Page 43 of Montana Heat

As if on cue, Kenzie’s temporary phone rang. Her hands were so shaky she almost dropped it. I gently took the phone, pressed the accept button, and held it up to her ear.

“Mom?” She grabbed the phone.

I could hear her mother’s panicked voice. “Kenzie? What’s going on? Christ Almighty, I was terrified when this officer showed up. He said to call you right away.”

“I…” Kenzie was still gripping her phone with white knuckles. “Where is your phone, Mom? Dad’s phone? I tried to call you both.”

She glanced at me, almost sheepish, and I nodded. I didn’t blame her for leaving it at that. She probably didn’t want her parents to worry about that threat she’d heard, especially until we had more details.

“Can you believe it? I lost my phone earlier today. I was just doing paperwork, finishing up stuff at the park, and it was gone. Or maybe it fell out of my pocket when I stopped to get gas on the way home.”

But it hadn’t been either of those things. We both knew that. Someone had taken it.

“I called Dad too,” Kenzie said. “His also went straight to voice mail.”

“Dale, where’s your phone, honey?” Kenzie held the phone away from her ear as her mother yelled to her father.

It took a few moments before Kenzie’s mother spoke again. “Oh, sorry, sweetie. He put it back in his office then it ran out of battery. He’s charging it now.”

“Okay, well, you need to get yourself another phone to replace yours,” Kenzie said.

“Well, it might still show up.”

Kenzie glanced at me, obviously searching for a reason to giveher mom for getting another phone immediately without giving her the truth. I shrugged. I wasn’t sure what was best in this situation. Obviously, she and her parents were close, but she didn’t want to tell them what had happened.

“I tell you what, just get a temporary phone like the one I’m using so we can be in touch with each other, okay? Then if you find yours, the temporary one could be for emergencies or something.”

Plus, Kenzie was going to need a new one, too, since the stalker now had this number. I would make sure that happened.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’m sorry we worried you, sweetie. But I’m going to go so this officer doesn’t have to stay here any longer.”

“Okay. Call me tomorrow when you have the new number. And tell Dad to keep his phone charged.”

“Will do, sweetie. And don’t you worry about us. You just keep enjoying spending time with your handsome mechanic.”

I smothered my grin as Kenzie’s face turned beet red. I was glad no one else around us could hear what her mother had said.

But I was damn sure glad I could. And that she’d mentioned me to her mother.

“Yeah, Mom. I love you guys. Call me tomorrow.” She pressed the button to disconnect before her mother could respond.

We looked up to find everyone watching.

“Everything good?” Lucas asked.

“Yes, Mom’s phone has been taken—obviously—but she just thought she’d lost it. My father is a little bit of a scatterbrain and let his battery go dead.” She looked over at Lena and Evelyn. “Thank you for trying.”

“We’re just glad they’re okay, hun,” Lena responded.

“I explained the situation to the Zodiac Tactical guys,” Lucas said. “Sarge is going to set stuff up so they can keep an unofficial eye on yourparents.”

“Sarge?” Kenzie asked.

“Harrison McEwan—goes by the name Sarge,” Lucas explained. “Works for Zodiac Tactical, a world-renowned private security company.”

“Why would he do that for me? He doesn’t know me at all.”

“But he knows us. He and his now-wife, Bronwyn, hid out here for a while when some shit went down for them. He’s happy to help out.”

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