Page 125 of Every Which Way

His dad nodded. “A helicopter. If that’s all right with you.”

She held out her hand to him. When he clasped it, she said, “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome, Kenna. I know what you did for my Adrielle and Elaine. You saved their lives. It’s the least I can do.”

Amara watched the interplay. Kenna looked at Maizie and Jax, standing close and sharing an inside joke. Even Ramon, back on his phone. Amara tried to see what was on his screen, but he moved it away.

At the top floor, they went up a short flight of stairs and across the rooftop to the chopper. The kind with rows of cushy white seats that her dress was going to get dirty. There was even blood on one part of her dress, but it was what it was, and there wasn’t anything she could do.

She sat in the chopper between Jax and Maizie. Maizie wanted to watch out of the window the entire ride. Kenna leaned her head on Jax’s shoulder and looked at the mountains as they went south from Cheyenne back down to Colorado and the small town where Elizabeth’s uncle pastored.

The pilot set the helicopter down on the lawn behind the church.

She watched the back door open, and a crowd of people came out while Kenna took off her headphones. They all piled out of the chopper onto the grass. Her Converse sank into the soft earth.

Jax interlaced his fingers with hers. “Are you as nervous as I am?”

“At least you’ve done this before.”

“Nothing that happens with you is anything like what I’ve done before.”

Kenna laughed. “I guess that’s probably true.”

She leaned against him and looked around, seeing her RV parked in front of the church. The Rysons came down the steps from the church, their toddler running straight for Maizie, who scooped her up and spun her around.

Stairns walked with his arm around Elizabeth.

Amara headed into the church alone while Forrest Crosby and Dixie—and her family—stopped to speak with Ramon. Bruce was still in critical condition, or no doubt he’d be here as well.

Kenna watched them all. “They’re good people.”

“So are you.”

She looked over. “I know.”

Jax motioned to the church with his chin. “You should go see what that is about.”

Ramon stood on the back steps, hands folded across his chest.

“Think he’ll be my bridesmaid?”

Jax laughed. “I think he’ll stand up with you if you ask. He and Maizie were arguing about it earlier.”

She frowned. Jax walked with her to the back door of the church. As they crossed the lawn, he asked, “Feeling okay?”

“I think so. It’s too early to tell anything, but as far as I know at this moment, it’s all clear. Nothing to worry about. Yet.”

Jax gave her a squeeze. “I’ll be there no matter what.”

“I know.” They climbed the steps. “Why do you look mad, Ramon? It’s a happy occasion.”

He lifted one brow. “You owe me.”

“For what?”

“I have to go on a date with…that woman.” He unfolded his arms. “I’ll show you to the room. Akira had another dress that’s the exact size as that and as close as she could get to the same design. She’s waiting for you.”

“You called her?”

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