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The truck rumbles behind me, the engine cuts, and the door opens and closes, but I’m still staring at Pumpkin Everest.

“Hey, there,” Reese says behind me to the newcomer as I pick up my first small pumpkin. “Sorry, but the patch isn’t open until nine.”

A deep, Texas accent fills my ears. “Actually, I’m not here for the pumpkin patch.”

Juliet

I swing around at Archer’s voice, my heart stumbling. What on earth is he doing here?

His hat casts a soft shadow across his features, though his eyes still squint due to the sunlight. He glances from Reese to me, and his brows raise in surprise. At least he isn’t expecting me. That means he isn’t following me. If he was...Well, I’d be flattered, dang it. Even though I should be annoyed.

“Hey, Juliet,” he greets, tipping his hat to me. “Good to see you.”

I pull in my lips and give a simple nod, my cheeks warm. All I can think about is the text I never responded to.

I turn back to the pumpkins. I don’t have time to talk to him. I’ve got a literal mountain to move.

“Hey, Archer Kade,” he introduces himself.

“Reese Berkeley. What can I help you with, Archer?”

I listen to the conversation play out behind me as I place the first of many, many pumpkins into the back of dad’s tarp-covered trunk, the seats fully flattened.

“Farmer Joe told me you’re the woman I need to speak to about the pumpkins I’ve ordered for Horseshoe Holler.”

“Oh, yeah, I can help with that.”

I glance over my shoulder, and his gaze flicks my way as he and Reese walk toward the patch beyond my pumpkins. He looks away without a change in expression as they turn the opposite way, their backs facing me, and their voices fading away.

A quarter of an hour passes, and I have a little over thirty pumpkins loaded. My arms are already starting to feel like jelly, which is a terrible sign because even though Dad’s SUV is steadily filling up, I haven’t made the smallest dent in the pumpkin mountain.

I steal another glance at Reese and Archer for what might be the hundredth time. He’s folding his arms as he stands next to her, pointing at the pumpkins stretched across the field, happy orange orbs tucked within curling green vines.

A few of their words drift toward me.

“These are great.”

“Oh, yeah. Those will look amazing lit up in the dark.”

Reese seems really sweet and intelligent. I bet she wouldn’t humiliate herself by planking on a horse.

No more jealousy, Juliet.

I pick up another pumpkin as their voices grow louder.

“Thanks for your help,” Archer says.

“You bet. We’ll have them delivered by October twelfth.”

Delivered? How come they’re delivering his pumpkins? Probably because he’s planning ahead instead of going off the cuff like me and Rosie.

I place another pumpkin in the back of the SUV. It’s filled with smaller ones—the size fit for toddlers—because I’m not going to try to lift anything heavier with Archer around to watch me struggle.

“If there’s anything else I can do for you, just give me a text,” Reese says. “Juliet, you okay?”

I wave my hand in their direction, though I don’t look toward them. “Yep!”

“Help yourself to some fresh cider if you need a pick-me-up.”