Page 77 of Her Devoted HERO

“She’s in here,” Dex called out.

Kenna looked at him in horror. He chuckled.

Dex’s door opened. “Oh, there you are,” Austin said. “Who is today’s babysitter?” he asked Dex.

“Let’s see if we can arrange Wyatt again, and maybe you guys can hit the waves. What do you think?”

Austin turned to Kenna. “For real?”

“If Dex says yes, then it’s for real,” she answered.

Austin’s eyes lit up, and he let out a Whoop.

“Quiet, you’ll wake up your grandmother,” Kenna admonished.

“Let me give Wyatt a call. He should be able to trade his day off with Aiden.” Dex went to grab his cell phone.

Austin came over and put his arm around her neck. “So, do you think it’s time you quit sneaking around the halls in the middle of the night, or what?”

Kenna felt the blush starting at her toes and quickly rising to her scalp. Austin laughed.

“Seriously, Mom, this is cool.”

“Okay, it’s done. Austin, Wyatt’s going to call you on that new cell phone you have. He has a wet suit that he says will fit you. He’ll get you outfitted.”

“This is great, we’ll finally get the hell out of the house,” Kenna said enthusiastically. “I can’t wait to tell Mom.” She turned to leave, and Dex grasped her hand.

“What?” she asked.

“If you’re going too, we need to arrange a couple of more people.”

Her shoulders sagged. “It’s okay, I don’t need to go.”

He kissed her forehead. “Yes, you do. You need out of the house as much as Austin.”

“She sure does. She’s been getting pretty testy. Did you know that she complained that the macaroni and cheese didn’t have enough cheese in it last night? Grandma was pissed.”

Dex laughed. “I think all three of you need out of the house, like yesterday.”

***

“Is it going to be a big deal that I really don’t have much experience swimming in the ocean?” Austin asked. “I was on the swim team for three years in grade school.”

“That’ll help a lot,” Wyatt said. “This is about being smart and listening to what I say. The swells are easy today here at Moonlight, I checked before coming, so that’s why we’re here. I just want to get you up on your knees on the board. That’ll be a win.”

“Just on my knees?”

“Dude, it’d be a miracle if you can make it on your feet today.”

Holy shit, did Wyatt know what he was doing by daring her boy? Austin looked out at the waves with determination, and Wyatt looked at her and winked. Well, apparently, he did know what he was doing.

“You got my stuff? Remember Denny might call or text.”

“I remember. I have your phone,” she said with just a hint of exasperation. But mostly she was excited for her son. It was too bad her mom had a headache, she would have gotten a kick out of this.

Kenna sat with Hunter Diaz on top of one of the picnic tables so she could have a good view of the swelling surf of Moonlight Beach. There were plenty of surfers, young and old, in the water. There was also a concession stand that was closed and three volleyball courts, one that had a lively game going on.

Hunter pulled out a ball cap from his duffel. “Put this on.”