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“Are you capable of discretion, Mr. Kade?”
“Concerning what?”
The mayor shifts his footing, turning narrowed eyes on me. “I need to book a ride for two. At...Horseshoe Holler.” He says the last two words through nearly gritted teeth.
I try not to react. Did he mean for him and Juliet or him and who he’s dating? “Don’t I remember you saying you’d never risk riding there because it wasn’t worth dying for?”
The words are out before I can stop them. Mr. Monroe falls quiet, his jaw tightening.
He said that exact phrase—not worth dying for—a few years ago after the stables had passed code. I volunteered to lead him on a free trail ride, and that was his response.
Mr. Monroe faces the weighing again as a group of FFA students head up with their massive pumpkin. “Do you have availability for me or not?” he asks.
“Just name the date and time, sir.”
“Early November. Preferably the first week.”
An entire month from now. He must know I book up fast. If he knows that, he must also know I’m flexible for fitting locals in whenever possible. Or maybe he doesn’t think I’d give him the same courtesy. Before, I might not have. But now...
“I assume you’re wanting a private ride as opposed to a group?” I ask.
“Yes. I don’t want the entire town knowing about this...and that includes my daughter.”
Our eyes meet. His are a deep brown, guarded and full of mistrust. Nothing like Juliet’s.
So he is dating someone—and obviously trying to hide it. He wants me to use discretion, or in other words, he wants me to lie to Juliet.
I don’t know how to respond, so I look back at the pumpkins. Farmer Joe is up next. I don’t know who’s in the lead any longer, and I don’t really care. I just want something else to focus on other than what this man is asking me to do.
“Why the stables?” I ask.
He draws a breath. “Because...it’s wanted.”
All right, so his girl wants to ride horses. Juliet might know which of the three women enjoys the pastime. I could subtly drop hints to keep my promise to the mayor and let Juliet in on the secret. But the very thought makes my skin crawl. I can’t do that to her.
“Is this a trick?” I ask.
Mr. Monroe looks at me. “How?”
“Maybe you’re trying to put a wedge between me and Juliet by asking me to lie to her about who you’re dating.”
“Let me make one thing clear. I am not asking you to lie to Juliet. That’s the last thing I want you to do.” He sighs, still frowning. “I’m going to tell her, but it needs to be on my own time. I’m sure she’s heard the rumors already.” He gives me a condemning look. “I’m sure you’ve heard them, too.”
“I don’t know if there’s anyone in Autumn Ridge who hasn’t, sir.”
Mr. Monroe grimaces. “Which is why I should be given the courtesy of telling my daughter in my own time.”
My mind reels. There’s no way I’m going to lie to her. But November is a long way away. Maybe he’ll tell Juliet beforehand, so I won’t have to lie. Or...
Sadie. I can ask her to help. Then I’m not implicated at all if she leads the trail ride instead of myself. Relief lightens the tension across my shoulders.
“So can I count on you?” Mr. Monroe asks.
I turn to face him more directly. I want to say I’ll agree to his request if he lets me date Juliet, but something tells me this isn’t the time to negotiate.
“I won’t tell a soul who you come to the stables with, sir,” I begin. “Though I can’t prevent anyone else from potentially seeing. And I won’t lie to Juliet. If she asks me anything, I’m not stopping myself from answering her with the truth.”
A deep line creases between his brows, though I detect a hint of respect in his eyes, which is a first.
