Chapter 30
Archer
The following day, I have a break from the pony rides, so I wander around the festival, hoping to see Juliet. I only capture glimpses of her as she rushes to fix the messes that keep popping up.
After last night’s rain, the pony rides have to be moved to a drier area to avoid the horses slipping in the mud, and the live music stage has to be fully dried out before any of the musicians can set up.
She’s doing an excellent job, and I make a mental note to tell her that when I get the chance to speak with her. But right now, I make my way to the pumpkin weigh-in, needing a distraction from seeking out Juliet like a real stalker.
Another pumpkin is heaved onto the scale just as I arrive, this one by a young couple who clasp hands as they watch the weight grow. I clap with the others when it beats out the previous pumpkin.
Another gets rolled forward, and I tip my head to better see the scale, but someone stands next to me, preventing me from moving another inch. I glance to give him a nod in greeting but pause when I discover Mayor Monroe.
“Mr. Kade,” he greets, his gaze straight ahead.
“Mr. Mayor.”
My guard is up, even though I remind myself to lower my hackles. I need to earn his approval, and despite my confidence around Juliet, I have no idea how I’m going to make that happen.
“Great festival this year,” Mr. Monroe says.
“It is.” Why is he standing next to me? Whatever the reason, I recognize the chance I’ve got. “Thanks to your daughter. You must be proud.”
“I am.”
Nothing else. My pride resurges as a whisp. Tell him she’s an adult. Tell him she should make her own decisions.
But I won’t give in. Juliet deserves more than that.
“Have you—”
“Mr. Kade?” Mr. Monroe interrupts.
“Archer.”
He doesn’t extend the same courtesy, though I don’t expect him to. He doesn’t even acknowledge that he heard me. He holds his hands in front of him, causing his broad stance to become more commanding.
“Are you capable of discretion, Mr. Kade?”
“Concerning what?”
The mayor shifts his footing, turning narrowed eyes on me. “I need to book a ride for two. At...Horseshoe Holler.” He says the last two words through nearly gritted teeth.
I try not to react. Did he mean for him and Juliet or him and who he’s dating? “Don’t I remember you saying you’d never risk riding there because it wasn’t worth dying for?”
The words are out before I can stop them. Mr. Monroe falls quiet, his jaw tightening.
He said that exact phrase—not worth dying for—a few years ago after the stables had passed code. I volunteered to lead him on a free trail ride, and that was his response.
Mr. Monroe faces the weighing again as a group of FFA students head up with their massive pumpkin. “Do you have availability for me or not?” he asks.
“Just name the date and time, sir.”
“Early November. Preferably the first week.”
An entire month from now. He must know I book up fast. If he knows that, he must also know I’m flexible for fitting locals in whenever possible. Or maybe he doesn’t think I’d give him the same courtesy. Before, I might not have. But now...
“I assume you’re wanting a private ride as opposed to a group?” I ask.
“Yes. I don’t want the entire town knowing about this...and that includes my daughter.”
Our eyes meet. His are a deep brown, guarded and full of mistrust. Nothing like Juliet’s.
So he is dating someone—and obviously trying to hide it. He wants me to use discretion, or in other words, he wants me to lie to Juliet.
I don’t know how to respond, so I look back at the pumpkins. Farmer Joe is up next. I don’t know who’s in the lead any longer, and I don’t really care. I just want something else to focus on other than what this man is asking me to do.
“Why the stables?” I ask.
He draws a breath. “Because...it’s wanted.”
All right, so his girl wants to ride horses. Juliet might know which of the three women enjoys the pastime. I could subtly drop hints to keep my promise to the mayor and let Juliet in on the secret. But the very thought makes my skin crawl. I can’t do that to her.
“Is this a trick?” I ask.
Mr. Monroe looks at me. “How?”
“Maybe you’re trying to put a wedge between me and Juliet by asking me to lie to her about who you’re dating.”
“Let me make one thing clear. I am not asking you to lie to Juliet. That’s the last thing I want you to do.
” He sighs, still frowning. “I’m going to tell her, but it needs to be on my own time.
I’m sure she’s heard the rumors already.
” He gives me a condemning look. “I’m sure you’ve heard them, too. ”
“I don’t know if there’s anyone in Autumn Ridge who hasn’t, sir.”
Mr. Monroe grimaces. “Which is why I should be given the courtesy of telling my daughter in my own time.”
My mind reels. There’s no way I’m going to lie to her. But November is a long way away. Maybe he’ll tell Juliet beforehand, so I won’t have to lie. Or...
Sadie. I can ask her to help. Then I’m not implicated at all if she leads the trail ride instead of myself. Relief lightens the tension across my shoulders.
“So can I count on you?” Mr. Monroe asks.
I turn to face him more directly. I want to say I’ll agree to his request if he lets me date Juliet, but something tells me this isn’t the time to negotiate.
“I won’t tell a soul who you come to the stables with, sir,” I begin. “Though I can’t prevent anyone else from potentially seeing. And I won’t lie to Juliet. If she asks me anything, I’m not stopping myself from answering her with the truth.”
A deep line creases between his brows, though I detect a hint of respect in his eyes, which is a first.
“I can agree to that.” He gives me a single nod, then walks away.
I let out a pent-up breath and focus on the pumpkins again. Cheers erupt as the winner is announced, and I clap for the FFA students who’ve finally taken the crown from Farmer Joe and Bugelbach’s.
But I don’t really care about pumpkins. All I’m thinking about is Juliet and my hope that’s finally been revived.
Juliet
Pumpkin Day is a success, even if I don’t see Archer as much as I want. We spend a bit of time laughing together at the Pumpkin Chunkin’ later in the day, then make eyes at each other as Dad participates in the pie eating contest, but that’s all I have time for.
The next day is the Autumn Ridge Celebration, and I’ve been dreading the amount of work involved. Rosie and I are run ragged by the end of it, racing from the children’s costume parade to the pet costume parade, then MCing the talent show together when Mr. Sharrow gets sick.
The lawn games are chaotic all day long, the teenagers break through dozens of potato sacks during their races, and the horseshoes are impossible to keep track of. Fortunately, we’re able to hand over the Charity Auction to Lisa Ellis in full.
“Honey, you must be exhausted,” she says, patting my hand. “You go get some rest now. I’ve got this all taken care of.” She pauses. “Better yet, go find your dad and get him to relax, too. That man wears himself to the ground. He needs a woman to take care of him, doesn’t he?”
She runs her fingers through her dark roots and blonde hair with an airy laugh.
It’s gotta be Lisa. She seems way too intent on convincing me that she should be a part of our lives. My mind wanders to what life would be like with her as a step-mom—and with Ashtyn as a step-sister.
Ashtyn’s a nice enough girl, if not a little too much like her mom in regard to flirting. But the very thought of dad having another daughter—even a step-daughter who has her own dad—makes my stomach twist against a knot the size of a boulder.
By the end of the day, I’m beat. Not only by my thoughts, but by the problems I’ve had to smooth out today and by speaking with and smiling at every person I pass.
To make matters worse, I don’t see Archer at all after the hayrides. He must’ve gone home, which makes lingering at the festival seem more tedious than exciting.
After the awards ceremony, Dad’s still roving around like the Energizer bunny at the community potluck dinner. I watch him from the background as he helps Edna G. carry in a large crockpot, her petite frame struggling under the weight of the soup.
After placing it on the table, Dad’s joined by Lisa, a lingering hand on his back as she stares up at him, speaking in a hushed tone. A family comes up to him, interrupting him and Lisa, and he turns bright eyes on them with a warm, welcoming grin.
Minute after minute, a new family, couple, or individual comes up to speak with him, and he responds to each with grace and aplomb.
All the while, the ache in my heart grows.
I was the center of his attention before he became mayor.
I’ve had to share him for a while now, and I’ve been more than fine with it.
But in this moment, it feels like I’m on the outside looking in as he’s embraced by everyone in town, and a feeling of loneliness encompasses me.
I’m happy he’s found a job that brings him so much joy. And I’m happy he’s found a woman—or three—to bring him even more happiness.
But where does that leave me? Do I go back to school? Find a career I actually want to pursue?
Dad waves me over when he sees me watching him. “Grab a plate,” he mouths out.
I shake my head. He excuses himself from those around him and is instantly at my side. His attention makes me feel terrible about wallowing. As busy as he is, he’s always made time for me.
But things are changing, and I know I can’t stop them.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his hand on my shoulder as he leans down with a look of concern. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine. I just don’t think I’m gonna stay for the potluck.”
His concern grows. “Are you not hungry?”
“Not really. I’m mostly tired.”
“Let me take you home.”
“No, Dad. You have to stay here. I’ll just go grab a bite from the Maple Bar and Grill and head home.”
He pulls out his car fob. “Then take the car.”
“How will you get home?”
“I’ll hitch a ride from someone.”