Rafe wasn’t in good health but he was pleased to sit to the side and watch everyone having fun.

“It may be my imagination,” Coop said, “but have all the titans of Mason industry been invited?”

Cait laughed at that, but due to hard work and a lot of common sense, there were several prosperous people in Mason. Some of them owned businesses in KC. “Forey wants them to meet you so they’ll call you when they have an animal problem.”

“Me instead of the big shots at the giant Ottawa clinic?” She laughed again, but then, Coop often made her laugh.

As Caitlyn thought of those weeks, she could almost hear the music playing. There would be balloons and cute dogs and children with ice-cream cones. Or maybe Cait would have the ice cream. Give the kids four-inch-wide lollipops.

The difference between her vision and the movie scene was that the made-up ones always ended with love. And maybe a ring. Movie music scenes were always deeply romantic.

But with Coop and her, there was none of that. He’d never come close to making a pass at her. Had never made an off-color remark, or even a suggestive hint.

“I might as well be a boy,” she’d muttered more than once.

One time, her father heard her. “I like him even more,” Miguel had said.

“But—” Cait stopped at her father’s look. She couldn’t very well tell him that she wanted Coop to at least try to kiss her or more.

If it were a movie, the music would stop when a plane carrying Kelly and Adam Hatten arrived in Kansas City.

Kelly had been pleased with everything Coop had done. Cait, standing in the background, smiled proudly.

“I couldn’t have done it without Caitlyn,” he said. “She organized and cleared and—”

“Thank you.” Kelly glanced at Cait, but there was no warmth in her eyes. But then, Caitlyn had dumped her son without giving an explanation. Kelly’s words and her cool look were a dismissal. Cait picked up her bag and left.

That had been over a week ago and she’d rarely seen Cooper since then.

Miguel said, “He’s been swallowed by the Hattens. Get used to it. It happens often.”

Caitlyn gave herself pep talks about how silly she was being.

As a friend, she should be glad he was meeting new people. Glad he was being accepted in Mason.

Yesterday, the uncles told her they were working on buying the old Fredericks house. “So we can lease it to Dr. Cooper. It was such a good idea you had.”

“Aren’t I clever,” Cait muttered, then walked away.