

Archer had moved to the deck now, checking the sliding door. He looked up suddenly, and our gazes locked through the glass.

Heat flooded my face.

I dropped my attention to the guitar, fingers fumbling over the strings. When I risked another glance, he was back at work, but I could’ve sworn I saw amusement in his expression.

Mortifying.

I considered running away but set the guitar aside and went to make more coffee instead. If I couldn’t write, I could at least caffeinate.

The morning passed slowly from there. Archer worked outside while I pretended to work inside. Every time I looked up, there he was. Installing sensors. Testing locks. Moving with a quiet competence that was both reassuring and distracting.

By noon, I’d written exactly zero words, but I was hungry.

Knox’s Jeep appeared in the drive a few minutes later, and he bounded up the steps carrying logoed bags from Sullivan’s Seafood. I welcomed him inside.

“Hope you’re hungry,” he said, setting the bags on the table. “Maggie Sullivan insisted I bring this by and feed y’all.”

“Well, clearly she’s a mind reader,” I said.

Archer moved into the space beside him, signature frown in place. “Why is every woman in your life always trying to feed me?”

“You complaining?”

Archer thought it over and pulled a fish sandwich from the bag. “Just curious.”

“Mm hmm,” Knox said. “You don’t look as if you’re wasting away, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Archer bit into the sandwich. “I can’t banter with you when the food is this good.”

Knox clapped him on the back and helped himself to a hush puppy.

I took a sandwich, then a seat at the table. “Does Maggie own the restaurant?”

Knox’s gaze snapped to mine. “It’s her family’s place. Sorry, I guess I have a bad habit of assuming everyone in Carolina Bay knows her.”

I nodded. “I can see why you would, especially this time of year, when it’s mostly locals here.”

“Her older brother, Nash, is the sheriff now,” Knox said. “He’ll be working with us on your case.”

“Tell her I appreciate this,” I said. “I’d love to thank her in person, if she ever wants to stop by.” It was a desperate move on my part. I could use a friend in town. Alexis was trying, but she was multiple states away. It wasn’t the same as having someone nearby. “The same goes for Sloane,” I said. “Sending those groceries with Archer meant a lot.”

Knox agreed to pass along my messages, then he and Archer spent twenty minutes discussing security upgrades while I tried not to inhale the food. I’d barely touched my dinner last night, and I was officially hungrier than I thought.

“Cameras will be here tomorrow,” Knox said, gathering the empty containers. “I’m not sure what the delay was, but we’ll get them installed first thing. Review the plan when Colton sends it. If you agree with the camera placements, make sure the roofline is clear and we have a good place for mounting everything.”

“On it.” Archer walked him to the door, then carried the kitchen trash to the outside bin.

I poured two glasses of iced water and set them on the table, watching the men through the window.

Knox returned to the porch a minute later, and I opened the door.