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“Thriving, as usual,” I say. “Booked up nearly every day. We even have a wedding we’ll be hosting in October.”
“Great. I love when businesses legally flourish in my town.”
Both words were said with the most subtle of emphases. I guess he can’t hold onto that upstanding mayoral vibe for long, even with his daughter listening.
“Even those who don’t have your blessing?” I shift my standing, and my boot makes a soft scrape against the road.
The mayor has never approved of my stables—or the ideas that come along with it. They’re unfit for a small town, too expensive for Autumn Ridge, and not family-friendly enough. He tries to get me shut down every other year or so, chalking it up to one hazard after another. But I know the real reason is because he doesn’t like me or the police record I brought with me from Texas.
“What’s going on?”
Juliet’s words break our power struggle. She glances between us, clearly sensing the tension.
The mayor immediately softens and turns doting eyes on his daughter. “I was just about to head home for lunch, honey. Any interest in BLTs?”
She hesitates a minute, as if debating whether or not to pursue answers to what she’s just seen, but she ultimately nods. “That sounds great. Care to join us, Archer?”
Her dad looks appalled at her offer.
What I wouldn’t give to say yes. But I know she’s only asking to prove that I’m unwilling to stand up to her dad.
Juliet is the apple of her dad’s eye. I very well may now be dead for even looking at that apple. I can’t run Horseshoe Holler if I’m dead now, can I?
“Thanks for the offer, but I gotta be getting back.”
Juliet doesn’t look surprised, and the mayor doesn’t even respond.
“I’ve just got one quick call to make, Jules, then I’m all yours for the rest of the day. Let me pull my car around so we can load it from here.” He turns a stern gaze on me again. “You can put her belongings on the sidewalk.”
What am I, the Monroes’ personal errand boy?
If this wasn’t for Juliet, there’s no way I’d comply.
Mayor Monroe side-hugs his daughter. “So happy you’re here, Jules. My birthday is going to be that much better. Heck, the entire festival is.”
She gives her dad a little wave as he walks away, then turns back to face me.
Mayor Monroe shoots me a look over his shoulder before he disappears down the street, and I receive the meaning loud and clear.
“I’m watching you.”
Message received, Mr. Mayor.
I walk past Juliet with an averted gaze and open the tailgate.
“I can help,” she says.
“Nah, I got it.”
Her eyes track me as I move back and forth, shifting her belongings toward the back of the truck. “I take it you know my dad?”
I give her a side-eye. “You could’ve warned me.”
“I gave hints. What other dad in all of Autumn Ridge is as protective as mine?”
She has me there. I should’ve been tipped off the second I’d learned her dad didn’t trust me.
I hop onto the bed of the truck and pick up another suitcase at the back.
