Page 61 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

Like Kennedy’s mother, Auntie was fashionable and wouldn’t leave the house without elaborate makeup, diamond earrings, or a designer dress. Her spectacular cherry-red hair was always long and well-tended by a skillful and pricey hairdresser.

The woman in front of Kennedy now wore cropped gray hair that barely covered ears void of any earrings. Her simple outfit was faded and well worn, and her sneakers were scuffed. She was clearly struggling, and Kennedy chastised herself for not trying to find and help her. Her uncle could’ve made a better effort, as well. Kennedy’s rib cage tightened.

But when her guest took off her sunglasses, Kennedy recognized the eyes. Those eyes of a rare green color, while slightly faded, were still the same.

“I’m glad you came back. I mean, that you’re here.” Kennedy poured coffee into porcelain cups with golden trim. “Two French vanilla creamers, right?”

“No, I drink coffee black now. Thank you.” Auntie accepted the delicate cup. Was it because she preferred the taste, or were things so bad she had to adjust to coffee without creamer?

Guilt stinging her, Kennedy brought her cup to the table, then sat. Normally, she’d add creamer, but this time, she didn’t from solidarity. “Listen, if you need help, I’d be more than happy to—”

Auntie raised her chin—and her cup. “No. That’s not why I’m here. I was in the area, and I really, really wanted to see you. I’ve missed you.”

Heart in her throat, Kennedy jumped to her feet, then hugged her former auntie. “I’ve missed you, too. Very much so. You were like a mom to me.”

The woman returned the hug, then let Kennedy go. Tears shimmered in those emerald eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I can only imagine how heartbreaking it was for you.” Kennedy returned to her seat and reached for Auntie’s hand. “We’ll always miss Zoey. We’ll always love her.” She nearly said Zoey might be alive and well in a faraway country, but no. Not fair to instill hope only to have it crushed later. She’d get Auntie’s contact information and let her know once Kennedy verified the information about Zoey.

Now tears flowed from the woman’s eyes, and guilt stabbed Kennedy. She shouldn’t have said anything about Zoey, shouldn’t have salted a wound that had never healed.

An incoming text beeped Kennedy’s phone, then another one. She glanced at it furtively. It would be rude to answer it, especially in an emotional moment like this. Yet she couldn’t resist. Her hand reached for the phone on its own. “Sorry. I think it’s from my husband.”

She opened the text, and the first was from Austin indeed, making her heart turn over in her chest. He’d sent a photo of the sand where the wordsMISS YOUwere written with a stick. Next to it, Smiley was sitting as if he wrote it.

She sent back the answer.Miss you, too. Come home in half an hour.

Sensing Auntie wanted to be alone with her, she should have asked him to stay away longer. But the desire to see Austin was too much.

Then the other text attracted her attention. Rachel had sent a bunch of photos. The text said, “The townspeople came through and emailed photos they or their visitors or relatives took at the festival. I believe the third photo is going to be of special interest.”

Kennedy looked up at her guest who was patiently sipping her coffee, muttered a sorry, and scrolled down further. For a moment, staring at the photo, she froze. Only long training from her uncle in hiding her emotions let her restrain her reaction.

She needed to say the most important thing to Austin before anything else happened.

I love you.

She sent the text before she could change her mind, sent Rachel a quick reply, then pressed the button she needed and tucked her phone into her sweater pocket. “I’m sorry about that. You have my entire attention now. I set my phone so we won’t be interrupted again.”

“You didn’t touch the cupcakes.” Auntie’s voice held reproach as she placed a cupcake on Kennedy’s plate. “This one has your name on it. I bought them especially for you. Please, eat.”

“Well, you probably remember I never could pass up chocolate.” Kennedy pulled the plate onto her lap, and slowly broke off pieces of cupcake coated with thick frosting before raising them to her lips. “If it’s okay to ask, where do you live now?”

“Far away from here.” Auntie looked away. “It was too painful to stay.”

“I understand. Wherever you are, are you happy?”

“I’m trying to be.” A shadow passed over her guest’s face. “A mother’s love can be overwhelming, and it’s difficult to let go. I did what I had to do by leaving.”

Kennedy’s mother’s love wasn’t overwhelming. But even bad mothers could love their daughters in their way. “Did you get married again?” Was the question too intrusive?

“I saw someone for a while, but it didn’t work out.” Auntie drained the rest of her cup.

“Let me refill your coffee.” Kennedy got up, then flopped down again onto the chair. “Whoa. I’m dizzy for some reason.”

“Maybe you should lie down. I’ll go now, let you rest.”

“Don’t go.” Kennedy brought a hand to her forehead, but it dropped onto her lap. “Please. I feel so strange. My limbs are weak. I can barely move them.”

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