After the two shots, Duke's ruddy complexion took on the look of a sandstorm sunset, clouded, dark, brooding.
Something was up with the old man, but this wasn't the time or place to pry. As far as Ridge knew, he could very well be that something. No point throwing gas on a blazing campfire. Monday. He only had to get through the weekend. Monday, he'd be gone.
Archer slung an arm around Ridge's shoulder. "Thanks for this. I know coming home was tough, and that you did it just for me."
"Couldn't let you get married without me. I know where all the bodies are buried," Ridge teased.
Archer chuckled. "We did tear up this town when we were young."
Ridge watched Duke pick up a putter and head to the AstroTurf green with Armand, his steps swaying rhythmically like a sailor who knew how to ride the swells.
"How's the eye?" Archer picked up a mug of black beer and took a sip.
"I'll live."
Archer shook his head. "It was reckless of Duke to take Majestic around a lot of people, especially a toddler."
"Yeah, well, you know." Ridge shrugged as if he didn't care, but it was camouflage. He'd always cared too much about what his father said and did. Spent his life doing the opposite. "Duke does what he wants. Doesn't think about anyone else. He hasn't changed a whit in ten years."
"That's not entirely true."
"No?"
"He's slowing down."
"He should." Ridge grunted, felt the sound root around in his chest. "He's chasing sixty."
"He has regrets."
Ridge raised an eyebrow, not believing that for a second. "He told you that?"
"C'mon, he's Duke. He's never going to come right out and say what he feels."
"So you could be way off base on the regret thing."
"Whether he admits it or not, your father is lonely. Remington and Rhett rarely come home, and you know Ranger. He lives and breathes the McDonald Observatory."
"Did someone say something about McDonald Observatory?" Ranger asked, sidling over with a Jack and Coke in his hand, eyes shiny with interest and liquor.
"See?" Archer grinned at Ridge. "None of you boys fell in the love with ranching the way Duke hoped."
"Four sons," Ridge muttered, feeling a crust of anger crackle up his spine. "And none of us good enough for him."
"I see your point," Archer said. "But Duke's got a hankering to have his family around him and lots of grandkids playing in the yard."
"Yeah, now that he's getting old, he's getting maudlin." Ridge snorted, the hotness of his breath burning the inside of his nose. "If he wanted a closer-knit family, he should have been a better father."
"Everyone has regrets," Archer said philosophically.
"I don't." Ridge clenched his teeth, heard them clack together.
"No?" Archer's tone was mild, but his eyes said he didn't believe a word Ridge was saying. "What about Kaia?"
Startled, Ridge drew back, eyed his buddy. "What about Kaia?"
"You don't regret not telling her you flew down to see her when she was in the hospital after her accident?"
"Why would I regret that?"
"I dunno." Archer lifted a shoulder, slanted his head. "You two were acting weird this morning when you came back from your house. Like something was going on between you. Maybe if you'd stuck around at the hospital until she came out of the coma you could have-"
"If I seemed weird in any way, it was because it was the first time setting foot in my house since . . ." He shrugged again. "Well, you know."
Archer studied him. "I thought maybe being in close quarters with Kaia threw you for a loop. You haven't seen her all grown-up. Peeking into her hospital room when she was in a coma doesn't count."
"Why would that throw me? She's your kid sister. There's nothing there." Okay, so he was lying. Self-preservation.
"My gorgeous kid sister."
"All your sisters are gorgeous."
"Tell me about it." Archer held up both fists. "Can't begin to tell you how many scars I got on my knuckles protecting their honor."
"I know," Ridge said. "I was with you a time or two."
"So really?" Archer prodded like a determined tabloid journalist. "No regrets?"
"I'm regretting that we're not playing poker," Ranger said. "Who's up for poker?"
"You'll win," Archer predicted. "You always do."
"Can I help it if I've got a poker face?" Ranger kept his face stoic.