Page 17 of Montana Groom of Convenience
Carly almost choked. Surely Annie didn’t think?—
She didn’t dare look at Sawyer, afraid he’d overheard the comment.
“You’re right. There will be much to do at home.” Not the least of which was to introduce her husband to her father. That might prove interesting… to put it mildly.
Jillclung to Sawyer’s back as they rode south of town toward the Morrison Ranch.
“You’re married to her?” Jill asked.
“Yup. You saw us.”
“So she’s my aunt now?”
He hadn’t thought of it. “No. She’s your sister-in-law.”
“Maybe I don’t like her.” She kept her voice flat as if she didn’t care, but he knew better. Knew his little half-sister had endured too many sorrows and disappointments and had begun to tell herself she didn’t careabout anything. He didn’t want her to believe it as completely as he did. It didn’t happen immediately, and he couldn’t say when he’d gotten so good at it that it was now his very nature.
“We’ll have a home.”
“That don’t matter to me.” He couldn’t see her but knew she lifted her shoulders and let them sag.
“I think it will be nice. Your mama and papa would care.”
“Well, I don’t.”
He tried to think how to make Jill care. Make her realize they were going to stay here. But how could he give her reassurances when he’d married a woman he’d met only a few hours ago? He clung to his only hope—she needed him as much as he needed her. That was enough to keep them committed to their vows.
They rode on in silence even though he longed to make Jill believe things would be different now, but he couldn’t find words. He was too long out of practice at thinking about such vague things.
He glanced around. He’d been to Montana before and had liked what he saw. Now he looked at the rolling hills to his left covered with lush spring grass, and the trees to his right...some leafed out. Beyond the trees would be the mountains, and he promised himself he would go camping in the mountains the first chance he got. Alone.
Now that Jill had a home, he could make such plans.
Carly rode a little ahead of them. She made no attempt at conversation, which suited him fine. Though, he might have liked to ask a few questions about the ranch.
She reined in. “Our land starts here. The buildings are there.” She pointed to the left.
A cluster of buildings by some trees—pine and cedar perhaps. Plus, deciduous trees. Probably aspen. He’d seen a variety of trees in his travels through Montana.
He made out a small, weathered house with a rock chimney and a low barn, also weathered, surrounded by corrals and several other outbuildings.
They turned off the road and started down the trail leading to the homesite. As they drew closer, he could see that everything was neat and well-maintained. He drew in a satisfying breath for the first time since they’d left town.
As newlyweds.
No doubt Preacher Hugh expected the marriage would be real enough even if rushed. If he’d known the exact details of the agreement between Sawyer and Carly, he might have refused to marry them.
But what did it matter to others if the arrangement suited them?
And it did. If he had any doubts, he wasn’t about to admit it. Not even to himself. Especially not to himself. He’d given his word and would fulfill his vows to the best of his ability and within the boundaries they’d agreed upon.
They reached the yard and turned toward the barn. She swung off her horse, less hampered by her skirts than most women he’d seen. And he’d seen a few who rode astride. Didn’t have much of an opinion about it except to think riding sidesaddle looked mighty uncomfortable.
He drew to a halt next to her horse, but before hecould reach back to let Jill down, she slid off, holding to his leg until her feet hit the ground. She put a distance between herself and Sawyer. Perhaps Carly, too, stood with her arms crossed and a look of pure challenge on her face.
Carly began to lead her horse to the barn, then turned to Sawyer. “There’s room for your horse and feed and—” She broke off as she saw Jill. She gave the girl a moment’s study, then brought her gaze back to Sawyer, silently asking for an explanation.
He shrugged and led his horse after her. Not until they entered the barn and were far enough away that Jill couldn’t hear did he answer. “Too many changes. She’s getting so she resents them.”
