Mike was walking backward. “I’ll send Papi with ice cream. Then you two...” She waved her hand at the place where the cellar had been. “I want a little brother. I’ll teach him all that I know.” She pantomimed using a bow and arrow.

Vera laughed. “Go on with you, but do try to have some fun.”

“I’ll make it a priority.” She threw a kiss to her mother, then ran to the gate.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

“There you are,” Kelly said as soon as she saw Mike. “The elementary school needs help on their float. I’m up to my neck in wedding stuff. Where’s Cait?”

“I have no idea,” Mike said. “Where’s the float?”

“The old corn depot. The kids are hyped up on sugar. Think you can handle them?”

“Sure. I’ll get Griff to help.”

Kelly paused. “Is that the guy who had drugs in his backpack?”

“He didn’t. It was a misunderstanding. He wants to write a bio of Vera.”

Kelly grinned. “Best joke I’ve heard all day. Do you know where Kyle is?”

“Last I saw him, he was with Griff. They—”

Kelly threw up her hands. “I’ve got to meet this guy. Go!”

“Yes, ma’am.” Mike headed toward the parking lot. When she passed Griff at the firefighters’ booth, she said, “Come on. We have a job.” He followed her.

They went to her Jeep and got in. As she pulled out, she said, “You aren’t bombarding me with questions?”

“I’m willing to follow you wherever you lead. No questions asked. I’ll go through snipers and bulldozers. Through—”

Mike groaned. “Vera knows what you want.”

“Yeah?” He sounded eager. “What did she say? Did she agree?”

“She—” When Mike’s phone buzzed, she took it out of her pocket to look at it, but Griff took it out of her hand.

“No texting while driving. Should I look at it?”

“Sure. It’s probably Kelly wanting me to do something.”

As Griff looked at her phone, he read in silence. When he spoke, his voice was low. “Hayes says he knows you’re worried about what happened, but he promises that everything will be fine. He’ll meet you at your house at seven p.m. He says he has something very important to give you.” He looked at her. “Sorry. I didn’t meant to pry.”

Mike didn’t want Griff to know her private thoughts. For one thing, she was no longer upset about what had happened. Talking to her parents had given her a different perspective. She’d beat Hayes at archery. That’s all. Earlier, she’d felt guilty about that, but now she wasn’t feeling bad at all. She thought about Miguel and his talk of patterns and setting a precedent.

“Mind texting him back for me?”

“I wouldn’t mind at all,” Griff said.