Page 126 of Every Which Way

“I’m not going to let you get married with mud on your dress,” Ramon said.

“It’s probably blood, actually.”

“Whatever. Come on.”

Jax scratched his jaw, looking like he wanted to laugh. “Guess I’ll see you in there.”

She grabbed his cheeks and kissed him. “I’ll be quick.”

“I have to change as well.”

She lifted her brows.

“See you in ten.”

Kenna went with Ramon. He led her to a small library where Akira had a huge white garment bag. Amara was there, and Dixie.

Kenna hugged her friend. “Thanks for coming.”

Dixie leaned back, still holding on to Kenna. “Girl, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She stepped by Kenna and held her elbow out for Ramon. “Let’s go find Forrest.”

The look on Ramon’s face upon hearing that name wasn’t lost on her. Ramon and Forrest Crosby? That could be an interesting combination.

Akira spread her arms. “Let’s get you out of that thing.” She didn’t sound happy about the state of it.

Kenna said, “Sorry. It was a rough week.”

Akira laughed, unzipping the dress so Kenna could step out of it.

Amara produced the replacement. Kenna went over to her, hugging herself so she didn’t freeze while wearing next to nothing. “It’s beautiful.”

Her mother nodded. “You’ll be beautiful in it. But it isn’t the dress; it’s you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Kenna stepped into it, and her mom zipped the dress.

Akira came over with white silk gloves in her hands. “Ready for these?”

Kenna held her hand out. “I think I’m going to go without. I don’t need to cover up my scars.”

“Why not?” Amara said. “You don’t need to be reminded of them every time you look at the photos.”

“Maybe I do. They’re a part of me, aren’t they?” Perhaps her mom was ashamed of them somehow, but Kenna wanted this chance to explain how she felt. “They represent what I’ve lost, sure. They remind me of everything I should’ve had. But they also represent the things I have now. Things God gave me because He wanted to pour His grace into my life. I could be living alone in my RV solving cases by myself.

“But I have Maizie, Ramon, Stairns, and Elizabeth. Friends. Family. There are little kids out there who are a part of my life. Good people who could’ve chosen anyone to be friends with, but they chose to stick with me. And what does that say if they’re the best kind of people. Maybe it means I’m something good, something special, like they are.

“Jesus has scars like I do. He sacrificed. He gave everything for me. So why would me having scars mean something bad? To me, they remind me to look at what I have now.” She swiped a tear from her cheek. “I have so much. More than I ever thought possible. And that includes you, Mom.”

“I love you, Kenna.” Amara gave her a hug.

“I missed you.” When her mom leaned back, Kenna said. “I always missed you because you’re my mother. Even if it’s not biological, you’re the one who was going to raise me. I want you in my life. I know you need to be with Zeyla and help her. She has a long road to recover from everything they did to her. But I’d like to see you.”

Her mom said, “That would be nice.”

It seemed her mom was done fighting the company, theDominatus. But maybe it was more like passing the torch and allowing someone else to take up the cause while she fought a different fight at home for her family.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

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