Page 27

I sit a little taller and motion to the chair. This is so different from our conversation in my truck. I prefer the latter, but beggars can’t be choosers.

She pulls out the chair and takes a seat so her knees are directed toward me, almost touching my thigh.

“I didn’t think I’d see you here tonight.”

“I came as a favor for Sadie.”

She nods, falls silent, then smiles. “How would you feel about continuing our little game of twenty questions at some point?” she asks, her eyes on my tie.

I smooth it down self-consciously. “Why?”

Her eyes move back to mine. “Because I have some questions I need answered.”

“About?”

“You and my dad.”

There it is. The real reason she came over here.

I look beyond her shoulder to see Sadie coming toward us. She notices Juliet in her place, grins as giddily as a child looking at Santa, then makes an abrupt turn away from us.

I want to call her back. This conversation with Juliet isn’t going to end well, I can feel it.

“Are you sure you want to talk about that here?” I say. “At his fiftieth birthday party?”

“No. Not here. But sometime soon. If you’re willing to give me those six questions.”

I would love to answer her questions. But I don’t know if it’s my place. “I think you’d be better off asking your dad why he doesn’t like me. Then you can make your own opinion.”

At this rate, it’s going to be my word against his anyway. I may as well not waste my breath.

“Jules?” Mayor Monroe appears behind her. “I think they’re starting dessert soon.”

Those around the table look up at the mayor with admiration and expressions of happy birthday.

He moves around the group, shaking each person’s hand and thanking them for coming before he gets to me. He doesn’t hesitate a moment before reaching forward.

“Thanks for making it here, Mr. Kade,” he says. “Your support means the world.”

I tighten my jaw but don’t hesitate to stand at my full height around him. “Hope you’ve had an excellent birthday, Mr. Monroe.”

Our hands clasp tightly together, and neither of us break until Juliet stands at his side.

“It’s nice to have so many friends here, isn’t it, Dad? It’ll be even nicer when we have space enough to fit.” She turns to me. “I take it you’ve heard of the barn raising to finish off the festival this year?”

Heard of it? I was the key to its coming together. But the mayor doesn’t need to know that, and neither does his daughter.

“It should be a pretty special event for the community,” I say.

“You think you’ll make it out for it?” Mr. Monroe asks.

It’s another challenge, but I’m ready this time. “I haven’t missed a Fall Festival yet. I ain’t planning on missing this one either.”

Mayor Monroe nods, then holds his arm out to his side. “Jules?”

“You go on ahead, Dad. I’ll be right there.”

His brow furrows, and I do my best not to preen as he walks away.