Page 94 of Montana Groom of Convenience
The Lord is my shepherd. She focused on the promise. For Mother’s sake, she would be strong. She would cling to her faith.
The thud of approaching hooves brought her to her feet. She grabbed Sunny’s reins, ready to ride away if the sound brought trouble.
Her breath eased out when Sawyer came into sight. She waited for him to ride closer.
He dismounted several yards away and closed the distance separating them. He faced her, saying nothing but searching her with his eyes.
Neither of them spoke. She couldn’t bring herself to address the issue that hung between them like a wall.
If Father sold the ranch, would she and Sawyer go their separate ways?
Sawyer wantedto soothe away the pain in Carly’s eyes. Wanted to assure her everything would be okay. But he couldn’t promise her that.
If her father sold the ranch, her need for a marriage would be gone.
Was that what she wanted? Not many hours ago, she had said she wanted him to see her as his wife. What did she mean? He hoped it meant she’d started tocare about him and perhaps even wanted to change the terms they’d agreed to.
But had this latest development made her change her mind?
He told himself he would hold back until she made her wishes clear, but he saw the pain in her eyes and couldn’t stand idly by. He pulled her against his chest and held her close.
“I’m sorry about the way your father is acting.” So many other things crowded his mind—how hard Carly tried to please her father, to gain his approval and how oblivious her father was to her efforts, how much she loved the land and how intimately she knew it. She’d been willing to marry a stranger in order to keep the ranch. A needless sacrifice, it would seem.
He had no choice but to release her from their agreement.
His arms tightened about her as his heart warred with what he must do.
“Carly.” His voice grated like a rusty hinge. “If your father sells the ranch, our agreement is no longer necessary.”
She’d been soft and close against his chest. At his words, she stiffened. Slowly, she eased from his arms. “You want to end our marriage?”
He could tell nothing from her expression or her tone of voice. Couldn’t guess if she was pleased with his offer. Somehow, he forced words from his reluctant throat. “We married so you could keep the ranch.”
“And so you and Jill could have a home.”
They stood inches apart, but it might as well have been miles.
She nodded. “I understand.” She walked slowlyback to the edge of the water and stood looking out at the lake.
Was she finding peace? Relief?
The words she’d spoken along the trail burned through his brain. She wanted him to see her as his wife. She’d never explained, and before he let her go, he had to know what she meant. He closed the distance between them and stood at her side, careful to leave space between them. He, too, looked at the water, hoping he could find strength and courage there.
He needed God’s help to get through this. Yea, though I walk through the valley of death. God, be my rod and staff.
“This morning, you said something that I didn’t understand. I’m hoping you’ll explain yourself.”
They both shifted, so they faced each other.
Her eyes were watchful, guarded. If only he could see past the wall she’d set up and know what she wanted. His shoulders sank as his lungs emptied. He knew what she wanted—the ranch. He’d been the means to that end. But was he more?
“Carly, you said you wanted me to see you as my wife. What did you mean?”
Her gaze flickered. Did he see hope? Longing? Or was it regret? He couldn’t allow himself to think so. And then her eyes darkened, and he thought he saw resolve and something more. Something that caused him to tense with a mixture of fear and anticipation.
“I meant exactly what I said.”
“I guess I don’t understand. You are my wife.”
