Page 11 of Montana Groom of Convenience
Sawyer couldn’t imagine what she’d written that made her so certain. The women left the room. He had little choice but to follow them, though he did so reluctantly. He paused by the two children. Jill ignored him and ran to the kitchen after Evan, who followed his mama.
Every carefully honed instinct told Sawyer he should turn left, exit through the door, and not look back until he was fifty miles down the road.
“Would you children like some cookies and milk?” Mrs. Arness asked.
“Yes, please,” her little boy said.
“Me, too.” Jill’s tone was almost demanding.
When he last saw his little sister, she was well-mannered and full of laughter. He wanted to see that child return to replace the demanding, unruly one she’d become. He recognized all the signs of someone turning her back to the world, to kindness and love. He would do everything he could to reverse that process.
But as he turned right and joined the others in the kitchen, he couldn’t decide whether or not he wished Mr. Morrison would refuse to grant permission for a marriage between Sawyer and Carly.
Chapter 3
Carly and Annie normally had no difficulty carrying on a conversation, but with Sawyer at the same table, suddenly Carly could think of nothing to say. She felt Annie’s glance on her and looked up.
Annie tipped her head toward Sawyer. Talk to him, she mouthed.
Carly understood she had to do so if only to prove to her friend...and herself...that it would not be uncomfortable sharing her table with a stranger. Of course, Father would be there. But he could be dour at times.
She’d be sharing her table. Her house. Her ranch. Her life.
Her throat tightened, so she couldn’t speak. Thankfully, Annie set a cup of tea before each of them just then, and Carly sucked back a mouthful of the hot liquid.
Annie took pity on her and spoke to Sawyer. “Where are you and Jill from?”
“We’ve come from Libby, Kansas.”
“My, that is a long ride for a little girl.”
“I suppose so.” Sawyer’s tone communicated nothing.
Carly couldn’t tell if he was surprised at the idea or if he’d already considered it, or if, indeed, it mattered not at all to him. If she had to guess, she’d go with the last thought simply because he revealed no emotion.
Annie turned to Jill. “Did you enjoy the trip?”
Jill bumped her glass of milk, and the contents splashed across the table.
Carly jumped up. “I’ll get it.” She grabbed the dishrag and mopped up the liquid.
“It’s okay. Accidents happen,” Annie said.
Carly studied Jill. Surely, she was mistaken in thinking the accident had been deliberate.
Jill kept looking down. Her shoulders hunched forward.
Carly’s heart went out to the orphaned little girl. Perhaps the bump on her head had put her aim off.
By the time Carly had cleaned up the spilled milk, the children had finished their cookies.
“Mama, can we go outside?” Evan asked.
“Yes, of course. Stay in the backyard. And take Happy with you.”
The pup ran for the door and barked. The children let him out and followed. Their voices, raised in play, reached those around the table.
“I apologize for the spilled milk,” Sawyer said.
