Page 68 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

BE MARRIED TO ME ALWAYS.

Well, it read BE MARRED TO ME ALWAYS. But that was because one pet owner had to chase their escaped cat and, therefore, couldn’t hold up the I.

Austin dropped on one knee in front of Kennedy, an open ring box in his hand, and her heart just about stopped beating. “Kennedy, you’re the love of my life. I love you with all my heart.” He stumbled. “I’m much better at communicating with animals than humans.”

Caramel and Smiley barked as if to confirm it.

“But after you appeared in my life, it feels like I didn’t live before you. And I wanted you to know it. I wanted everyone to know it.”

“Yeah, bro, we do know it. Even my parrot realized it,” Kai muttered, causing a few chuckles.

But not Kennedy. She needed Austin to say those words. Oh how desperately she needed him to say them!

Austin grinned at her, filling her with the sunshine that seemed to be his special gift. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please be married to me always.”

She nearly squealed like Caramel. “I will! I love you so much!”

“You make me so happy.” He got up and placed the engagement ring next to her wedding band while applause and congratulations erupted around them.

Some barking and meowing joined the chorus of congratulations, but it might be because the pets demanded to be fed soon.

This was her husband. The amazing man who loved her, who wanted to share life with her forever, and who managed to prevent her from pushing him away, which wasn’t an easy feat. Who treasured her for who she was and not the privileges she could help him achieve.

Happiness filled her to the brim until, surely, she couldn’t feel any happier. But then he kissed her, and she realized she was wrong. He stole her breath away—literally—and she was overflowing with happiness.

When she came up for air, afraid it was just a dream, she looked at her new family and friends. God had given her a much better dream than she could’ve imagined herself.

Austin just smiled at her, and she moved closer and hugged him again. She relished being in his arms, breathing in his fresh aftershave, and having his heart beating close to hers. His arms wrapped around her. Her marriage of convenience had become a marriage of love.

Reluctantly, she forced herself to ease out of his embrace.

Marina stepped forward. “And now I’m inviting everyone to Bay and Basin for a celebration dinner.”

Kennedy leaned toward her friend. “And if I said no?”

Marina didn’t even blink. “Then it would be aconsolationdinner. Though we knew you wouldn’t.”

Austin hugged Kennedy, causing her to curve into him happily. “I love you so much, Kennedy. Considering that I love you more every day, I don’t know how I’m going to hold in all this love in forty or more years. Might need way more balloons. As for dinner, I’ll do my best not to knock down any plates.”

Marina rolled her eyes. “Please don’t worry about that. Someone posted the video of that evening with the caption ‘Even dogs have a lot of fun at this place.’ We’ve had more visitors than ever.”

Kennedy laughed. She was blessed to have all these people who loved her, though sometimes she didn’t make it easy: great parent figures, amazing friends, awesome pets, and the best husband in the world.

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Kennedy lifted herface to the sun’s warm rays as she walked down the beach toward her husband who waited for her beyond rows of white chairs decorated with creamy satin bows.

Her uncle and her mother-in-law flanked her, and Kennedy had the mischievous thought of slipping back and letting them walk together. They still argued a lot, but her uncle had often visited family dinners at the ranch and—a shocker!—had even eaten chicken wings with his bare hands. Another shocker was that he’d begun thinking about retirement.

The breeze threw Kennedy’s hair onto her face, and she smiled as she tossed it back. The tide brought sea-foamy water onto the shore as if the ocean was overflowing, and with Austin beaming at her, her heart was overflowing, as well.

This day was so different from their wedding. Then she’d had doubts. Deprived of her parents’ affection, guilty for sort of stealing her uncle’s love after his daughter had disappeared, Kennedy had been unsure whether Austin would ever love her. She knew he’d honor her and the marriage, but she’d never intended to put him in a golden cage. Maybe it was unfair after she’d chosen him already, but she’d wanted him to choose her. Then and forever.

And he had.

Her uncle had once called her his biggest treasure and his biggest joy, and nowherbiggest treasure and joy was smiling right back at her near the altar.

She’d been shocked when Marina had decided to get married in flip-flops. Yet Kennedy had opted to go barefoot for this vow renewal ceremony, the sand warm against her toes. For the wedding, she’d worn an expensive heirloom pearl necklace, bracelet, and earrings, and she had her hair in an elegant updo with pearls, as well. Now her hair was flowing freely over her shoulders, and the only jewelry was her wedding ring, a cross pendant, and the seashell bracelets Skylar had made for her.

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