Page 42 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

“Their loss.” He took her hand and squeezed her fingers to show his support.

She looked out the window. “I still feel guilty that I didn't miss them as much as I should’ve then. But it’s more of a sting than a sharp stab now. I preferred fun trips with my uncle’s family to roaming a large, nearly empty house on my own or with a nanny.”

“That must’ve been a lonely childhood,” he blurted out. The difference between them rubbed him the wrong way minutes ago, but now sorrow for her being so unloved stirred in him.

“It was.” Then Kennedy looked at him again. “Would you like some caviar?” She was changing the subject.

He let her. “I have no clue. I’ve never tried it.”

Rachel appeared as suddenly as a deer in the fog on the road, holding a silver tray. Or was it platinum? He had no clue about that, either. He just knew Rachel didn’t need to double as a flight attendant and yet she did.

“Thank you,” Kennedy said, and he echoed.

The caviar tasted salty and felt slimy. Well, at least it wasn’t snails like he heard rich people favored. The reason was lost on him.

After a few moments, he suppressed a grimace. “This is considered a delicacy? No offense, but it tastes kind offishy.” At Kennedy’s teasing glance, he realized what he’d just said. “Okay, I know where caviar comes from.” He’d much prefer a juicy steak and roasted potatoes like Mom made. He flushed the caviar down with water.

“We have other food, but Uncle always liked to have caviar on the flights.” Her fingers tightened around the delicate stem of a crystal glass. “I don’t want you and your family to think he’s a snob, though.” Her lips tipped up. “Especially your mother. He donates huge amounts to charities and gives generous bonuses to his employees. And he took me to volunteer at the soup kitchen many times while I was growing up. Year-round, not just on Thanksgiving.”

“I don’t think a snob would raise a wonderful person like you.” He meant every word. With her upbringing, she could’ve spent her days shopping and/or being pampered in luxurious resorts. She wouldn’t have to move a finger. Instead, she’d worked hard all her life.

Tears sheened her eyes. Not the reaction he’d expected, and his heart constricted as she whispered, “I don’t know if I’m wonderful, but I’m trying to be better. And I should’ve told you already.... Please don’t feel I trapped you in the golden cage of this marriage. No one has locked the door and thrown the key into the ocean. You can leave at any time.”

He flinched. Even the suggestion pierced him.

Was she projecting? Was she the one who had second thoughts and considered leaving?

––––––––

Austin was wrong beforeabout Kennedy opening the door into a new world for him. He looked around a narrow cobblestone street over seven hundred years old—the stones were still okay, though. The door apparently led not just to one but many worlds. And some not sonew, though new to him.

“How do cars manage to go through here? There’s no way.”

Kennedy chuckled. “They don’t. This area is pedestrian only.”

A warm wave swept him up, but it was far more than embarrassment. He enjoyed walking ancient streets that smelled of coffee and pastries from nearby cafés. He didn’t mind narrow streets in the least. They allowed him to be close to Kennedy, to breathe her mysterious perfume, and to hold her hand, and it felt like a small victory. He’d navigated two unknown countries now: Lazoria and marriage. He’d never been abroad, but then, he’d never been married before, either. “Right. Let me think what else I got wrong today.”

“It’s okay. I made plenty of wrong assumptions in my first out-of-country trip, too.” She was gracious, as always.

“How old were you then?”

“Five.” She waved to a cozy café where rows of gardenias gave off a strong aroma under the windows and forest-green canopy. Wrought iron chairs and round glass tables beckoned from the shade. “Would you like to stop by for an éclair and a cup of coffee?”

They’d already had a gigantic dinner on the plane that was way better—and more filling—than caviar. But then they’d spent part of the day walking the streets where the video’s poster was located, stopping by souvenir shops, and showing drawings of Zoey. Later, they’d played in a nearby park with Caramel and Smiley. Some refreshments while looking into Kennedy’s beautiful gray eyes sounded wonderful.

He squeezed her hand before letting it go. “Sure. I’d love to stop for a few minutes. Or we can take it with us if you want.”

She laughed as she walked into the café. “I don’t think anyone stops at a café for justa few minutes. I haven’t been to Lazoria, but I’ve visited other European countries. And a meal here can last for hours. And I’ve not seen anyone walking and eating here.”

Huh. He pulled out a wrought iron chair with a comfy forest-green cushion for her. “Even with a cup of coffee?”

“Even with a cup of coffee.” She sat.

Her sweetheart-cut, ankle-length, silver-toned dress hugged her in a way that made his heart race—the way he wanted to hug her. Earlier, they’d passed a monument to some young woman, a princess from centuries ago. Kennedy looked like that woman had come alive.

And he couldn’t look away.

A waiter brought their menus. To Austin’s relief, the short middle-aged man in a white shirt and avocado-green pants with a white towel around his rotund waist spoke English, albeit with a heavy accent. Minutes later, Austin knew the guy had twin rambunctious boys and a mischievous shih tzu at home, and they exchanged pet stories. Kennedy stayed quiet.

---