Page 15 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

The breeze tap-danced on her skin, and she breathed in the salty fresh air, reminding herself to enjoy the company and the breathtaking view.

“That’s awesome.” Kennedy munched on grapes, glad for Skylar’s presence.

Skylar turned out to be a chatterbox, and she easily glued together any pauses the silent types like Kennedy and Marina might have in conversations.

Marina nudged Kennedy when Skylar paused to drink her juice. “Well, what about you? Are you going to tell us how your date with Austin went? All you said so far was that it wentwell. You know we’re not going to let that report be enough.”

Kennedy shrugged. The growing feeling inside her seemed too personal to share, and she couldn’t tell the girls she’d proposed to him without receiving an answer. It didn’t feel like business anymore, though. The more she was getting to know him, the more she liked him. A little more, and she’d be falling for him.

Yet she shook her head. “It wasn’t a date. It was a business meeting. Sort of.”

As she drank some of her mango juice, Marina rolled her eyes. “Yeah right. At least tell us, is there going to be another date? I hope.”

Kennedy’s fingers tapped the glass-topped table before reaching for another grape. How could she say she’d skipped dates and had boldly put an entire proposal on the table? Her heart constricted. Or how could she confess how much she wanted to see him again? The intensity scared her.

“We might meet again, yes.” She wasn’t used to sharing about her personal life.

First, because there hadn’t been anything to share about. Second, because there hadn’t been anyone to share it with. Her uncle had already taken on the role of both of her parents. He didn’t need to take on the role of her girlfriend.

A shadow passed over Marina’s face. “Sorry about advising Austin to buy you hibiscuses. I didn’t realize you were allergic. I just saw that painting of your mother holding the bouquet, and I...”

“Not your fault at all.” Kennedy waved off an apology, managing to keep her tone light. “Hibiscuses were my mother’s favorite flowers. She wasn’t allergic to them.” She just seemed to be allergic to her only child.

Yet Kennedy missed her. Or maybe the imaginary version of her mother that one day would wake up and realize how much she loved her daughter. She’d never gotten that chance.

Time to deflect all this attention. She paired a slice of Gruyère with some grapes, its nutty flavor a perfect complement for the sweets, and leaned toward Marina. “How is the progress on the house renovation going?”

“I learned a bunch of new things. I can now paint ceilings like nobody’s business. And I know the physics of plumbing.” Marina gestured before draining her glass. “Skylar is helping me with interior decoration. Being a talented artist and all that.”

Kennedy refilled Marina’s glass from the carafe, the scent of mangoes spreading in the air. Her uncle had advised her to hire servants a long time ago, but she preferred her privacy.

“I’m happy to.” Skylar scooped up a few strawberries. Thankfully, she didn’t have Kennedy’s issue with sharing about herself. “I have a new announcement, and I can’t wait to tell you.” Her grin spread from ear to ear as she picked up a cube of truffle-flavored Gouda. “It’s a miracle I’ve kept it a secret since yesterday.”

Kennedy and Marina exchanged glances. Then Kennedy lifted her own glass, its surface cold and smooth under her fingers. It was a miracle Skylar could hold anything in indeed. Though from what Kennedy had learned, her new friend had kept a huge and destructive secret almost her whole life. Perhaps that’s why she no longer held anything back.

“We can’t wait to hear it.” Marina hid a smile.

“I’m pregnant!” Skylar beamed. “Dallas and I just found out yesterday.”

“Congratulations! This is so exciting!” Marina jumped to her feet and hugged her cousin, then helped herself to a slice of Gruyère, pairing it with hazelnuts.

“Congratulations!” Kennedy hugged Skylar, too, genuinely happy for her.

Marina clapped with enthusiasm unusual for her. “We’ll do a baby shower. What great news.” Then she paused. “Is Dallas excited?”

“He’s thrilled. He said he waited for this for so long.” Sadness darkened her eyes before they brightened again. “I know it’s a lot of work. But I can’t wait to be a mom.”

“You’ll make such a great one,” Marina said.

Skylar blinked. “Well, I can’t say I’ve had a good example—unless my grandmother counts.”

“You’ll make such a great mom.” Marina added more emphasis this time.

The three of them didn’t have much in common, except being attracted to cowboys from the same family and not having great parents. Kennedy kept those links to herself, of course.

Marina and Skylar started discussing things for the baby shower and shopping for tiny clothes. Kennedy joined in after bringing another spread of cheese and a plate with more chocolate strawberries. She helped herself to some strawberries, enjoying the sweet taste, but her mind wandered off.

Now she had an excuse not to tell her friends she’d proposed to Austin. She wouldn’t steal Skylar’s thunder. Something squeezed the blood and hope from Kennedy’s heart. What would he answer? It scared her how she wanted it to be yes.

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