Page 82 of A Montana Fake Marriage

They’d had to develop a different kind of trust in one another that they hadn’t had before. He’d had to learn how to be more comfortable and open about their finances. It had been difficult—it still was—but he’d made improvements.

Caleb leaned backward in his chair and sighed, but this time, it was with contentment.

“Do you even realize how that stupid grin makes you look?” Mack’s voice came from the doorway. He leaned against the doorjamb, his own smile on his face.

Rolling his eyes, Caleb straightened. “There’s nothing you can say to ruin my day. I don’t care if I have a stupid grin on my face. It’s probably going to be there long term, so you might as well get used to it.”

Mack chuckled. “I’m happy for you, actually. Now I don’t have to deal with your rotten attitude. I’d rather have this version of you.” He moved into the room and settled down on a chair across from Caleb. “I’ve half a mind to find someone who can make me as happy as you seem to be.”

“Maybe you should,” Caleb mused. “Anyone in mind?”

He scoffed. “Hardly. Where am I going to meet someone? This town is a little small.”

“I hear Lacey is still single.”

Mack snorted. “No thanks.”

Caleb chuckled. “I’ll keep an eye out. Until then, you could always go to college. That’s how I met Sammie.”

“Nope,” Mack said far too quickly. “I plan on using the funds Mom and Dad saved for something else. I just haven’t figured it out yet.” He glanced over the paperwork on the desk. “How’s it going, by the way? Almost ready to submit another patent?”

Caleb gestured toward the documents. “Nearly there. I’m just having a hard time staying focused.”

His brother smirked then winked at him. “I’m sure you’re not too upset about the distraction, though.”

Caleb threw a rolled-up ball of paper at his brother, and it hit him square in the forehead.

Mack blinked. Then he snickered as he got to his feet. “All I’m saying is it must be nice to have someone keeping your bed warm.”

Caleb prepared another crumpled piece of paper, but his brother ducked out of the room, his laughter filtering down the hall. His brother made a good point. While Sammie was the source of his happiness, she was also singularly the reason he was distracted.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Back for more?” Caleb grabbed the crumpled paper and glanced up to find the one person he couldn’t get enough of.

Sammie eyed the paper with a laugh. “Who were you expecting?”

He dropped the ball and stood, before walking around the desk and moving toward her. He grabbed her close and pressed a kiss to her lips. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“You saw me a couple hours ago.”

“And the gap was far too long.”

She laughed, leaning into another kiss. “I totally understand that.”

Caleb nuzzled her neck, then pressed more kisses along her jaw until he found her mouth again. “You are going to be the end of me, you know that?”

She murmured something he couldn’t understand, and the delicate sound stirred something deep inside him, familiar and hot.

“I think I’m ready to call it a day. Want to turn in early?”

Sammie laughed, pushing him away with a gentle shove. “Don’t be silly. I’m in charge of cooking dinner tonight, remember?”

He frowned. “Right.”

She laughed again. “Don’t look so disappointed. I’m getting pretty good at it. Your mother’s been helping me.”

Caleb pulled her close again, letting her rest her cheek against his chest. “I know. And I’m proud of you. I can’t wait until we’re in our own home and you’re fixing meals just for our little family—whenever that might be.”

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