Page 27 of Every Which Way

Kenna smiled at her. “What about an adventurous vacation? Somewhere exotic.”

“That could work.” Laney tipped her head to the side. “Oh, maybe a murder mystery cruise!”

Maizie said, “That sounds like fun. But I don’t think I want to be trapped on a boat for that long.”

“It’s a ship, dear,” Adrielle said with a slight smile. “A floating tin can with four thousand other passengers onboard, and it’s been two days since they ran out of shrimp.”

Maizie grinned. “I prefer my Airstream. It’s a tin can, but it won’t wash away.”

“Agreed,” Kenna said.

Laney asked, “Have you and Jax talked about where you’re going to go on your honeymoon?”

“Not yet.” She’d figured some quality RV time. Or they’d head to a cabin somewhere with no cell signal and no way for anyone to track them.

Laney said, “You should go on a murder mystery cruise. You’d win, if they make it a competition.”

“With my track record,” Kenna said, “we’ll end up in the middle of some kind of international smuggling operation or somehow finding a killer who uses the cruise ports to cover up his activity and throw the local police for a loop.”

Adrielle glanced at her and blinked.

“I’m thinking that having no one around, just us, might be a whole lot safer.” She wanted to explain more, but Maizie’s cheeks had reddened.

Adrielle said, “I’d normally hesitate to suggest this, but have you thought about Canada? Somewhere remote, like the coast of British Columbia.”

Kenna smiled at her future mother-in-law. “That sounds like a great idea. I should add it to the list.”

Adrielle looked back at her menu, smiling. “Happy to help.”

Kenna tried not to stare at the woman, but when she’d met Jax’s mother earlier this year after they got engaged, she’d seemed a lot different than this. She’d deferred to his father, let him set the tone and steer the conversation. His father was curt and clearly saw things only his way. Adrielle seemed to come out of her shell when he wasn’t around.

This woman was one Kenna could grow to love. She didn’t have a whole lot of experience with maternal figures in her life but figured they might be able to make this work.

“Thank you.”

Adrielle must not have heard her because she didn’t look over or say anything. Meanwhile, for Kenna, having something in her life she didn’t have to worry about was a breath of fresh air. This woman wasn’t a source of stress. Kenna’s marriage wouldn’t have to be a nightmare when it came to her extended family.

She glanced around and caught Laney staring at her. They shared a smile, and Laney said, “Seemed like you went through something profound putting on that wedding dress, if you don’t mind me saying.”

Kenna didn’t want her to worry. “I did. But I’m good.” Another thing to debrief with Jax about, along with telling him about the possible serial killer. “How long will the two of you be in Denver?”

“Trying to get rid of us already?” Laney grinned.

Kenna glanced at Adrielle, who was still studying the menu. She mouthed,Serial killer,in Laney’s direction and watched her expression change to something more like fear. That was good. Some healthy fear could give Laney a little more levelheadedness. “It’s been wonderful seeing both of you.”

“And getting all those samples at the wedding show,” Maizie said. “What’s a remoulade? Did I say that right?”

“Fancy salad dressing.” Laney glanced at Kenna. “We have our flights booked for tomorrow morning, unless there’s another altercation with a mysterious woman or life-changing moment we should stick around for.”

“Might be better to get out of harm’s way.”

Laney looked at Maizie, then back at Kenna. “You guys be careful, okay? Y’all make me nervous with the crime fighting.”

“Honestly, Laney,” her mom said. “Y’all? Is that how we address people?”

Laney grinned. “I’m having the steak and pasta. I feel like splurging.”

“Oh, good idea.” Maizie dropped her menu to the white tablecloth in front of her. “I hope it’s as good as Stairns’ steaks.”

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