Page 18 of A Montana Fake Marriage (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #1)

She lifted her brows then gestured to herself before motioning back to him. “I’m sorry. There’s no way I’ll be caught dead standing next to you anywhere.”

He laughed again, pressing a kiss to her temple. Then he turned her toward the door. “Wash up. Wear something nice. We’re going out.”

Sammie glanced over her shoulder toward him, and that excitement he’d grown so fond of returned to her face.

“But be quick about it. Our reservation is in an hour.”

She gasped. “What makes you think I can get ready?—”

“Maybe wear that blue number I got you for Christmas.”

Sammie beamed at him, not arguing a second more before she hustled to the bathroom.

One hour later, they were seated in one of the rooms at the back of The Steer House. Rose petals lined the table, and a little card had been propped up with the words ‘Happy Anniversary’ scrawled across it.

Sammie glowed. There was no other way to describe it. Brighter than the stars that glittered in the sky this evening, she matched their wonder.

Caleb held her left hand in his and traced his thumb over her ring finger while Sammie looked over the menu. Her brows were creased as she perused the options. When she pulled her lower lip between her teeth, he chuckled. “What’s the matter? Nothing look good?”

“Oh, plenty looks good. It’s just so expensive.”

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Don’t worry about the money tonight.”

Her gaze snagged on him. He couldn’t blame her for being so conscientious about it.

Since they’d been married, Sammie had become a pro at budgeting.

She scrimped and saved every dime that Bo paid her.

Of course Caleb had let her keep it all.

Anything she’d needed , he was more than happy to give her.

Tonight was different only in the sense that they were splurging.

“Tonight is a celebration,” he added. “My treat.” He kissed her knuckles again.

That was all she seemed to need from him.

Their waitress—Lacey, by the looks of her nametag—took their order then left them in peace. It was quiet in the back of the restaurant; so much so that it felt like they were completely alone. Sammie glanced at him several times before he finally murmured, “What are you thinking?”

She didn’t hesitate to gesture around them. “This date. Something’s going on. I feel like I should have been prepared for it somehow.”

Caleb tilted his head, unable to hide the smile on his face. “You’re right. It’s our three-month anniversary.”

She gave him a flabbergasted look. “That’s not a thing.”

“And it’s almost our one-year wedding anniversary.”

Sammie snickered. “I didn’t think we’d be celebrating that… considering how it started.”

“I want to celebrate every single special occasion with you, Sammie,” he murmured, the amusement leaving his face. “I don’t care if it doesn’t count , if it’s mundane, or if it’s the biggest moment in our lives. I want to spend them all with you.”

She took a deep breath and released it softly. “Who knew you were such a romantic.”

He reached into his suit pocket and retrieved the ring he’d purchased. Sammie gasped, her free hand flying to her mouth. “Like I said,” he whispered, bringing her left hand forward and placing the ring atop the wedding band, “I’m all in.”

Sammie gaped at him.

Was it too soon?

Probably.

But he’d waited nearly a year to tell her how he felt. He’d had plenty of time to figure out what he wanted.

Sammie didn’t speak, all she did was pull him in for a gentle kiss. Her eyes shined with emotion—happy emotion.

“I have another surprise for you.”

“Caleb,” she murmured with a hint of exasperation. “This is already too much.”

“I sent over the documents we put together for the lawyer. You don’t have to do anything more right now about your inheritance. All we have to do now is sit back and wait for your father to discover how stubborn you truly are.”

She laughed. “I’m pretty sure he already knows.

” Unfortunately, the smile that had come with the laughter faded.

Caleb’s heart wrenched. He’d brought up her father—the one subject that was hard for her to handle.

She didn’t want to think about him nor speak about him.

Soon enough, he would be out of her life for good.

They just needed to finish what they’d started.

“When you get your inheritance, what do you want to do with it?” That was a safe enough subject, right?

Sammie glanced at him, the weariness in her gaze still hovering beneath the surface. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

He could understand that. He’d chosen to save everything he had in order to invest it and make the small fortune he had grown so far. There were some things that were worthy of his hard-earned money, and others that weren’t. “There’s no rush,” he assured her.

She nodded. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” She traced circles on the tablecloth then tilted her head. “How’s the patent going? Are you closer to submitting it?”

Caleb straightened in his seat. “I actually sent it off last week.”

Her eyes widened with joy. “Really? That’s great!” Then she slugged him playfully. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He shrugged, warmed by her excitement for him. “I suppose I was distracted by other things.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but before she did, her phone buzzed loudly in her purse. Sammie peeked at it, then her features tightened before she declined the call.

Caleb didn’t bother asking her who it was. Her father had been nothing if not consistent in checking in on her. Heck, he might have already gotten the notification from his lawyer about needing to sign off on releasing the funds.

He frowned but was determined not to let her father ruin their evening. Caleb pulled her closer to him and pressed another kiss to her temple. They chatted about their future together until their food was served.