Mike sighed. “Okay, I’ll let him win me a prize, feed him, then send him home. Happy now?”

“Michaela.”

“Sorry, Mom.” Caitlyn didn’t allow her daughter to have an attitude. “You better answer your texts. Maybe they’ll say that Uncle Kyle is in jail and the wedding’s off.”

Caitlyn groaned. “That’s not funny. Love ya!”

“Me, too.” Mike tapped off. She started on the tangled necklace in her hand, but hadn’t made any progress when her phone rang again. It was her dad.

“I’ll be late, honey,” Cooper said.

“You have to be there.” Mike’s voice was a plea.

“Tell that to Jared. He’s got a mare in labor. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He paused. “Are you nervous?”

“No, of course not. It’s just Vera and Papi.”

“Easy, huh? Just don’t do anything to set her off. You know how Kelly and Miguel have spent years getting her to agree to stay. The least little thing and she might jump on a plane and leave.”

“I know. She is my mother, remember?”

“You never let me forget.”

Mike smiled at that. It was a family joke that Michaela was so much like her biological mother that it felt like Vera was always with them.

“Is Hayes there yet?”

“No, but he’ll be here soon. We’re going to the game booths early, before they’re crowded.”

“That’s a great idea. I better go before Jared skins me. I’ll see you there.”

“Or at the airport as her plane flies away.”

Coop groaned. “Don’t say anything like that to Kelly. Please.” Laughing, Mike clicked off.

Just as she got the knot out of the chain and put the necklace on, her phone rang again. It was Hayes. “Hi,” she said in the low tone she used only for him, then leaned back against her bedroom wall.

“Hi yourself,” he said in the same tone. “I’m on my way. Should be there in an hour or so. Need anything?”

Just you, she thought but didn’t say. Hayes didn’t like gushy sentiment. “No, nothing. They were setting up the booths last night, and they swore they’d be done by now. Are you planning to toss a ball? Throw rings over milk bottles?”

“Actually, I’ve got something to show you.”

“Oh?” Her eyes were wide.

“I never told you, but in university I was on the archery team. Kyle told me a target has been set up.”

Mike dropped her head back against the wall so hard it thumped. “I’m going to kill him,” she whispered.

“What was that?”

She stood up straight. “Nothing. Just muttering as I try to untangle a necklace chain. Archery, huh? Did Kyle see you shoot?”