Page 84 of Autumn Kissed

Juliet motions to the front of the dunk tank. “Rosie’s somewhere around here. She’s got the signup list. Someone else might’ve fallen through. You can take that slot if they can’t make it, but you’ll have to check with her. I’ll join you in a second.”

He clearly hesitates, then leaves me alone with his daughter.

“Where do you think he was?” Juliet whispers as he walks away.

“I can do some sleuthing.”

“You’d better not. No point in making him hate you even more. How are you going to get his approval now after this no-shirt debacle?”

“I have my ways.”

“I hope you do.”

“Do you?”

She nods. “Yup.” Her eyes linger on my torso, and I try not to flex.

“Why?”

“Because I kinda want my crush to have a resurgence.” She leans forward. “Don’t let me down, Archer Kade.”

She walks away without another word, leaving me breathless and wanting more—just like always.

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.