Page 37 of A Montana Fake Marriage (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #1)

Nine Months Later

“What do you think you’re doing, hon? You shouldn’t be carrying that.

” Tana hustled over to Sammie as she hobbled down the back steps toward the barbecue get together.

The bowl of potato chips wasn’t anything to be worried about.

It wasn’t heavy in the slightest—more just awkward to carry when she was trying to work her way down the steps.

Sammie nearly brushed off her mother-in-law and told her to go hover over someone else, but she didn’t have the heart. The woman had become like a second mother to her—something Sammie had desperately needed as she neared the end of her pregnancy.

She offered the woman a grateful smile and placed a hand beneath her large bump to ease some of the weight she carried.

Concern wrought Tana’s face, but it mingled with excitement. Any day now. That’s what the doctor had said.

Any day.

Well, she wasn’t about to let up, despite everyone around her telling her to slow down. They’d put the finishing touches on the house three weeks ago. The barn was nearly complete. But there was still so much to do to prepare for their little girl.

A pain sliced through her lower back, and she stilled, sucking in a deep breath. In seconds, Caleb was at her side.

“What is it? Contractions? Should we go to the hospital?”

She gave him a flat look, then gestured to their family and friends who had turned out for the party. “I’m not leaving just because I have some Braxton Hicks. Let’s enjoy ourselves. Heaven knows we’re going to be a little too busy after she arrives.”

Caleb slipped a hand around her back, pulling her close before brushing a kiss to her temple. “I don’t like that you’re on your feet. You should relax.”

Sammie reached up and patted his cheek. “I’m fine.” She took another step then grimaced. “On second thought, my feet are so swollen, it might be a good idea for me to put them up.”

He guided her toward their new patio furniture set that they’d put out in the yard among a few tables and plenty of chairs.

This was what family truly felt like. Here, surrounded by so many happy, smiling faces, Sammie knew she was loved.

It was such a stark contrast to the gatherings she recalled as a child.

Where she’d been the only child and her parents had been too busy to host anything close to this, she couldn’t help but compare the life she’d led with the one her little girl would lead.

Lacey heaved a sigh and slumped down into the seat at her side.

Sammie glanced over to her, hand resting atop her bump. “Thanks for coming. I know you’re not really into this sort of thing.”

She snorted. “Who said I’m not?” Lacey gestured around them at the large group of people. Not just people—most of them were family. If anything, her expression was jaded. Her eyes landed on Tana and Will, and her frown deepened.

Sammie shifted to face her friend. “I know I didn’t stay very long with you, but I… now that I think about it, I didn’t see much evidence of your family. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Do your parents live in Rocky Ridge?”

The pain in Lacey’s eyes deepened. She dragged her focus from Caleb’s parents to Sammie, then forced a smile as she patted her knee. “I have a sister. She’s alright—comes to visit more often than she probably likes, but there’s no way I’m heading up to Billings to see her.”

“Why not? It’s not that bad of a drive,” Sammie questioned, more to herself.

Lacey didn’t answer right away, and Sammie caught her looking at Caleb’s parents again. “You’re really lucky, you know? To have such a strong support system.”

Sammie scoffed. “I’d hardly say my father?—”

“I mean here. Just look at everyone around you. None of them would do anything to hurt you on purpose.”

Sammie stiffened and took another hard look at Lacey. “You okay?”

She waved her hand with a dismissive flair. “I’m fine. Just tired. Worked a double yesterday.”

“Lacey!”

Her friend shrugged. “It’s fine. I needed the money, and they called to see if I could take on the extra shift.”

“You shouldn’t be working yourself so hard,” Sammie muttered. “Bridger needs you.”

“He slept for most of my second shift.” She released a dry chuckle and rested her head against the back of the chair. Slinking down, she closed her eyes and let out another sigh that morphed into a yawn. “I’m just a little sleepy.”

“Then you probably shouldn’t be here. You should be home, asleep.”

Lacey smiled, her eyes still shut. “You don’t need to mother me. You’re going to have a lot of that ahead of you after your baby comes.”

“Hello, ladies. Care for a drink?”

Lacey opened her eyes, and Sammie glanced up to find Mack holding two pink lemonades.

That flirtatious smile Lacey always wore at the restaurant stole across her face.

“Well, aren’t you sweeter than sugar?” She glanced sideways at Sammie, her eyes saying more than words ever could.

Please save her from him if he tries to ask her out.

Sammie rolled her eyes and accepted the pink lemonade. “Mack, this is Lacey. Lacey, this is Sammie’s brother, Mack.”

Mack winked at her. “I know who she is. Who could forget the best waitress at The Steer House?”

Lacey snickered. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

For someone who didn’t have a sliver of interest in dating, Lacey sure knew how to lay it on thick. Maybe her behavior was for more than just good tips. Did she think that the guys would scare off if she showed too much interest? Or was she trying to keep up appearances at the restaurant?

Sammie couldn’t be certain on either front.

She watched the two interact with veiled interest. After getting to know Mack, Sammie could say one thing was for certain.

He wasn’t the type to want to settle down.

He hadn’t gone to college, he didn’t have any plans for moving out of his parents’ home—for the most part, he was stuck in that phase of life where he just wanted to have fun.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for Lacey to give in and live a little. She’d make sure to point this out when Mack wasn’t within hearing range.

On her other side, Caleb settled onto the cushion and draped an arm around her waist. He dragged a kiss up the sensitive line of her neck, starting fresh goosebumps to race along her skin.

She gasped and turned her face toward him.

“What do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to make me go into labor? ”

His lips curled into a smile. “Maybe I can’t wait to meet her.” He placed a hand over her baby bump and leaned in close to press his ear to her belly. “Have you decided on which name you liked more?”

She tilted her head, considering the options he’d given her as she ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m still not convinced you want to name her Samantha. That just seems weird. And as much as I adore you for offering to name her after my mother, it doesn’t feel right.”

“Then what do you want to name her?”

Sammie stared up at the sky and hummed thoughtfully. “Honestly, I don’t have a single clue. Nothing sounds right.”

He straightened and took her hand in his, pressing gentle kisses to her fingertips. “What about Ann?”

She blinked.

“Or Annie.”

A smile tugged at her lips. Annie. The word spoke to her on so many levels, she didn’t know how to form a response.

His grin widened. “Annie it is.” Caleb didn’t have to get confirmation from her lips. He could likely see how much she loved the name simply by looking at her.

She turned her gaze down to her belly and rubbed it with her free hand. “Hello, Annie.”

At that very moment, a gush of fluid spilled from between her legs. Sammie gasped. Caleb stiffened. Mack took a decided step back, his eyes trained on the dripping fluid that spilled off the edge of the seat where Sammie sat.

Lacey was the first to let out a whoop. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re having a baby!”

Several women rushed over to Sammie, and she was surrounded by a sea of excited faces. She turned to Caleb, still somewhat in shock. “I guess it’s time.”

His nervous smile was everything. “Are you ready to start our next adventure?”

“I don’t think I have a choice,” she hedged with an uneasy laugh.

Both Lacey and Caleb helped her to her feet. “You’re going to be just fine,” Lacey murmured. “It’s not nearly as bad as they make it seem in the movies.” She pulled her in for a tight hug. “Good luck,” she whispered.

Caleb tugged on her arm, leading her away from the crowd that seemed intent on following them toward the house.

“You go get changed. I’ll have the car ready.

” Before she could head into the house, he stopped her by pulling her back into his arms. His eyes studied her, drilled into her, before he pressed a firm, claiming kiss to her lips.

“I’m so proud of you,” he murmured. “You’re everything I could have ever wanted and more.

Your mother would have been so proud of you. ”

Tears pricked her eyes, and she nodded. “I love you, Caleb. So much.”

“I know.” He turned her toward the door. “Now, let’s get going so we can go meet our sweet little Annie.”

Want to find out what happens when Mack Reese asks Lacey Tipton for a date?

You met Caleb’s brother, Mack, in the story you just read. And Lacey has been part of many stories in the original Sagebrush Ranch series as the flirty waitress at the Steer House.

They’re an unlikely pair, but Lacey’s son might make sure their differences are just what a happy ending needs!

Come along for their sweet, romantic love story in A Montana Perfect Family.