Page 75 of Autumn Kissed

She raises a passive hand, then backs away to the tables. “No problem. I should be getting back, too. But I’ll definitely be catching up with you soon.”

I wave goodbye, then answer Rosie’s panicked call about the scale for the pumpkin weigh-in on Wednesday having gone missing.

“We don’t have it yet,” I explain calmly as I leave Town Hall and walk down Main toward the church. “Farmer Joe’s bringing it on Wednesday.”

“Oh. Oh. Okay. That makes sense.”

I answer a few more questions, then she hangs up mid-sentence, no doubt chasing after another problem. But I’ve got my own work to do—including ensuring everything is rain-ready since it’s supposed to storm tonight.

Walking down Main, I greet those filling the cordoned off street—families, couples, and friends purchasing goods, participating in street carnival games, and signing up for activities. Everyone’s wearing happy faces, and I’m loving the sight.

A mom walks by with her young kids, and she greets me with a frazzled wave before walking past, but not before I catch sight of the pink “I Voted” sticker stuck onto her shirt.

I smile to myself. This is Autumn Ridge’s biggest insider secret. I can’t believe I’m in on it when Dad isn’t. I’ve been desperate to get my hands on one of those stickers ever since Emma sent me a picture of them earlier today, but I have to vote first, and I still don’t know who to pick.

Part of me wants to go up to each person and ask who they voted for and why, but I don’t want to weird people out. Honestly, I’m weirding myself out for being this into it. I’ve just been wanting Dad to find some happiness for so long.

Sure, I’m still bugged that he’s not talking to me, but there’s obviously a good enough reason—just like for me not telling him about college.

I pass by a few more families and even more pink stickers before reaching the end of Main.

I arrive at the hayride pickup the same moment Archer does, his attention is already on me, though he breaks off to nod to a few people who thank him as they file off the back of the wagon.

When he looks back at me, he tips his hat in greeting. He’s wearing jeans, worn boots, and a blue, plaid, button-up. The man is a walking ad for Wranglers, and I am here for it. How do I have the attention of a guy like this? And how have I not given in to those smiles, thrown caution to the wind, and said yes to being with him for the rest of my life?

I need to remember my reasons—I love Dad, and Dad hates Archer. That has to change before anything can happen. Dad gave up everything to raise me and care for me, so how could I so easily give up him for another? If I did, I’d easily win “Most Selfish Daughter of the Year.”

“Juliet? Juliet!”

I blink. Archer’s looking over his shoulder at the people filing onto the wagon—specifically at the person calling my name.

“Juliet!”

I scan the new group in the wagon, then finally find Landrie waving wildly at me. Jaxon sits next to her, his hand draped around her comfortably as the two sit impossibly close together. They’re looking like the prom queen and king, even up on that hay wagon.

Next to Landrie is Ari, who sits next to Wade. They’re not as handsy as Landrie is with her fiancé, but they’re close enough to have it be clear that they’re still dating.

I walk toward them with a wave.

“I called your name, like, fifteen times,” Landrie says when I reach the side of the wagon they’re seated within. “Distracted, much?”

She glances at Archer, who steps down from the wagon and secures some buckling on the horse.

“No, I just have a lot to do this morning,” I lie.

She gives me a look that says she doesn’t believe me. I’m not surprised. Landrie’s known about my crush since the beginning. She’s also the one who came up with the idea to go to Horseshoe Holler for our prom date a million years ago.

She may not listen very well, but when she does, the knowledge she gleans sticks like gum to the bottom of a shoe.

“How’s the festival going?” Jaxon asks. “I heard you’ve been doing a lot of the behind-the-scenes work.”

“Yeah, it’s been a bit hectic. Have you guys been enjoying yourselves?”

“So much,” Landrie says, speaking for them all.

Ari’s staring at Wade, then looks at me as if only now realizing I asked a question. “It’s been a great festival so far,” she adds.

“And this hayride is gonna be so romantic.” Landrie says, mooning up at Jaxon. “Having someone to share this season with is just the best. Isn’t it, Ari?”