Page 6 of A Montana Fake Marriage (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #1)

CHAPTER FIVE

Caleb stared at the ceiling from his place on the floor. His hands were behind his head as he contemplated the slew of emotions he’d been hit with today. He could hear Sammie rustling in her sheets, unable to get comfortable.

If this had been real, they’d be in that bed together. He’d be kissing her, nipping at her neck.

Caleb shut his eyes tight until he saw stars.

No. He wasn’t going to allow himself to lose focus. They were friends . She didn’t need a husband for any other reason than to get her inheritance.

So why had his mind run away with him?

As if in response to his tumultuous questions, the vision of Sammie walking down the aisle in that dress flooded his vision.

Seeing her like that, watching her walk toward him to promise herself to him—it had done something.

It was like someone had decided to flip a light switch to illuminate everything he’d been missing out on.

He could admit that he was attracted to her. They’d been close for the last couple of years. He’d been there for her when her mother had died. He’d sat with her when she’d been dumped or when she’d had to do the dumping. He knew more about her than he knew about his brothers in some aspects.

So the simple action of saying ‘I do’ shouldn’t have changed a dang thing.

She shifted in her bed once more and let out a sigh. He opened his eyes and turned his head, tempted to ask her if she was okay, but he thought better of it. He knew better. She’d just tell him she was fine.

And perhaps she was. Perhaps her restlessness had more to do with the fact they were now sharing a room—and would be doing so for the next twelve months.

Caleb shifted on the hard floor, the thick comforter he’d used for padding doing nothing for his back. He’d definitely have to get something else for his sleeping arrangements.

He heaved a sigh and moved again, but it was no use.

“Do… do you want to come up here?”

Caleb froze at her quiet question. It almost sounded timid.

He considered. The bed would be far more comfortable than the floor.

But again, his logical side pushed through.

Until he put aside these strange, new feelings, it wouldn’t be wise to share a bed.

Even knowing he’d be able to control himself, he didn’t want to make the situation any more confusing than it already was.

“I’m good,” he finally said. “Get some sleep.”

When Caleb woke the next morning, the sunlight was barely making an appearance.

No one expected him to work today—he was a newlywed.

Their wedding had been on a budget, one that he’d set.

Though they could have afforded something bigger, he’d noticed how anxious Sammie had become about what she had left in her account.

They’d agreed that she shouldn’t attempt to use her father’s credit card, not because he couldn’t afford it, but because it would set off some pretty big red flags.

So, Caleb paid for everything. The biggest expense was the food. Between the cake and the catered refreshments, it had taken a bite out of his savings. It was fine. He’d been happy to do it for Sammie. Even though their wedding wasn’t real, he wanted it to be special.

He turned his head and found Sammie peering over the edge of the bed at him. Her eyes were bright, and he could tell she was smiling, though the bed blocked it. “Good morning, wife,” he teased.

She snickered. “That’s so weird.”

Caleb sat up with a groan and stretched. “Yeah, it is.”

“We’re really doing this,” she murmured, her voice turning quiet.

He glanced at her once more. “It’s the right thing.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true.”

She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest before wrapping her arms around them. “Do you think it’s going to work?”

“Yes.” He said it without question, without concern.

“No one knows that this marriage isn’t—” Caleb cut himself off, not knowing whether anyone might be listening through the walls.

Then he whispered. “You’re going to be fine.

We’ll just have to make sure everyone believes we’re in love.

And that shouldn’t be hard because my parents already had their assumptions about you. ”

Sammie grinned. “Really?”

Caleb got to his feet with another groan. Man, his back hurt. “Yeah,” he muttered. “You don’t know how many times my mom asked me if there was something going on.”

That answer seemed to brighten Sammie’s day. She practically glowed, her worries slipping away. “What do we do today?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. My cousin Bo didn’t tell me he wanted me to do anything at the ranch, but we’re not taking an official honeymoon, so I just figured I’d go to work.”

“Can I come with you?”

He went still at her request. She’d been here for three weeks, and up until this point, she’d shown no interest in his work.

She hadn’t ventured to that side of the property except when she was hanging out with Katrina or Hallie.

He’d figured she’d want to spend time with them like she’d done since her arrival.

Caleb rubbed the back of his neck then tilted his head. “Are you sure? You might be bored.”

She tossed aside her blanket, revealing her bare legs as she climbed out of bed. “We’re newlyweds. I thought the point of this whole thing was to make everyone believe we can’t get enough of each other.”

He dragged his focus from her body to her face, berating himself for even looking.

“You’re right,” he coughed out, turning from her.

“Absolutely right. We need to keep up appearances. How about you tag along until lunch, and then we can go to town for some fun?” He peeked at her over his shoulder, even though she wasn’t getting ready. Her belongings were still in her room.

She moved toward him, and his pulse ticked up a little faster.

Her gentle touch landed on his shoulder as she made her way to the door.

It was the barest brushing of her fingertips against his neck that sent his resolve spiraling.

“Sounds good,” she chirped, opening the door.

“I’m going to get ready. I’ll be down for breakfast in ten. ”

“Yeah, see you down there,” he rasped.

The second the door was shut, he shoved his hands into his hair.

What was wrong with him? Was his mind so simple that it couldn’t tell the difference between friendship and attraction after a ring had been put on her finger?

His face heated. It was a fluke. It had to be.

Just his body’s way of telling him that he’d made the biggest mistake of his life.

He’d toyed with the universe, and now he was dealing with the aftermath.

It would die down. At least that’s what he kept telling himself. He’d see to that.

The only one missing from breakfast was Noah. He’d already gone out to start his chores for the day. Caleb surveyed the kitchen when he stepped into the doorway, and several pairs of eyes turned to him with varying emotions.

His mother was pleased to see him as she stood beside Sammie.

They’d been chatting quietly. His father glanced up from his phone and nodded curtly.

His grandfather smiled warmly, knowingly, and it took everything in Caleb not to roll his eyes.

His brother only looked concerned—but what did he care?

Caleb could do what he wanted with his life.

If he was willing to put it on hold to help a friend, then so be it.

Just to prove that point, he swept through the kitchen toward Sammie. He slipped an arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her temple. “What are we having for breakfast?” he murmured, enjoying the way Mack looked in his direction with surprise.

Sammie stiffened in his hold initially, then relaxed. She smiled, reaching for a bowl of grapes on the counter before she pried one off and popped it in his mouth. “You mother is fixing omelets. Would you like one?”

He turned to his mother and her expectant smile. She hadn’t missed the way Caleb had laid claim to his wife. And something told him that she didn’t miss the way Sammie was currently affecting him. He couldn’t roll his eyes to her observations. She didn’t miss anything, and that fact terrified him.

“Caleb?” Sammie asked.

He nodded, dropping his arm from Sammie’s waist. “Eggs sound good.” He headed for the table and sat beside his brother, doing his best not to give the appearance of brooding.

Mack didn’t need any more ammunition to prove he’d been reckless in marrying Sammie.

He’d never met Mr. Michaels. He didn’t know what Sammie had to go home to.

On the bright side, Caleb didn’t have to worry about the way Sammie was blending in with his family.

She’d developed something with his mother early on.

His brothers usually kept their distance.

But she’d gotten close enough to his cousins to lessen the concern he’d had for her mental well-being.

Sammie had a support system here in Rocky Ridge. She wasn’t alone.

A plate of eggs was put in front of him, and Sammie leaned down to kiss his cheek.

His heart thundered, no longer restrained by his head keeping it in check.

Shoot! The whole thing was a snowball. It was rolling, rolling—getting bigger and bigger until eventually, it’d collide with something and explode.

He couldn’t let that happen. The kiss to his cheek had been innocent enough. Much like the one he’d pressed to her brow. Caleb’s eyes followed her back to the stove, where she retrieved another plate to bring to the seat beside him. She settled on the chair and started eating.

Not a care in the world.

She caught him staring and ducked her head with a smile. “What? Do I have something…” She wiped at her mouth.

He shook his head, “No, you’re perfect.”

Sammie only flashed him a smile and continued eating.

Mack let out a huff beside him, earning a dark look in return.

Focus. Caleb needed to focus. He had important work to do. There was more to life than marriage and a family—and right now, work was his priority.

They finished their breakfast and headed out into the warm morning. The temperatures were going to be in the high seventies today, but they’d be reaching into the eighties by the middle of next week.

The scent of freshly cut straw clung to the air, and the sound of a tractor could be heard in the distance.

With Sammie at his side, they strode toward the large house and to the barn on its other side.

Sammie looped her arm through his. “What are you working on? I don’t think I’ve ever asked you what you do here. ”

Their steps were muffled on the damp grass that grew in front of the main house. He could hear the cattle in a nearby pasture that he’d requested be pulled aside for inspection. Cowboys readied some horses for training or other chores they needed to complete before the end of the day.

Caleb glanced over to her, ignoring the things her touch was doing to him.

It was a chemical reaction. That was all.

He was stronger than that. He smiled and motioned to the cattle in the pasture up ahead.

“I’m testing those cows—trying to figure out the proper balance for their diet so they can produce better milk and meat, as well as birth healthy calves. ”

Her eyes widened. “You can do that?”

He chuckled. “The concept is no different than what we do for humans. When you have a vitamin deficiency, or a nutrition problem, then we look at your diet. The same goes for animals.”

“That makes sense.” She stared at the cows, her expression contemplative. “I can’t believe I never thought to ask you about your major and what you wanted to do with it.” She slowed, and he followed suit. Then she turned to him. “You must think I’m a terrible friend.”

Caleb frowned at her. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I mean it. You’re doing everything for me, and what have I done for you?”

He reached out and grasped her by the shoulders. “I enjoy your company. You’re funny and smart. You make me laugh. And when I need it, you listen. That’s what friends do.”

The look she gave him made it clear she wasn’t happy with that answer.

Caleb let out a laugh. “What more could I want?”

Something romantic.

The words taunted him, making him hate that he actually could think of something more. It would ruin their friendship. He wasn’t about to do that, either.

Sammie shrugged, and he laughed again.

“See? We’re good.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. “Don’t you worry. We’ll take care of each other.”

They reached the pasture, and shortly after, his father arrived.

About a week ago, they sent in stool samples to a lab in Billings that would tell them how the cattle were digesting their current food.

On top of the usual grazing, the cows were being given a starter feed—one that Caleb had put together based on what he’d learned at Auburn.

Every so often, he’d glance over to where Sammie had found her way to a calf. She reached out an unsteady hand then stepped closer. When the calf lifted a curious nose to her, she let out a laugh, and her eyes found his.

It was the first time since her mother died that he’d seen that light of excitement return to her countenance.

Three weeks in Rocky Ridge.

That was how long it had taken for her to glean just a little bit of the person she used to be.

“What do you think, son?”

He jumped and glanced at his father. “What?”

Will Reese shifted his focus to Sammie then back to him before he placed a heavy hand on his son’s shoulder.

“There’s a reason people go on honeymoons, son.

” With that, he chuckled, not answering Caleb’s question as he moved away.

He got three steps, then he stopped and turned to face Caleb again.

“Take that girl out tonight. Enjoy your time with her.”

Sammie watched him leave then pulled out her phone. Her smile faded, her skin flushed, and she shoved the phone back into her pocket.