When she got into her Jeep, what little energy she had left drained from her. First of all, she was filthy. Kisses from kindergartners were lovely except that they left a trail. She had chocolate on both ears, vanilla frosting in her hair and gummy bears stuck to her shirt. She’d never been around Hayes unless she was washed and perfumed. But there was no time to fix herself. Besides, the truth was that she didn’t care.

When she got back to the carnival, Hayes was standing twenty feet from Forey’s booth and that made her frown. Would it hurt him to buy a slice of pie? For charity?

His clothes were immaculate, not a crease in them. Mike had the wicked idea of hugging him. Maybe the gunk on her would transfer to him. She’d come away freshly clean and Hayes would be...different.

When he saw her, a quick look of shock passed across his face, but he changed it to a smile. “I see you’ve been working.”

“I have. No cleaning Porta Potties yet, but they may be assigned to me next.”

He didn’t smile at her joke. Instead, he took a step back. “I came to reassure you that everything is okay between us. I know you were worried.”

She knew that what he was saying had been true for a while, but it certainly seemed presumptuous. “I’ve been too busy to worry about anything.”

“That’s good. But please don’t be upset because you kept such a big secret from me.”

Mike was genuinely confused. Had he somehow found out about her mom’s biological father? That was the only secret she knew.

He seemed to understand her dilemma. “The archery. You didn’t tell me about that. You let me go on and on about my small abilities, and there you were, knowing you were Robin Hood.”

“Oh,” she said. “That. I guess I never thought it was important enough to mention.” The spear-throwing incident in elementary school had taught her to not tell people what she could do or where she’d been and what she’d seen.

“But I did think you and I were closer than that.” He sounded regretful. “Anyway, I have something to give you.” He handed her a little red jewelry box.

Inside was a delicate gold chain with a pretty little heart pendant. He smiled. “It’s a preengagement gift.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“Before...you know, a ring comes this.”

Maybe she was too tired to comprehend what he was saying. “Are you talking about an engagement ring and marriage?”

“Well...it’s a bit early for that.” He was smiling as though he knew that’s what she wanted. “This is about exclusivity. That means—”