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“Only the best for the—” I pause, about to say mayor’s daughter. “For me.”

He watches me carefully. “What are you majoring in?”

“Business Administration.”

“And you’re set to graduate...”

I hesitate. I started my first semester three years ago...until I lost more steam than Old Faithful. In the last year, I dropped out of college, dated and broke up with a deadbeat, and was fired from Shoes-For-Less for my “lack of enthusiasm.”

Whatever that means.

But Dad doesn’t know about any of that yet. That’s why I came home—to surprise him for his fiftieth, butter him up with my presence, and gently let him know I’m not taking just a break from school by hanging out in Autumn Ridge for the fall festivities we’re known for.

I’m coming back to stay.

He should probably know about all of that before some cowboy.

“The plan has always been to graduate next year,” I respond diplomatically.

We pass by a road that leads to a hillside covered in green maple trees.

Archer points to the turnoff. “That road⁠—”

“Leads to Horseshoe Holler,” I finish. “And Carver Maple Farm.” I give him a knowing look. “Do you believe I know you yet?”

He pulls his lips into a thin line. “I was actually going to say something else, Miss Smarty-Pants. That counts as number nine.”

“Go on, then. What were you going to say?”

“Ten,” he teases with a wink, and I think I’m dying. “I was gonna tell you that the road leads to my place, not Horseshoe Holler. But sure, go on knowing everything.”

I laugh again.

It’s my turn for more questions, but as we draw closer to Main Street, the town hall at the end of it, my stomach flips with excess nerves.

I’m acutely aware of my time with him swiftly coming to an end—as is my secret identity. What will he do when he finds out exactly who I am and, more importantly, who my dad is? Will he flee toward the maple woods? Ride off into the sunset without me?

I’m supposed to be more mature now, but Teenage Juliet has clearly seized the castle, especially when the next question pops from my mouth. “Are you dating anyone?”

Crows’ feet splay out from his eyes. “No. You?”

“Not anymore.”

“That just gave me a whole new list of questions.”

“Go for it. You have...” I calculate the number. “Seven more questions and about five more minutes. Whatever one finishes first.”

“Alright, time to get serious now.” He puts his blinker on and turns right down the next road. “Where exactly on Main Street am I going?”

“Oh, I’ll tell you when we get there.”

He doesn’t respond for a minute. “That was barely an answer. I want my question back.”

“If you feel good about cheating.”

“I do.” He leans back in his seat, his body slightly closer to me while still keeping his eyes on the road. “So, Juliet. You won’t tell me your last name, or where you live.” I nod. “I’m also assuming you won’t tell me who you’re related to, so I’m not even going to try asking that.”

“Very wise.”