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“You look beautiful, as always. Now tell me about your mom.”
Kenna shot me a grateful smile before launching into her story. “Mom had me young, moving to California before I was born. I never knew who my father was, though I can assume my red hair and pale skin is from him. Mom said he was Irish, and other than giving me this bracelet that belonged to his family, she’s never told me any other details. Just emphasizing that he was unimportant to her.”
I reached over to hold her hand, giving her a squeeze.
“Mona is a hippie, a free spirit who goes where the mood takes her. I went to ten schools growing up, never able to keep a long-term friend. Sometimes she made rent, sometimes we lived in her van. As soon as I was an adult, I got an apartment and a steady job while I went to college. I wanted to be the exact opposite of Mona.”
I nodded, understanding now why she clung to her professional life so hard before she’d come here. Understanding the office clothes and the uptight personality. The absolute horror that her carefully constructed life had exploded on her.
“Dec,” she whispered, tears shining in her eyes. I squeezed her hand tighter. “This is going to be hell with her here.”
I bridged the distance between us and kissed her, my lips making promises I intended to keep. When her shoulders left her earlobes and her breathing had evened out, I pulled back enough to study her face.
“We’ll figure it out like we always do. Together.”
Kenna’s eyes filled with tears again. “You must hate me by now. I’ve disrupted your life horribly from day one.”
I stroked my thumb across her bottom lip, wishing I could carry her out of here and right into my bed to show her exactly how much I didn’t hate her. But the reality of her mother upstairs was enough to have me stay seated.
“It’s a shock to me too, but I don’t hate you being here. Not at all.” I grinned, thinking about it. “And wouldn’t that make Maeve smile, to know we’re actually getting along.”
Kenna’s own smile grew.
I leaned in and kissed her again. “I actually have to get over to my dad’s this morning like I promised him, but I’ll be back a little later to help out. Try not to kill her while I’m gone?”
Kenna crossed her eyes. “I can’t make promises.”
I stood up and so did she. I stole one last kiss and then I headed out the door without her, coming to a halt at the shrubs. A car pulled into my driveway, a man climbing out of the back.
“I can’t get this damn thing to add a tip.”
I hung my head and wondered if I’d somehow pissed off the cosmos.
“Pops?”
My father raised his head and looked over at me from the rideshare, his face lighting into a smile. “Hey, son! Help an old man out, would you? I can’t get this damn thing to work.”
Resigned, I stepped over the shrub and to the driveway, gently taking the phone from Pops and giving the driver a healthy tip for putting up with my father. The car backed out of the driveway and sped off while Pops gave me a hug. He was decked out in red plaid shorts, white wing-tip shoes, and a Tommy Bahama shirt that would have made Maeve give an approving nod.
“Did I get the details wrong? I thought I was supposed to meet you at your place in an hour?”
Pops shifted his weight off his prosthetic leg and onto his good leg. “Figured I’d surprise you. Maybe catch a glimpse of your woman. Harley’s had such good things to say.”
I nearly bit my tongue. “Well, she’s not exactly my woman, Pops. And now’s not a good time.”
Pops gave me an exaggerated pout. He opened his mouth, but shut it immediately when Kenna’s door clicked open. He spun around so fast, he nearly lost his balance. I shot a hand out and steadied him. Kenna leaned against the porch railing, watching us curiously.
I groaned under my breath. This morning had definitely not gone according to plan. I made the introductions anyway. “Pops, this is Kenna Ryan. Kenna, this is my father, Daniel.”
Pops ambled down to the sidewalk and back up Kenna’s driveway, his hand outstretched. “I’m delighted to meet you, young lady.”
Kenna took in his prosthetic leg and shook his hand politely. She squeaked when he pulled her into a hug, bussing a kiss across her cheek. When she pulled back, she was smiling as widely as my father.
“Same! I can see where Dec gets his handsome features.”
“Oh, look at you, flattering an old man.” Dad barely spared a glance in my direction, his hands still on Kenna’s arms like she might disappear if he let go. “I approve, son. And if you don’t want her, I’ll take her.”
Kenna laughed, and the fact that Pops was able to make her lose the despondent look she’d harbored with her mother here, I couldn’t complain. From day one, I’d reluctantly placed myself as Kenna’s protector and that feeling had only intensified with recent events.
