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More like they’re happy to be here to look for more news about the people of Autumn Ridge.

“Aren’t we?” Edna B. asks, her boisterous voice blasting around them. “So delightful. Especially being around that cowboy. Mmm, mmm, mmm, I could just eat his accent right up!”

Dad doesn’t respond, his entire body rigid.

“We can’t be the only ones who think it,” Edna B. says, her gaze falling heavily on me. “You agree, don’t you, Juliet? A pretty little thing like you has got to have noticed him.”

“That’s probably why she’s here, Edna,” her friend returns. “Just like we are,” she adds not-so-quietly behind her hand.

“He is a treat,” Edna B. continues. “Come on, Juliet. Give us your opinion on the cowboy. We’ve heard he’s been paying special attention to you lately.”

Dad glances around, clearly seeking something else to distract him. But this is one conversation I now don’t mind speaking about with the Ednas now that I no longer have anything to hide.

“I’ll let you in on a little secret, ladies,” I say, leaning forward.

Their eyes widen like two hyenas circling their prey. “Yes, dear?” they say nearly in unison.

“I do think he’s eye candy,” I reply. “And we’re officially going out.”

Juliet

Dad’s gaze whips to mine faster than the Ednas squeal in delight.

“But mum’s the word,” I say quietly, knowing very well the entire town will know by morning.

“Oh, of course,” Edna B. says seriously. “You know you can trust us.”

Edna G. sighs. “Imagine another wedding coming so swiftly after the Walkers’.”

“Believe me, I already have,” I say, if only to see Dad’s face grow even redder.

“What about you, Mr. Mayor?” Edna B. says, turning her hungry eyes on Dad. “If the other rumors about town are true, perhaps you’ll be celebrating a wedding of your own?”

Dad bumbles a few words together before replying. “You know me, ladies. I need no one else in my life but Juliet.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulder, but I don’t return the embrace.

The Ednas’ curious eyes are on us both before Pastor Bruce approaches and finally rescues Dad. The Ednas try to pull more information from me about Dad, but I disappoint them with my own lack of knowledge before they find someone else to interrogate in the line for the wagon ride.

I linger at Dad’s side, the minutes ticking by. After a quarter of an hour, I wander off, spying Ben and Maven heading toward the next ride. They pause to say hi, their fingers laced together.

“Have you had the chance to go?” Maven asks.

“Not yet. Waiting on Dad to finish mayor-ing.” I give a chuckle, though it comes off more tense than I planned.

“You’re welcome to come with us,” Bennett offers, glancing at Maven, who nods reassuringly.

“Thanks. But you go on ahead. I’ll just wait.”

They nod, then walk away, staring lovingly into each other’s eyes while I return to Dad.

After nearly an hour of him speaking with the pastor and me wandering around, the line for the encounter dwindles, and the final ride is announced.

“Dad,” I say, gently interrupting, “did you want to do the encounter before it finishes for the night?”

“Of course. I’ll get the next one.”

“They said this’ll be the last.”