Page 43 of A Montana Fake Marriage

Caleb chuckled. Then he hooked a finger beneath her chin and lifted so her eyes met his. “I get that we’ve done this a little backwards… so maybe we just…” He couldn’t find the words he thought would express how he felt. Finally, he settled on, “Let’s take this slow, okay? I don’t want either one of us to rush into anything.”

She snickered, and the irony wasn’t lost on him. He flashed her a smile. “I know. But let’s be logical. What if you wake up one day and realize you were just… lonely?” He hated to even bring it up. His stomach twisted with the possibility.

Sammie frowned. “Do you think your feelings will change?”

He shook his head. “Absolutely not,” he said firmly. But that didn’t mean that Sammie wasn’t attributing her affections for him to the fact he’d been here to help her when she needed it. When she was independent and could walk away but chose to stay, that would be when he wouldn’t be able to deny it.

She continued to frown. The lines between her brows creased. At least she didn’t pull away. Instead, she glanced up at him. “For the record, I know my heart. And I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you.”

He couldn’t help but smile at that.

“I’m okay with taking this slow if it will make you feel better.” Even as she said it, he could hear how unsure she was in her decision. She’d thank him when their relationship was stronger for it.

Caleb pulled her close and brushed a kiss to her brow. “I’m just glad I get to date you a little—for real this time.”

That smile she’d been hiding emerged, and she rose on her toes slightly to brush a kiss near his ear before she whispered, “I can’t wait.”

Chills raced down his spine, and he stifled a groan. She was intentionally making it difficult for him to focus on the plan he’d made. One day, he’d be able to scoop her in his arms and show her just how much he wanted her. For now, he’d have to settle with exploring these shared feelings they had between themselves.

Patches of grasswere peeking through where the larger snow drifts had once been. If Caleb had still been in college, they would be preparing for finals week. So much had changed over the last year. Caleb could hardly believe it. In a few short weeks, Sammie was planning on filing the paperwork with her lawyer to have her inheritance released to her. He’d already helped her prepare the documents that would be necessary. She didn’t know it yet, but she wouldn’t have to lift a finger. He’d already sent them in.

There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that someone would come snooping any day now. Her father likely wouldn’t believe that she’d spent the last year with Caleb as his wife.

But the best part of all of it was the fact that they were no longer married out of convenience. They were together. They were in love. There was nothing more that either of them could ask for.

Everything was turning out better than he could have dreamed. Tonight, he planned on taking her out for an early anniversary celebration. He’d thought about waiting for their true wedding anniversary, but he’d wanted to surprise her more. Besides, tonight was the three-month anniversary of their relationship becoming official. There was a certain level of importance for this date over the other.

Sammie would be coming in from her chores any minute now. He’d hurry her off to clean up, and they’d be headed out for dinner at The Steer House, and he’d give her his news. It wasn’t much of a gift, which was why he’d chosen to get her another ring to add to the simple band she already wore. The first onewas for show. It wasn’t flashy—definitely something meant for a couple right out of college.

Caleb wanted her to wear something that showed they’d worked hard to find each other—a promise to one another.

The door to their bedroom opened, and Sammie took one look at him and groaned. She kicked off her boots and wiped a hand over her forehead. “Why didn’t you tell me the spring was harder?”

He chuckled. “It’s not. Not really.”

“I beg to differ. Do you know how many times I nearly fell into and got stuck in the mud? My muscles aren’t ready for this sort of thing yet.”

Caleb moved closer to her, a grin on his face.

Her eyes swept over his form, a frown touching her lips as she no-doubt noticed he was dressed nicely. “Where are you going?”

“Don’t you mean, where are we going?”

She lifted her brows then gestured to herself before motioning back to him. “I’m sorry. There’s no way I’ll be caught dead standing next to you anywhere.”

He laughed again, pressing a kiss to her temple. Then he turned her toward the door. “Wash up. Wear something nice. We’re going out.”

Sammie glanced over her shoulder toward him, and that excitement he’d grown so fond of returned to her face.

“But be quick about it. Our reservation is in an hour.”

She gasped. “What makes you think I can get ready?—”

“Maybe wear that blue number I got you for Christmas.”

Sammie beamed at him, not arguing a second more before she hustled to the bathroom.

One hour later, they were seated in one of the rooms at the back of The Steer House. Rose petals lined the table, and a little card had been propped up with the words ‘Happy Anniversary’ scrawled across it.

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