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I narrow my eyes. “Do I...know you?”

Disappointment flashes across her features. “No, I guess not.”

“But you know me?”

Her eyes are framed with long, thick lashes. “Everyone in Autumn Ridge knows you, Archer.”

I sit back, stunned. She really does know me. And the town.

My brain works overtime as I try to place her in my memory. I definitely wouldn’t forget a face like hers. Unless I did? Now that I think about it, she looks vaguely familiar. Something about those eyes. But I don’t think I’d forget her if I really knew her.

I want to ask her how exactly she knows me and if she’s from Autumn Ridge, but something seems to shift inside her. She gives her head a little shake.

“My car died,” she says, sticking a thumb over her shoulder. “I just need a ride into town with my things, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Not at all. I’ll pull around and help you load it up.”

She takes a few steps back, and I drive my truck in front of her car that’s only lightly smoking now.

I step down and close the door behind me, turning to see the length of the woman. She’s wearing a loose, long-sleeved shirt that’s tucked partway into her jeans, and her thick braid drapes over her shoulder nearly down to her waist.

She reaches forward with an outstretched hand. “I’m Juliet.”

Most girls go straight in for a hug or settle with an awkward wave. I won’t say no to a handshake, though my skin tingles at her touch.

“Juliet,” I repeat. Still doesn’t ring a bell. “I’d introduce myself, but I guess I don’t have to.”

She smiles enigmatically. “No, you don’t.” Then she turns to her car. “There’s just a few suitcases and boxes.”

“Allow me.”

Together, we unload the backseat and trunk of her car as I still try to place her. I’m not a hermit, but I don’t get out as much as I should. That’s probably why I don’t know her.

“Are you moving to Autumn Ridge?” I ask as I take a heavy suitcase from her arms.

“More like moving back.”

She’s withholding information on purpose. That much is obvious because of her secretive expression.

The question is, why is she being secretive?

“I figured you were from there originally,” I say.

“Why?”

“Because only someone from Autumn Ridge would know it’s safe to hitchhike around here.”

“You’re right about that. My dad would still freak out if he knew I was doing this, though. Especially with you.”

My intrigue deepens. Her dad knows me and doesn’t trust me? I’m an upstanding, rule-abiding guy...for the most part. Especially now that I’m twenty-seven.

“Not that you’re sketchy or anything,” she rushes to explain, handing me another box before I hoist it up to the truck bed for her.

“Just more sketchy than the random stranger you were expecting to pick you up?” I ask.

She laughs and tosses her thick braid over her shoulder, bending down to dig out another box. The back pockets of her pants have colorful, embroidered flowers on them. I look away as she straightens.

“My dad is just really protective,” she explains. “I should warn you, though. I know self-defense and have pepper spray easily accessible, so I wouldn’t mess with me if I were you.”