Page 19 of A Montana Fake Marriage

The ranch had only continued to grow and expand since Caleb had remembered it as a kid. It was more than impressive, and with each passing week, Caleb knew he’d made the right decision to go into the family business.

Each morning, when Sammie and Caleb got up, they’d eat breakfast together then head over to the barn. Sammie would get a list of things to accomplish to keep her busy, and Caleb would leave her to get his own work done.

The routine became a comfort for him. He knew that Sammie was safe and feeling better after her father’s ridiculous remarks, and he was doing what he loved.

On a particularly hot summer afternoon, Caleb had gotten done with his work early. Sammie was busy spraying down a few of the stalls that needed a deep clean. He’d found her clad in rubberboots and a pair of coveralls, her hair pulled into a bun beneath a cowboy hat.

It gave him pause to see her this way. Sammie—Sarah Ann Michaels, as her father knew her—had been raised with a silver spoon in her mouth. She’d never had a job. She’d never had to worry where her next meal would be coming from.

She looked nothing like the girl he’d met in college several years ago.

Water splashed against the side of the barn, and she jumped back when it hit just right to ricochet toward her. A squeal escaped from her lips, and Caleb laughed, causing her to spin around to stare at him.

She stopped spraying, but the nozzle was still in her hand.

Her look of utter surprise turned into wicked intent, and she pointed the hose at him. “You might not want to laugh at the person with the hose.”

There was only enough time to widen his eyes before she released the trigger and sprayed him in the chest. The water stopped again.

Caleb gaped at her then down at his sodden shirt. Peals of laughter erupted, and she buckled over as they consumed her. He grabbed at his shirt with a hand. “You… didn’t.”

She continued to laugh. “I warned you not to laugh.”

His mouth still hung open. “Yeah,afterI did it.”

By this point, she was gasping for air. He’d never seen her laugh this hard.

A devilish smile touched his lips, and he set his sights on the hose in her hands. She was so distracted that she didn’t see him coming. He lunged for the hose, but his fingertips only brushed it before she squealed with surprise and had it locked on him.

Caleb jumped back with both hands upright. “Sammie…” he drawled, “you don’t want to do that.”

“Don’t I?” Gone was the laughter, replaced with that gleaming smile once more. She brought her other hand around, and she held the nozzle with both of them. Her head tilted to the side, eyes flashing with pure and utter joy.

There was no chance for him to get away from this unscathed—his shirt was evidence of that. His only hope was to drag her down with him. Caleb rolled his shoulders and let out a dark chuckle. “No, you don’t.” With that, he lunged forward.

Sammie released the trigger, and the water shot at him, hitting his shirt, his face, his pants. It went wild in the stall, coating all the walls.

In the middle of all the spraying and screaming, Caleb had managed to get behind her then turn the hose on the both of them. He didn’t know why it had happened exactly, but both of them stilled. His arms were still around her, but she’d tilted her face to look up at him, and in that moment all he could see was her bright, beautiful eyes beneath those long lashes.

Her face was inches from his own. Warm breath fanned his cheek. They stood there, the hose forgotten. Their bodies were pressed together, chests heaving from the exertion of their fun. His gaze dipped to her mouth, and he inched closer. They’d been married for a couple months, and recently, he’d been having dreams that resulted in a moment just like this one.

Caleb nearly whispered her name, but a loud banging sound from farther into the barn startled them both.

Sammie darted from his hold and cleared her throat. “I still have one more stall to do,” she murmured, dropping her eyes briefly before lifting them again. She gestured with the hose and released a quiet chuckle. “I…” She cleared her throat. “I don’t want to get fired.”

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, realizing the colossal mistake he’d nearly made. There was a definitive line, and he’d nearly crossed it. Caleb shoved his hands into his pockets, a feat that was nearly impossible with how wet his clothes had become. He forced a smile. “I doubt you’d get fired.” When she gave him a questioning look, as if to ask him why she’d be spared, he shrugged. “You’re family, Sammie. Here, we look out for each other.” With that, he turned on his heel and hurried away before he really did something stupid.

The next coupleof days were strained between them. The near kiss hung in the air, hovered, and refused to dissipate. Neither one of them seemed inclined to talk about it. Caleb certainly wasn’t ready to bring it up. He had quickly realized his attraction to his best friend wasn’t going away any time soon.

Karma.

That’s what this was.

He’d pushed Sammie to be dishonest. For all he knew, they’d broken a few laws with their conspiring. Caleb’s feelings forSammie was the universe laughing at him—putting him in an impossible situation.

While seated at the desk in his room, he stared blankly at the papers he had scattered about. The feed formula was so close. Only a few more tweaks, and he’d be able to submit it for a patent. The problem was, he couldn’t stay focused.

He’d almost kissed her!

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