Page 91 of Montana Groom of Convenience
“But you don’t think so?”
“They can see that the fire is out and there is no danger, yet they keep coming. And they look as if they have a purpose in mind.”
She studied the couple and had to agree. Father stood at the bottom of the lane, but she remained a hundred feet back and didn’t go forward. For all her reassuring assessment, she couldn’t ignore the eager look on the young man’s face, and it made her nervous even though she could not think why it should.
The buggy stopped in front of Father.
Clinging to Sawyer’s hand, Carly edged closer so she could hear every word.
“Hello, is this the Morrison place?” the man called, ending Carly’s hope that they were out for a little drive.
“Aye, ’tis. What can I do for you?” Father answered.
“I’m Art Jacobs.” The man was shockingly blond and from what she could tell, of average build. “This is my wife, Elsie.” She, too, was blonde with thick braids coiled about her head. A dainty woman. “Our two little boys, Neil and Ernst.” A boy ducked down behind his mother.
Father waited for the man to state his business.
Mr. Jacobs pulled a piece of newspaper from his breast pocket and held it toward Father. “I saw your ad. My grandfather died not long ago and left me money. He knew of my desire to have my own ranch, so when we saw your ad, we knew it was a sign from God. We’d like to look around, and if we like what we see, we’d like to buy your place.” He reached over and rested his hand over his wife’s. “So far, we’re favorably impressed.”
Carly swayed.
Sawyer’s arm slipped around her waist. “Are you okay?” he murmured,
“I will be when he tells them the ranch is no longer for sale.”
Father limped closer to the buggy. “Two sons, you say? Which is which?”
“Neil is the older. He’s eight. Ernst is four months old.”
Mrs. Jacobs sat the baby up so Father could see him.
“Aye, both are handsome lads.”
Carly’s heart thudded reluctantly. “Sons.” She hissed the word. “How can I compete with that?”
“They aren’t his sons,” Sawyer said, his tone suggesting Father would surely understand that.
Carly rolled her head back and forth. No one knew how important male children were in Father’s opinion. She’d never been able to fill that need in his life.
Father seemed to remember Carly and Sawyer standing behind him and introduced them.
“Hello,” Carly murmured, but neither she nor Sawyer stepped forward to shake hands.
“Step down,” Father invited. “My daughter will make tea, and we’ll talk about things.”
She glowered at the back of her father’s head, then steamed toward the house, Sawyer keeping in step.
“Why is he inviting them in? Why isn’t he telling them they’ll have to find another ranch to buy? Why is he such a stubborn old man?”
Sawyer caught her hand and stopped her headlong flight. He faced her. “I’m certain he can’t be seriously entertaining their interest.”
“No? Then why is he inviting them in?”
Sawyer wagged his head back and forth. “I wish I knew.” His smile was regretful. “I wish we’d had a chance to finish our conversation. We’ll make time later.”
Carly had finally summoned the courage to speak to him of the changes in her feelings. She’d said she wanted him to see her as his wife. Had been about to say she cared for him when this intrusion was thrust upon her.
She sucked in air until her insides felt steady. “I’ll make tea because it’s the hospitable thing to do, but I’m not feeling very welcoming toward them.”
