Page 15 of A Montana Fake Marriage

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.

CHAPTER SIX

“He’s a jerk!”Sammie snapped before taking a bite of the sandwich in her hand. “Just a complete jerk.” Her whole body was vibrating with fury. The message her father had sent set off waves of insecurity back into her body, and they’d taken root.

“He shouldn’t have said that,” Caleb murmured. He pushed the phone across the table. “You’re not a leech, Sammie. Even if we weren’t married, I’d still let you stay here—live here—until you got on your feet. You know that, right?”

She lifted a shoulder. The thought hadn’t crossed her mind, but the second her father had mentioned it, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was right. The definition of a leech was a creature who sucked someone dry.

Sammie stared down at her sandwich, suddenly losing her appetite. She barely had any money in her account. As far as she could tell, her father was still paying for her phone. Any money remaining in her checking account had quickly been depleted over the last month with the move to Rocky Ridge and the few things she didn’t dare ask Caleb’s help with.

Caleb had been handling all of that since the moment they stepped foot in Montana.

“Can I ask you something?” she murmured.

“Sure.” Caleb’s voice was so sure, so confident, sokind. “Anything.”

“Why are you paying for everything?” Finances hadn’t exactly crossed her mind at first. For the last near month, they’d had no reason to leave the ranch. Everything they needed was there besides some personal items she’d had to replenish upon arrival.

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