Page 36 of Seaside Cowboy's Marriage of Convenience

Hmm. Maybe that was true, but the sad thing was Austin and Saylordidhave similar personalities. They’d make a great couple if Kennedy hadn’t stepped in. “Thanks.” Kennedy released her relief in a tentative sigh.

The next moment, Marina gathered her into a hug, which surprised Kennedy. If Marina was anything like Kennedy—and Marina was—she usually kept her feelings to herself. Maybe Kai, who wore his heart on the sleeve of his pirate shirt, was rubbing off on her, not just his affinity for jokes. “Are you happy? Are you truly, deliriously happy?”

Kennedy took a moment to hug her friend back. Displays of affection were discouraged in her family. “I’m the happiest I’ve been in my life,” she said, carefully choosing words.

Her friend drew back. “Why do you sound so shocked? That’s the way a newlywed is supposed to feel!”

“Because it’s a marriage of convenience. So I’m a newlywed... of convenience, I guess. I’m not married the same way you and Kai are married.” Usually, her feelings didn’t puzzle her, but that was before she’d proposed to Austin. “And... I have this... this premonition. Like waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

Marina frowned as she studied Kennedy. “But the incidents stopped, didn’t they?”

“Yes, but it’s going to be difficult to maintain the same level of security on a transatlantic trip, then in a foreign country. But we’ll talk about it later. For now, please follow me.” She walked into the library, removed a book, then pressed the button. The entire bookcase moved, giving them access to a safe.

Marina placed her hands on her hips. “What, no secret room? I’m disappointed.”

“Sorry!” Kennedy moved her face close to the door to get her iris scanned. “Besides Austin and my uncle, you’re the only one who knows about this safe.” She glanced at Caramel and Smiley who followed her into the library and were now tumbling over each other on the carpet. “Well, Caramel and Smiley know about it, too.”

“I’m honored”—Marina smirked again—“to be trusted as much as your pets.”

After the door opened, Kennedy pulled out a jewelry box. Her heart shifted just like that bookcase, the sight of the expensive box encrusted with diamonds giving her a bittersweet taste. While she appreciated the beautiful—and expensive—items, this jewelry box represented something her mother seemed to love more than she loved Kennedy. Her mom could spend hours trying on different jewelry sets in front of a mirror while Kennedy had looked on, hiding in a corner, invisible as always, knowing already that she’d never be as valuable or dear to her mother as the contents of that box.

Her rib cage tightening, Kennedy unhooked a thick, long platinum chain and handed it to Marina. “Do you like it? If so, it’s yours.”

“I do like it, but I can’t accept it.” Marina shook her head, sending her golden hair flying.

“Please do. I bought that chain. It’s not a family heirloom.” Kennedy reached for an item that was. She would be fine with giving it away, as well. “My mother left me lots of the latter. Besides inheriting many pieces from her mother, Mom loved shopping, especially for jewelry. Clothes, too. She flew to Paris specifically for that. But sometimes those bags remained unopened for months and even forever. Once, I asked Dad why Mom loved shopping so much. He said because she could.”

“That’s very generous, but—”

“Would you like something else instead?” Kennedy eyed a sparkling diamond bracelet. She’d seldom purchased jewelry, another thing she did opposite of her mother.

Other children had fought over toys. Kennedy had given hers away, hoping the children would play with her then. She’d stopped when she’d realized that once her toys ran out, so did the other children’s affection for her. She’d gotten more toys, of course. But she’d learned to play alone.

Was she falling into old patterns again? One couldn’t buy friendship, and really, Marina was her friend already.

“I’m sorry I can’t accept this.” Marina handed back the platinum chain.

Kennedy shrugged. “I’ll sell it and donate the proceeds to the local women’s shelter.”

“Good idea.” Marina smiled with relief.

A part of Kennedy was pleased. Then she pulled out an antique golden chain with a pendant. She rarely looked at it. “This belonged to my mother. It has Dad’s portrait. She never took it off. Which was sort of strange because, while they played a couple in love in public, I seldom saw her affectionate to him at home.” She opened the pendant and looked at the man she sadly knew so little.

His hair was chestnut brown, darker than Kennedy’s, and he wore a neatly trimmed beard. He liked playing golf and billiards, smoking fine cigars, and spending time in the company of men who liked golf, billiards, and fine cigars. He loved his gorgeous wife who in turn seemed cold to him, except in public. Maybe the reason he’d agreed to all those lavish parties was to create the illusion of a happy couple even for himself.

But had he ever loved—or even noticed—his daughter? When she’d tried to hug his legs or climb onto his lap, he’d always seemed irritated. She’d felt as if she were a fly, something small, insignificant, and annoying. She’d stopped trying.

For a long time, she’d suppressed those memories, as well as the memories of her parents fighting. There’d been a crack in that marriage, and yet they’d stayed together.

In a suit and a tie, he looked elegant in the photo, but his gaze was as absent as when he’d looked at Kennedy. Her heart heavy, she slipped her fingernail over his oval portrait—and it peeled off.

Then her heart stuttered at the hidden portrait behind it. It was of a different man. Austin’s father.

It took several moments to be able to breathe again as different pieces of a puzzle rearranged themselves in her head. Then she showed Marina the hidden portrait. “I didn’t want to believe it when you told me you heard the sounds of my mother’s bracelets and smelled her perfume at Mr. Lawrence’s place, though he claimed to be alone that day.” She swallowed hard. “But, I did believe you. And thank you for getting me to take the DNA test.”

“You’re welcome. I wouldn’t want you and his sons to be related.” Marina coughed a little. “I’m glad it proved you weren’t.”

Kennedy closed the pendant and put it back. “Now it’s not just scents and sounds.”

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