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I have no idea what Archer plans to show me, but I’m fully intrigued. After leaving the Walkers, I head to Town Hall to drop off Dad’s keys, but his office door is shut.

“He’s been in the meeting for hours,” Lisa whispers with a shake of her head, motioning to the room behind her. “And on a Saturday, too. Poor man can’t catch a break.”

Her blue eyes are vibrant against her dark blonde hair, and they express her concern for Dad clearly.

She’d make a good girlfriend for him. Not only is she organized, pretty, and fun-loving, but she also cares for him. She doesn’t have to come in on a Saturday but clearly does it for Dad.

“It’s nice of you to be here for him,” I say, hoping it’s subtle enough.

“All part of the job,” she says, though her skirting eyes tell me that maybe her actions represent more than her job.

“Is Ashtyn at her Dad’s today?” I say, asking after her daughter.

“No, she’s got a cheer meet. And knowing her, she’ll stay late and walk around the school in hopes of catching that principal of hers.” She rolls her eyes with an amused look. “Little girls and their silly crushes.”

Ashtyn’s anything but little as an eighteen-year-old, and her crush on Wade Stevenson borders on inappropriate.

“Speaking of crushes...” Lisa begins, lowering her voice as her expression grows serious. “I hear you’ve been spending time with a certain cowboy lately.”

The blood fades from my cheeks. “Archer? He’s just been helping out with the festival.”

“So you don’t want to spend time with him?”

I don’t know exactly where she’s leading me with this. “I mean, I don’t mind either way.”

She looks a little relieved. “Good. I just wanted to make sure. We women need to be careful with certain men. Take my word for it.”

I don’t know the details about Lisa’s divorce, but I’ve heard it wasn’t amicable. Is she really telling me to watch out for Archer because he’s like her ex-husband?

“I know your dad would want you to be careful, too,” she says heavily.

Her comment puts a sour feeling in my stomach. “Did he put you up to this?”

“You know how closely your dad holds his cards to his chest. I can’t pry a thing out of him. I just know him.” Her eyes take on a distant look before she faces me. “Anyway, I just wanted to warn you and give you some...motherly advice.”

That sour feeling twists and curdles inside me. Maybe she ought to be giving her motherly advice to her own daughter. “Thanks, but Archer isn’t worth a warning. Will you be sure to get my dad those keys?”

She nods, slightly taken aback as I walk abruptly away.

“Do you want me to tell him where you’ll be so he can pick you up?” she calls after me.

“No, thanks. I have a few more things to work on for the festival, then I’ll be back over here before the end of the day.”

I wave goodbye, then stealthily make my way to the library, leaving the conversation behind. I know Lisa means well, but how is it her place to tell me who to not date?

Archer’s waiting for me inside the doors of the library, his back to me, his stance tall and strong with his boots and jeans. He’s taken off his button-up from earlier, wearing a light-colored t-shirt that highlights the ridges of his muscles and the inverted ‘v’ of his shoulders.

He holds his hat in his hands. His hair is messily ruffled when he looks at me, giving off a boyish look with a half-grin. My decision to defend him to Lisa settles my remaining annoyance.

Archer Kade really is the last person I’d ever have to warn anyone to avoid.

“Ready?” he asks.

He leads me around the corner near the front desk to where a large bulletin board is set up along the wall holding announcements, notices, and flyers for various events.

We stop in front of it, and he gives me an expectant look, motioning to the notices.

“What’s this?” I ask, thoroughly confused.