Page 32 of A Montana Fake Marriage

“Dateher, dude. Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you can’t take a shot. Treat her like your girlfriend.”

Caleb tossed his brother a wry look. “And not like mywife?”

Mack snorted. “All I’m saying is that you have some time. Use it wisely.”

“I’ve never beento a rodeo before.”

Caleb slipped his hand into Sammie’s as they moved toward the entrance to the fairgrounds. He couldn’t deny the thrill it gave him when she didn’t immediately pull away. Granted, she might be distracted, but he was going to take the win wherever he could. “I never took you to a rodeo when you used to visit for the summer?”

She shook her head, tossing him a smile. “We usually just hung out at your house, remember?”

He cocked his head, trying to recall. Those summers were more of a blur than he liked to admit. “Maybe you’re right.”

She elbowed him in the ribs, drawing a yelp from his lips. “Of course I’m right. I would remember if I came to something like this.” Her eyes scanned the area immediately after they passed through the security check.

Food trucks lined the dirt pathways that snaked through what probably used to be a large field. There were only two permanent structures on these fairgrounds. One large brick building with a metal roof, and the stadium.

Caleb had been here only a few times while growing up. His parents weren’t heavy into ranching, but they’d spent a lot of time with his cousins during the summers. That was where Mack had gotten a taste for it.

Sammie leaned into him while they walked along the dirt paths. A stage had been set up several yards away to their right, and a country music group already had a decent audience. She glanced in that direction but made no sign of interest in moving that way.

His grasp on her hand tightened, drawing her focus from their surroundings for only a moment. In that second, he caught a glimpse of the girl he’d gotten to know while at college. Thebright and happy Sammie who could draw him in and make him forget himself. She could make him laugh or blush with a single sentence.

She let out a laugh. “What?” That one word had the ability to make him forget all his worries—it gave him permission to simply enjoy himself.

“Nothing,” he murmured. He could have told her he thought she was beautiful, but he didn’t. Mack’s advice hung around his shoulders. He needed to court Sammie—make her feel special in a way that wasn’t just because they were friends. He needed her to know that he cared for her beyond what they’d started out with.

He needed her to see they could have a future together.

She blushed, turning away from him. Her fingers trapped her hair behind her ear, and she laughed again. “What are we going to do first?”

“Well, Mack isn’t scheduled to compete for a few hours, so I thought we’d have some fun.”

Her eyes sparkled. “What kind of fun?”

“How good are you at the ring toss?”

She smirked. “Carnival games? Do you really think you’re going to be better than me?”

“Oh, I never would dream of suggesting such a thing.” He winked at her. “I fully intend on you winningmea prize. Not the other way around.”

Sammie laughed again. It was so genuine, so full of life, that he knew he’d made the right decision in coming tonight.

Crowds of cowboys flocked from event to event. They played games, mingled by the food trucks, and filled the stands of the stadium whenever a new event started. Sammie remained by his side the whole time.

She pulled him to a game where he had to shoot at a stack of bottles with a rifle. He watched her pick up the toy weapon and bring it to her shoulder awkwardly. She let off her three shots and missed every single time. To her credit, she laughed then asked for another chance.

Stifling a laugh, he moved behind her this time. “You need to hold it this way.” With sure hands, he positioned it at her shoulder properly. His mouth hovered near her ear, and he whispered. “Keep both eyes open when you look through the sights. Then squeeze the trigger slowly and exhale.” His finger pressed over hers. Sammie’s back rested against his chest. He heard her sharp intake of breath followed by a long, low exhale. Then they pulled the trigger together.

The blast knocked two of the six bottles to the ground.

Sammie smiled, turning her head so her face was inches from his own. Their eyes locked, and time slipped away. He could have sworn he heard her heart beating, ticking faster and faster—matching his own. Her eyes lowered to his mouth, and he froze.

Their stare was only interrupted when the guy behind the counter muttered, “Get a room.”

Sammie let out a nervous laugh, and Caleb stepped back. He nodded for her to try this time on her own. Her gaze lingered on him, then she nodded. This time, when she exhaled and pulled the trigger, she knocked down a single bottle. A squeal of delight escaped her lips, and her bright eyes found his once more.

“Again,” he murmured, pride filling his chest. Gone was any sign of the rich girl she’d been while in college. Standing before him was a girl who completely fit in with their rancher’s lifestyle. Today, she wore a pair of overalls and a thin, long-sleeved shirt. Her hair had been braided, and she had finished the look with a pair of worn boots. She looked no different than most of the other women at the rodeo save for the fact that she wasn’t wearing short shorts. She’d claimed it was too cold, but what did he expect from a southern girl who was used to a warmer climate?

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