Chapter 49
Archer
I wait an hour. Still, there’s no word.
Mr. Monroe hasn’t come back through the doors, either. I don’t expect him to tell me how Juliet is, but I’ll stay here in the waiting area until I see her or the nurses throw me out.
Midnight approaches, and Sadie texts.
Sadie
Any news?
Archer
None. Sorry I had to bail.
Sadie
It’s fine. Everything went okay after you left. They all kept telling me to tell you how fun it was this year.
I give the message a “like” because I don’t know how else to respond. What did it matter if people had a good time? Juliet didn’t.
James
Sadie just told me there’s no updates. Sorry, man.
James and Sadie are still together, then? They seemed perfectly content with each other tonight. It made me happy seeing them on the front of the wagon together as I rode past in my silly little costume.
It made me happy to see Juliet there, too.
I hope it wasn’t the thing that made her sick.
Archer
I just hope nothing’s crazy wrong, you know?
James
We saw her go down. It didn’t look good.
Archer
Yeah, I’ve never seen her that pale. My argument with the mayor didn’t help either.
James
It looked like things got pretty heated. Everything okay?
Archer
No idea. At this rate, I don’t care. I just need to make sure Juliet’s okay, but they won’t give me any information.
James
They won’t let you back there?
Archer
No.
James
Not even if you say you’re the boyfriend? (You are the boyfriend, finally, right?)
His text finally manages to crack my frown.
Archer
Dang straight.
James laughs at my message.
James
Keep us updated. I doubt Sadie will be able to sleep tonight until she finds out Juliet’s okay.
I give his message a “like,” then pocket my phone, waiting only a few more minutes before walking to the front desk again.
“Sorry, hon,” the receptionist says with a wince. “I still can’t give any information.”
“Not even to let me know if she’s fine?” I press.
“If you’re not next of kin or have no permission, you—”
“It’s okay.”
The mayor’s gravelly voice sounds nearby, and I turn to face him, the doors slowly drawing to a close behind him.
“He has the patient’s permission to come in,” Mr. Monroe finishes.
The nurse hesitates. “If it’s not in the paperwork...”
But the mayor hands her a document, and she nods, motioning for us both to go on.
I look at the mayor, unmoving.
“Don’t you want to see her?” he asks.
“Yes. But I need to know if she’s okay first.”
His eyes delve into mine. “She is. I just learned she was only dehydrated. But she’ll be okay.”
Relief floods through my body, weakening my limbs. I finally move forward and follow him through the hallways across the brown, vinyl flooring.
“She’s sleeping right now,” the mayor continues. “I told her she could see you in the morning, but she insisted I bring you in the second the doctor allowed it.”
His tone was low—not out of annoyance or frustration, just sorrow.
Before I can figure out why, we reach her door, and the mayor quietly opens it and leads the way inside.
My eyes fall on Juliet’s slight frame in the long hospital bed, a blue gown covering her front, light blue blankets draped across her legs. An IV is hooked up to the inside of her wrist, and a slight frown mars her brow, despite her sleeping state.
My chest aches. “They’re sure it was only dehydration?”
“Yeah,” Mr. Monroe says assuredly. “Listen, Archer...”
I turn to face him, stunned at his use of my given name. “Yes, sir?”
“There’s been a lot that’s gone on between us over the last few years.
I know you and Juliet have been trying to bury it, and I haven’t made it easy.
” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’ve made it impossible, really.
But I’d like to make a change. For Juliet...
for you both. Before that can happen, I need to ask you a question. ”
I brace myself, his eyes on mine as he asks it.
“Did you fund the barn?”
My breath catches in my lungs, refusing to be released or increased. I turn to watch Juliet. Her breathing is calm, though her frown remains, and her hair, only slightly braided now, drapes over her shoulder.
I don’t know how to answer. I never wanted anyone to know—I still don’t. How did he find out?
“Does it matter if I did?” I ask, staring down at my worn boots.
“Yes.”
I don’t know why it does, but if this will help Juliet, I’ll be honest. “I did,” I whisper under my breath. “Though it was supposed to remain anonymous.”
Mr. Monroe doesn’t speak for a minute. “Word eventually gets around Autumn Ridge—about everything.”
I suppose he’s right.
“Why did you fund it?”
I cringe. I don’t relish opening up to him, but if it helps him see who I really am, I need to man up. “Autumn Ridge saved my life. I wanted to pay it forward.”
I look at him as we stand near the doorway, our voices so quiet, they’re barely heard over the steady beeping of Juliet’s monitors.
“She told me what you did.”
I pause, waiting for him to continue.
“Before I came to get you. She told me everything. Why you were arrested, what you were going through. How you came into your money.”
I expected to feel discomfort with his knowing or maybe indignation. But having Juliet tell my story—no doubt in my defense—soothes my pride.
His eyes swim with tears as he stares at Juliet. “I love my daughter, Archer. No one deserves her—and that includes myself. I’ve hurt her too much. And I’ve hurt you, as well.”
“We’ve both done things we probably shouldn’t have, sir.”
Mr. Monroe pulls in his lips. “Like those singing grams? Those were from you, weren’t they?”
I cringe. “Yes, sir.”
He doesn’t respond. Then suddenly, his shoulders begin to shake. I stare, stunned to see silent laughter overcoming him.
After a moment, I smile, too. We’ve never experienced this sort of interaction before, but the stress of the evening has affected us both.
Eventually, he settles with a deep sigh. “I deserved them.” He watches Juliet again. “But I think it’s time we set aside these grievances. You don’t owe me any forgiveness, but for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
Never in a million years did I think I would hear those words coming from this man. It certainly wasn’t because of anything I did. This was all Juliet. Sunshine has the power to change even the darkest of days.
“Thank you, sir. I’m sorry for what I’ve done, too.”
Silence fills the air between us, then the mayor nods. “She told me to go find you downstairs. She knew you’d be waiting for her.”
My heart overflows, spilling forth with love for the woman.
“I didn’t think you’d be there, though.” He peers over at me. “Why did you wait for her?”
My heart trips. “Because, sir...she’s done enough waiting for me.”
Juliet
Tears prick behind my eyelids, but I remain focused on my relaxed breathing.
I’ve always been a pretty good fake sleeper. I’m sure however I look right now is indicative of looking like death, so that’s helpful, too.
What little real sleep I’ve received isn’t enough. I can’t even lift my arms, but Dad and Archer’s voices are like a balm to my weary soul.
I feel slightly guilty for listening in on their conversation, but I can’t help it. Hearing them speak like civil adults, coming to terms with their lives now mingled forever, is something I never thought I’d experience.
Even still, as their words fade, I know it’s time to stir.
Dad walks forward first, reaching out to take my hand. “Did we wake you?”
I shake my head, though it’s a lie. “I can’t really sleep well with a needle in my arm.”
I glance at Archer, his eyes warm in the low light.
“How are you feeling?” he asks softly.
The look of concern on his features fills me. “I’ve been better. Leave it to me to get sent to the hospital for the most ridiculous thing ever.”
Archer stifles a laugh.
“I keep telling her she doesn’t drink enough water,” Dad says.
I roll my eyes, and Archer softly tuts his tongue at me in feigned disappointment.
Our looks linger on each other, so Dad clears his throat. “I’m going to check with the nurse to see when you can be released.”
His eyes fill with uncertainty before he finally walks away, closing the door behind him.
The second we’re alone, Archer kneels beside me and takes my free hand in both of his. Bringing it to his lips, he kisses the back of it.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers against my skin. “I’m sorry for bringing this on you.”
I shake my head. “It wasn’t you. I’ve been off all day with stress and no food or water. I’m sorry I ruined the event.”
“You didn’t.”
“I mean, I kinda did. For what it’s worth, you’re the hottest Headless Horseman I’ve ever seen.”
He laughs, then kisses the back of my hand again. Our eyes meet, and I know what I see within them.
“You sure you’re okay?” he whispers.
“Other than having you see me in a hospital gown? Yeah.”
The edges of his lips curve.
“I heard you and Dad talking,” I admit, unable to keep it to myself. “It sounds like...maybe he’s changing his mind about you.”
“Thanks to you.”
“I didn’t make you a good man. You did that all on your own.”
The lateness of the hour, the exhaustion of the night, and the ordeal my body just went through weigh down on me. Even the beeping of the monitor and the occasional checking of my blood pressure are soothing now.
“Will you stay?” I whisper, my eyes fluttering closed.
“Yes, sunshine. I’ll stay with you forever.”