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Not now, she can’t. “I was wondering if you’ve seen the mayor around.”

She doesn’t flinch. “He was in here about a half hour ago. Brought in someone who’d suffered a burn but left shortly after.”

Dang.

“You’re Juliet, right?” she asks, her eyes warming as I nod. “Maven’s told me about you. She said how much of a help you’ve been with the festival this year.”

That was nice of her. “Well, it’s the least I could do after how many years I’ve enjoyed it not volunteering,” I joke. “You must be loving having your daughter back in town.”

Her features soften. “Very much. And my son and granddaughter, too.”

That’s right. I’d forgotten Carson Price and his daughter had moved back recently, as well. I still have to make an appointment to see him at his dental office. Between the last dentist who made me cry as a kid with his painful shots and terrible bedside manner, I’m sure I would far prefer Dr. Price—although staring into a face that handsome sounds like a trial of its own.

“You’ve got a full house, then,” I say. “Must be wonderful to have them back with you.”

“It truly is. I’m sure your dad feels the same about you.”

Does she know how Dad feels because he’s told her personally? Or does she speak only as an understanding mother?

“I hope so,” I say. “Thanks for your help. If you see him again, can you send him to the dunk tank?”

“Sure thing.”

I deliver one last departing wave, then dip from the tent and speed back to the dunk tank.

Rosie’s still pacing back and forth, chewing on her thumbnail. Her face lights with hope when she sees me. “Did you find him?”

I shake my head, and her features fall.

“He’s probably hung up with some mayoral stuff,” I say with a grimace. “But it’s okay if the dunk tank is a little late, right?”

Rosie looks at me like I’m crazy. “What? No. There’s already a huge line of people waiting to dunk him. This is the crowd favorite every year. You know that.”

She’s right, but I don’t have another idea.

Until a tall shadow appears beside me. I look over as Archer stands at my side, having finally finished with the pony rides.

“Afternoon, ladies,” he greets.

A slow grin slides across my face. “Rosie, I think I have just the solution.”

Archer

I sit on the dunk board, looking at Juliet through the netting as I shake my head. “I can’t believe I’ve agreed to this.”

She’s beaming from ear-to-ear, so I can’t be too upset.

“Relax,” she says with a wave of her hand as she secures the backing once more to the target at my left. “It’s just until my dad gets here. Anything for Autumn Ridge, right?”

“Sure,” I say. Although, I’d much rather declare, “Anything for Juliet Monroe.”

I keep those words in mind as the line to dunk me grows. I only hope most of Autumn Ridge are terrible throwers.

“You ready?” Juliet asks, still staring at the target. She’s avoided looking at me ever since I took off my shirt.

“I’ve changed my mind,” I say abruptly. “Let’s wait for your dad.”

Her eyes snap to mine, exactly as I was hoping they would. “I thought you were up for it?”