The Texas Billionaire's Bride / The Texas Bodyguard's Proposal. Karen Rose Smith

be in charge. And you all know how bossy she can be. It’s one reason she’s my favorite sister.” He tossed the other women a quick nod. “No offense, girls.”

      “None taken,” Katrina chimed.

      “Speak for yourself,” Tarah teased.

      Kendrick smiled. “Anyway, it warmed my heart to ask my best friend to protect her and make sure that whoever she was spending time with made her happy and showed her a good time. It was a request I knew he would fulfill because that’s the kind of man my friend Zak is. He is upstanding and honorable and a true man of his word. I really wasn’t expecting him to take my request literally, so imagine my surprise when my best friend had to admit that he’d fallen in love with my sister!”

      Everyone chuckled softly as Kendrick continued. “That broke all the guy codes but I had to give him a pass because my sister is such an incredible, beautiful woman that I imagine he just couldn’t help himself. This union was not without some bumps along the way but thankfully I was able to come to the rescue and make things right between them. Now, it is an honor and a privilege for me to be here this morning with all of you to witness Maitlyn and Zak become one. Everything about this moment is as it should be. Mattie, I love you. Zak, welcome to the family, my friend. It warms my heart to now call you my brother.” Kendrick lifted his glass and cheers rang around through the space.

      By midmorning the heat was already beginning to rise. Kendrick was seated at the end of the table with his brothers Mason and Donovan.

      “This was some wedding,” Donovan intoned.

      Mason grinned. “Maitlyn has always been able to pull off a party better than anyone else I know. Do you remember Darryl and Camryn’s New Year’s reception? That was over the top.”

      Kendrick nodded. “This has Maitlyn written all over it.” He looked toward the couple. His sister was glowing and Zak was looking at his new wife with overwhelming love. “They look happy,” he said as his gaze danced around the veranda. “Everyone here looks happy.”

      Mason laughed. “That’s not a bad thing, little brother,” he said as he moved back across the oversize porch.

      Kendrick shrugged. His eyes skated around the space. Their not-so-little family was growing faster than he was able to keep up. Every time he went away and came back there was a new spouse, a new baby or someone who’d captured everyone’s hearts while he’d been gone. He suddenly realized just how much he’d been missing out on.

      He tossed an easy arm over the back of his chair as he leaned his torso back. Mason, the eldest child of the Boudreaux clan, had moved back to sit with their mother. His wife, Phaedra, stood behind him, her thin arms wrapped warmly around his neck. His brother Guy and his very pregnant wife, Dahlia, were seated at the opposite end of the table. Their father, Senior Boudreaux, was talking to Dahlia’s bulging belly as if the fetus inside might talk back.

      Phaedra’s oldest brother, John Stallion, and his wife, Marah, were seated across from the newlyweds, all of them laughing easily together. Beside them sat John’s three brothers, Matthew, Mark and the youngest sibling in the Stallion clan, Luke.

      Kendrick smiled. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John! He could just imagine the ribbing the four of them must have gotten as kids with their biblical monikers. His sister Katrina was married to Matthew Stallion, a lawyer, and she was a district court judge. The two were constantly debating politics and legalese. They had two children, teenaged Collin and baby Jake. Kendrick could only imagine what his two nephews would aspire to as they grew up.

      Kendrick smiled as Mark’s wife, Michelle, waved in his direction. “You’re pretty quiet sitting over there!” she chimed warmly.

      “Just taking it all in, Mitch,” Kendrick answered with a nod, calling her by her family nickname. “Your little munchkin is growing too fast. How old is she now?”

      Mitch smiled. “Almost five,” she said.

      He grinned. “I like those red cowboy boots, Irene,” he intoned.

      The little girl just stared at him, not at all amused with his compliment. She then turned her back on him, marching off to catch up with a ball that had captured her attention.

      Luke Stallion laughed, his wife, Joanne, joining in the merriment. “She’s going to be a tough one,” Joanne joked. “I already feel for the young boys who will start chasing after her.”

      “Ain’t no boys going to be chasing after my baby!” Mark Stallion exclaimed. “I’ve already got my gun locked and loaded for any of them who even think to look in my girl’s direction.”

      “I know that’s right,” Luke chimed in.

      Kendrick nodded as he laughed with them. The two families were tightly entwined. And the abundance of love around the table exemplified just how deeply entangled their connection was. He took a sip of his mimosa, following it with a bite of fresh melon and forkful of scrambled eggs. His cell phone in his breast pocket suddenly vibrated for his attention.

      He excused himself from the table and moved to the far end of the porch. Answering the call he listened for a moment, not bothering to say anything at all to the person on the other end. Across the room Zak met his gaze and nodded as he disconnected the call. Kendrick’s gaze shifted to his sisters, who had leaned in to have their photo taken, Phaedra snapping the shot with her camera.

      There was no missing the Boudreaux lineage. Their features were distinctive, each of them with slightly angular eyes, thin noses, high cheek lines and full, pouty lips. Side by side they were a kaleidoscope of colorations that ranged from burnt umber to milk chocolate.

      Kendrick’s brother Guy and Guy’s wife, Dahlia, suddenly exited the home, both with a baby in tow. Kendrick shook his head. He had missed the births of his new niece and nephew, the twins, Cicely and Sidney Boudreaux, when he’d been away on his last mission. He suddenly imagined them walking and talking by the time he would see them next and the thought didn’t sit well. He blew out a deep breath.

      Zakaria had moved to his side. “You off?”

      Kendrick nodded. “Yeah. A pickup and delivery. I won’t be too long. It should only take a couple of hours. With any luck I’ll be back in time to see you two off on your honeymoon.”

      “I’ll hold you to that,” Zak said. He took a quick glance down to the new Breitling watch on his wrist. The wedding present from Maitlyn was an 18K rose-gold design that complemented him nicely. The gesture had made both men a tad misty when Kendrick had delivered it earlier.

      “So, where are you two going, anyway?” Kendrick asked.

      Zak shrugged. “I don’t have a clue. Your sister made all the arrangements.”

      Kendrick laughed. “You asked for this.”

      His friend laughed with him. “Yes, I did.”

      There was a moment’s hesitation that shifted between them. “Do you miss it?” Kendrick suddenly asked.

      Zak paused for a moment as he reflected on the question. “No. I thought I would. But I really don’t. I would miss your sister more.”

      Kendrick nodded. “Kiss Maitlyn for me. Tell her I had to run an errand.”

      “Tell her yourself,” Maitlyn said, appearing suddenly. She moved to stand beside her husband. She slid into Zak’s arms, tilting her head to give him a deep kiss. When she pulled away she turned her gaze back to her brother. “Where are you running off to now?”

      “Business calls. You know how it goes.”

      Maitlyn nodded. “Stay safe, please.”

      He winked an eye in her direction. “Don’t I always?”

      Zak chuckled softly as he slapped him on the back. “We’re here if you need us, my friend.”

      Kendrick laughed, pointing his index finger at the man. “Friend? We’re brothers now, boy! And don’t you forget