They rarely returned to Kansas, but once when they did, they met Hayes. “He certainly is fancy,” Seth said.

“Quite above us,” Pauly said.

Cait narrowed her eyes at them. “I think you two should leave Michaela’s life to her.”

“Wouldn’t think of interfering,” Seth said.

“Are his shirts bespoke?” Pauly asked. Cait shooed them away.

All in all, Mike was glad they weren’t returning for Kyle’s wedding. “Too much for us,” Seth said over the phone. “But give Vera and Miguel our love.”

“Especially Miguel,” Pauly added, and they’d laughed together.

So now Mike was getting ready to meet Hayes at the Homecoming Carnival. They’d have hours together before the public would be allowed in. There were only four rides and they were for kids, so no scary roller coaster or sexy haunted house, but there were lots of game booths. Ring toss, fishing for ducks, darts thrown at balloons. She knew how much Hayes liked to win, so he’d love them.

She imagined herself with her arms full of cute stuffed animals and some food on a stick and smiling up at Hayes. They were going to have three whole days together, with the romance of a candlelit wedding in the middle. Waltzing together under the mirrored ball could lead to...

Michaela took a breath. Being settled, she thought. No more being torn between her life in Kansas and her life in the world. No more of people she dearly loved being split in two. She’d have them all in one place. Settled. It had come to be her favorite word. A home where she didn’t move around. A job. A husband, children. All of it secure. She was sure the restless feeling inside her would finally go away.

She’d at last know who she was and what she wanted in life. Peaceful Kansas or the endlessly exciting world? She would know—

Her ringing phone stopped her thoughts. It was her mom. “Did you check on the game booths?” Cait asked.

“I’m about to leave now.”

“Good. I’ll be there as soon as I can. The florist for the wedding is giving us trouble. I don’t think Becks is going to like the color of the roses that are available.”

“She’ll adjust. She always does.”

“To take on Kyle, she’d have to be very flexible. I have to go. I’ve had three texts in the last four minutes. Mike, dear, is Hayes coming?”

“Yes! I’m meeting him before things open. I think he wants to win a teddy bear for me.”

“How sweet,” Cait said. “Are you planning to introduce him to Vera?”

“Of course. He’s looking forward to it.”

“I think you should wait until tomorrow. Give her time to adjust to being here. You know how blunt she can be. She might hurt his feelings.”