Page 39 of Montana Groom of Convenience (Montana Cowboys #5)

C arly tried to convince herself she wasn’t disappointed with the decision she and Sawyer had made to continue their marriage.

Except she was. How much plainer could she be that she wanted more than a contract between them?

She’d practically spelled it out. She wanted to be his wife.

She wanted him to love her as she loved him.

There, she’d come right out and said it.

Just not out loud. The next move was up to him.

They crested the last hill before the house. The Jacobs’s buggy headed toward town. Good. Maybe they’d changed their mind.

If only she could believe that was so.

They took care of their horses before they went to the house. One minute, Carly wanted to rush the task, and the next, she wanted it to last forever.

Sawyer finished first and leaned against the doorjamb, watching her delay. He chuckled. “Better to know the truth than to imagine the worst, wouldn’t you say?”

“True.” But she wasn’t thinking solely of the ranch. Seems the words applied equally to their marriage. Better to know the truth. Unless it was a truth she didn’t want to hear. “I’m done.” Together, they crossed the yard.

“They’re gone,” Jill said from the end of the porch where she played with Skippy. “Granddad is inside. He said he wanted to talk to you without little girls listening.” She sighed. “He could have said me, but he was trying to be nice.”

Carly wished her father would try to be nice to her. They entered the house and stood facing him.

“Sit,” he said.

They sat side by side across from Father and waited. She squeezed her intertwined fingers so hard they hurt.

Sawyer must have noticed, for he wrapped a hand around hers. She untangled her fingers and turned her palm to his, cupping his hand between hers. No matter what happened, she and Sawyer would stick together. Her heart lightened.

“Father, what have you decided?”

“They’re very interested in buying the place,” Father said.

She wasn’t surprised that he seemed set on choosing this route. “So you’re going to sell?”

“I have yet to make up my mind.” His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “I dinnae like to sell without your agreement.”

He didn’t need her approval. Nor would he likely take it into account. “I have tried to make up for you not having any sons. I’ve done my best to handle the ranch work.” She didn’t think he had any reason to complain about her efforts.

Sawyer squeezed her hand a little as if to signal his sympathy.

“I’m sorry it hasn’t been enough for you,” she added. Anger intermingled with resignation. “Father, you know what? It no longer matters because I love Sawyer, and we’ll make a new home elsewhere if you sell this place.”

Sawyer tugged her hand, and she looked at him, saw surprise in his face. Oh no, she’d blurted out her real feelings. Would her confession frighten him off?

“You love me?” he asked.

In for a penny, in for a pound, she decided. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

He smiled so wide and bright she blinked.

He pulled her hands to his chest and faced her father.

“Father Morrison, I respect you as a man and a rancher, but you’ve been unfair to Carly.

She’s poured her heart and life into this ranch, and you refuse to recognize her efforts solely because your sons have not lived. ”

Father stared from one to the other, and then his gaze rested on Carly.

“Aye, child, I only wanted you to be happy as my daughter. Not always trying to be a son. I have no son.” He bestowed an approving smile on Sawyer.

“But I now have a son-in-law. Thanks to you.” He chuckled as if the whole situation amused him.

“Could be I’ll be blessed with grandsons. ”

He struggled to his feet. “I’ll be informing the Jacobses that the land is no longer for sale.

I have a daughter and her husband to run the place.

” He limped toward the door, where he paused.

“I already made Sawyer your partner. I’ll let you two iron out the details regarding that.

By the by, I’ve always believed you could run the ranch single-handedly.

Always have. But I wanted more for you. Aye, I wanted you to have what your mother and me shared. ” The door closed quietly behind him.

Sawyer got to his feet, pulling Carly up with him. He still held her hands.

She couldn’t look at him, afraid she’d said too much. Afraid of all that was in her heart. “My father just wants me to be a daughter to him. Not a son. I always thought quite the opposite. Guess I misunderstood his comments to be criticisms of me.”

“He seems pleased that you’re his daughter.” He drew her closer. “You love me?”

She nodded.

“Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

Her head jerked up. “I’ve been trying to. But I was afraid you’d think I failed to honor the terms of our agreement.”

He chuckled. “Do you know how often I’ve longed to ask you if you’d be willing to change those terms?”

Hope blossomed in her heart. “Change them in what way?”

He tipped her chin up so he could smile into her face. “You heard your father. He’s making us equal partners.”

“Oh.” Was that all?

He trailed his finger along her jawline, sending such sweet sensations through her that her knees grew weak. “I can only agree to being equal partners with you if...”

She held her breath, waiting for his conditions. Ready to accept almost anything.

He caught her chin. “Carly, I love you with my whole heart and everything in it. I don’t just want to be partners, nor man and wife on paper. I want to share every bit of my life with you. Every moment, every thought, every feeling. Can you live with that?”

She crossed her arms behind his neck and drew him closer. “I do believe I’d enjoy that very much.”

“Me, too.” He lowered his head and claimed her mouth in a kiss so sweet she thought she might be floating.

They reluctantly ended the kiss. “I suppose nothing changes on the surface,” she said. “Though it seems impossible when everything has changed inside.” She pressed her hand to his chest.

“For the better, too.” He kissed her nose, then lowered his head and caught her lips.

Jill barged in. “Yeww. You’re kissing.” But she grinned from ear to ear.

Sawyer caught his little sister around the waist and hugged her. He opened his other arm and pulled Carly into a three-person hug. The kitten wound around their ankles.

Jill patted his cheek, bringing a sting of tears to Carly’s eyes at how much this pair loved each other and how they were learning to show it. “Is Granddad selling the ranch?” Jill’s voice thinned with worry.

“Nope. You and me and Carly are going to stay here with Granddad. What do you think of that?”

“I think it’s the best news ever.” She laughed and wrapped her arms around both Carly and Sawyer’s necks.

Carly had to agree. They were together and loving each other. She could ask for nothing more.