Page 64 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

Caramel and Smiley were barking themselves into oblivion now, and the puppy was trying to wriggle out of his hands. Austin held onto her tightly, realizing he hadn’t held onto the most precious treasure of his life.

Compassion flashed in the cop’s eyes, but he shook his head. “No. Please step back.”

“Austin!” Marina’s voice made him turn around.

He rushed to her as if she were a life-preserving buoy. “Do you know what happened to Kennedy? She... she was inside the house.” He tripped over the leash and would have fallen, but Kai steadied him. “Thanks, bro.”

“We just got here ourselves.” Marina had the eyes of a sick dog. “I heard that someone tried to poison her. Praying she’s all right.”

“Who? Why?” It took all his willpower not to sink onto the sand. He was supposed to protect her. And he failed.

Lord, please, please save her. Please!

Kai visibly swallowed. “We don’t know.”

What was Austin thinking? His mind whirled, desperate for answers. He should’ve gone to the ambulance and asked the paramedics if they came here for Kennedy and, if so, how she was. But the moment he’d walked toward the ambulance, it took off.

No! No! No... He couldn’t lose her. He just couldn’t.

Lord, how can this be? We were supposed to spend a lifetime together.

If something happened to her, he’d have a lifetime of heartache ahead.

Kai patted him on the shoulder. “We’ll know everything soon.”

Just a moment’s distraction, and his hold on the puppy weakened. Caramel wriggled out of his hands and jumped onto the ground, then darted between feet in flip-flops, shoes, and boots.

“Caramel, no!” Austin shouted, but the puppy had already disappeared into the crowd. He threw the beagle’s leash to Kai. “Let me through! Please let me through!” Austin would torpedo into people if needed.

But people already parted, and then...

He stared, afraid to believe his eyes. “Kennedy!”

The puppy leaped into her arms, tail wagging like a propeller, barking a happy greeting.

Overjoyed, Austin swept up both his wife and puppy. “You’re okay. You’re alive. You’re fine. You’re alive. You’re okay.” He probably repeated it a hundred times, but he didn’t care. He craved the reassurance. He needed to have her in his arms to believe it. Needed to know she wouldn’t disappear like moonlight in the morning.

He kissed her cheek, her skin smooth under his lips, then kissed her again and again. And again.

Kennedy laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Then she leaned to him and whispered into his ear, her breath ticklish. “I’m fine. Totally and absolutely.”

Well, he was tickled that she was alive and well. Then she added, her breath warm on his skin. “Though it wasn’t easy to persuade the paramedics of that. And then I had to give my statement to the police.”

Something registered through his mental fog, and he remembered Marina’s words. “Why did you need to persuade the paramedics you’re okay? Or give the police a statement? And why is the house a crime scene?”

“It’s a long story.” She gestured for him to put her down, and so he did. “Let’s take a walk on the beach.” Away from curious ears. She didn’t say that, but she didn’t need to.

Smiley barked, and Kai stepped forward. “We’ll take care of Smiley. And of any issues that arise.”

The beagle growled, showing his disagreement, then placed his paws on Kennedy’s long legs, and she petted him. “It’s okay. Thank you, but I’ll take him with us.” She looked up at Austin. “He’s part of our little family.”

Our family.

His chest swelled, and he sent up a prayer of thanks as he took the beagle’s leash from Kai while Kennedy hugged the puppy. Austin and Kennedy didn’t divide the pets as yours and mine.

Several people asked her questions, and he shielded her.

Then Kai stepped forward and so did Marina, a strict expression on her face. “Please give Austin and Kennedy some grace. We’ll know everything soon enough.” Her voice didn’t leave room for discussion.

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