I Returned to the Day He Brought His First Love Home-Chapter 71: Matchmaking

"You think that Rhys boy is interested in our sister?" Lily Callahan nudged Nolan Winslow with her elbow.

Nolan Winslow couldn’t help but laugh. "You bet he is. If something hadn’t happened with his family back then, causing them to move away, he might’ve already been my brother-in-law."

"He’s already a Colonel, and so young, too. He’s bound to get promoted again."

"Sigh... why did Grace have to run into that damn scumbag, Caleb Forrest?"

Lily Callahan sighed as well.

Irene Lynch and Gregory Winslow were a little surprised by Archer Rhys’s arrival. They both instinctively glanced over at Grace Winslow.

Grace, however, didn’t notice. She was still focused on helping her young nephews and nieces with their homework.

The three little ones were doing quite well in their studies and learning quickly.

"Alright, time to wash up and eat," Irene Lynch called out, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Hurry now, Grandma made you all something delicious! Go wash your hands and come eat," Grace added with a cheerful smile.

She got up and ran over to help serve the food.

Gregory Winslow was already chatting with Archer Rhys.

He asked about Archer’s family and his job.

Grace couldn’t help but feel there was something strange about their conversation.

Especially the way Archer was acting... Why did it seem so familiar?

After a moment of thought, it hit her.

The first time she brought Caleb Forrest home to meet her parents, Caleb had been just like this. Her father, Gregory Winslow, had asked almost the exact same questions back then.

She was instantly mortified.

"Dad, are you conducting an interrogation?" Grace finally cut in when Gregory’s questions got more and more outrageous, even veering into Archer’s relationship status.

Gregory Winslow shot Grace a look.

Archer just smiled gently, saying nothing. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Lily Callahan whispered to Nolan Winslow, "They’re not even dating yet, and she’s already defending him?"

Hayley, who was sitting nearby, overheard and couldn’t resist chiming in. "Sister-in-law, who’s dating who? What are you talking about?"

Hayley had a loud voice, and suddenly, all eyes in the family turned toward them.

Lily Callahan quickly tugged on her arm. "What are you talking about? I didn’t say anything about dating. Don’t spread rumors."

The rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough.

"Sis, have Archer take you back to the factory later. He’s going that way anyway." Nolan Winslow had had a bit to drink, and his head was spinning so much he could barely walk straight.

He pulled Grace aside, giving her a few careful reminders.

Grace knew that both Nolan and Brandon Winslow had had a lot to drink.

Everyone seemed to be in high spirits tonight; they had polished off an entire bottle of liquor.

Archer, on the other hand, had kept up with them glass for glass but still looked perfectly clear-headed, showing no signs of intoxication. ’His alcohol tolerance is unreal,’ Grace thought.

"Alright. In that case, thank you for taking me, Archer." Grace didn’t refuse.

If she went back alone this late at night, there was no telling what dangers she might encounter on the way.

Human traffickers were especially rampant these days.

The two of them went downstairs together, and Archer went to get Grace’s bicycle.

"After you drop me off, just take the bike with you for now. You can bring it back some other day. I won’t need it for the next few days," Grace said as she walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Archer. The streetlights stretched their shadows long behind them.

Their overlapping shadows on the ground created a strange sense of intimacy.

Grace’s voice was soft, carrying a tender, lingering quality in the night air.

A smile touched Archer’s lips. "Mm."

They made small talk as they walked, and gradually, the sounds of the neighborhood faded into the distance.

There were no streetlights in this section, and it was pitch-black. Grace had trouble seeing the path. Fortunately, she had a flashlight. But just as she took it out, Archer suddenly covered her hand with his. His low voice was grave. "Don’t turn it on. There are people nearby. I think they’re here for you. In a moment, I’ll hold them off. You run back toward the police station."

Grace’s expression instantly hardened.