Page 116 of Target Acquired

Soon. Patience.

Once her family realized they were a couple and congratulated them, the attention focused back on her grandmother.

Kenzie let out a slow breath. “Well, that was painless.”

He laughed. “I think I might be insulted.”

“No, it’s just . . . they’ve mellowed, I guess.”

Her brother Kash walked up to them with a beautiful woman on his arm. Kenzie smiled. “Amelia.”

The woman kissed Kenzie’s cheek, then stepped back and gave Cole the once-over. Approval glinted in her eyes. “I assume this is your plus-one for the dinner party tomorrow.”

“He is.” Kenzie made the introductions.

“Excellent choice,” Amelia said. “Very nice to meet you, Cole.”

“And you,” he murmured.

“Come on,” Kash said to Amelia. “Let’s go see if Paul has a plus-one he’s bringing to the dinner.”

They moved on with a little wave, and Kenzie squeezed Cole’s hand. “I want to get my grandmother alone at some point and ask her about the journal and why she’s had it all these years.”

“Get in the back of the line and be the last one. You’ll have more time.”

Kenzie followed the advice, only to have her father roll up to her. “Hi.”

He cleared his throat. “I . . . uh . . . suppose I should have said this before now, but I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“And you’ve given me something I haven’t had in a very long time.” He pulled in a breath. “Some peace.”

Kenzie hesitated, then leaned over to hug him. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. “I’m glad,” she whispered.

“Yeah. So don’t be a stranger. You know where I live.” Then he rolled away, and Cole stepped forward with Kenzie to face her grandmother.

The woman smiled, the creases in her cheeks and forehead and around her kind eyes making her look like an ancient, wise confidante.

Kenzie knelt in front of her and took her hands. “I found the journal, Grandma Betsy.”

Her eyes softened. “Have you read it?”

“Some of it. But, honestly, I’d rather hear how you and Grandpa George helped Eliza escape.”

“Such a long time ago.”

“I know. And Cole wants to hear too.”

Grandma Betsy turned her attention to Cole and let out a shaky breath. “You look like her, you know.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“She’s been gone for such a long time, but I still miss her every day.”

“Tell us about her, Gran, tell us about the night you helped her escape and find her way to William. And then we have a story for you.”

“Oh, how intriguing.”