Page 27 of Finally Found You

Lysander: Who told you about Kenzy?

Ben: My brother, of course. Derek needs me to swing by San Fran to get the DNA sample.

Lysander: I know how to use a swab.

Ben: You said the same about condoms, and… welp, it appears you didn’t use them correctly.

Lysander: Fucker.

Ben: See you at three. I’m bringing Bernie along, so watch your language.

I sigh, pocketing my phone and glancing at Kenzy, who’s fixing the straps of her backpack.

“This should be easier than a fourteener,” I say casually, trying to start a conversation.

“You’ve climbed them?” Her eyes, filled with a mixture of curiosity and vulnerability, widen.

“A couple of them. When I go to Colorado, it’s usually during the winter to hit the slopes.” I pause, searching her expression for any hint of shared enthusiasm. “How about you? Do you hike often?”

She sighs. “No,” she admits, her voice soft and tinged with longing. “I always wanted to, but Cami was living in North Carolina, and Nonna… she was old.”

“We could start slow and maybe someday climb higher mountains,” I suggest, hoping this could be a way to bond. “Ready to hit the trail?”

Kenzy grins, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Definitely,” she replies, and together we head out toward the winding path that leads through Golden Gate Park.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp air that carries the scent of fresh leaves and flowers. We begin walking, and I can’t help but notice the joy on Kenzy’s face as she takes in her surroundings.

“I wonder what kind of bird that is.” She points animatedly toward a small bird perched on a nearby branch.

“It’s a Western Tanager,” I tell her.

She gives me an impressed look. “You know about birds?”

“I’m outside most of the day,” I say, knowing that doesn’t explain why I know about birds or nature. She’ll figure out I’m a science geek, but it’s too soon to let her know I’m a little obsessed with nature.

“You and Cami would get along. She likes to go birdwatching when she travels,” Kenzy mentions, her voice filled with admiration for her cousin.

“Oh,” is all I manage to say, quickly changing the conversation and asking her about school. We shouldn’t be talking about Camilla and the things we might have in common. Yesterday, I almost kissed her. Thankfully, one of us—not me—had the common sense to disappear.

Kenzy and I continue down the trail, passing by a small stream and a grove of tall redwood trees. I pause to run my hand over the rough bark, marveling at their towering height.

“So you’re, like, a nature freak?” Kenzy asks with a grin. “That’s probably where I got it, then. Nonna always said it’s because I liked to copy everything Cami does.”

“Genetics are interesting.” I smile wistfully. It’s good to know we have something in common, even if she got it from her cousin and not me.

“What did Cami study?” I ask, curious about the woman who’s been such a significant influence in Kenzy’s life.

She shrugs. “I don’t know what her major was, but I remember her fighting with Nonna all the time because she was wasting her time on something useless. Later, she got her MBA from Duke—finance is where the money is.”

“You can do whatever you want in life.” I hold back from telling her that I have enough money to support her for the rest of her life. She doesn’t need to sacrifice her dreams.

That’s why our foundation has several scholarships to ensure we can help others with their tuition and their lives. I should look more into them and make sure we’re reaching out to enough people.

“Cami told me the same,” Kenzy says as she stops at the top of the hill, taking in the breathtaking view. “She’ll do anything to ensure I can be whoever I want.”

And somehow, Cami has made a lot of sacrifices for my child. The least I could do is repay her while hoping we won’t get into a fight when it’s time for Kenzy to decide where to go.

Chapter Fourteen

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