Page 23 of A Montana Fake Marriage

Something brushed against her forehead, and her eyes fluttered open.

Those watching varied in their responses. Groans and cheers alike filled the open space and drifted into the sky. Caleb smirked at her, and that emotion she’d caught a glimpse of in his eyes had disappeared. He turned to the group, his hand barely touching her on the small of her back. “That’s all the show you’re going to get when none of you danced with us.”

Laughter.

Everyone went back to enjoying the barbeque, but Sammie couldn’t shake the tension that continued to tighten in her chest. She despised how her heart had betrayed her, how it had allowed her to fall into a position where she’d been disappointed.

It was so embarrassing.

Sammie bolted.

She didn’t know what she was doing or where she was going to go, but she needed to get out of there. If she let Caleb see the look on her face, he’d start to understand what was happening. He’d been good at reading her before, and she couldn’t allow that.

“Sammie?” Caleb called after her.

She held up a hand, not looking back at him. “I’m fine,” she called back, doing her best to make her voice light and airy. “I’ll be right back.”

Sammie searched for a place to escape. She couldn’t go to the barn, what reason would she have for going there? The house! She could run to the house and pretend she needed to use the restroom. That would work.

Once inside, away from prying eyes, she slumped to the floor. She tilted her head back and blinked several times, willing the tears to stay locked away. They weren’t tears of sadness, not really. These were the tears of someone who had embarrassed herself in front of the only people she cared about.

A quiet knock resounded on the door behind her, and she gasped. “One minute,” she muttered.

“Sammie?”

Caleb. Of course he’d follow her. Dang it! The man was a saint, the most selfless person she’d ever met and probably would ever encounter. He’d likely kissed her on the forehead because he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. And she couldn’t even blame him for it.

“I’m fine,” she said, though it sounded more like a wheeze.

“Are you… are you sure?” His voice had gotten closer. She wouldn’t have been surprised if she opened the door to find him seated on the other side as well. She could envision him leaning against the door, doing the exact thing she was.

Second guessing why they’d put themselves in this situation.

They needed a reboot—to get back to that friendship that was so easy for them.

“Yeah,” she said, quieter this time. “I’m sure.”

“Really? Because you bolted like a scared deer.” Nothing but concern in his voice.

Sammie shut her eyes tight. She could tell herself he followed her just for show—to make his family believe the story they spun. But she knew better. Caleb had always been kind and supportive.He’d been there for her through all the difficult times she’d experienced. He’d stayed with her when she’d learned of her mother’s death. “I’m fine, Caleb.” This time, she couldn’t keep the emotion from her voice.

There was a pause so long on the other side of the door that Sammie thought Caleb might have left. But then he said, “Let me in, Sammie.”

She shook her head, her hand on her mouth.

His voice was achingly low when he murmured, “Whatever it is, let me help.”

Sammie took a deep breath. “I’mfine.” She reached over her shoulder and touched the door with her fingertips, imagining that he was right there. “Really, Caleb. I am. Just… go back to the barbeque. I’ll be there soon.”

She didn’t hear any shuffling. Nor did she sense him leaving. But after several moments of quiet, she felt she could finally breathe easy. It would take a lot of effort to get back out there when there was surely going to be curious stares on her.

How many times had she made an appearance at one of her father’s parties after being chewed out by him? She’d lost count.

Sammie could do this. She’d done it before. She’d do it again.

Sammie’sfavorite place on the ranch was with the smaller animals. The sheep, goats, and chickens especially drew her attention. Whenever she came into the vicinity, they swarmed her.

She laughed, digging her hand into her pocket to retrieve the treats she had for the goats today. They bleated, pushed, and shoved to get closer to her. Another laugh spilled from her lips.

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