Chapter 37
Juliet
Saturday holds the culminating event of the festival—the barn raising. It really is a sight to behold, all those men working together to build an entire structure in a single day.
A few women join in, but most of us are here to keep waters filled, morale high, and photos taken as the boys do their work. Archer’s with them, though he’s moving so swiftly with everyone else, I don’t get to talk with him.
The Walker men are all helping—Tom, Jaxon, and Luke.
Ben’s running the show in all of his carpenter glory, and Liv’s close to Tate, handing him tools and hammering things with him.
Wade and Dom and Dean are all pitching in, as well as Carson, though he’s paying more attention to Emma than he is to the barn at the moment.
James is here, too—a sight to behold after being gone for so long.
The sight of all of these men—and so many more—working is a treat for the eyes. Not even Dad is found scowling at Archer, though Archer seems to be keeping fairly out of his way as he works alongside the rest of the men.
By the afternoon, I need my cowboy fix, so I pull out my phone and send a quick text as I stand by the beverage table a few yards away from the growing barn.
Juliet
Are you avoiding me because my dad is here?
A moment later, Archer pulls out his phone. His features brighten, then he looks around, catches my eye, and grins as he types out a response. The ridges in his forearms shift as he texts, his sleeves rolled up past his elbows, despite the chill on the air.
Archer
Maybe.
I just don’t want to lose the ground I’ve gained. Does that make me a coward?
Juliet
Maybe.
He laughs—in real life and in text-reaction—at my repetition of his word.
Juliet
No, I think it’s smart.
Archer
I may not be able to be smart for much longer.
My heart skips a beat as I catch his eye across the way, his expression telling me he’s going to make good on those words.
Archer
You still planning on the dance tonight?
Juliet
Of course. You?
Archer
No way am I going to miss another chance at being rejected by you.
I hide my smile as a group of women walk by.
Juliet
Maybe I won’t reject you tonight.
Archer
So you’d say yes if I asked you to dance? What about your stipulations for dating?
I picture Dad with Lisa, Sharon, and Genevieve.
Juliet
What about them?
Archer
Don’t dangle that carrot in front of me, Juliet. I’ve already revealed myself to be the donkey.
Juliet
What if I actually give you a taste of the carrot this time?
Our eyes meet across the way, his delving into mine with an intensity I’ve never known.
Archer
I’d hold you to your word.
Juliet
I’m counting on it.
A hungry look grows in his expression as I tuck away my phone with a lingering smile in his direction.
I can’t wait for tonight.
Archer
The barn raising was as inspiring as I expected it to be. The people of Autumn Ridge worked their tails off to make it happen. I did, too—as well as a few other things I won’t ever tell a soul.
But it’s all for Autumn Ridge.
Now that the dance is here, though, it’s all for Juliet.
I peer around the newly built gathering hall and admire the walls, the wooden flooring, and the dangling lights brightening the space with warmth a soul longs for. A generator hums outside while laughter fills the inside, but I can’t find her anywhere.
I know she’ll be here. She said the carrot was real this time, so I don’t stop searching. With her height and the crowds, though, the task feels impossible.
After a few minutes, I find her dad instead. He’s standing alone—something I’ve never seen before.
I don’t want to believe it’s fate, but as a minute slips away and he remains alone, I know I can’t pass up the opportunity. I want to do right by Juliet. I want to succeed in at least one of her requests, so with a deep breath, I approach Mayor Monroe.
His expression is pleasant until he sees me, then his jaw hardens, and his eyes match suit. “I’m very busy right now, Mr. Kade.”
I look around. This is the least busy I’ve ever seen the man. “I’m sure you are, sir,” I say as sincerely as I’m capable of, “but this should only take a minute.”
He seems to think on it, then turns to face me. “What do you need?”
I square my shoulders. “I’d like to ask your permission to date your daughter.”
He doesn’t react. I’m sure he’s relishing the power he has right now. Power he shouldn’t rightly have. His daughter’s an adult. We don’t need his permission, but I want to show him how much I’m trying to change.
The music from the live band resounds around the barn walls, laughter and clapping and talking the perfect juxtaposition to what we’re experiencing between us.
Finally, he speaks. “You know what? I might have said yes to you earlier this week. But after Thursday, my answer is no.”
Indignation burns in my belly. “Thursday? You mean after you asked me to keep the ride at the stables between me and you?”
Mr. Monroe shakes his head, silently pulling up his phone. He taps a few times before holding up the screen for me to see a video. At first, it’s all black, apart from a small, covered porch. I don’t know what I’m looking at until two people creep across the way, then disappear into the darkness.
My stomach drops.
He saw me and Juliet on camera.