“Tourists first” was the rule of law in Alba, and while most of the commercial establishments that locals frequented weren’t often sought out by tourists, we deferred to them—and their money—whenever they stumbled into any of the nonhistorical sites.

“Good weather today, Judge,” Nick said, breaking the silence.

“So I heard. Highs in the low seventies. Nice and warm for this time of year.”

The towel on my face was cool by the time I heard Earl start on the judge.

“Hold up, Judge. I’m not liking the feel of this blade. Let me get you a fresh one,” Earl said, then bumped my foot as he walked by.

Showtime.

I sat up, then handed my towel to Owen, who muttered, “The windows are really expensive.”

“Relax,” I whispered. Throw one guy through a window, and you’ll still be getting shit for it six years later.

Then I stood, noting that Willow’s dad was reclined the same way I had been, and leaned against the counter directly in front of his chair.

“Hello there, Mr. Bradley,” I said, low and smooth.

His eyes flew open, and he sat up slowly, glaring at me with half his face shaved and the other half covered in a thick lather. “Camden.”

“So, I need to talk to you.”

“This is highly improper.” He swung his feet over the side of the chair. “You can’t ambush the judge who’s about to decide on your case next week.”

“Oh, you’re completely right. I don’t even want to talk about the case. That’s a line I wouldn’t cross.” I tucked my thumbs in the front pockets of my jeans, my casual Rose Rowan Henley a direct contrast to his starched shirt and tie. “I need to talk to Noah Bradley, my girlfriend’s dad, not Judge Bradley. Figure you’d feel better having witnesses than any implication of impropriety. I know how much public opinion matters in an election year.”

His face paled to a shade just a bit darker than the shaving cream, and he started to get out of the chair, only to catch his reflection in the mirror and think better of it. God only knew the last time the man had actually shaved his own face. “What do you want, Camden?”

“I’m in love with your daughter.” The entire shop went so silent, I could hear the beat of my own heart. “I have been since I was about eleven years old, but to be fair, I was probably sixteen when I figured it out.”

“Is that what you call it? Love?” His jaw flexed. “Because as I recall, you were eleven when you broke her nose and tried to pass it off as a fall.”