Page 78 of Montana Groom of Convenience
He returned to the house at Jill’s call, determined to continue along the same route.
Father Morrison said grace. “I’ll be going to town today.”
He got immediate attention from both Carly and Sawyer.
“Who goes to town on a Tuesday unless there’s an urgent need?” Carly asked.
“Aye, my need ’tis urgent.” The man continued to eat as if he hadn’t just made an announcement that made no sense.
Jill looked from one adult to another, the news equally confusing to her.
Carly stared at her father, then shifted her gaze to Sawyer. Would he ever meet those brown eyes without his heart giving an extra-hard beat?
“You know anything about this?” she asked.
“I’m unaware of any pressing need to go to town.”
Father Morrison made a deep-throated sound. “Aye,and is that not the trouble with ye both? You are so unaware.”
Sawyer studied the older man. “What are you saying?”
Father Morrison cleaned his plate, wiped it with his piece of bread, and sucked back more coffee, keeping his curious audience waiting. “Very well, I might as well tell you I have business to conduct in town. Now, who is going to give me a ride, or do I have to take meself?”
“I’ll take you.” Sawyer hoped he’d learn what the old man was up to by taking him.
“I’m going, too.” Carly likely shared the same desire.
“Good. I can go, too. Can I buy a candy stick?” Jill ate the last of her breakfast in two bites.
“Yes,” Sawyer and Carly answered in unison. He guessed Carly was as distracted by this news as he was.
The kitchen was clean, and the others ready to depart by the time Sawyer drove the wagon to the door and then they were on their way.
Carly sat in the back with Jill while her father sat beside Sawyer, which made any private conversation between Carly and Sawyer impossible. They’d have to wait until town to speculate what her father was up to.
“I’ll go to the Marshalls’ store,” he announced and climbed slowly down. His steps were slow as he favored his injured leg.
Jill hurried ahead to choose her candy.
Carly and Sawyer followed her father. He went directly to the counter. George Marshall joined him.
“What can I do for you, Robert?”
“I want to post an ad here and place one in the paper. It’s ready. I just need postage.” Hehanded over a sealed envelope, and Mr. Marshall got a stamp, glued it, and put it on. Only then, did he open the sheet of paper that held the ad Father wanted to post.
He looked up at Carly and Sawyer. “Did you know about this?”
They shook their heads.
Mr. Marshall handed the paper to them.
Sawyer took it, and Carly read it as he did.
For sale. One ranch near Bella Creek, Montana. Good grass. Good cattle. Imported Hereford Bulls. Oats and wheat seeded.
The skin on Sawyer’s face tightened. He’d worried about Carly changing her mind, but he’d never considered her father would.
Carly’s cheeks blanched, and she stared at the words as if doubting what they said. Then she spun around and strode from the store. He watched through the window as she hurried down the street and out of sight. Where was she going?
