Page 9 of A Montana Fake Marriage

“I guess that’s always been your goal,” Mack murmured more to himself than anyone else.

Caleb nodded. “It has been. It’s what I went to college in Auburn for. I’m going to try formulating a special feed for the cattle this summer. I have a lot of ideas, and I want to apply for patents.”

His father lifted his brows. “That’s an admirable goal.”

The smile on Caleb’s lips stretched. “I’m going to take things to the next level around here. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m excited for the challenge.”

“What about your wife?” The way Mack asked made Caleb turn his eyes to his brother with slight surprise.

“We’re not married yet.”

His brother rolled his eyes. “I mean,after. Is she going to get a job?”

Caleb shot him an incredulous look. “If she wants to.”

“Because if you’re going to be really busy, then she’s going to need something to do.”

Caleb didn’t know what to say to that. What business was it of Mack’s what his fiancée wanted to do in her free time? Rather than entertain this conversation, Caleb turned to his father. “You’ve always worked with the cattle, right?”

His father nodded.

“I want to talk about a few things when you get a chance. I have some questions. I need to figure out if there’s anything missing from their diet and how their behavior is affected.”

Again, his father nodded. “I have some time on Sunday.”

“Thanks.”

Their conversation died down shortly after that, and his father left the room with Noah on his heels. Caleb got to his feet as well, but Mack stopped him with a hand gripping his forearm. Caleb’s eyes dipped to where his brother held onto him then lifted to meet his gaze.

“What’s going on, really?” Mack demanded.

“You’re going to have to be more specific,” Caleb murmured.

Mack jutted his chin toward the stairs that led upstairs. “Sammie.”

“What about her?”

Mack’s flat look only added to the tension surrounding his next question. “Why are you marrying her?”

The words were like a punch to the gut. He’d never lied to his brother. Telling him he loved Sammie would get shot down. While he did have love for her, he wasn’tin lovewith her. He swallowed hard. Mack was definitely the only one out of his family who would have recognized this marriage for what it was.

Convenience.

He let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “She needs to marry someone to get her inheritance.”

Mack’s brows lifted. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Caleb muttered. “Her dad is a real piece of work. So we’re getting married. We have to make it look real so she doesn’t get denied her trust. If her dad smells even one thing wrong, then it’s a lost cause.”

“So, youdon’tlove her.”

“I mean…” He rubbed the back of his neck, unable to put a label on it.

“I get it,” Mack muttered. “She needed you. And you wanted to help.”

Caleb nodded. “Yeah.”

His brother clapped him on the back with a nod. “I won’t tell anyone.”

---