Page 36 of A Montana Fake Marriage (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

While the land was in their name, they were having a heck of a time getting started on the build for their new home. Caleb was busy working on another new formula for cattle feed, and Sammie was busy with her studies.

Every day, they came home exhausted and unable to focus on the changes they wanted to make to the blueprints for their new home.

It was fine. They had time.

That’s what Caleb kept telling Sammie, at least.

Time.

It was such a strange concept now that he had Sammie to himself, he didn’t think there would ever be enough time he could spend with her.

Caleb settled down at the desk in his parents’ office and pored over the plans for his new formula. The words blurred together. All he wanted to do right now was track Sammie down and spend the afternoon with her.

She’d be home from her classes soon. He’d have to be patient.

A smile tugged at his lips. It had only been a couple months since his father-in-law had stopped by unannounced. Looking back, it was ridiculous that he’d been worried for Sammie. She had proven that she was stronger than he’d thought.

They’d had to develop a different kind of trust in one another that they hadn’t had before. He’d had to learn how to be more comfortable and open about their finances. It had been difficult—it still was—but he’d made improvements.

Caleb leaned backward in his chair and sighed, but this time, it was with contentment.

“Do you even realize how that stupid grin makes you look?” Mack’s voice came from the doorway. He leaned against the doorjamb, his own smile on his face.

Rolling his eyes, Caleb straightened. “There’s nothing you can say to ruin my day. I don’t care if I have a stupid grin on my face. It’s probably going to be there long term, so you might as well get used to it.”

Mack chuckled. “I’m happy for you, actually. Now I don’t have to deal with your rotten attitude. I’d rather have this version of you.” He moved into the room and settled down on a chair across from Caleb. “I’ve half a mind to find someone who can make me as happy as you seem to be.”

“Maybe you should,” Caleb mused. “Anyone in mind?”

He scoffed. “Hardly. Where am I going to meet someone? This town is a little small.”

“I hear Lacey is still single.”

Mack snorted. “No thanks.”

Caleb chuckled. “I’ll keep an eye out. Until then, you could always go to college. That’s how I met Sammie.”

“Nope,” Mack said far too quickly. “I plan on using the funds Mom and Dad saved for something else. I just haven’t figured it out yet.” He glanced over the paperwork on the desk. “How’s it going, by the way? Almost ready to submit another patent?”

Caleb gestured toward the documents. “Nearly there. I’m just having a hard time staying focused.”

His brother smirked then winked at him. “I’m sure you’re not too upset about the distraction, though.”

Caleb threw a rolled-up ball of paper at his brother, and it hit him square in the forehead.

Mack blinked. Then he snickered as he got to his feet. “All I’m saying is it must be nice to have someone keeping your bed warm.”

Caleb prepared another crumpled piece of paper, but his brother ducked out of the room, his laughter filtering down the hall. His brother made a good point. While Sammie was the source of his happiness, she was also singularly the reason he was distracted.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Back for more?” Caleb grabbed the crumpled paper and glanced up to find the one person he couldn’t get enough of.

Sammie eyed the paper with a laugh. “Who were you expecting?”

He dropped the ball and stood, before walking around the desk and moving toward her. He grabbed her close and pressed a kiss to her lips. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“You saw me a couple hours ago.”

“And the gap was far too long.”

She laughed, leaning into another kiss. “I totally understand that.”

Caleb nuzzled her neck, then pressed more kisses along her jaw until he found her mouth again. “You are going to be the end of me, you know that?”

She murmured something he couldn’t understand, and the delicate sound stirred something deep inside him, familiar and hot.

“I think I’m ready to call it a day. Want to turn in early?”

Sammie laughed, pushing him away with a gentle shove. “Don’t be silly. I’m in charge of cooking dinner tonight, remember?”

He frowned. “Right.”

She laughed again. “Don’t look so disappointed. I’m getting pretty good at it. Your mother’s been helping me.”

Caleb pulled her close again, letting her rest her cheek against his chest. “I know. And I’m proud of you. I can’t wait until we’re in our own home and you’re fixing meals just for our little family—whenever that might be.”

Sammie hummed softly. “That sounds nice.”

“I know. I’m beginning to think we should start to schedule time together so we can get our place started. I’m thinking we need to plan for a barn, too. Knowing you, you’re gonna want as many animals as we can fit on our property.”

“You know me so well,” she whispered. “It all sounds like a dream.”

“It does,” he agreed.

“There’s just one thing missing.”

He pulled back, concerned. “What’s that?”

Sammie studied him, her eyes not giving anything away. Then she tilted her head. “The house we had planned on only had three bedrooms. I’m beginning to think we need to make something a bit bigger.”

“Why? I thought?—”

She placed a hand on her stomach and looked down. “Because I can already tell that I’m going to want more than two kids, and you’re going to need an office?—”

Caleb’s eyes widened, and he scooped her up into his arms before swinging her around in a circle.

Her trilled laughter filled the room, bouncing off the walls and sparking joy in every inch of his body, filling it with vibrant energy.

When he placed her on her feet, he pressed his hand to her stomach.

“Really?” Caleb whispered in awe. “You’re actually pregnant? ”

She nodded, her eyes shining bright with emotion. “I realized I was late yesterday, so I picked up a test.” She shrugged.

He let out a whoop.

“You’re okay with it?” There was a small hint of concern in her eyes. “I know we hadn’t planned about when we wanted to start a family?—”

Caleb placed both of his hands on her face and waited until her eyes locked with his. “I didn’t think you could make me any happier than you’ve done already. But I was wrong.”

A tear dragged down her cheek, and he swiped it with his thumb before kissing her forehead.

He reached down and placed a hand to her belly reverently. “This is the best news you could have possibly given me. I’m going to be a dad.”

She nodded, an emotional laugh spilling from her lips. “You’re going to be a dad.”

“We’re going to need a bigger house.”

Once again, she nodded. “The bigger, the better.”

He jumped in the air, whooping again.