Page 15 of Montana Groom of Convenience
But to his surprise, she took his arm and marched him toward the house. “Nothing’s changed. We both have a reason for this, and I think we understand each other well enough.”
Sawyer firmly dismissed any doubt he had. As far as he could see, he didn’t have much choice. Besides, how hard could it be to have a pretend marriage, a job on a ranch, and a home for Jill, all with the same agreement?
Chapter 4
Carly had it all figured out in her head. Marry the man. Go home, and life would go on as it had since she’d started working the ranch when she was fifteen against her father’s wishes, although she’d done plenty to help before that. His protesting noise meant nothing, as he clearly needed the help. He didn’t like riding the range, didn’t like pushing cows out of coulees, or roping an ornery steer to tend a hoof. She did like it and she did it well, so they’d settled into a comfortable routine. He farmed the few acres he’d plowed to raise feed and wheat for their flour. She did the cow stuff.
The roles were perfectly clear.
Sawyer would help her maintain those roles. He could take Father’s place in the way the ranch was run.
But if he thought she’d agreed to marry him because she needed him?—
Well, she hoped she’d set him straight on that matter.
She resisted an urge to bend down and rub her ankle where he’d grabbed her. Indignation rose within her. Even if he’d promised himself not to just stand by when he saw someone in danger, it didn’t give him the right to be so indiscreet.
But marriage would.
She shook her head to dismiss the idea. They’d agreed on the terms of their union, and it did not include any privileges.
At least Father had given his permission. She ducked her head to hide her smile as she thought of the note she’d written to him.
You said we needed a man at the ranch. I found one. He’s strong. Has a little sister. They need a home. So we’re going to get married. I think you’ll like Sawyer. He appears to be a lot like you—stubborn, a man of his word, and when he speaks, he means what he says. Though I doubt he is as stubborn as a Scotsman. I’ve made up my mind and intend to do this, but I would appreciate your blessing.
She hadn’t added that Hugh might refuse to marry them without Father’s approval.
Her thoughts returned to the present when Hugh asked Annie to be witness to the exchanging of vows. “I’ll call Augie East to be the other witness.” Hugh left to go ask the blacksmith, who also served as the undertaker to join them.
When the door closed behind him, Annie broke into tears, trying to wipe them from her face before the children noticed.
“You two go play with Evan’s toys on the hearth,” Carly said and waited for the children to settle down infront of the cold fireplace to play before she pulled Annie aside. “What’s wrong?”
Annie sobbed her reply. “I always dreamed of you walking down the aisle in a lovely white gown as I stood up front to share your wedding day with you.”
Carly glanced over to Sawyer and saw that he watched them, but he might have been deaf for all she could read of his expression.
She turned back to Annie. “We could get married in the church if it means that much to you.” Though, she preferred not to take vows before the pulpit. Not that she didn’t mean to keep the vows, but not in the sense of marriage as God had instituted.
“It’s not the same.” Annie wiped her tears on the corner of a kitchen towel. “But I know you won’t change your mind.” She looked past Carly to Sawyer. “She’s stubborn like that.”
“Hush, Annie, do you want him to change his mind?” Some men saw stubbornness as contentious.
“Better now than to have regrets later.”
“I’m not about to change my mind,” Sawyer said. “I’ve given my word, and I stand by it.”
Annie sniffed. “You’re as stubborn as she.”
“Not stubborn, ma’am. Just going to do what has to be done.”
Hugh returned with Mr. East. He looked from Carly to Sawyer and back again. “I can’t say as I like this, but it seems you’ve both made up your minds. Do you want to get married in the church or?—”
“Can we just do it in the front room?” Carly knew it didn’t make any difference in God’s sight where they spoke their vows, but she did not want to do it in the church.
“That will be fine.” They went into the next room. Hugh stood with his back to the fireplace.
Feeling as awkward as a newborn foal trying to find her legs for the first time, Carly faced Hugh, with Sawyer on one side of her, Annie on the other, and Mr. East at Sawyer’s far side. She’d never envisioned herself as getting married and if she had, it would not have been like this. But as Sawyer said, they were only doing what had to be done.
