Page 15 of Montana Groom of Convenience (Montana Cowboys #5)

He learned that Conner worked with wild horses, gentling them in a special way. “Like I saw an old man do years ago.”

The stories grew wilder and funnier, with lots of laughter to follow.

Baby Ellie had been put down to sleep on a blanket. But when Mr. Morrison roared with laughter, she jerked awake and cried.

Kate scooped her up and jostled her to calm her. “We need to get her home to bed.”

Conner unwound from the table. “It’s time to go home.”

The others rose at his announcement. And in a flurry of activity, the women gathered up their things and organized children, and the men carried out dishes.

Carly had risen, too, as had Sawyer, and together they went to the door to thank everyone and wave goodbye.

The wagons headed down the lane in the silvery light of night. Annie turned and rang her bell. A jangle of many bells accompanied the departing wagons.

Sawyer and Carly stood side by side, their elbows touching. Neither of them moved.

Carly let out a long sigh. “Well, that’s that. I wonder if I should have said anything.”

“About what?”

She faced him, her eyes catching the lamplight from inside. Her mouth worked back and forth as if she had dealt with a bad taste. “About our marriage.”

“What would you say? That I’m sleeping in the storeroom?”

She shrugged. “Seems wrong to deceive them.”

Not often something triggered a sense of frustration in him, but this did. “Carly, we signed papers making us husband and wife. We each have our reasons for this marriage. We understand what we’ve done. Does it really matter what others know or think about it?”

She drew back slightly but did not tear her gaze from his. Nor did he tear his from hers as he continued, “I thought we were resolved on this matter.” Was she having regrets? Would she change her mind?

She looked down, sucked in a deep breath, and lifted her face again.

He saw the determination in her face and held his breath, fearing she’d decided to end this pretend marriage .

“I have not changed my mind. Nor do I intend to. The ranch is far too important to me to risk having Father sell it simply because I’m not married.”

His lungs emptied in a whoosh. “Good.” On his part, it was all about a home for Jill. He had to keep believing that was the only reason...not secretly wishing for something he had lost when he was seven years old.

Carly edged away. “It’s bedtime. Father, do you need help?”

The older man had watched them set up beds in the different rooms without making a comment. “I can manage on my own.” He didn’t move.

Carly waited. Seems the man wasn’t going to be the first to retire.

“Fine. Jill, I made a bed for you in my room.”

Jill’s head jerked up. She’d been half asleep. She tried to look stubborn. Sawyer knew she wanted to argue. But she was too tired. Instead, she got to her feet. “Fine. It don’t matter to me where I sleep.” And she shuffled into the room.

Sawyer watched her go. This would be the first time she was out of his sight for more than a few minutes since he’d found her. “Is it okay for her to go to sleep now? Didn’t the nurse say to keep her awake twelve hours?”

“I’ll check on her, but I don’t see any sign that she’s got any ill effects from her accident.”

He nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”

She patted his arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”

Mr. Morrison’s attention followed Jill, and then he studied Sawyer. “Yer gonna sleep there?” He tipped his head toward the small room .

Sawyer nodded.

Mr. Morrison turned to Carly. “How long do you plan for this to go on?”

“Pardon?” Carly did her best to look confused, but Sawyer figured her father wasn’t any more convinced she didn’t know what he meant than Sawyer was.

“Dinnae toy with me, lass.”

“Father, you’ll have to be clearer about what you mean.”

Sawyer wondered if she knew her attempt at innocent confusion wasn’t working. The gal had a face that revealed far too much.

“I suppose it’s understandable, considering you’re practically strangers.” His eyes grew dark, filled with warning. “But I expect a real marriage.”

Carly’s chin went up. “You want to see the papers we signed?”

“Dinnae pretend that’s what I meant, Carly Morrison, though I suppose ’tis now Carly Gallagher.”

She turned away. “You get yourself to bed while I clean the kitchen.”

Sawyer stood by the door, wondering which way to go to avoid the tension between the two. He made up his mind as Carly gathered the cups to wash. “I’ll help.”

“No need.” She kept her attention fixed on the basin as she filled it with hot water.

“No bother.” It triggered a memory. “I used to help my ma with dishes before she died. I enjoyed it.” They talked as they worked, with her telling little things from her childhood and he about growing up in the city of Philadelphia.

Mr. Morrison got up from his chair and hobbled to his room, muttering under his breath about his daughter and her wily ways.

As soon as the door closed behind him, the air went out of Carly, and she sagged over the dishpan.

Sawyer watched her. “He’s upset you.”

She attacked washing the cups and handed them to him to dry. “He’ll get used to the way it is.” She snuffled.

He bent his head to look at her. “Are you crying?” He didn’t know how to handle a crying woman.