Chapter 10
Archer
I knew I shouldn’t have come tonight. I can’t keep my eyes off Juliet in that daring red gown and her hair pulled into a curly up-do. I’m fairly certain she knows it, too, because her eyes have stopped finding mine and now focus entirely on Luke Walker.
I like Luke—I like all the Walkers. But his proximity to Juliet is making me want to loosen my bolo tie and undue the top buttons of my shirt so I can breathe. I never liked dressing up to receive awards for riding broncs and bulls, but this is much worse—if only because it’s all for the mayor.
The maple bars Sadie promised me aren’t even worth being here for at this point. Especially not with how I feel watching Juliet and Luke—who I can’t help but connect was her date to Horseshoe Holler all those years ago.
He says something in her ear, and she blushes with another laugh, which drives me crazy—mostly because I want to know what it would feel like if she acted that way around me.
I really have lost all power.
She said she isn’t dating anyone, but is this why she came back home, to hook up with a Walker brother?
Sadie does her best to keep me company, but not even her brother Wade and his girlfriend Ari can improve my mood.
I went on a sort of date with Ari a week ago, before she’d started dating the high school principal.
We learned quickly it was her mother’s trickery that brought us both to meet at the Beet & Barrel Café, otherwise sitting across from her right now would be more awkward than it already is—and that’s only because she and Wade seem to be competing on who can deliver the most PDA.
I’d obviously rather watch Juliet.
Still, I do what I can to help Sadie not regret bringing “the most boring person on the planet” as her date. But by the end of the meal, I’m spent.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly when the toasts start. Listening to praise after praise of the mayor and all he has done for the town has me constantly checking my eye rolls and grumbles.
The speeches aren’t wrong. He’s done everything for this town from the moment he was a rookie to right now, sitting at his table beside his daughter.
But what would people say if I got up and told them how the mayor arrested me for driving five over the speed limit? Or how he threatened to take my business license away because he thought I lied to obtain it?
Knowing this group, they’d still defend the illustrious Mr. Mayor—who wouldn’t hesitate to reveal all of my wrongdoings.
“Do you know Mr. Kade had to establish his own stables because no one would hire him due to his police record?”
That one is only partially true.
Still, it’s an ex-rodeo star’s word against a beloved sheriff and mayor, so I stay quiet, occupying my mind by counting the bubbles in my sparkling water until finally, the last of the speeches are delivered and dessert is prepped.
Sadie leaves to help oversee the cheesecake, so I’m left to make small talk with the others at my table.
Ari and Wade are still laughing at their ridiculous actions, and I observe them for a minute before Juliet arrests my attention.
She stands, then makes her rounds about the room, laughing, talking, and shaking hands with each individual.
Her handshake with me outside of her smoking car now makes sense. Yet another sign I somehow overlooked of her being the mayor’s daughter.
Little by little, she draws closer. Will she come to my table? Her date remains at theirs, speaking with the Mayor. Maybe they’ll keep talking so I can speak with Juliet.
I feel like a kid waiting for my turn to speak with Santa, only this bestower is more along the lines of an angel granting gorgeous smiles instead of presents.
I run my fingers through my hair. I should probably leave before my logic unravels, but she’s at my table now. She stands right behind Sadie’s empty seat, her elegant fingers on the back of it. I’d have to lean too far back in my chair to see her, so I keep my gaze on the yellow flower centerpiece.
“Are you all having a good time?” she asks.
Everyone responds in the affirmative, but I don’t say a word.
She answers a few questions from those near me, speaking with them by name before she moves to step away. The buzz of excitement I felt in anticipation of speaking with her makes my disappointment all the more potent.
Until her hand rests on my shoulder. Though my jacket and shirt provide a barrier, heat still flushes through my arm.
“Nice to see you again, Archer,” she says softly.
I finally lean back to look up at her. Her eyes shine a stunning, cool blue in contrast with her warm-colored dress, the wingtips of her eyeliner causing a striking eye shape.
“You, too,” I manage to get out.
I expect her to leave then, but she lingers. Her expression tells me she’s enjoying being taller than me, so I fight the urge to stand. How did I miss this vibe from her? It’s something all politicians and their families have—like their confidence owns the space they walk in.
“Did you enjoy the food?” she asks next.
The others around the table are speaking to each other again, so it’s just the two of us.
“Yup.” A filet mignon is a ridiculously expensive cut for an event with this many people. I guess there’s no expenses spared when you’re as popular as the mayor. But I don’t need to mention that.
“Mind if I sit for a minute?” she asks. “I won’t take your date’s seat for long.”
She noticed Sadie, did she?
I sit a little taller and motion to the chair. This is so different from our conversation in my truck. I prefer the latter, but beggars can’t be choosers.
She pulls out the chair and takes a seat so her knees are directed toward me, almost touching my thigh.
“I didn’t think I’d see you here tonight.”
“I came as a favor for Sadie.”
She nods, falls silent, then smiles. “How would you feel about continuing our little game of twenty questions at some point?” she asks, her eyes on my tie.
I smooth it down self-consciously. “Why?”
Her eyes move back to mine. “Because I have some questions I need answered.”
“About?”
“You and my dad.”
There it is. The real reason she came over here.
I look beyond her shoulder to see Sadie coming toward us. She notices Juliet in her place, grins as giddily as a child looking at Santa, then makes an abrupt turn away from us.
I want to call her back. This conversation with Juliet isn’t going to end well, I can feel it.
“Are you sure you want to talk about that here?” I say. “At his fiftieth birthday party?”
“No. Not here. But sometime soon. If you’re willing to give me those six questions.”
I would love to answer her questions. But I don’t know if it’s my place. “I think you’d be better off asking your dad why he doesn’t like me. Then you can make your own opinion.”
At this rate, it’s going to be my word against his anyway. I may as well not waste my breath.
“Jules?” Mayor Monroe appears behind her. “I think they’re starting dessert soon.”
Those around the table look up at the mayor with admiration and expressions of happy birthday.
He moves around the group, shaking each person’s hand and thanking them for coming before he gets to me. He doesn’t hesitate a moment before reaching forward.
“Thanks for making it here, Mr. Kade,” he says. “Your support means the world.”
I tighten my jaw but don’t hesitate to stand at my full height around him. “Hope you’ve had an excellent birthday, Mr. Monroe.”
Our hands clasp tightly together, and neither of us break until Juliet stands at his side.
“It’s nice to have so many friends here, isn’t it, Dad? It’ll be even nicer when we have space enough to fit.” She turns to me. “I take it you’ve heard of the barn raising to finish off the festival this year?”
Heard of it? I was the key to its coming together. But the mayor doesn’t need to know that, and neither does his daughter.
“It should be a pretty special event for the community,” I say.
“You think you’ll make it out for it?” Mr. Monroe asks.
It’s another challenge, but I’m ready this time. “I haven’t missed a Fall Festival yet. I ain’t planning on missing this one either.”
Mayor Monroe nods, then holds his arm out to his side. “Jules?”
“You go on ahead, Dad. I’ll be right there.”
His brow furrows, and I do my best not to preen as he walks away.
“Tell Sadie I say hi,” she says, then drops her voice. “And I’m serious about those questions.”
Her eyes linger on mine, then she walks past me, her arm brushing against me in what I’m sure is an intentional move.
“Enjoy your date,” I say over my shoulder, cringing at the jealousy laced throughout my tone.
“I will.” Then her footsteps fade away.
I blink, fighting every instinct within me so I don’t look over my shoulder at her departing figure because I know that’s just what she wants.
Instead, I take my seat and gear up for Sadie to return because I know she’s going to ask me all the questions.
I’m going to have to be honest and tell her that even after tonight, I still prefer being alone with horses than with women. Even if Juliet’s beginning to turn my eye.
Anyway, I’ve got something else to focus my attention on now.
It’s the mayor’s birthday, and I plum forgot to deliver his gift.