Chapter 47
Juliet
I spin around as Dad comes up to stand beside me, my shadow long as it stretches toward him.
Did I hear him right? He really wants to leave right now?
I glance over his shoulder for any sign of Archer, but he must still be changing out of his costume.
“You wanna go home?” I ask. “Now?”
He looks at his watch. “It’s about over, right? Family events shouldn’t last this late into the evening anyway.”
I roll my eyes at his subtle dig. “Did you do anything while you were here?”
“What do you mean? Of course I did. I sat with you during the play, didn’t I? And I visited with almost everyone. What else was there?”
I clutch the cider in one hand and the popcorn in the other, no longer eating as my stomach heaves. “The food? The fires? The wagon ride? Seeing Archer as the Headless Horseman was the whole purpose of the event. Why didn’t you go on it?”
“Pastor Bruce had some questions about the latest budget meeting. I can’t shirk my duties, Juliet.”
He’s right. He took an oath.
But I didn’t. I rub my hand to my pulsing brow. “Dad, you know you didn’t go on that ride because you didn’t want to see anything of value while you’re here.”
His face shifts to a deep red, and I know I’ve caught him in his lie. “I’ve seen plenty of value. Mr. Kade has clearly upgraded everything. It’s...impressive...”
He pushes the word out with force, like it’s stuck to the roof of his mouth. It’s shocking he actually said something positive, but I’m not about to praise him for acting civil.
Archer deserves more.
“It is impressive,” I say. “And so was seeing him on his horse out there. You should’ve gone on the ride. You promised you’d make an effort.”
His lips press together, and his shoulders slightly fall. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I...I got caught up with things and didn’t try very hard. We can go on the wagon ride now...”
“They’re done with it. Like you said, family events shouldn’t last this long,” I say pointedly.
He winces. “I’m sorry,” he repeats. “I can do better with comments like that, too. And with...with being honest with you.”
I don’t know if I believe him.
“Honey, I—”
“Hey.”
Archer’s voice instantly soothes my aching head. He joins me at my side, his height and figure prominent between us.
He’s still wearing half his costume—long black boots, black pants, and a flowing black shirt with a deep, open collar.
I’ve never seen him out of his jeans—even at Landrie’s wedding—and I think I might pass out.
It’s like Westley from The Princess Bride and a young Clint Eastwood mixed to a perfect temperature.
Dad eyes him up and down with a blank expression, but Archer maintains his confident stance.
“Sorry it took me so long to get out here,” he says, slightly breathless as he glances between us.
He hesitates, clearly seeing he’s interrupted something, but I move closer to him, stuffing away my argument with Dad to give Archer the attention he deserves. “You were great out there. When the horse reared up? Everyone on the wagon gasped and talked about how awesome it was.”
He brightens. “Raven and I have been practicing it for a year. He’s an incredible horse.” Silence follows, then he shifts to Dad. “I hope you enjoyed it, as well, sir.”
Dad glances warily at me before replying. “I unfortunately missed the wagon ride. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it next year.”
Archer doesn’t react. “I hope so.”
I stare at Dad expectantly, and he seems to take his cue. “Looks like you’ve done up the place quite a bit.”
“Needed to be done.”
“Well, good job. On the updates and on the event. Looks like a lot of people enjoyed themselves.” Then he motions to the fires. “I’d make sure those are up to code, though.”
“They are.”
Dad looks doubtful but remains silent.
Archer’s kept a respectful distance from me, no doubt for Dad’s sake, but I’m not doing that anymore. I hold the top of my popcorn bag in the same hand as my cider, then move forward with my free fingers to hold Archer’s hand.
His eyes are soft and warm and gracious. Dad’s harden. If he can’t even handle me holding hands with Archer, how is he going to handle me spending the rest of my life with him?
“Well, I think we’re about ready to head on out,” Dad says, taking a step back.
“I’m gonna stick around,” I say, my stomach knotting as I deliberately defy him.
I’m not afraid of Dad, but this feels significant—my first stand as I leave my past life and seize the one I now want.
“Are you sure?” Dad asks.
“Yeah.”
My vision blurs for a brief second, and I find it hard to focus on anything in the darkness. The first thing I’m going to do when Dad leaves is swallow this popcorn whole. My body needs something.
“I’ll be sure to get her home safe, sir,” Archer says, his hand secure around mine.
Dad still doesn’t move. “Can I talk with you for a minute alone, Juliet? I’ve got some things I need to get off my chest.”
I hesitate. He’s had plenty of time this week to get things off his chest. Now, it’s my time to be with Archer.
“If you wanna talk, you can talk to me and Archer,” I say calmly.
I can see his frustration, but the darkness is shifting too black to concentrate on anything. I thought Archer had strings of lights around here, but I can’t seem to see them much anymore.
“This should really be said alone,” Dad says.
“I can leave,” Archer whispers down at me, but I keep hold of his hand.
“No.” My chest is tense and my heart is tight as I stand up for myself again. “Dad, this is the way it’s gonna be. We may as well start now.”
Dad looks conflicted, his eyes flicking from Archer to me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Because I...”
He keeps speaking, and while I hear his words, they’re not registering in the thick fog blanketing my mind.
Archer must feel my exhaustion at having to defend my actions again. He shifts toward me subtly so his arm is in front of mine, his body giving me strength as I lean against him.
“She’s a grown woman, sir,” Archer says, his deep voice filling my ears as the chatter, horses’ hooves, and laughter fade around me. “She can make her own decisions.”
“You think I don’t know my daughter?” Dad asks, his voice tight.
I want to tell him to calm down, but I’m struggling to remember where I am. There are horses nearby. I can smell them. But we don’t have horses at home.
“Archer,” I say weakly, my hand moving to wrap around his arm.
I can’t say anything else. My tongue refuses to work, and my legs feel like rubber. The popcorn slowly shifts out of my grip.
Archer puts his hand on mine to say he hears me, but his eyes remain on Dad.
“After all these years, you’ve only just noticed her,” Dad says defensively. “Now you think you know best?”
Archer’s lips press tightly together. He’s trying so hard to keep it in, even though he has every right to speak.
I want to tell him it’s okay. I want to thank him for defending me and protecting me.
I want to take his hand and run away with him, finish our kiss on the fence post, spend the rest of our lives together, dating, living, loving. But my limbs sway.
“Why can’t you let it go, sir?” Archer asks, his voice soft. “You’re making it too hard for her.”
He’s right. Dad...He’s making everything impossible.
But then, where is Dad? His face blurs, and I can’t see straight anymore as my heart crashes into my chest, preventing my breathing.
“Why can’t you stop putting Juliet in the middle?” Dad returns.
“I’m not putting her in the middle. That’s what I’m trying not to do.”
My vision sparkles between black and gray, but it’s just the darkness of the night. And yet, Archer’s face is no longer visible either, nor are the horses or the lights.
“I’ve done nothing but try to make amends for my mistakes.” Archer’s voice sounds muffled in my ringing ears. “What do I have to do to gain your trust, Mr. Mayor? What do I have to do to prove my love for Juliet?”
Love? Did I hear...
But no other thought comes as I whisper, “Archer, I can’t...”
My legs weaken. The world spins. All is black.
And I’m gone.