Page 32 of Montana Groom of Convenience
Carly understood Jill didn’t want Father to know the whole story, but he needed to be aware and mindful of the need to watch Jill.
“She ran into the street and got knocked down by some horses.”
“I almost got run over by a wagon.” It seemed that Jill decided if the incident had to be discussed, she’d make it as dramatic as possible.
Carly sketched out the details of the accident.
“Ack, child,” Father said. “’Tis a painful thing to get run over. I’m that glad you were spared.”
After a few minutes, that conversation ended.
Sawyer lounged against the cupboard, close enough she felt his presence in every pore.
What was she to do with the rest of the evening? Normally, she and Father would read or talk. Or she’d go for a ride...an appealing thought. But she could hardly leave two almost-strangers in the house on their first evening.
As she mulled over possibilities, she heard an approaching wagon and hurried to the window. Not one wagon, but three.
“What is it?” Father asked, and Sawyer came to her elbow to look out the window.
“Looks like we have company.” Who would visit them and why?
Sawyer welcomedthe idea of visitors. Maybe the presence of others would ease the tension vibrating in his veins. He’d married Carly solely to get a home for Jill. Not because he wanted anything on his own behalf. He was quite content being a lonely wanderer. He was quite used to spending evenings alone with no one to talk to. But now he faced the necessity of making conversation.
He felt a grin tug at his lips. He’d never enjoyed his own cooking and was prepared to endure Carly’s efforts. He certainly had no objection to learning Carly could cook a fine meal. Best he’d ever had, in fact. He barely managed to stifle a chuckle at the way she’d ledhim to believe otherwise. Gladys never teased like that. She certainly never would perpetrate a trick. There was something strangely appealing about a woman who could pull off such a joke.
Jill had made it plain she didn’t care for the plans he and Carly had, but she’d soon learn to appreciate the benefits of a good home. She might already like Mr. Morrison with his Scottish brogue and long white beard. He’d watched her as the older man told stories and had seen something in her expression she would have erased if she guessed he saw...he wasn’t sure what to call it. Perhaps yearning. That was good.
The lead wagon drew close enough for him to recognize its occupants. “Isn’t that the preacher and his wife?” Before Carly could answer, Annie held up a cowbell and rang it.
Carly made a sound of frustration. “I should never have told her how it was for Mother and Father’s wedding.”
Mr. Morrison’s chuckle rolled from deep inside him. “You mean the ringing of the bells?”
“Yes, Mother always said it was the happiest sound ever.” She turned to explain to Sawyer. “When they were married, the church bells all rang out. First one church and then another until the whole city rang.” She glanced out the window again. “Annie’s brothers and their wives and children are here as well.” As she spoke, the wagons drew to a halt before the house, and the occupants jumped down. He counted at least a dozen people, all ringing cowbells. They circled the house and continued to ring.
“Ye best go out and greet them,” Mr. Morrison said.
Carly faced Sawyer. “What do you want to do?”
It pleased him immensely that she asked his opinion. “Do I understand that they expect the newlyweds to go out to them?” Newlyweds? The term hardly fit them, and yet their friends and neighbors had no way of knowing that.
She shrugged. “I’m sorry. We don’t have to do it.”
Did she want everyone to know the details of their arrangement? Why did it matter what she thought? And yet, strangely, it did. He couldn’t explain why, but he wanted to show off the woman he’d married even though these were all her friends. “I don’t mind.” He took her hand before he could think better of it and led her outside to stand on the doorstep.
The crowd gathered round and rang the bells until his ears hurt.
Carly laughed. “Enough now.”
At a signal from Annie, the ringing ceased, though it continued in his ears.
Annie rushed forward and hugged her. “I remembered the bells. How you said you hoped someone would ring bells when you were married.”
Carly pulled her hand free of Sawyer’s, leaving him adrift among strangers. She faced the crowd. “Everyone, this is Sawyer Gallagher.”
“Your new husband,” Annie added. “Or have you forgotten?”
“Haven’t had time to remember, let alone forget,” she said.
