Page 81 of A Montana Fake Marriage

She didn’t move toward him, rather, she took on the stance that Caleb had held. When her father reached her, she lifted her chin. “Whatever you’re here to say, you can choke on it. I’m not leaving Caleb.”

Was that guilt and remorse that flickered in her father’s eyes? She couldn’t be certain. It was probably wishful thinking, anyway.

He glanced back toward Caleb then lifted a yellow folder in his hand. “I should have come sooner. I know.”

Sammie shook her head. “You didn’t need to come at all. I don’t need your money. I don’t need your approval. I’m happy here, and I’m not going to walk away from any of it.”

“I’m not here to ask you to do that.”

She nearly choked on her surprise.

He cleared his throat. “I didn’t do right by you. I can see that now.” He shook his head. “Your mother wouldn’t approve of how I handled things.”

“No, she wouldn’t have.”

He flinched but didn’t utter a word.

“So why are you here, then? Come to see for yourself that the divorce was never finalized? Sorry to disappoint you.” She probably shouldn’t have been so venomous with her words, but she’d been so hurt.

Lifting the folder, he let out a sigh. “This is the paperwork to finalize your inheritance. I’ve signed everything I’ve needed to. I shouldn’t have kept it from you. I… I was wrong. Clearly, that young man chose you out of love. I just wasn’t willing to see it.” He held out the folder, and she stared at it like it might burst into flames at the first touch. He waved it a bit. “Please. Take it.”

Her hand trembled slightly when she accepted it from him.

“All you have to do is sign it. Then it will be released to you. There are no further stipulations.”

Sammie lifted her eyes to her father, tears prickling behind them. “And I don’t have to do anything else?”

He shook his head.

“Nothing at all?”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “All I ask is that you’ll think about mending our relationship. I know it’s a big ask, but I’d really like to have you in my life.”

Her jaw tightened. At this point, she couldn’t fathom a day when that would happen.

As if he sensed her answer, he nodded sharply. “Goodbye, Sarah Ann.”

She bit back the temptation to make an argumentative retort. Instead, she held up the folder and said, “Thank you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

While the landwas in their name, they were having a heck of a time getting started on the build for their new home. Caleb was busy working on another new formula for cattle feed, and Sammie was busy with her studies.

Every day, they came home exhausted and unable to focus on the changes they wanted to make to the blueprints for their new home.

It was fine. They had time.

That’s what Caleb kept telling Sammie, at least.

Time.

It was such a strange concept now that he had Sammie to himself, he didn’t think there would ever be enough time he could spend with her.

Caleb settled down at the desk in his parents’ office and pored over the plans for his new formula. The words blurred together. All he wanted to do right now was track Sammie down and spend the afternoon with her.

She’d be home from her classes soon. He’d have to be patient.

A smile tugged at his lips. It had only been a couple months since his father-in-law had stopped by unannounced. Looking back, it was ridiculous that he’d been worried for Sammie. She had proven that she was stronger than he’d thought.

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