Page 88 of Quiver

“I just woke up.”

“Get hoppin’. You have work to do. There are arrows to shoot and horses to ride and people to impress, because Talia Stamos agreed to this absurd plan of yours, and, for some unknown reason, she actually sounded excited.”

Kylie’s eyes opened all the way for the first time. “Seriously?”

“Serious as a heart attack, babe. She’ll be there in three weeks, and she didn’t fully commit, but she might bring Sophia along. You have a command performance for two of the biggest names in the business. Please tell me you’re ready.”

“I am,” she said quickly, then grimaced remembering how she’d gotten into this position in the first place. Was she rushing to overcommit again on instinct? She slowed her breathing and tried to quiet her spinning thoughts like she’d learned to do before taking a shot. Then, clearing the present from her mind, she deliberately recalled the details from her practice session yesterday afternoon. She and Winston had moved effortlessly together. The timing still wasn’t perfect, but she continued to make progress and had every reason to believe she’d continue to do so, especially with Fletcher’s own abilities continuing to improve. Still, something kept her from feeling comfortable with the unequivocal “yes” she’d first offered.

“I have all the skills,” she started more tentatively, “and I’m still improving daily. We’re also working on a plan to sort of stack the deck in my favor, so I’ll look impressive compared to the other riders. I may also play the role of ringmaster or emcee for the event to show off my knowledge.”

“Yes.” Mimi practically cheered. “Let them see you in command, your grace, your poise. Wear something regal, not like a costume. You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard, but don’t make it a big leap for them to see you in a royal manner.

It wasn’t a bad idea. “Sounds good. The place isn’t fancy.”

“Do you want me to arrive early so we can stage it a bit?”

She couldn’t make the question compute. “Arrive where? Here?”

“Yes. I’ve been thinking, and while I don’t love the way you went about this, what you did was ballsy, and I’ve always liked you. You might be able to pull this off, and if you’re going all in, I guess I can, too.”

“You don’t have to come up here.”

“I remember how far out of civilization that place is, but my presence will lend you credibility.” Mimi laughed. “Besides, I plucked you from obscurity once because you showed me what you were made of. If you can do the same this time around, I’ll do my part, too. We’ll both be back in the city by midweek, and we can all pretend this little kerfuffle never happened.”

Then Mimi disconnected, having said all she needed to, and in her usual, abrupt way.

Kylie drew her knees to her chest and stared out the window. The words were all correct. They had a place, a date, an audience, and the faith of one of the most powerfully connected agents in the business. She’d done what she needed to do to seize this moment, and Mimi wasn’t wrong. They’d both done this before, right here, and with a project every bit as life-altering. Her entire past and present suggested she could summon a repeat performance, only, as she watched the snow falling on the barn and paddocks, she wasn’t sure she wanted to do all the same things again.

She closed her eyes and pictured Fletcher sleeping down the hall, her dark curls soft and fragrant from last night. Her body tightened and ached for the press of her lips, and the kiss they’d been so close to. She didn’t want to pretend none of that had happened. Still, she did want the part. In some ways, she wanted it more than ever since she’d hit her stride with the archery. She wanted a chance to shine, to prove herself, to take something meaningful and give it voice and life.

Her heart beat a little faster, whispering she still wanted everything Mimi offered her then and now, but this time around, she also wanted more.

“Damn, it’s good to see you sitting up,” Bob said as he and Jenny walked by with bows in hand.

Fletcher nodded from her perch atop a hay bale, her back resting lightly against a barn wall. “I’m doing better every day. Thanks for taking care of the horses last week.”

“No problem. Jenny fed and watered the wild one there.” He nodded at Gabrielle. “I’m as surprised to see her out here as I am you.”

Fletcher shrugged. “We’re a team. We’ll figure it out together, which is why we’re both watching and learning today.”

“That’s right. I’m running the show, and you promised to behave.” Kylie stepped forward, a pair of jeans hugging her hips and a deep-blue waffle weave shirt snugged in all the right places.

Fletcher wondered briefly when she’d started noticing such things, or at least when she admitted to noticing them, instead of technical details like the guard around her forearm or the functional heel of her riding boots. “I haven’t moved an inch since people arrived. I’m just sitting here playing … what did you call it? Horse hostess?”

Kylie flashed a genuine smile. “I like you in that role.”

“And I’d like to see you use that bow,” Fletcher shot back without a hint of force.

Kylie glanced over her shoulder as if checking to see that the field was clear. Then her smile turned more mischievous as she planted her feet and drew an arrow from her quiver in one fluid motion. Fletcher’s breath caught as Kylie nocked the arrow entirely by touch and pulled the string back across her body. Angling the bow slightly to protect her arm, she fired.

The shot zipped through the air and landed dead center in the farthest target with a satisfying thump. Every head that hadn’t already been tracking the shot turned, and a small burst of applause broke out, but Kylie looked only at her, eyes dancing with amusement and mirth.

Fletcher’s own grin spread at the hint of cockiness there. Kylie was always most appealing at her most confident, and to see those attributes come into play in a domain that’d once belonged exclusively to Fletcher stirred something in her stomach she hadn’t let herself feel in a long time.

She had no idea how long the two of them might’ve stared at each other frozen in the moment and the emotions if Bob hadn’t blown out a little whistle. She finally glanced up as he turned from one of them to the other with a bemused expression. “Should the rest of us head out, maybe let the two of you take some time to yourselves, or, like, a cold shower?”

Kylie threw back her head and laughed, her hair shimmering in waves along her back. “Not a chance. I have an audience to command, or rather, teach. Come on everyone. Let’s go.”