Page 111 of Archer

Maggie gasped. Sloane rubbed her back.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m right.”

His eyes flickered to mine. “The minute anything feels wrong, I’m pulling you off that dock.”

I fought a smile. “I accept.”

“I mean it,” he grouched. “You need to stay within arm’s reach of me the entire time.”

“Fine.”

“And if I say we’re done, we’re done. No argument. You just stop singing and leave.”

“Archer.”

“I will put you over my shoulder and march you straight back to my truck, Harper. I swear to God.”

I widened my eyes in exasperation. “I am not arguing with you.”

He exhaled through his nose and looked at the ceiling for a moment. “This whole plan is bullshit and I hate it. Someone put that on the record somewhere.”

When he looked my way again, I mouthed the words, “Thank you.”

Chapter 37

Harper

The plan took shape over the next two hours. Colton mapped the dock on his laptop, marking potential camera positions, approach vectors, and blind spots. Nash made calls from Knox’s rear deck, coordinating with the Coast Guard station out of Wanchese and his own deputies. Knox and Archer talked through the points, covering the same ground twice, then a third time from a different angle.

I called Alexis.

“Oh, thank God,” she said. “I am constantly worried sick about you. I hope you know that. Are you well? What’s happening out there?”.

I smiled, thankful for one more person who truly cared. Another person on my team. I explained the plan, then made my request. “I need you to help spread the word.”

“Absolutely. I’ll reach out to influencers, fan accounts, music blogs, country radio and all the usual social media channels, but Harper—” Her voice went quiet for a long beat. “You’re going to debut the new material live? Before the album’s even finished?”

“Just one song.”

Alexis cared deeply for me as a person, but she also championed my career. I appreciated that as well.

“I’m only singing the one I sent you on the demo.”

A beat of silence. “This is just never done. People will go nuts for this!”

“That’s the idea.”

“Okay.” Sounds of fingertips on a keyboard crossed the line. “I can have this everywhere by tomorrow morning. Fan accounts will pick it up in hours. Country Now will post about it. Some of those music blogs have half a million followers each. What hashtag do you want?”

I thought for a moment. “Harper Live.”

“Done. I’ll coordinate with the PR team. The Carolina Bay sound is about to be a parking lot.”

The visual of so many watercrafts in one space, their occupants all here to hear me sing, sent butterflies through my core. The only concern was how the Coast Guard could get through it if needed. Then again, how could Webb? “That’s perfect. It’ll make for great photos.”

She paused. “Are you okay? Really?”

I released a slow breath. “Ask me again in two days.”