Page 48 of Her Devoted HERO

Kenna shook her head and looked around noting Dex’s backyard.

“Well, at least you saw some action.” Her mother grinned. “I knew I could count on a Navy man.” It was great to see her mother’s eyes sparkling as she referred to her dad.

Kenna just raised one eyebrow and refused to comment, grateful when her son walked over, a half-eaten brownie in his hand.

“How many brownies does this make?” she asked.

“Only two. I’m saving room for a couple of cheeseburgers,” he said. “I’ve been talking to Wyatt; did you know he surfs? He said he’d take me out sometime.”

Kenna looked over at the sandy haired man who was standing next to Hunter Diaz. She kept saying their names in her head as she looked at each one of them so that she could memorize them.

“Austin, don’t you think you have enough on your plate?”

Just then Wyatt looked their way and grinned, obviously knowing what Austin was asking. He put his palms together in a praying motion. The man was charming.

“Let me talk to him,” Kenna said. “I’m not promising anything.”

Austin smirked. He knew he’d won.

Damned smart kid.

“Food’s up,” Dex called out.

Kenna watched as Penny and Griff’s wife Miranda uncovered the side dishes and condiments. They were soon sitting at various places around the backyard. Dex and Hunter had brought out the dining room table from inside to accommodate more seating. Rosalie was having a grand time entertaining Evie and Aiden. She saw Buddy and Dex deep in conversation and wondered what was going on and then realized that both of them had technical backgrounds. She wandered over to join them.

“Lyle Gale was less than happy, but he has an appalling reputation, so I didn’t mind using certain methods to acquire the dating website.”

Dex chuckled. “You did this all for Rosalie?”

“My grandmother is a force to be reckoned with.” Buddy looked over at Kenna. “Keeping watch over her protégé was a pleasure. But I wouldn’t have done any of this if it hadn’t made good business sense.”

“Actually, that makes me feel a whole hell of a lot better,” Kenna said with a sigh of relief.

Buddy smiled at her.

“I’m hoping you can do me a favor Kenna, dear.” It was funny how he talked to her like she was his daughter when he was five years younger than her. “I have to go to the office this afternoon. Could you take Grandmother home? I don’t want her to miss any of the festivities, she’s having a great time.”

He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then shook Dex’s hand. “I’m glad she found you, Man. We’d given up hope.” Buddy grinned.

Buddy left through the sliding glass door.

“Let me get you a plate of food,” Dex said. “I think Evie’s starting to tell her stories to Rosalie. This ought to be good.”

***

The night was winding down. Despite the fact that her son had eaten far more brownies and cookies than she wanted to think about, dessert was now being served. Penny had just brought out a Bundt cake, and Kenna was going inside and get something to cut it with. As she opened the sliding glass door, she heard the distinctive ring of her phone and went to her purse.

Austin was getting ice cream of the freezer when she answered the phone.

“I’ve been calling for over an hour, what took you so long?”

She didn’t answer. She was frozen.

“Kenna, did you like the flowers?” he prompted.

“Who is this?” But she knew who it was. She recognized that creepy, raspy voice.

“I’ve e-mailed Mary Poppins many times, but you didn’t reply. I had to get your attention.”