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“When the mayor finally outs himself,” she says with a laugh. “You be sure to vote, too, Archer. I’m sure you’re dying to.”

He grins. “I already did.”

My eyes swing to his. “Who did you vote for?”

“That’s confidential.”

I narrow my eyes. I’ll get it out of him eventually.

Thanking Emma for the information, we wave goodbye and leave the library, my mind still reeling.

“Well, that was enlightening,” I say.

“I was hoping it would be.” He holds the door open for me, and we step out onto the sidewalk. “Has your dad ever dated anyone before?”

I eye the Town Hall, wondering if he’s still in his meeting. “Nothing beyond a date or two. I think that’s what’s making people crazy. He always said he was happy with his life so he never needed to date.”

“Was he?”

“I think so. He seemed happy. But then, what do I know?”

“Probably more than anyone else. You’re the closest to him, right?”

I turn away from the building. “I used to be. But now, I dunno, it just feels like he’s keeping a lot from me. There’s like this divide between us.”

Archer stays quiet.

“What?” I ask.

“Aren’t you keeping things from him, too? Like how you feel about college?”

I stare, then put my fists on my hips. “Aren’t you supposed to be trying to win my favor? You’re not gonna get anywhere if you don’t blindly agree with everything I say.”

“Sorry, forgot. Your dad has no right to keep secrets from you. You, on the other hand, are totally justified.”

I smile, but it doesn’t last long. Archer’s right. It can’t just go one way. “I guess you have a point. I can’t really be upset with him if I’m keeping secrets, too.”

His look softens. “My guess is each of you wants to protect the other, but the way you’re going about it—withholding true feelings and all—only hurts you both.”

I can’t pull my eyes from him. “Are you sure you dropped out of college? That sounded like some major psychology right there.”

He grins, kicking a pebble across the sidewalk. “I’ve got therapy to thank for that.” Not many men would admit to that so unashamedly. He must have realized this as he takes a deep breath. “Am I any closer to earning your forgiveness and that date?”

I can’t begin to express how badly I want to ask why exactly he had gone to therapy. Was it because of his bull riding? Why he’d torn apart that shop? Or was there something more?

But I’m not going to risk pressuring him into speaking about something he’s not ready to. “I’ve already forgiven you. And the date is much, much closer.”

Though I’m still holding onto the fact that there’s no way he’ll ever get Dad’s approval. If he doesn’t, there’s no point going out with him. Dad’s too important to me for another man to create a rift between us.

The thought triggers an image of my life mirroring Genevieve’s—never married, never moving on, simply because of a father—and my insides twist. That won’t happen to me...Right?

“I’ll keep my ear to the ground for anything else about your Dad,” Archer says as I bat the unsettling thought aside. “And I’ll keep an extra eye out for those women of his, too.”

“I appreciate the help.”

He winks, then walks away to his truck. I hesitate, wanting to call after him, ask him if there’s anything else we can do to learn more about Dad’s dating life right now, but I’m just trying to find an excuse to be with him for longer.

I don’t have time for that. I still have that list of Rosie’s to get through.