Hers.
Archer’s.
Everyone’s.
Time wasn’t guaranteed. Not for anyone. But it was a gift from God. One that came with an expiration date.
Cassie thought she’d reached hers in her office that day. She’d been lying there, struggling for air while Eddie did his damnedest to choke the life out of her, and she’d known she was seconds away from dying.
But then he was there. Her guardian angel. Her savior.
My man.
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
Archer’s sentiment brought her back to the present. Speaking of her man…
“So are you.” He really was. “Hey, Natalie’s almost to the door. I’ll see you in a couple hours?”
“Count on it.” Archer’s smile came through the phone.
Cassie ended the call and slid her phone into her back pocket. Punching in the security code, she disarmed the alarm and opened the door. Natalie Hayes—Logan’s wife—greeted her with a smile.
“Hi, Cassie! Oh, I love that sweater!”
“Thanks.” She stepped to the side so her new friend could enter. “I got it at that cute little thrift store downtown a while back.”
It was baby blue cashmere, and she’d gotten it for a steal.
“Oh my gosh, I love thrifting!” The pretty brunette hung her coat and purse on one of the coat and umbrella rack’s open metal hooks. “We should totally plan a day to go together.”
“Deal.” Cassie smiled.
She’d first met Natalie the day after the attack. Logan and his wife had stopped by to check on her and Archer, and despite the emotional struggles Cassie had been facing, she and the other woman had hit it off, right from the start.
“Are you ready to eat now, or do you want to wait a bit?”
“I’m down for whatever.” Natalie flashed her a friendly smile.
“Maybe a cup of coffee first and then lunch?”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
Cassie led the other woman into kitchen where she set about fixing their drinks. With their mugs in hand, they went into the living room. Natalie chose one of the two overstuffed chairs while Cassie sat at one end of the couch.
“You truly have a gorgeous home.” The other woman’s big brown eyes took in the parts of the house they could see.
“Thanks.” Cassie took a sip of her steaming brew. “I’m selling it, if you and Logan are in the market.”
“Actually Logan and I are in the process of building. We bought some land up north, just outside city limits.”
“Nice.”
“It will be, once it’s finished.” Natalie swallowed the drink she’d just taken before adding, “We’re going to have a small housewarming party when it’s done. You’ll have to come.”
“I will,” Cassie promised. “I mean, as long as Archer and I are still?—”
“Girl, please. That man one hundred percent head-over-boots for you. Trust me, he isn’t going anywhere.”