Page 12 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“Yeppers. Daddy built this place for me and him to grows up in, right, Daddy?” Melody beamed up at her father like the man set the sun.
I knew the look.
It was the way I looked at my father.
He chuckled. “I purchased the land before Melody was even born. I knew it would be a good spot to build on. We finished construction before she even started walking. She took her first steps right here in this kitchen, probably trying to sneak a cookie.”
Her head tipped back in a full-bodied laugh as he set her back down on her feet. “I do love my cookies, right, Daddy?”
“You sure do, angel face.”
These two were something. It was clear that they adored one another.
“Let’s show Winnie the casita and see if she thinks it will work for her,” Archer said as he motioned for me to follow. Walking behind him gave me the perfect opportunity to take him in. He was wearing a black sweater tonight, with dark jeans. He was tall, and the man just had this presence about him.
“Winnie, you’re very pretty. And I love the bow in your hair. I like bows, too.” Melody slipped her hand into mine as we walked to the far side of the house.
She was a little bundle of sweetness, and I knew watching over her would be great fun.
“Thank you. I’ve always loved bows.” I chuckled just as Archer pushed the door open, and my eyes widened.
“Did you decorate this place?” I asked as I stepped inside the cutest room I’d ever seen. Wood flooring, with big windows looking out at the river. Cotton-white roman shades decorated the windows. We moved to the bathroom, which was equally spectacular. Small but very quaint, with the cutest claw-foot tub with antique gold feet and a little chandelier hanging above it.
I couldn’t get over how adorable it was.
“No. When I built the place, my mom helped me pick all the finishes in the main house. My cousin Bridger’s girlfriend, Emilia, is an interior designer, and she just did a refresh on the casita for me last month. So, I’ve had a lot of help.”
“Well, it’s stunning. This will definitely work.” I immediately thought about what a beautiful space this would be to write in. I could sit out on the patio looking at the river. It didn’t get any better.
“Obviously you’ll have full access to the kitchen any time you need it, since there’s a door attached to the house. But you also have your own entrance to come and go as you please when you don’t want to use the interior door.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, and I noted the two doors. It was a nice touch.
Melody clapped her hands together. “Can Winnie eat dinner with us tonight, Daddy?”
His green gaze locked with mine, and I tried to place the color. They were this deep emerald green with pops of caramel and gold. “I made some chili and cornbread, if you’d like to stay for dinner?”
“I’d love that. I knew it smelled good when I walked in,” I said with a laugh.
We spent the next two hours eating and chatting, and were now enjoying dessert. Melody told me all about her teacher and her classmates. She was adorable. She had this infectious laugh and sweet disposition. She talked about all of her uncles and aunts and asked repeatedly if I could come to Paris with them.
I was surprised when Archer’s cousin had extended the invitation as well, since I didn’t know that traveling to Paris would come with the job.
I’d certainly never turn that down. It was one of my favorite places in the world.
“Do you have a boyfriend, Winnie?” Melody asked as she scooped a bite of apple pie into her mouth.
“Melody, that’s not something you need to be asking,” Archer said.
“How come? Tommy says I’m his girlfriend.”
“You’re far too young to be anyone’s girlfriend,” Archer grumped.
I chuckled. “Well, Tommy has great taste.”
“Don’t encourage this.” He shook his head and laughed.
“It’s innocent. She’s five.”
“He’s really just my good friend, but he likes to call me his special girlfriend.”
