Page 28 of Montana Groom of Convenience (Montana Cowboys #5)

S unday morning was sunny and bright, a reflection of Carly’s thoughts. She’d enjoyed the Saturday outing far more than she had a right to. But she could no more stop the joy and hope that rushed through her heart than she could stop the rising of the sun.

She sat beside Sawyer on the wagon seat as they drove to church.

She noticed a long table set up in the yard behind the church.

Was some special event planned? She searched her thoughts for a forgotten announcement but could find nothing.

Though, it wouldn’t surprise her if it had slipped her mind.

It seemed she was easily distracted of late.

How many times had she found herself staring out the window—generally in the direction that would allow her to see Sawyer—the task she’d set out to do completely forgotten?

She let out a little sigh. Whatever the occasion, she’d find out soon enough. She waited for Sawyer to help her down from the wagon, ignoring the knowledge that not many days past, she would have jumped down on her own and scoffed at needing assistance.

She glanced up at him, tucking away a little joy at the way he smiled at her before he placed her hand in the crook of his arm. They followed Father and Jill inside and settled into a pew.

The service began, and they shared the hymnal.

Carly’s heart thrilled to join her voice to his as they sang the familiar songs.

Hugh preached a sermon that seemed to hold Sawyer’s attention.

Carly struggled to concentrate. When had she ever had so much trouble listening to Hugh?

Never, she admitted. From his arrival a year ago, his deep voice had pulled her into his sermons.

Hugh closed the service. Then he said something that had Carly’s complete attention.

“Folks, we haven’t properly welcomed Carly and Sawyer as newlyweds, so several of the ladies have organized a potluck. There’s plenty of food for those who weren’t aware of the plans. Please join us in celebrating the union of these two fine people.”

Sawyer stared straight ahead, as surprised by this turn of events as was Carly. Slowly, he brought his gaze to her, his look inscrutable. She leaned close to whisper, “I didn’t know anything about this.”

His eyes smiled as he whispered back, “I’m not about to turn down a church potluck.”

They laughed a little and then allowed themselves to be escorted to the yard, where the table was now filled with a variety of dishes.

Hugh called everyone to attention. “I’ll ask the blessing but before that, there is someone we’ve neglected to introduce. Jill is Sawyer’s sister. Jill, welcome to our community.”

Jill ducked her head, but not before Carly saw both surprise and pleasure in her face.

As the honored guests, Carly, Sawyer, and Jill filled their plates first from the bounty...potato salads, baked beans, hot pots, and fried chicken. Carly knew that Annie, Sadie, and the town ladies had kept the food hot in their ovens.

Makeshift benches had been set up for those who wanted to sit on them. Jill sat on the ground, surrounded by the Marshall children and a host of other youngsters.

“She fits in well,” Annie said, sitting beside Carly.

Dawson sat beside Sawyer. “Guess we managed to surprise the pair of you.”

Sawyer chuckled. “You did that, all right.”

Others came to wish them well and welcome them, and then Annie and Sadie brought a big cake from the parsonage and placed it at the end of the table.

“Time for you two to cut the cake,” Annie announced.

Carly and Sawyer stood in front of the cake. Annie handed Carly a knife. “Put your hand over hers,” she told Sawyer, and he did so.

Together, they cut the first piece of cake, his hand firm on hers. Tears clogged the back of Carly’s throat. This simple act made her feel more married than signing the papers in Hugh’s office had. This was public. Their hands were joined. And her heart had undergone a change.

“Give each other a bite of cake,” someone called. Annie put a piece of the white cake on a small plate and handed them each a fork.

Carly filled her lungs. She could do this. She could go through the motions.

They both held the plate. She cut off a bit as he did the same.

His steady hand gave her strength. She lifted the fork to his mouth.

He lifted his fork to her mouth. They met each other’s eyes.

..his reflecting the sky. She opened her mouth and took the cake, as did he.

She could not swallow. Could not think. All that mattered was the promising look in his eyes.

Promising what? She couldn’t say. Didn’t want to analyze the thought.

The moment had taken her to the hope of a shared future. Sharing more than a name.

Clapping and cheering jerked her back to reality.

“Kiss, kiss.” People tinkled their silverware against their plates.

Annie took the plate and the two forks from Carly and Sawyer.

“Kiss. Kiss.” The chanting and tinkling increased in volume.

Sawyer raised his eyebrows, silently asking her opinion.

She shrugged. She had no objection to a little kiss, though she would have preferred it to be in private and have it given without urging from an outside force.

He caught her shoulders and leaned close. His breath, sweet with sugar, fanned her face, and then he caught her lips in a gentle kiss. He tasted of icing. She leaned into him, wanting more. So much more.

It was only for show, she firmly told herself. There is no reason why it should send a bolt of longing clear through to her toes .

He lifted his head and grinned, his eyes flashing such a rich blue-green she knew she’d never before seen that particular color.

The crowd seemed satisfied. Carly was not. But she would never admit it.

Annie cut the cake and invited everyone to come and get a piece. There was tea and coffee. Sadie led Sawyer and Carly to two chairs that someone had set near the table. Carly finally began to relax. All she had to do was enjoy the cake and coffee.

But then Sammy and Jeannie, Sadie and Logan’s two youngest children, appeared, pulling a wagon full of gifts toward them.

Tears stung Carly’s eyes. How could she open presents when her marriage was such a fake?

Sawyer squeezed her hand.

She stiffened her resolve. Her marriage was real enough. They had papers to prove it. And a kiss to seal the deal.

She opened the first gift from Annie and her sisters-in-law. A quilt with the wedding ring pattern. “It’s lovely. But how did you have time?”

Annie chuckled. “We enjoyed spending a few afternoons together.”

There were gifts of fancy dishes, embroidered tea towels, and a recipe book from Mary Marshall, whose husband, George, ran the general store.

The gifts were all open, and Carly and Sawyer rose to express their thanks. It was all Carly could do to get the words past the lump in her throat. She felt so dishonest, letting these people believe she and Sawyer loved each other and had a real marriage .

People began to collect their dishes and their children to depart.

Dawson, Logan, and Conner helped Sawyer put the gifts in the back of their wagon. Jill excitedly offered her assistance, exclaiming over and over, “It’s better’n Christmas ’cause it’s a surprise.”

Sawyer joined Carly as she went around the circle of Marshalls and extended her thanks. Then, they were on their way home.

Up until now, Father had said little. Now, he leaned over the back of the seat. “’Tis time you two took this marriage business seriously.” He waited.

“Yes, Father,” she said meekly, even though she knew there would be no changes.

“Sawyer?”

“Yes, Father.” His tone conveyed the same resignation Carly felt.

She kept her gaze straight ahead, unwilling to take the risk of looking at Sawyer.

If he seemed determined that things should continue as they were, she would know sharp, searing disappointment.

If he revealed regret, suggesting he would like to change their agreement, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. Things were so confusing.

At home, they unloaded the gifts.

“Where do you want me to put everything?” Sawyer asked.

“Should I even use them?” They were alone, and she could finally confess her uncertainty.

He stood with the quilt in his arms. His eyebrows drew together, the only indication that he didn’t like her question. “What are you saying?”

“I hate fooling everyone. ”

“We’re married.” His eyes grew icy. “Unless you have a mind to change that.”

She didn’t address his latter statement but rather continued her train of thought. “Not in the usual sense.”

They studied each other, wary and uncertain.

“That’s our business and not anyone else’s.”

“I suppose that’s true.” But it felt wrong. “I didn’t mean to anger you.”

“You didn’t.” He took the quilt to her room and laid it on the bed, still folded neatly.

He said he wasn’t angry, but something sweet and promising between them was gone. She felt it keenly the next day and the next. If only there were something she could do to bring back that feeling. But she could think of nothing.

Sawyer knew better than to let his feelings have their way.

Over and over, he’d warned himself not to count on things becoming what he wanted.

But at the little party in the churchyard, he’d forgotten all his hard-learned lessons.

Forgotten to guard his heart. When he’d kissed her, with her full consent, his heart had burst open.

He’d thought she felt the same.

She didn’t and had firmly reminded him that theirs was not a real marriage.

He wished he could be behind Big Harry, putting seed in the ground. There had been something calming about that work, but the planting was done, so he passed his time by repairing the fence around the cropland. Though if he had any sense at all, he would spend his days far from the house.

For some reason that he refused to admit, he didn’t want to be away.

He looked up from his task as a rider approached and made his way to the house.