Page 66 of Montana Groom of Convenience
Sawyer chuckled. “You did that, all right.”
Others came to wish them well and welcome them, and then Annie and Sadie brought a big cake from the parsonage and placed it at the end of the table.
“Time for you two to cut the cake,” Annie announced.
Carly and Sawyer stood in front of the cake. Annie handed Carly a knife. “Put your hand over hers,” she told Sawyer, and he did so.
Together, they cut the first piece of cake, his hand firm on hers. Tears clogged the back of Carly’s throat. This simple act made her feel more married than signing the papers in Hugh’s office had. This was public. Their hands were joined. And her heart had undergone a change.
“Give each other a bite of cake,” someone called.Annie put a piece of the white cake on a small plate and handed them each a fork.
Carly filled her lungs. She could do this. She could go through the motions.
They both held the plate. She cut off a bit as he did the same. His steady hand gave her strength. She lifted the fork to his mouth. He lifted his fork to her mouth. They met each other’s eyes...his reflecting the sky. She opened her mouth and took the cake, as did he. She could not swallow. Could not think. All that mattered was the promising look in his eyes. Promising what? She couldn’t say. Didn’t want to analyze the thought. The moment had taken her to the hope of a shared future. Sharing more than a name.
Clapping and cheering jerked her back to reality.
“Kiss, kiss.” People tinkled their silverware against their plates.
Annie took the plate and the two forks from Carly and Sawyer.
“Kiss. Kiss.” The chanting and tinkling increased in volume.
Sawyer raised his eyebrows, silently asking her opinion.
She shrugged. She had no objection to a little kiss, though she would have preferred it to be in private and have it given without urging from an outside force.
He caught her shoulders and leaned close. His breath, sweet with sugar, fanned her face, and then he caught her lips in a gentle kiss. He tasted of icing. She leaned into him, wanting more. So much more.
It was only for show, she firmly told herself. There is no reason why it should send a bolt of longing clear through to her toes.
He lifted his head and grinned, his eyes flashing such a rich blue-green she knew she’d never before seen that particular color.
The crowd seemed satisfied. Carly was not. But she would never admit it.
Annie cut the cake and invited everyone to come and get a piece. There was tea and coffee. Sadie led Sawyer and Carly to two chairs that someone had set near the table. Carly finally began to relax. All she had to do was enjoy the cake and coffee.
But then Sammy and Jeannie, Sadie and Logan’s two youngest children, appeared, pulling a wagon full of gifts toward them.
Tears stung Carly’s eyes. How could she open presents when her marriage was such a fake?
Sawyer squeezed her hand.
She stiffened her resolve. Her marriage was real enough. They had papers to prove it. And a kiss to seal the deal.
She opened the first gift from Annie and her sisters-in-law. A quilt with the wedding ring pattern. “It’s lovely. But how did you have time?”
Annie chuckled. “We enjoyed spending a few afternoons together.”
There were gifts of fancy dishes, embroidered tea towels, and a recipe book from Mary Marshall, whose husband, George, ran the general store.
The gifts were all open, and Carly and Sawyer rose to express their thanks. It was all Carly could do to get the words past the lump in her throat. She felt so dishonest, letting these people believe she and Sawyer loved each other and had a real marriage.
People began to collect their dishes and their children to depart.
Dawson, Logan, and Conner helped Sawyer put the gifts in the back of their wagon. Jill excitedly offered her assistance, exclaiming over and over, “It’s better’n Christmas ’cause it’s a surprise.”
Sawyer joined Carly as she went around the circle of Marshalls and extended her thanks. Then, they were on their way home.
