Page 25 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

She rolled down the window. “This woman and I have the same build. We have the same color long hair.” She cleared her throat. “Ahem, well, like the long hair I used to have. And she was wearing a designer dress I gave her. Plus, metal bracelets that looked like my silver ones from afar.” Kennedy gulped. “She was lying face up when she regained consciousness. It looks like the intruder realized his mistake when he saw her on the floor and left.”

“Mistake meaning... the intruder meant to hit you.” A shiver traveled down his spine, a shiver having nothing to do with the night air. “Wait, but there should be cameras in the hotel, right?”

“We got a guy in a ski mask crouching from the fire exit.”

His decision on her marriage proposal became very easy. If her life was in danger, she needed someone to protect her or at the least to be a human shield. He couldn’t let something happen to her, and the best way to be around her twenty-four seven had been handed to him in a kibble bowl.

“Kennedy Crawford, will you marry me?”

Chapter Seven

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOUwant a small wedding?” Kennedy’s uncle and Austin’s mother asked in unison, looked at each other, then glared at Kennedy and Austin.

In the hotel conference room her uncle suggested they use for this family meeting, Kennedy resisted the urge to squirm against her luxurious chocolate-brown leather chair. She was used to her plans meshing with Uncle’s even before either voiced them, so contradicting the man she’d always looked up to sent an unpleasant jolt through her.

Austin took her hand and moved closer, causing a totally different jolt to zip through her. “Just what we said. We want a small wedding.”

This was the first time a man other than her uncle or a hired bodyguard tried to protect her, and her heart swelled. Well, not the first time. When they’d walked from the animal shelter to her car the day before yesterday, Austin had hung close as if shielding her. Then he’d followed her home and walked her to the door.

But she’d never meant to put him in danger. She’d nearly rescinded her offer yesterday.

She pushed past her natural shyness like she’d had to do so many times during board meetings and squared her shoulders. Her uncle had raised her to achieve her goals, even if she now had to use his lessons against him. “That’s nonnegotiable. I know all those business associates are important to you and you have an image to maintain. But the guest list is close family only.” She paused to hide the familiar pain. “Which in my case means only my uncle. Plus, two of my employees who are like family to me. We’d like the reception to be in this hotel restaurant.”

Mrs. Lawrence jumped to her feet so fast her chair toppled onto the shiny oak floor. “What?” She jammed her hands on her hips. “A reception in our backyard isn’t good enough for you?”

Uh-oh. Kennedy swallowed hard. Angering her future mother-in-law wasn’t a good start to marriage.

“Mom! Please try to understand.” Loving but firm notes strengthened Austin’s voice. He got up and lifted his mother’s chair, then moved it closer to her. “We have our reasons for this.”

Mrs. Lawrence remained standing. And glaring. She clearly didn’t raise so many boys by being a pushover.

Marina lifted her chin and moved closer to Kennedy, forming a united front. “We’ll make it work. And I agree with the small wedding.”

Kai would’ve been in the meeting, but he had an emergency with a pipeline to the pasture.

Grateful for her support, Kennedy sent her friend a glance. Then she drew a deep breath of air tinted sweetly from the orchid centerpiece. Austin had agreed to tell his family about the possibility of her life being in danger when it was the right time.

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