“Nothing wrong with flashy.”Archer chuckled when I slowed down to avoid Cecilia, who was pedaling her mint-green bicycle down the drive.“There’smywoman’s flashy ride.”
Cecilia was a sight, her long ivory skirt knotted against her thigh and flashing her black lace-up boots, which clashed with her feminine attire.She was a lithe creature with a rosy glow to her cheeks and a reserved expression.I’d talked to her many times in the bookstore, but she was a quiet soul who seemed more content reading behind the desk.Many times, I’d seen Archer walking the back roads with her impressive black mare.Yet I never saw him riding her.Sometimes he would be jogging alongside her, and other times she cantered across an unclaimed field while he watched.
I remembered the trouble she’d had with her ex.“She looks happy.”
“She has her good and bad days.There’s no fast track to healing, but that smile gets me every time.”
“I’m glad things worked out and she got the happy ending she deserves.Both of you.”
Archer poked his head out the window and laughed.“What are you doing out here, cutie-pie?We’re about to have a party.”
The brunette gripped Archer’s door, her ponytail swinging forward when she peered in.“Hi, Miss Thompson.Tak sent a message to Melody, but she’s not answering.He’s worried Hope might walk around the side of the house instead of going inside, and that’ll spoil the surprise.I’m supposed to meet them at the gate and ride in with them to make sure that doesn’t happen.She should be here any second.You better hide this car!”Cecilia touched hands briefly with Archer before cycling off.
When we neared the house, a Native man I didn’t recognize waved me in like an air traffic controller.The Arrowhead pack had built a massive garage off to the left that could hold a number of vehicles.
“That’s Hope’s father,” Archer explained.“A lot of people rode here together so we wouldn’t have as many vehicles to hide.He’s going to ruin the surprise if he stands out here parking cars like a valet driver.”
“Maybe you should tell him to go inside.”
Archer waved at the long-haired man.“You first.That’s one Packmaster you don’t give orders to.The minute he arrived, he put everyone here to work.As if we didn’t have enough to do.Tak’s easygoing, so he laughs it off.Virgil calls him the Taskmaster behind his back, but don’t tell him I said that.”
Hope’s father approached the car and tapped my hood.“I’ll park.”
A crippling fear made me clutch the wheel.“I can do it.”
He shook his head.“Not the way I have them arranged inside.Hurry before my daughter has her surprise ruined.”
Archer sputtered with laughter.“This is Miss Thompson, our local Councilwoman,” he informed him, stressing the last part.
The alpha inclined his head.
I reluctantly stepped out, praying he wouldn’t scratch the paint while trying to maneuver the vehicle into their packed garage.Archer escorted me toward the backyard, and I was pleasantly surprised by all the guests and décor.
“Hope’s family is here,” he explained.“It’s not your typical huge event.She wouldn’t want too many people all at once, so Tak narrowed down the invites.Grab yourself a drink!I need to check on Bear.”
While Archer jogged up the steps, I surveyed the yard.A white horse grazed in the back pasture behind the fence, her tail swishing as people chatted at round tables spaced apart.I carefully hiked up the steps in my heels while noticing the long buffet tables on the deck.Drinks filled one, but the others looked incomplete.
Mercy came flying out the screen door with a cheese tray and set it beside the gourmet desserts.
I put my arm around her.“How can I help?”
“You’re the guest.Y’all can relax at the tables down there.”
I met her eyes.“What can I do?”
“Well, I’m about to have an anxiety attack clearing everything out of the kitchen.It needs to be outside on the tables before she gets here.”
When she headed back in, I followed her, and we collected the snacks, plates, and utensils from the kitchen counters and island.
While carrying two veggie trays down the back hall, I spotted Lucian at the far end.As soon as he popped into sight, he turned back around and vanished.
Is he avoiding me?
“Fire alarm!Fire alarm!”Tak boomed, scaring me half to death.
After setting the snacks on a table, I glanced at the back door, then at Mercy.
She shrugged.“That’s code for Hope is rolling up the drive.”Mercy waved her arms frantically.“Y’all!She’s coming!Everyone quiet!”
