Page 69 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

Kennedy’s dress, as creamy in color as the satiny bows, fell to her ankles—no way for Austin to step on it—and she’d bought it in a local store for a song.

As she passed Rachel, the woman gave her an encouraging nod. Rachel wasn’t here in bodyguard capacity at their vow renewal but came as a friend. With Rachel busy with assignments at different locations, the new friendship was a cautious one and far from close, but Kennedy welcomed it.

Further in the pew, Dallas had his arm around Skylar’s shoulder. Her bump in a flowery dress with red poppies was barely showing. But she already had that beautiful pregnancy glow. Kennedy’s hand moved to her own stomach as she walked, her heart shifting. She wasn’t expecting yet, but they’d decided to try for a baby. And the thought filled her with so much tenderness already.

Then she caught Zoey’s gaze. It wasn’t hostile, but it wasn’t exactly warm, and Kennedy’s rib cage tightened. At first, Zoey had refused any contact attempts, but Kennedy had invited her to the ceremony anyway. Was there a chance to patch up their friendship? Kennedy prayed so.

As she kept walking, her lips curved up at the sight of Mason. After a long talk with Robin, the wedding planning was on again, and somehow, Kennedy had found herself in the role of maid of honor. Mason beamed with happiness as he held Robin’s hand.

Now Kennedy stood near Austin who wore a short-sleeved white shirt, khaki slacks, and the biggest smile she’d ever seen. Knowing he smiled a lot, that was saying something. She knew his heart better than her own now, and she knew it was beating for her. Just like hers was beating for him.

She’d gotten her beach ceremony, after all. Kai had even suggested having it shipboard in the ocean, but Kennedy had felt such a setting guaranteed they would drift out to sea. Smiley was sitting near Austin, pink tongue lolling. The dog was dressed in a custom-made tuxedo and was their ring bearer today. He looked rather pleased with his role.

She glanced back, glad her uncle and Austin’s mom had taken seats in the front row together. Uncle’s hand even moved toward Kennedy’s mother-in-law’s but regrettably stopped. They’d be an odd couple, yes, but Kennedy had never seen him smile as much as he did with Austin’s mom. And even his health had improved dramatically.

Austin took Kennedy’s hand at that moment, and she sighed out her contentment as she shifted closer. She’d been going alone through life and could go on that way if needed. But she was much more excited to go through life with Austin, their hands and lives linked like they were now.

Loud barking told her Caramel must’ve gotten out of Marina’s embrace. She glanced back again. Blowing her hair out of her face, Marina scooped up Caramel from the sand. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Kennedy petted the puppy before returning to her place. She’d never complain about being loved.

Caramel wore a cream ribbon and a bewildered expression. As Marina made it back to her seat, the beagle barked from his place as if chastising a younger family member with the rights of the more experienced one. Never mind that Smiley’s time with the family was much shorter than Caramel’s.

A few people chuckled, including Austin. She loved the sound of his laughter, loved that he always seemed to know how to makeherlaugh—which wasn’t easy. She loved this man, and he loved her back.

That was what mattered the most.

The first time, even with such a small wedding, she’d worried so much about everything going smoothly and keeping up the image of perfection, even if she hadn’t fully realized it. Now, she didn’t care if she had to chase Caramel all over the beach. Or if Smiley stole a few pieces of chicken at the backyard reception later. Or if Kai’s parrot created a commotion. And not only because the videos of the bouquet smashing a guest and the groom smashing the cake had been posted online and gone viral and only added to the hotel’s popularity.

After working in the hospitality industry and helping with animals, she’d learned she couldn’t make order out of chaos. And after she’d gotten to know Austin, her priorities had shifted.

Love, not prestige or the appearance of success, truly mattered.

He’d also helped her grieve and accept what had happened to her parents. She didn’t need to forgive herself for not earning their love. That love should’ve been unconditional. And now she understood that her parents had been unhappy people who’d tried to find happiness in the wrong places.

For a moment, she heard the sound of silver bracelets, and the painfully familiar, faint scent of the sophisticated perfume drifted to her. She winced, then shook her head. It must’ve been her memory. She’d stopped wearing her mother’s bracelets and switched from her mother’s perfume to a spray with pleasing vanilla notes.

At the wedding, she’d used the scripted vows. Everything was rehearsed. Now, when she had the chance to renew those vows, happy tears burned her eyes, and just as those tears flowed from her heart, so did her words.

Her own words, this time.

“Before you, I tried to figure out the past, ripping off the bandages again and again. I was scared of being ridiculed, of falling, of losing people I cared about if I opened myself to affection. Your openness showed me how life could be if I took the risk. Your kindness healed me. Your love saved me from an empty life. I don’t care if I stumble, even if in public. Even if I fall.”

“I love you so much,” he whispered. “But sometimes I might be the reason we fall.”

“And that’s okay. We’ll help each other up and help each other forward.” Then she reiterated, “Your love saved me.”

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