Page 63 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

Chapter Sixteen

TEN MINUTES EARLIER...

Being away from Kennedy was the most difficult thing Austin had to do so far. His entire being ached to run to her from the beach, and he had to squeeze his teeth not to. Caramel and Smiley seemed to feel the same way because they were tugging on their leashes, especially the beagle. His paws made small grooves in the sand from his effort. Had they been two Newfoundlands, Austin would’ve been dragged to her house. Frankly, he’d prefer that.

“I know. I know. I can’t wait to see her, too.”

The dogs barked, clearly not satisfied with those words.

He hung onto the leashes, then scooped up Caramel, and unhooked her leash. She licked his face, while Smiley looked at Austin with reproach.

“Sorry, buddy. You’re not a puppy any longer.”

His heart stirring, Austin stared at the ocean, its surface seafoam pale and gentle like Kennedy’s veil during their wedding, the sky gray like her eyes. He looked into the sky and saw the contours of her lovely face there in the clouds.

He urged the time to go faster. She’d set the time frame, but every minute felt like an eternity.

But she’d told him she missed him. That she loved him. She wanted him back.

She loved him! He could hardly believe it. It was the miracle he’d prayed for so many times. The most precious gift he could ever ask for. His dream came true, and euphoria expanded his every cell.

Thank You, Lord.

Hope filled his lungs just as the breeze sprayed salty water onto his white polo shirt. Kennedy’s words made him want to sing, scream, and dance at the same time.

And he loved her. Oh how much he loved her. “This much. Like the ocean,” he told Caramel and Smiley because he couldn’t tell Kennedy yet.

Well, he could text her, but it wouldn’t be the same.

Lord, please guide me. Please help me do it the right way.

In his heart, he’d known he loved Kennedy for some time, but he’d been afraid to admit it. He glanced at his watch. Only three minutes to go. Phew. He could start walking toward the house, though he’d rather fly there on seagull wings.

Seagulls cried out as if not pleased with that kind of thinking. Or maybe it was a signal for him to go home.

He was going to propose to her. It didn’t matter that they were married already—okay, that mattered a lot—but he was going to do things right. He’d ask her uncle for her hand in marriage, then propose to her with their families and friends present. And pets.

“I should go buy orchids, right? An engagement ring?” he asked the dogs, but they didn’t seem to have an opinion.

Then premonition pressed on Austin’s chest, and he had a weird push in the back as if he had to keep moving. Frankly, he wanted to keep moving toward the house on the beach. He couldn’t wait to see her, to tell her how much he loved her, to hold her in his arms, and to look into her gorgeous eyes. He didn’t understand why she’d asked him to wait before coming home, but thrilled she loved him, he hadn’t questioned it.

After all, she might be preparing a surprise for him, and he didn’t want to ruin it.

A shrill siren split the air, and he winced. The ambulance raced past him.

Why was an ambulance in this area? His every cell went on high alert, and his heart dropped into the sand. He dashed toward the house. Smiley’s leash wasn’t strained any longer as the stout dog ran beside him.

Lord, please help Kennedy be okay. Please!

The police car was already near the house, and a knife turned in Austin’s heart. He tried to call Kennedy, but she didn’t answer. He sent a text, but she didn’t reply. If only he’d stayed home... A shiver went through him despite the warm weather. Smiley jerked forward, and Austin held onto his leash, just as something was breaking inside him.

A young officer in a uniform—probably a recent hire because Austin didn’t recognize him—had already pulled the yellow tape around the house and now gestured for the small crowd to stay outside it. His face seemingly made of stone didn’t give anything away despite the many questions thrown at him.

Austin pivoted toward the officer. “Please let me go inside. I live there.”

“Sorry. It’s a crime scene now.” The guy’s expression didn’t change.

Everything in Austin shattered. “But my wife is there!”

---