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I yelp, but he holds one hand over my lips, anticipating my surprise as he secures the bundle of fabric in one hand, still wrapped around me.

“Mut’re y’dwoi?” I mumble against his warm fingers. “Wur gungit cot.”

“My apologies. Didn’t quite catch that.”

I laugh, moving my face until he drops his hand, only to have him press it against the small of my back. My heart is racing against my chest so fiercely, I’m sure he can feel it, too.

“I said, what are you doing?” I whisper. “We’re gonna get caught!”

“Yeah, by another one of these dang ghosties, if we ain’t careful.”

I laugh, trying to pull away, though my efforts are half-hearted. My hands move to hold the fabric still wrapped around me. “I’m serious, cowboy. If my dad comes out that door, I’ll leave you to fend for yourself—with him and the specters.”

His eyes linger on my lips for a minute before he finally relinquishes his hold on me. “Fine. But you’ve gotta lead me outta this nightmare, then.”

I hold in more laughter as he turns the specter side to side, trying to find the string that held it to the tree, but I shake my head. “I’ll put it back up in the morning.”

“Your dad won’t notice it missing?”

“He’ll probably just think he’s being pranked by you again.”

“Oh, great.”

I laugh, seizing the specter and his hand. “Come on. Now we’ve got to really hurry. Just duck your head because there’s, like, fifty more out here.”

“Worst decor ever. You need a sign out. Warning, Fake Ghosts May Attack.”

I laugh behind my hand again as we reach the SUV, and I climb inside, Archer opening and closing my door behind me. Finally, I start the car and pull out of the drive with Archer beside me, all the while hoping Dad doesn’t realize how long it took for me to leave.

Even if he does, I don’t care. Tonight is turning out much better than I expected.

Juliet

I drive Archer to his truck, and we laugh as I tell him more about my narrow escapes from Dad at The Ridge.

“I found an alcove of trees once and scooted my way back into it like a raccoon,” I say. “Then another time, I slunk straight out of the car and rolled beneath it to hide.”

My cheeks are aching by the time we reach the dark field. I hop out of the SUV and watch as he jumpstarts his truck, letting the battery run a bit before removing the colored clamps.

I don’t want the night to end, but I know if I take too long, Dad will start to worry. “Will you be going to the game tomorrow night?” I ask, lingering near the door.

“Nah, I’ve got a late-night ride scheduled I couldn’t get out of.”

I let go of my disappointment when he says he’ll be at the barn raising and dance, though, then I reluctantly climb into the SUV and drive away. Archer follows behind me down the dark road, then pulls up beside me at the vacant street and stop sign where I’m headed straight and he’s turning right. He motions for me to roll down the window. This time, I play along.

“What do you want, cowboy?”

“Just wanted to tell you I miss you.”

I laugh. “What, in the last two minutes we’ve been away from each other?”

“Yes, in the last two minutes we’ve been away from each other.”

“Is that what you were going to say the other day, too?” I say over the sound of our vehicles.

“No. I was going to tell you how hot you looked.”

“That would’ve gone over super well with my dad right next to me.”