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I eye Harriet and Parker in the back seat. “And why does it take four of us to collect an order for the flower shop? Couldn’t you have done with the extra room in the back?”

Margot worries her lip. “Um, the more the merrier.”

“Plus, we’re all very overdressed⁠—”

“Quit asking questions, nosy.” Parker flicks my arm. “And enjoy a Saturday out with your friends.”

“I would if you weren’t all acting weird.” I look at Harriet, who’s been silent this entire drive. “Seriously, what’s going on?”

“Stop being suspicious.” She smiles, but I see right through the bullshit.

“I hate surprises.”

Margot’s grip on the steering wheel tightens. “All surprises?”

“Jesus Christ,” Parker mutters. “Margot, babes, we need to work on your poker face.”

“I hate lying.” Margot glances at me nervously. “You’ll like this surprise.”

We turn left and drive under a large wooden archway. “Why are we at Big Bear Ranch?”

We bounce up the gravel drive leading toward a big farmhouse and barn. It’s a working ranch on the very outskirts of town, and as we roll up, the ranch hands stop what they’re doing in the pens to watch us.

“We should’ve blindfolded her.” Harriet leans forward in her seat when we come to a stop. “No more questions. For once, just go with the flow.”

I do as I’m told and follow them out of the truck. We all congregate at the back, and Harriet steps in front of me while Margot pops the trunk and rifles around. I try to see what she’s doing, but Parker blocks my view with a stern look.

“Now don’t be shocked, but…we’re not here to pick up flowers.”

I recoil dramatically with a gasp. “You don’t say.”

Parker rolls her eyes and accepts a garment bag from Harriet. “This is what’s going to happen. We’re going to go inside the barn. You’re going to put on this outfit, throw on some red lipstick, and keep your mouth shut until we say so.”

“Bossy,” I grumble.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that Tate is behind all this. In the past month, he’s taken me on twenty-two dates. In the backyard, at the distillery, a quick lunch at Peaches, another trip to the falls before it gets too cold. Any spare time we’ve had has been spent together. We’re truly making up for lost time.

I worried he’d struggle to settle back into small-town life, but he’s thriving. Not only is he loving working with Parker and his old colleagues at the distillery, but he also got in contact with the local high school and has offered his services to help teach guitar to the kids.

Life is perfect.

I decide to play along, not wanting to ruin whatever surprise date he has in store for us this afternoon.

“Lead the way,” I tell my friends.

Fall is officially here. Pockets of amber and gold embellish the green rolling hills as the trees prepare to shed their leaves.

The inside of the barn is what you expect, and I’m a little confused why I’m being forced to change next to a wheelbarrow.

I unzip the garment bag and pause.

Inside is a white knee-length dress, the bodice form-fitting and the skirt floaty. I stare down at my red cowboy boots, and Margot clears her throat. “These might go better.” She hands me a large shoe box and inside is a pair of brand-new white boots.

“This isn’t a date, is it?” My eyes flit between my friends.

They’re all grinning manically.

“It’s a date…of sorts.” Parker nudges me. “Hurry and get changed. We’ll be late.”