Page 42 of Her Devoted HERO

“This couldn’t be going any better than if a screenwriter wrote it,” Rosalie enthused.

“As a matter of fact, he said to invite you.”

Rosalie’s eyes got wide. “I knew I liked that man. But that’s just not possible. I have Buddy coming over for dinner on Sunday.”

Kenna considered things for all of a second, but she knew that Dex had said he was inviting some of his team and their families over as well. “Have Buddy come as well. I was going to come pick you up, but this way he can drive you.”

Rosalie clapped her hands. “Oh, Kenna! This will be so much fun.”

The dogs must have heard the claps because they raced up the stairs and Kenna and Rosalie found themselves with laps full of poodles.

The maid came up carrying a bouquet of lilies. Rosalie held out her arms.

“No, Mrs. Randall, they are for Kenna,” she said as she placed them on the table. Rosalie snatched up the card, a sparkle in her eye.

Kenna,

I’m sorry about your friend.

― T

“Who’s T?” Rosalie asked.

Kenna sneezed, then sneezed again. Her eyes began to water.

“Are you allergic?” Rosalie asked.

Kenna nodded.

“Take these inside,” Rosalie told the maid. She handed the card over to Kenna. “Do you know who ‘T’ is?”

“I don’t know.” Kenna sneezed again. “I’ll ask around the hospital tomorrow. But it’s weird they were delivered here.”

The new director came bounding up the stairs. “Mrs. Randall, do you have time for us?” he asked sweetly. “Of course, we would love it if you would bring the dogs. The maid said you have a cat too, right?”

Kenna and Rosalie burst out laughing.

Chapter Seven

There had been no fights at the other missions, and Kenna’s instincts had been right, no other facility needed money more than the Union Mission. On the drive between each place, she and Dex traded notes, and she was fascinated by the level of detail he took in at each shelter.

“I’ll want to go back to each one and look at their computers. I know you’re going to want to check out their financials, but I want to see how antiquated their systems might be.”

“It won’t be a problem at Lundquist, that place was slicker than snot,” Kenna said. “They have the money rolling in.”

“Yeah,” Dex agreed. “Why did Rosalie have them on her list to begin with?”

“I’ll have to ask her. But I think Herbert sniffs out money.”

“I think you’re right,” he said as he turned into her driveway.

It was the middle of the day, but Dex got out of the car anyway and walked up with her to the front door. “Do you want to come in for something to drink?” She was flustered. “Iced tea, or water, or something?”

He stroked his finger along the side of her cheek as he smiled down at her. “Nope, just walking you to your door. All part of the service. I’ll see you tonight at six.”

She stood there dazed as she watched him get back into his jeep.

When she got into the house, it was empty.