Page 9 of A Montana Fake Marriage (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #1)

CHAPTER EIGHT

His arm pressed tighter into the small of Sammie’s back. Her breath shuddered as she glanced up at him through her lashes.

For one miniscule second, she’d thought that something had changed—that Caleb had wanted her, that he’d wanted more . Every moment of the last few days had been wrought with confusion, and all because of one incident she couldn’t stop thinking about.

The water fight in the barn.

She didn’t know when it had happened exactly, but her feelings for him had grown. They’d slithered and kept hidden, adding more and more affection for him in her heart until they suddenly made their appearance.

It was just her luck, too.

She rested her cheek against his chest as they danced, hating how her life had a tendency to turn out this way. How many times had she thought everything was going to turn out the way she wanted it to, only for the rug to be pulled out from under her.

Hadn’t she wanted this? Sammie had been relieved to have Caleb’s help without any concerns that they’d grow too attached to one another. She had thought she could handle spending a year hanging out with her best friend and end up with everything she wanted.

Only now, she wasn’t sure what that was anymore.

She could feel his heart beating beneath his chest. Every inch of her body that he touched, hummed with electricity.

Those quiet sparks of realization, of knowing just how wonderful he was—they’d expanded to the point where she couldn’t hide them away any longer. They were too bright, too noticeable.

All she could feel now was utter confusion and a deep-seated ache.

Her thoughts turned back to that water fight, and all the other times when Caleb had looked at her like he truly cared for her. Those moments always ended and faded away, reminding her that this was a marriage of convenience—for both of them. That was all.

Caleb said himself he wasn’t interested in getting married and settling down yet. He didn’t want to have to worry about taking on that role.

But he was so dang good at pretending.

She sighed, her disappointment slicing through her, cold and sharp just like the water from that hose. Caleb was sticking to the plan. She should be grateful for that.

And yet the disappointment lingered, no matter how many times she tried to remind herself that she was being ridiculous.

Stick to the plan , she admonished. You’ve already handled a few months, you can handle the rest .

The music faded away, and she became very aware of the fact that they’d been the only ones to dance. Cheers erupted from his family, and she flushed. But it wasn’t until someone in the group started chanting, “Kiss. Kiss. Kiss,” that her whole body locked up.

Sammie’s first instinct was to look to the group in search of who thought it would be funny to say such a thing, but Caleb captured her chin and lifted it.

His eyes scooped her up into their depths, full of emotions she couldn’t read. Was it pain? Frustration? Exhaustion from having to keep up this charade?

That niggling self-doubt creeped in. It had gotten worse since her mother’s death, which was probably why she’d avoided dating for the last year. She wanted to tell him he didn’t have to. He shouldn’t have to put on a show for her account. He was already doing far too much.

But she couldn’t.

He’d trapped her with that gaze, pinned her to a place in her mind where she wasn’t even sure she wanted to escape.

No, she didn’t feel trapped. Here, in Caleb’s arms, she felt safe.

Sammie leaned into him, whether by necessity or desire, she couldn’t be certain. She hoped he read it in her eyes—that she wanted this. She wanted it to be real.

Her eyes closed when he dipped closer. Heart pounding, muscles aching, she waited for the contact to come with lips parted.

Something brushed against her forehead, and her eyes fluttered open.

Those watching varied in their responses.

Groans and cheers alike filled the open space and drifted into the sky.

Caleb smirked at her, and that emotion she’d caught a glimpse of in his eyes had disappeared.

He turned to the group, his hand barely touching her on the small of her back.

“That’s all the show you’re going to get when none of you danced with us. ”

Laughter.

Everyone went back to enjoying the barbeque, but Sammie couldn’t shake the tension that continued to tighten in her chest. She despised how her heart had betrayed her, how it had allowed her to fall into a position where she’d been disappointed.

It was so embarrassing.

Sammie bolted.

She didn’t know what she was doing or where she was going to go, but she needed to get out of there. If she let Caleb see the look on her face, he’d start to understand what was happening. He’d been good at reading her before, and she couldn’t allow that.

“Sammie?” Caleb called after her.

She held up a hand, not looking back at him. “I’m fine,” she called back, doing her best to make her voice light and airy. “I’ll be right back.”

Sammie searched for a place to escape. She couldn’t go to the barn, what reason would she have for going there? The house! She could run to the house and pretend she needed to use the restroom. That would work.

Once inside, away from prying eyes, she slumped to the floor.

She tilted her head back and blinked several times, willing the tears to stay locked away.

They weren’t tears of sadness, not really.

These were the tears of someone who had embarrassed herself in front of the only people she cared about.

A quiet knock resounded on the door behind her, and she gasped. “One minute,” she muttered.

“Sammie?”

Caleb. Of course he’d follow her. Dang it! The man was a saint, the most selfless person she’d ever met and probably would ever encounter. He’d likely kissed her on the forehead because he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. And she couldn’t even blame him for it.

“I’m fine,” she said, though it sounded more like a wheeze.

“Are you… are you sure?” His voice had gotten closer. She wouldn’t have been surprised if she opened the door to find him seated on the other side as well. She could envision him leaning against the door, doing the exact thing she was.

Second guessing why they’d put themselves in this situation.

They needed a reboot—to get back to that friendship that was so easy for them.

“Yeah,” she said, quieter this time. “I’m sure.”

“Really? Because you bolted like a scared deer.” Nothing but concern in his voice.

Sammie shut her eyes tight. She could tell herself he followed her just for show—to make his family believe the story they spun.

But she knew better. Caleb had always been kind and supportive.

He’d been there for her through all the difficult times she’d experienced.

He’d stayed with her when she’d learned of her mother’s death.

“I’m fine, Caleb.” This time, she couldn’t keep the emotion from her voice.

There was a pause so long on the other side of the door that Sammie thought Caleb might have left. But then he said, “Let me in, Sammie.”

She shook her head, her hand on her mouth.

His voice was achingly low when he murmured, “Whatever it is, let me help.”

Sammie took a deep breath. “I’m fine .” She reached over her shoulder and touched the door with her fingertips, imagining that he was right there. “Really, Caleb. I am. Just… go back to the barbeque. I’ll be there soon.”

She didn’t hear any shuffling. Nor did she sense him leaving. But after several moments of quiet, she felt she could finally breathe easy. It would take a lot of effort to get back out there when there was surely going to be curious stares on her.

How many times had she made an appearance at one of her father’s parties after being chewed out by him? She’d lost count.

Sammie could do this. She’d done it before. She’d do it again.

Sammie’s favorite place on the ranch was with the smaller animals. The sheep, goats, and chickens especially drew her attention. Whenever she came into the vicinity, they swarmed her.

She laughed, digging her hand into her pocket to retrieve the treats she had for the goats today. They bleated, pushed, and shoved to get closer to her. Another laugh spilled from her lips.

It had been a couple weeks since the barbeque, and she’d finally gotten to a point where she felt steady again. Grounded. She’d forced herself to compartmentalize.

The Caleb who was her friend cared for her deeply. He wanted her to be happy, and he enjoyed spending time with her.

But the Caleb who touched her more intimately was playing a role.

Never did he brush his knuckles along her jaw unless someone was nearby to notice.

Nor did he hold her hand or pull her closer to him without an audience.

It was all calculated, and the more she looked for the evidence, the easier it became.

That didn’t mean she wasn’t still disappointed.

If Sammie could turn back time, she would have made it a priority to at least try dating him for real.

In the quiet moments before she drifted to sleep or when she was working and could let her mind wander, she thought about how their lives would be different if they’d fallen in love.

They’d be here, at Sagebrush, for sure. Maybe they would have gotten serious enough in college to warrant a marriage before her mother died.

Her mother had loved Caleb. They’d only met a handful of times, but she’d told Sammie more than once that the two of them would make a lovely couple.

Sammie heaved a sigh, gripping another handful of feed from her pocket before holding her palm out for the goats. She rubbed their heads and patted their sides then made her way to the actual tasks she was assigned to do.

She’d caught glimpses of Caleb during her work, and each time, he offered her a smile. She smiled in return but refused to dissect whether the smile was for her benefit or for the benefit of others.

By the time her chores were complete and she was ready to head back to the house to clean up, Hallie and Katrina called her over to the main house.

Katrina held a hand to her growing belly. It would be her first child, and she practically glowed. Hallie sat next to her on the porch stairs. They each had a glass of lemonade. Sammie’s throat suddenly felt hot and dry as she glanced at the beverage.

Hallie hadn’t missed the attention. She grinned and held out her glass. “I haven’t had any yet. I’ll get another.”

Sammie accepted the glass, grinning.

Katrina tilted her head. “You’ve got a real knack with those animals. I don’t think I’ve seen them react that way with anyone else.” She snickered. “Then again, no one spoils them like you do.”

Sammie hid a smile behind her drink. “Yeah, well, I think we understand each other.” She wouldn’t comment that she’d felt trapped by her father with only her mother to really spoil her.

She wanted to put that part of her life behind her.

Rather than dwell on it, she took a long drink from her lemonade.

Hallie returned and settled back on the top step. She glanced out at where most of the cowboys were doing their work, either with the cattle or the horses. She let out a heavy sigh. “I’m so jealous of you,” Hallie murmured.

Sammie stiffened. “Why?” she blurted without thinking it through.

Hallie didn’t seem bothered by her reaction. She simply pointed out to the cowboys. “Caleb adores you. What I wouldn’t give to have someone look at me the way he stares at you.”

Sammie waved a hand through the air and was about to brush it off, when she thought better of it.

Caleb was working really hard to make everyone believe they were in it for real.

To make light of it could jeopardize Sammie’s future.

If anyone came asking about their relationship, it needed to be solid.

She shoved her hand into her pocket and instead said, “I’m sure you’ll find someone who adores you, too. ”

Katrina nodded. “You just have to be patient.”

Hallie sighed again. “Patience is not a strong suit of mine.”

Katrina laughed, and Sammie smiled. These two had been a saving grace for Sammie when she’d arrived. Even now, the ease with which she could speak to them was uncanny.

“You never told me how you two met,” Hallie murmured, turning to Sammie.

Sammie’s brows furrowed. “We met at college.” Everyone knew that, at least she thought they did.

“No, the details of the story. That first moment you met.”

Sammie snickered. “Oh. That story.” She leaned against the railing of the porch.

“It was at a game. Neither one of us attended the games often. I don’t even remember why I was at that particular one.

” Probably some guy she was trying to impress.

“We were seated on the same row, and I was carrying two big drinks as I scooted by him. Someone bumped me, and I spilled one of them all over his lap.”

Hallie’s eyes went wide, and Katrina laughed. The latter leaned forward. “I bet he was furious.”

Sammie grimaced. “It wasn’t great. I tried to help him clean it up but ended up buying him a new pair of sweats and a t-shirt from the merch store.”

“I bet he didn’t like that, either.” Hallie shot a knowing look to Katrina. “I’m surprised he even accepted it.”

Sammie shrugged, still smiling from the memory. “I wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“That right there—that’s how you know it’s true love,” Katrina pointed out.

Sammie stiffened. She wasn’t sure what Katrina was getting at, but then Hallie made it clear.

“Caleb is as frugal as they come. He got it from his mother. He would have rather sat in sopping wet clothes than pay for overpriced merchandise.”

Sammie didn’t know how to respond to that statement.

Caleb had never mentioned anything like that.

It was probably just a fluke. They’d known each other for years.

He’d never made a move on her in all that time.

There was no way he’d liked her—it didn’t matter that he’d accepted the clothes she’d pressured him to wear. Hallie was wrong.