Page 71 of Montana Groom of Convenience
Carly climbed the steps, Sawyer at her heels, and introduced the two men.
“Your husband, you say?” Mike, short and stocky, built like a barrel, studied Sawyer from head to toe.
Carly waited, secretly smiling. Mike might be short, but he exuded power and authority.
To his credit, Sawyer met the man look for look, seemingly unimpressed by the examination.
Mike grinned and gripped Sawyer’s arm. “About time someone took this young lady in hand, and you look like you’re capable of the task.”
“Thank you, sir.” Sawyer grinned and leaned closer to Mike as if to share a secret. “I’m afraid it will take two or more of me to rein her in.”
Mike slapped Sawyer on the back, and the pair laughed together like coconspirators.
Carly jammed her fists to her hips. “I’m not sure I like that.”
Mike chuckled some more. “Come on in for breakfast.”
Sawyer took Carly’s hand, draped it around his elbow, and escorted her through the door, his steps light as if he looked forward to this visit.
In the kitchen, Mike introduced his wife, Ethel. She was as tall and thin as he was short and stocky and she hugged them both, wiping her eyes at the news Carly was married.
“Tell us all about it,” Ethel said in her booming voice.
“Let them eat first.” Mike waved them to the table, and Ethel served up fried pork, fried potatoes, and a heap of eggs.
“Thanks. This sure beats dry biscuits,” Carly said.
Ethel waved away her comment. “I want all the details. How did you two meet? When did you marry? No one mentioned it to us.” She shot Mike a look. “Don’t tell me you knew and didn’t say.”
The man held up his hands in a protective gesture. “No, darling, I didn’t know.”
Ethel smiled her affection before she turned back to Carly.
“We’ve been married...” Carly pretended to count on her fingers and muse about the answer.
“Seventeen days as of midmorning today,” Sawyer said, his eyes steady and challenging.
“Ah, so still on your honeymoon.” Mike reached across the table for his wife’s hand, and they beamed at each other. “That would be why your father sent the pair of you to get the bulls. So you could enjoy some time alone.”
Ethel’s cheeks reddened at the look in Mike’s eyes, and Mike chuckled. For a moment, Carly wondered if they remembered there were two others at the table, and then Ethel pulled her hand to her lap, cleared her throat, and asked, “And how did you meet?”
Carly looked at Sawyer, hoping he would answer.
He gave a grin that made her heart jerk, then turned his attention to their hosts. “I saw her in the restaurant. I could immediately tell she was a determined young woman and a beautiful one as well.”
Carly’s cheeks burned like she stood too close to an open flame.
“I overheard her tell her friend she needed someone to help on the ranch.”
Carly coughed at the way he made it sound so reasonable.
He continued. “I have an orphaned little sister, and I saw that we could all benefit from throwing in together.” He shrugged, but when he turned toward Carly, she saw a depth of emotion, an openness that she’d not seen before. And something more. She couldn’t believe it was an invitation.
Invitation to what?
All she could think was he wanted her to remembertheir reasons for marrying. It wasn’t as if she could ever forget. Their agreement dogged her every thought.
Ethel sighed. “It sounds so romantic. I so enjoy a good love story.” She sighed again.
