“I have a date,” she said, and kept walking.

That was hours ago and it was just now hitting her that it was all over with Hayes. She was back to being alone. Her dream of being “settled” was gone.

And it was all the fault of Griffin Harding! If he hadn’t wanted to show up Hayes in archery, none of this would have happened.

Mike put her hands up on the sink and took some deep breaths. She could almost hear her father say, “Would you rather find out the truth after you married him?”

“No,” she whispered as she blinked back tears. But whatever the reason for the breakup, it still hurt!

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

By the time Griff got to the church, most of the people were seated. It had taken a while to get a suit.Then he’d had to unpack his van to find the vest he’d bought in India. It was emerald green silk with big water lilies embroidered across it. He’d bought it years ago, thinking he’d someday have a place to wear it, but there’d never been one. The vest had been shoved deep into his van, under equipment and work clothes.

When he finally dragged it out, he saw it was a mass of wrinkles. Ironing clothes wasn’t something he knew how to do, but the motel owner’s wife helped him.

By the time it was all done, he had to rush to the church. Inside, he stopped and stared. It was so covered in flowers he could hardly see the people. There were even flowers hanging from the ceiling.

He saw Mike at the far end of a pew in the front. Griff recognized the extended family.

Adam and Kelly, the parents of the groom, were at the end nearest the aisle. Vera and Miguel were next, then Cait and Dr. Cooper.

For a second, Griff stood back and looked at them. They were like one family but only Vera and Kelly were sisters. What kept them so closely together?

“Bride or groom?” an usher asked.

“What? Oh, groom. I see my place.” Griff slipped away to go down the side. He didn’t want to be seated in a back pew. He wanted to be right next to Mike.

He sat down between her and the oak side of the bench. Mike hardly glanced at him. “You have to have an invitation.”

“Kyle gave me one. Was this seat saved for your boyfriend?”

“He’s not coming.” She was looking straight ahead.

“Oh. Did he—?”

Mike turned to him in anger. “We broke up. Are you happy now?”

“Was it the archery?” Guilt ran through him.

“That didn’t help, but if you must know, he called Security on three eleven-year-olds.”