Twenty-four hours ago, Kenzie didn’t think she’d be able to hold her head high at Corie’s wedding. She hated to admit that even a few hours ago she’d almost turned around and left the ceremony. Thank God for Ramon. Those were words Kenzie thought she’d never think. But he’d come through in a bind. It pleased Kenzie beyond reason to watch Erin get all miffed. Sure, her cousin tried to sweet-talk her way with Kenzie, but deep down inside she knew she couldn’t trust a word coming out of Erin’s mouth.
Thankfully Auntie Bren was too occupied at church to pay attention to Kenzie and her faux love life. CJ, the bride and groom’s two-year-old son, had everyone eating out of his hands. Kenzie smiled as she headed back to her table with two champagne flutes. After her embarrassing breakup with Alexander in college, Kenzie gave up trying to plan a family. There were enough kids in Southwood who filled Kenzie’s life now. She loved helping out the cheerleading squad and then of course she worked with a lot of the toddlers at Grits and Glam Studios, the premier training studio for budding beauty pageant queens.
“You appear to have a whole basketball team willing to accompany you today,” Ramon said, leaning close to Kenzie’s ear as he rose from his seat to let out her chair.
Kenzie approached the back table where she and Ramon were seated for the reception. She didn’t mind. In her opinion the farther away from the bridal table she was, the closer she was to the exit door. The basketball team Ramon spoke of was actually five grown men huddled together, leering over the single Hairston women. “Who, them?”
“Them—” Ramon chuckled “—as in the University of Tallahassee’s former starting lineup.”
“Those are Hawk’s friends.” A little tug of disgust lifted Kenzie’s upper lip. One of the players had had the nerve to approach Kenzie at the open bar and ask if the carpet matched the drapes. “I never pegged you for a sports fanatic.”
“Fan,” corrected Ramon. “And not of them particularly. Their team beat my school so I have a bit of animosity built up toward them.”
“Well, aren’t you childish?” Kenzie cooed, pressing Ramon’s forearm in jest.
Ramon covered her hand with his and grinned. “Do you want to bring up childish things?”
Rolling her eyes, Kenzie pulled her arm away and sat back in her seat. “We’re not going there since we’re new friends again.”
“New friends?” Ramon questioned.
“Yeah.” Kenzie offered Ramon a half smile. “You did save my butt earlier.”
“Does this mean you’re willing to help me with the project if I escort you to the rest of your events?” Ramon ran his index finger along her bare forearm. “No one would question a thing. There are enough guests from Southwood who can attest to seeing us around town last summer.”
The touch evoked a set of goose bumps down her arm. The memory gave a wave of whiplash. He pulled his hand away from her skin but the space still burned with fever. Too much champagne? Kenzie cleared her throat and pushed the stem of her drink away from her slice of double-layered white cake with the raspberry filling. She blinked in Ramon’s direction. He did look good in his suit. That didn’t even begin to describe Ramon.
“Yeah, that’s because...” Kenzie let her train of thought die down. For a moment Kenzie had forgotten about the deal Ramon struck with her.
“Auntie Bren loves me.”
Kenzie’s mouth widened. “What? When did you meet her?” Kenzie had made painstaking efforts to keep Ramon away from her nosy family members. After the official “I do,” sealed with a kiss, Kenzie took Ramon by the hand and led him out the side door of the downtown Presbyterian church. She waited in Ramon’s truck with him and fiddled with a new layer of lipstick before they headed into the reception being held in the recreation annex of the church. The photographer had to finish taking pictures of the happy family at the altar. When a typical summer shower fell while the wedding party made its way across the lawn to the reception, Ramon drove Kenzie over to drop her off at the front door. When did he possibly have time to meet anyone? The minute she turned her back on him, he’d make himself a part of the family.
“Maggie introduced me when you went to speak to the bride.”
Kenzie glanced over her shoulder and spotted Maggie dancing on the center floor with a few of the members of the starting lineup. As if awaiting the death glare, Maggie turned toward the table where they sat and shimmied her shoulders with her tongue hanging out. “She had no right.”
“Why?” Ramon asked. “Your Auntie Bren seems nice. Why are you so worried about what she has to say?”
“Don’t call her that.”
“She asked me to,” said Ramon.
Of course she would, Kenzie thought bitterly. Who could resist Ramon’s charm? All the man had to do was smile and women were putty in his hands. Well, she’d be the first to resist him.
Ramon continued boasting about how Auntie Bren adored him. “She expects to see us together at the sesquicentennial gala in a few weeks.”
“I did not agree to your deal.”
“But you’re going to now, right?” Ramon asked.
“You realize you’re not the only one eyeing the spot.”
Ramon sat back in his seat. His thick brows rose. “What?”
“Yep.” Kenzie pressed her lips together. “So whatever you thought your buddy-buddy deal with Alexander was, he offered the same slimy offer to everyone.”
“All right, all right.”
“Tell me, what it is you want to do with the building?” There, Kenzie thought to herself, best to change to something safe. Yet as Ramon licked his lips while processing her question, she only thought of the moment before he kissed her in the elevator.
“Southwood needs a Caribbean restaurant.” Ramon puffed out his chest with pride.
Kenzie felt the corners of her lips turn down. “I don’t mind another restaurant but the post office has four floors.”
“Five if you count the basement,” Ramon said, wiggling his brows up and down. Kenzie inhaled deeply and shook her head.
“There’s a Caribbean restaurant over in Samaritan, owned by the Rodriguez family,” she said. “They have a variety of items on their menu.”
“Been on lots of dates there?” Ramon asked.
As a matter of fact, she had. She and Rafe ate there on several occasions. Despite this not being a date between her and Ramon, Kenzie did not want to think about another guy, especially not the one who supposedly bailed on her. Kenzie folded her arms across her chest. “Where did you take your date to eat last night?”
“We went back to my place,” Ramon answered with a laugh as if remembering what a good time he’d had. “We got pretty dirty in the kitchen.”
Kenzie refrained from rolling her eyes by biting her lip. What Ramon did and with whom he did it was none of her business. “Just the kitchen?”
“And the living room, but I wouldn’t let anything happen elsewhere, you know, like in the bedrooms.”
A bizarre streak of possessiveness washed over Kenzie...she just wasn’t sure if it was for his house or the man. Silly for either. But just who did receive the flowers last night? Was it someone she knew? “Just the two rooms?” Kenzie asked, turning the corners of her lips downward. “You must be losing your stamina in your old age.”
“Well, if you must know—”
Kenzie held her hand in the air to stop him. “Spare me the details,” she said drolly, hoping to mask any shred of jealousy. “Back to the ideas of things to do with the building. The Economic Development Council is going to want to see a business that will bring tourists to our historic district. Southwood used to have a printing shop.”
“I’m not a publisher,” Ramon answered. “Sports bar? Each floor will have a different sporting event playing on a flat-screen TV.”
“The Teagues over in Samaritan have the closest thing to a sports bar,” Kenzie countered.
“Are you preserving Samaritan or Southwood?” Ramon asked.
“I’m just helping Southwood maintain its originality. It has retained the same structure and sleepy culture since it was founded. We don’t need to compete with the other towns, just enhance what’s here and what we need,” Kenzie informed him. “What do you think of a tutoring center? The district wants to step up its testing in the fall and having a quiet place to study would be fantastic.”
“Now I know where I know you from,” said Erin, sliding into the empty seat on the other side of Ramon. Kenzie glared at her cousin for the interruption. Oblivious, Erin continued. “You’re the dude who bought the old Swayne plantation, Magnolia Palace.”
“Guilty,” Ramon responded with a proud smile. “Have you seen the recent renovations online?”
Erin waved off his question with the back of her slim hand. “I only saw pictures of the old place when I spent the night at Kenzie’s. It was broken-down then. I would love a personal tour to see what you’ve done with it.”
Of course she would, Kenzie seethed. She didn’t know why Erin’s flirting with Ramon irked her. Whom Ramon did things with was no longer her concern. They were friends now and she’d be happy for him if he found love...just not with Erin.
“The doors open tomorrow for the summer.”
“Oh man, that would be awesome,” Erin cooed. “Don’t you think, Kenzie? We can have a cousin day. I wanted to discuss some things with you.”
“I’ve seen it already.” At first Kenzie feared her words came out sounding possessive; when Ramon’s face lit up with amusement and Erin clutched the pearls around her neck, Kenzie gave her head a light shake. “I mean, Ramon was kind enough to allow the Miss Southwood Pageant to be held in the theater on the property.”
“That’s right, the Swayne family tradition,” said Erin. “Ramon, do you know a Swayne always wins when they enter? Well, except for when my dear Auntie Paula, Kenzie’s mother, won?”
“Interesting.” Ramon wrapped his arm around Kenzie’s shoulder. “And you carried on the tradition?”
Kenzie took a deep breath and prepared a slew of words for her cousin. Erin’s side of the family had always looked down on the Swaynes until they started winning. She leaned forward against the table but Ramon slipped his arm around her shoulder.
“Coming from a family of four successful brothers, you will understand why Magnolia Palace means so much to me.”
Erin cocked her head to the side and smiled. “And where are you from?”
“Villa San Juan.”
Snapping her fingers on one hand while slamming her French-manicured hand on the table, Erin laughed. “That’s where I know you from—you’re of the Torres family.”
Ramon lifted his brows in Kenzie’s direction. He’d mentioned his family’s name before. She knew Stephen and Nate Reyes were his cousins. Ramon reached over and grabbed Kenzie’s hand. “Let’s dance.”
Without protest, Kenzie followed Ramon. The fast music slowed and blended into a ballad. Ramon brought Kenzie up against his hard frame.
“Your family is interesting.”
“And what about yours?” Kenzie allowed Ramon to settle his hand against her lower back. His right hand engulfed her left. For a moment she worried about her palms sweating. The heated dance floor was overcrowded with guests. At six-foot-three, Ramon towered over Kenzie by a foot.
“My family isn’t here,” said Ramon.
Pressed against his solid body, Kenzie gulped. “Why does it sound like your family is off-limits?”
“It’s not. We’re just here with yours.”
“Fine,” Kenzie huffed.
“Why don’t you tell me about what you think I should do with the building?”
Immediately she answered, “A youth center.”
Ramon pulled his head back. His thick eyebrows furred together with question. When he used to question her antics, he’d give her the same look. Kenzie gulped and tried to block out the image of them last summer. Suddenly her mouth went dry. She licked her lips.
“Why a youth center?” Ramon asked, spinning her around in his arms.
Grateful for the brief break of contact between their bodies, Kenzie tightened her grip on Ramon’s hand. She needed to focus on the topic. “Did you not notice the trouble the kids around town get into?” Kenzie asked him. “Think about what they did in the abandoned building. They need a place to hang out.”
“Hanging out doesn’t generate money.”
“Does everything have to be about money?” Kenzie asked.
“I bought Magnolia Palace,” Ramon stated as if she didn’t know. Of course she knew. He’d called upon her services last summer—or rather she’d offered up her services. Ramon had taken her advice then, but something in his eyes told her he wasn’t going to be as accommodating this time around. “What part of that makes you think I’m not a businessman?”
Kenzie rolled her eyes. “Well, you asked me what I thought.”
A warmth spread over her body. Ramon drew his fingertips along the edge of the fabric where her dress and her skin met. In an attempt to pull away, Kenzie pressed her hand against his chest. His heartbeat thundered against her palms. He nuzzled his mouth toward her earlobe. Heat rose from Kenzie’s core. Her bottom lip trembled with anticipation of what might come next.
“What are you...?”
“Shh,” his warm voice said against her collarbone. “Auntie Bren is watching us.”
* * *
Like with every wedding, the time came for the bouquet toss. The timing was out of order from what Ramon had witnessed in the past, but the garter toss had to come first while the bride verified the single status of all her potential catchers. Kenzie became the first person Corie confirmed as single. The way everyone pointed the fact out amused Ramon, who stood back and watched the single ladies line up like a football team ready for battle on the field. Ramon held his tumbler of rum in his hand and rolled his finger along the glass. Coming from a family who built its island city on the backs of a rum refinery, Ramon considered himself a connoisseur of the alcohol. Not Torres rum, but not bad, either. Ramon tried to focus on the drink rather than the commotion.
The dude who caught the light blue garter held the material over his mouth to insinuate a sexual gesture. Somewhere in the mix of single women stood Kenzie. If she was standing there the way she had when she left his side, Ramon pictured her arms were folded against her chest with a scowl across her face. Ramon laughed to himself.
“Enjoying the party?”
Ramon turned to his left and reached out to shake the hand of a man he met earlier, Kenzie’s father. “Indeed I am, Mr. Swayne.”
“Please, call me Mitchell.”
“All right, Mitchell,” Ramon said, trying out the name. “How about you? Enjoying the wedding?”
Mitchell Swayne’s light brown features pinched together. “The wedding is fine. The bouquet toss is my least favorite part.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah, if one of my girls catches it,” Mitchell said, “I’m going to pay out the nose.”
“Fortunately just one woman will catch it,” provided Ramon.
“Let’s hope it’s the one who would rather take her eye out with a hot poker than get married.”
Ramon was willing to bet the hotel that the least likely to get married would be Maggie. Last summer Kenzie had started making future plans for the two of them. Back then he’d been in a foggy haze of Kenzie and almost saw himself falling for the commitment lifestyle. Generation after generation, members of the Torres family married the first person they fell in love with without ever testing the waters. Ramon grew up not wanting to sell himself short when it came to beautiful women. Besides, he sincerely doubted the happiness of his family members. He heard his parents argue all the time. Roman never wanted that for himself. If he couldn’t get along with his significant other, it was time to bounce.
If she was anything like his sisters and cousins, Kenzie had probably been planning a dream wedding since middle school. Kenzie struck Ramon as a planner. He bet she scheduled everything down to when she woke up, what she ate and when she took a shower. Mmm. His thoughts trailed off with the idea of Kenzie naked in his shower. It was one activity they had not gotten around to sharing. Ramon inhaled deeply and remembered who he was standing next to.
Oblivious to Ramon’s nefarious thoughts, Mitchell leaned forward on his dress shoes as his shoulders bobbed and weaved, swaying to the rhythm. Ramon glanced up in time to see a bouquet hit the overhead spotlight. The crowd of women—and Mitchell—gasped and waited on bated breath. Petals rained down on the well-dressed women. Ramon wondered what the protocol for him would be if Kenzie caught the bouquet. Photographs were taken of the bouquet catcher and the catcher of the garter belt. He cut his eyes toward the table of basketball players and scowled. Did he truly want a photograph of some dude with his hand up Kenzie’s dress to exist in history in someone else’s wedding album? Ramon’s grip on the glass tightened and the sweet brown liquid sloshed around.
In the center of the onlookers, a half dozen redheads darted down to the dance floor and formed a huddle over white buds of baby’s breath mixed with deep green oval leaves and stems. Thanks to his six-foot-three height, Ramon had a slight advantage over the scene.
“Oh God,” Mitchell groaned.
Ramon felt like a rock had sunk in the pit of his stomach. Baffled, he darted his eyes between the garter holder, who now leered and sinuously rubbed his hands together, and the mysterious light arm holding the coveted bouquet. Raised Catholic, Ramon understood the power of prayer but couldn’t for the life of him remember going to mass, confession or even saying a prayer. But somewhere deep inside he heard his own voice under his breath pray...beg...for the winner of the bouquet toss to be anyone but Kenzie. While he remained unsure about a future or marriage, the idea of Kenzie being photographed with the guy who caught the garter didn’t sit well with him, either, even if she challenged him all the time. Ramon held his breath for a beat before deciding he couldn’t watch. He tossed back the drink until he saw the bottom of the tumbler. Through the clear glass came a blurry vision of a woman dressed in yellow and jumping for joy. Beside him Mitchell cursed. Ramon did a double-check—positive Kenzie wore a purple-colored dress.
“I’m next!” Maggie shouted.
Kenzie waltzed back over toward Ramon. Her face softened with a smile and a sigh of relief. “Squeaked by another one,” she boasted.
“Thank you, peanut,” said Mitchell, opening his arms to embrace his daughter.
“Wait.” Ramon chuckled. “So you’re not the daughter who wants the huge wedding?”
Kenzie and Mitchell looked at each other, then back at Ramon before playfully nudging each other as they cracked up with laughter. Ramon scratched the back of his head at their inside joke.
“There is no way I am getting married.”
“Thus increasing her slice of her inheritance.” Mitchell laughed.
As the two carried on the hysterics, Ramon wondered what bothered him more, the fact that Kenzie didn’t plan on marrying...or the fact she no longer wanted a commitment from him. Hell, last summer Ramon needed to walk away from their budding relationship because he just knew she’d wanted more than what he could deliver, especially when he needed to focus on his business. Now to find out they were on the same page all along? Ramon scratched his chin, still bothered and oddly offended, and wondered if he proposed to her whether she would say no.
“Your glass looks empty,” Mitchell said, bringing Ramon out of his funk.
“Don’t forget to get us some champagne, Daddy.”
Now alone with her, Ramon cleared his throat. “I’ve never met a woman who did not want to catch the bouquet.”
“I didn’t see you muscling your way to catch the garter,” Kenzie countered.
Ramon nodded. “True, but I don’t know anyone here.”
“You knew the table of Hawk’s friends.”
“But no woman I’d want to be photographed with. Wait.” He shook his head at the frown on Kenzie’s face and the fact he’d started off like a jerk. “It wouldn’t be fair to have a complete stranger in their album for the rest of their lives.”
“Or at least until they divorce.” Kenzie shrugged, casting a skeptical glance over her shoulder at the newlyweds on the dance floor, and folded her arms across her chest.
Ramon tried not to stare at the way her breasts swelled in her strapless gown. He cleared his throat. “You know, there was a moment in the sermon where you didn’t have to hold your peace forever.”
When Kenzie looked back over at him, she gave an overexaggerated eye roll. “It’s not my place and we’re not that close.”
“We, as in you and your cousin aren’t close? Or we as in you and I aren’t close?”
Kenzie studied him for a moment before speaking. She rested her hands on her hips. “Both.”
Pressing his lips together, Ramon feigned hurt. More people began to fill the dance floor for the next slow song. Ramon took Kenzie by the hand and led her to the center of the group. Despite their height difference, they were a perfect fit. He assumed the strappy heels she wore helped. Kenzie’s small hand fit in his, her purple nails clamped down into his flesh. He looked down into her eyes and continued their conversation. “And here I thought we’d reached a new level.”
“Oh, we did.” Kenzie laughed and allowed him to lead them to the beat of the song. “Just not the level where I’m going to start sharing my feelings with you.”
“This is going to make this month awkward for all our events.”
At the key word—our—Kenzie’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about? I never agreed to your deal.”
“Yes, but now that your family’s met me, don’t you think it will be awkward if I don’t escort you to the sesquicentennial gala?”
“What makes you think I’m going?”
Ramon dipped Kenzie backward. He caught her full weight in one arm. “You’re the town historian and you’re the emcee for the event.”
Kenzie opened her mouth to protest.
“Auntie Bren already told me,” Ramon said before setting her upright again. A strand of hair escaped her updo. Gently he reached out and tucked it behind her ear. “I know you don’t want to disappoint her. She loves me and said she’s looking forward to seeing me again. Did you know your entire family is staying in Southwood for the next two weeks? Had I known, I would have offered up a special at Magnolia Palace.”
Kenzie’s eyes narrowed on his throat. With the intensity behind her eyes Ramon wondered if he needed to be worried about his life.
“Again, let me remind you that I never agreed to your deal.”
“But I’m already here. Did I mention your family loves me?”
“Half.”
“Is that a challenge?” Ramon asked with one raised brow. “I am sure the other half of your family will love me just the same. I believe your father is fond of me.” He enjoyed spotting the dimple in her cheeks when she tried not to laugh. They used to laugh together and then when they’d ended things...or he had...the only thing Ramon received from Kenzie was a scowl.
“I’m not challenging you to a thing,” said Kenzie. “And don’t think you showing up today means I need you for the other things.”
“And prove Erin right if you show up stag next weekend at Felicia’s wedding?” For once Ramon knew something Kenzie didn’t. He smiled smugly and reveled in it.
After a moment of sheer surprise Kenzie closed her gaping mouth. Her throat bobbed as she found words to speak. “What do you know?”
“I know you’re in a wedding next week and Erin will still be here,” said Ramon. “While you’re in the wedding party, she’s a guest. She just RSVPed this morning.”
“How long was I gone getting my drink?”
“Your cousins speak fast,” Ramon replied.
“I am not sure which is worse,” Kenzie said, licking her lips, “facing my cousin again or saying yes to you.”
“One makes you feel bad and the other makes you feel good.”
“Whatever. I am not in the wedding,” Kenzie corrected him. Questions formed in his mind but she answered quickly. “I declined.”
“Great, that’s more time we get to spend together at your place, for a history lesson of Southwood, of course.”
Kenzie’s eyes widened and her cheeks got a light red tint. Whether she said yes or no, Ramon planned on being there for his new friend. It might make it easier for him to win his bid for the post office and become an acting member on the Christmas Advisory Council, and they would have to work together.
* * *
“Thank you again for coming to my rescue,” Kenzie said as she and Ramon walked out of the reception hall. A half-moon filled the evening sky, dousing the flames from the day’s burning sun. The moment Ramon rested his hand on the small of her back, she shivered.
“You’re cold,” Ramon stated and slipped off his jacket. “My vehicle’s this way.”
Stunned by his chivalry, Kenzie ran her hand along the lapels as he rested the garment across her shoulders. The inside of the jacket was still toasty from the heat of his body. Her soul oozed with warmth. “This summer weather is so moody. Hot one hour and a torrential downpour the next.”
“I’ll take the weather here over the weather in Villa San Juan,” said Ramon.
“We get hit with every type of rain possible.”
A set of keys jingled in his free hand while he guided her across the paved parking lot. Cars of all shapes and sizes and ages filled the vertical lines. Thanks to Crowne Restoration, a lot of locals were able to drive their classic cars. Kenzie scanned the parking lot for Ramon’s truck.
“I’ll have to remember to pick you up in my car next week,” he said.
“Two cars,” Kenzie said. “Aren’t we fancy?”
“Or practical,” Ramon replied. “I love my truck but it’s a gas guzzler on the highway to Villa San Juan.”
The mention of his hometown caused Kenzie to think of his family. It felt like he had been avoiding the subject earlier tonight. “How often do you get to see them?”
“I was there a few months ago,” answered Ramon. “I took my cousin Philly to visit her grandparents.”
Kenzie nodded, understanding the family dynamics. Technically Philly was his first cousin once removed. Her grandparents were Ramon’s aunt and uncle. Lexi drew a diagram last summer of the Torres family tree. Ramon led her to the passenger’s side and opened the door for her. She climbed inside. After closing it, Ramon jogged around to his side and slid in. Their shoulders brushed and Kenzie tried not to think about the desire pumping through her. This was a simple case of hero worship. Ramon had saved her from an evening of embarrassment.
“Have you ever been?” Ramon asked Kenzie. She blinked at the words. “To Villa San Juan?”
“Oh, um, no.”
“It’s nice.” Ramon pulled his car out of the space and began traveling through town.
How did they end the evening with small talk? Kenzie cleared her throat. “Maybe I’ll take a trip when it’s not raining so much. Humidity is my enemy.” To prove her point Kenzie tugged at a stray curl.
Ramon chuckled. “I’m not sure when it isn’t going to be humid. It’s right off the water.”
“Sounds lovely.”
“You’d really like it, considering how much you seem to love history. The town isn’t very different from Southwood.”
Kenzie settled in her seat, crossing her legs at the ankles. “Well, now I’m intrigued.”
“And like you, I come from a long line of founders. The Torres family,” he said.
While they drove through town Ramon told Kenzie about growing up. His great-great-great-grandfather had settled the Florida island and named it for his home in Puerto Rico. Torreses had been governing things there ever since, including his life.
“And that’s why you came to Southwood?” Kenzie asked, suddenly feeling more than just a sexual connection to Ramon. For a moment she understood him. “To get away from your family?”
“When you say it like that, no, that’s not the main reason, but a part of it,” he explained. “I had everyone telling me what I needed to do with my life. And even if I started my life in Villa San Juan, I’d never truly know if I earned it or if I got it because of my name.”
Under the glow of the passing streetlights, Kenzie nodded. “I get it. I felt the same way about winning Miss Southwood.”
“But you won?”
“Narrowly,” Kenzie said, nibbling her bottom lip and leaving out no thanks to Erin. Erin campaigned with and coached Kenzie’s opponent.
“Well, there was more to me coming here than getting away from my folks,” said Ramon. “I like helping out my cousins with the girls, Kimber and Philly.”
“I never had Kimber in a tutoring session at Southwood High School,” said Kenzie. “She always had her act together and never needed help.”
“She is something else,” Ramon agreed. “I don’t know how many teenagers can lose both parents and manage to graduate as valedictorian.”
“Don’t forget, she’s a Southern Style Glitz Queen,” Kenzie said with a grin.
“Ah yes, the whole queen thing. It is beauty queen season around here.”
Kenzie turned and smiled at him but as they drove by the old post office a light flashed on the first floor.
“What the hell?” Ramon maneuvered the truck to the curb and got out of the car without turning the engine off. A group of kids scattered from the front step and out from a broken window. There were too many of them to catch. Some even took sport in the game and ran parallel to each other, breezing right by Ramon, although he did reach for a few of them. By the time he returned to the car, Kenzie was in tears with laughter.
“I guess it’s safe to say it’s also teenager mischief season,” Ramon grumbled, gripping the steering wheel.
Wiping the corners of her eyes, Kenzie said, “Now you see my reasoning for wanting some sort of youth center? These kids have nothing but idle time on their hands.”
Ramon cast Kenzie a glance accompanied by a flat smirk.
“Too soon?” She asked him.
“Just wait until I get my second wind,” Ramon growled before shaking his head and joining Kenzie’s laughter with his own.