Page 27 of Sunrise Arrows

Further stepping away from Archer and closer to the instantly lovable whirlwind that is his niece, I quickly shove down the rush of emotion and mask it all with a practiced smile.

“Hi, Ellie. I see you found Briar.”

“Pajamas. I’m wearing pajamas,” my normally always made up to the nines friend bemoans, adjusting the lapels of her cardigan to cover her braless front. For good measure, she crosses her arms as well.

“Yep!” Ellie pops before rushing me with a hug.

Ryder and Archer are both quick to reprimand her, but I don’t let her go, dismissing their concerns over her invading my space. Instead, I sink down to her height and wrap my arms around her, hugging the little girl back. I’m even more in love with her than before now that I know she’s Archer’s niece.

Ellie squeals in my ear, making me laugh before she pulls back and launches immediately into a discussion about her upcoming birthday.

“It’s Tinsley Jacobs themed,” she explains, further detailing everything without stopping for a breath. “My invitations are backstage passes and we’re going to have strawberry shortcakes instead of regular cake since you said that’s your favorite and strawberry margaritas too but dad says they have to be mocktails because I’m only turning eight but that’s okay because there’s also gonna be a stage where we’re gonna do our own concert but since you’re here I thought you could come sing for me and my friends.”

“Ellie,” Archer interjects. “Tinsley is on vacation. She’s not here to?—”

“I’d love to,” I interrupt.

Her responding scream is at a decibel I’m certain only dogs can hear.

“SERIOUSLY?! Oh my gosh, Dad, did you hear that?! Tinsley Jacobs—my favoritest person in the whole world, the best singerever—is going to perform atmybirthday party!”

“I did,” Ryder chuckles, attempting to extract Ellie, who flung herself back into my arms when I agreed, from me. “But if you squeeze the life outta her, she won’t be able to make it, Elle-Belle.”

Ellie yelps as she releases me like the handle of a hot pan, those green Hayes family eyes wide. I brush off her ensuing concern and assure her that I’m okay. Then standing back up, I scrunch my face up like I’m thinking hard on something, my finger tapping the tip of my nose.

Out loud, I ponder to Briar, “Hmm, do you think she knows any of the words to my songs?”

“I don’t know,” she draws out, playing along and trying to squash the smile stretching across her face. “There’s a lot, but I’m sure she knows at least one all the way through.”

“I knowallof them,” Ellie defends. “Every single one of them.”

“You better not know every single one of them,” Archer gently chastises, brow raised as he stares his niece down.

“Except that one,” she sasses back. “I even know some of the dances from watching your music videos and concerts.”

“Then in that case, youhaveto perform with me.”

At her dropped mouth silence, Ryder congratulates, “Way to go, Tinsel; you’ve done the impossible and struck her speechless.”

“Briar, can you?—”

“Already on it,” she answers. Looking at Ryder she says, “We need to discuss details and plan a fitting and some rehearsal beforehand.” Extracting her phone from her cardigan, she begins making a list and marking down his and Ellie’s availability. When he mentions Archer normally picks Ellie up from school—her having been home today because of a teacher work day—and is with her in the afternoons, her blue eyes reflect the scheming that’s shining in his.

“Well isn’t that just perfect,” she nearly purrs, the two of them looking from Archer to me before sharing a mutual Grinch-like grin.

When they’re done and Ryder’s sent Ellie ahead to the main house, I’m ready to escape. Archer and I have barely looked at each other let alone spoken since being interrupted. And whatever was happening between us and the obliteration of my walls is not something I want to risk again. But before I can grab Briar by the elbow and make a run for it, Ryder asks, “Tinsley, when were you last on a horse?” keeping me rooted in Archer’s office.

“Um…”

“If you have to think about it, it’s been too long. Briar said you brought Archer lunch?—”

“Actually, I brought lunch for?—”

He continues talking as if I didn’t just try to extract myself.

“—why don’t the two of you go out for a ride, have a picnic, and catch up? If I recall, y’all would be gone for hours anytime you took Gatsby and Rowdy out.”

“I really?—”

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