Page 124 of Help Wanted

“I’m not going to report you. I’m actually glad you did what you did. Now I know the truth. So, thank you.”

“If you’re sure?”

“I am. But I think you should probably go,” Kenley suggested.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow to check on things. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks.”

Scott nodded at Zane before Scott pulled his hat on his head and walked out of the office. Kenley locked the door behind him and turned the sign to say they were closed.

“You’re being ridiculous,” she said while rolling her eyes. “There is nothing going on between Scott and me.”

He followed her to his office where she sat on the sofa and patted the seat next to her. He didn’t want to sit. He needed to walk.

She let out a breath and said the one thing he never expected her to say.

“My real name is Amanda.”

* * *

An hour later, Kenley finished the story and leaned back against the cushions, feeling exhausted. Zane mirrored her pose and shook his head.

“That is some story.”

“I still can’t believe it’s my story.”

“The thing I really find unbelievable is that you ever thought it was your fault. You’re an amazing person. And even if you were the brattiest three-year-old in existence, it still wouldn’t have been reason for someone to cast you aside. How could you ever think such a thing?”

“I guess the same way I thought you only wanted me because I looked like the girl of your dreams.” It did seem silly now. She knew Zane loved her.

“You are the girl of my dreams, Ken.” He kissed her and she knew exactly who she was and what she wanted. “Would you consider changing your name?” he whispered.

She shook her head. “I couldn’t do that to my father. I’d always complained about the name Kenley because it was unconventional, but it’s who I am. I can’t think of myself as Amanda.”

“It wasn’t your first name I was talking about.” He pulled out a square velvet box and got down on one knee. With a snap, the box opened to reveal a diamond ring. “Will you marry me, Kenley Rose Carmichael?”

On the same day she’d been given her past, she was also given her future. Who knew getting fired could turn out to be such a great thing? She went to his desk and pushed the papers to the side before turning back to him with a big smile.

“Sure thing, boss.”

Epilogue

“Hunter? You ready to go? Come on, man. We only have thirty-two minutes.” Brady stepped through the door that separated their kitchen from his brother’s.

“Can you help me with my tie?” Hunter asked as he hurried into the room in his dressy new clothes. He’d decided he wanted to use some of his money on new clothes so he would look nice at Kenley and Zane’s wedding. Michaela had taken him shopping and the results of her effort looked pretty nice.

“Yeah. I think I remember how to do a tie.”

“You’re not wearing a tie?” Hunter gave him a look that had judgment written all over it.

“I’m not. I’m wearing khakis and a dress shirt. That’s good enough for a wedding on a boat.”

“You look nice.” Hunter shrugged.

“You look even better,” Brady allowed as he pushed his brother’s chin up so he could see. A few slashes of silk between them and the tie was snug and straight around his neck.

“Don’t you boys look handsome?” Mick said as she stepped in wearing a low-cut dress and highheels. She didn’t dress up for work, and he never took her to the kinds of places she’d need to wear something like the ensemble she was wearing now. He made a mental note to change that in the future.