Page 38 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

Grateful tears prickled behind Kennedy’s eyes. “You made the decision to stand by me, no matter what, as well. Austin’s entire family did, too. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

“Oh please.” Marina seemed to relax and give the salad its due. “You would’ve done the same for me.”

“It’s just... I sometimes feel that by marrying Austin I got a great prize unfairly without doing the work first. Or that I tried on a dress meant for someone else and got to keep it because I could pay a higher price.”

Would Saylor have made him a better wife? Probably. She had the sunny disposition Kennedy lacked, and while working with him, Saylor would’ve won his affection eventually. Which gave her a motive to wish Kennedy harm, but she didn’t want to think of that. She’d snatched the man of Saylor’s dreams from under her nose. How wrong was that?

Then Kennedy nearly choked on a mango chunk. “Hold on. I didn’t mean to imply IboughtAustin.”

“You bought me?” Austin’s voice drifted down the hall.

Chapter Ten

HEAT CREPT UP KENNEDY’Sneck, and she jumped from her seat. Of course, Austin had a key now and knew how to disable the alarm, but shouldn’t she have heard him walking in? She should be more on guard. “Um, I said I didn’t mean to imply that I bought you. Because I didn’t. Because you’re priceless.”

Great. She was babbling.

“Hello, Austin.” Marina rose from her chair.

He smiled at his sister-in-law. “Hi, Marina.”

Then pure joy swept Kennedy up at seeing him. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

His lips stretched from ear to ear. “There’s no other place I’d rather be.”

But for how long? Early on, she’d learned people’s affections didn’t last. That was, if she had their affections in the first place.

Squealing, Smiley and Caramel shot out to meet him. The puppy braked to stop, slipped on the marble floor instead, and slid way further, then looked up with a puzzled expression. She was still getting used to the smooth marble floors and large rooms. Kennedy had learned to close the closet door to preserve her designer shoe collection, but her leather belt now had a few extra holes from the puppy’s teeth.

He laughed and lifted the beagle. “Hello, buddy. I’m happy to see you, too.”

Caramel barked in protest at being left out, then half ran, half slid toward him, and he scooped her up. “I’m happy to see you, as well, Caramel.”

The dogs licked his face from both sides, their tails moving faster than fan blades. The beagle didn’t have sad eyes anymore. Instead, he looked like he was smiling, truly justifying his hopeful name now. That—plus Austin’s appearance—put a smile on Kennedy’s face.

Then her smile slipped, and her heart constricted. He paid more attention to the dogs than to her. Ouch, the harsh reality hurt. She swallowed hard and looked away.

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