Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
However, Violet’s already jumped to conclusions. “Hey, I’m not going to stop you. If you want to sleep with other women, like I said, this is nothing more than a contract.”
I feel horrible, and a pit forms at the bottom of my chest. “I’m not saying I’d bring anyone home.” Ugh. “I’m just thinking if you met a man…” I don’t even know what I’m thinking at this point as I fumble over my words.
She blinks at me. “I won’t.” There’s a finality in her tone, so I decide to drop the subject.
“I can go to the courthouse and get our license tomorrow. Find out everything we need to do to get married there.”
“I appreciate that.”
The air between us is awkward now, filled with an unusual tension. Getting married is a lot more than I thought it would be. I haven’t wanted to date, hell even sleep with, another woman in years. So, I know I can go two years without sex.
It’s just going to be hard with Violet staying here as well.
And I’d be lying if the thought of her being my wife didn’t make her even more attractive than she already is. If that’s even possible.
Chapter 7
Violet
“You what?” Millie practically shouts through the phone, her voice sharp with disbelief.
I shake my head, trying to stay focused on the ranch as I juggle this conversation. The sun beats down, and the familiar hum of daily tasks fills the air. Horses graze in the distance, the occasional neigh echoing around me. I motion to Joey to move a bale of hay while I try to convince Millie to be our witness at the courthouse. Her reaction to Callum agreeing to marry me is beyond what I expected. Shock doesn’t even begin to cover it.
“I needed a husband to save this ranch, Millie, you know that,” I explain, my voice a little more strained than I’d like. “Callum’s been kind enough to step into the role. On paper, that’s it. I just need this done. Please.” I glance around the yard, ensuring everything is running smoothly, my nerves on edge as I try to make her understand.
“I know your situation,” she says, her voice softening slightly. “But I’m not just shocked, I’m… stunned. No, more than stunned. I’m flabbergasted, astonished, dumbstruck—”
“Okay, Millie, I get the point,” I cut in, pinching the bridge of my nose. “But will you please help me? I don’t have anyone else.” My voice cracks just slightly, and I hope she doesn’t hear it.
We need a witness to sign the marriage license and make this thing official, and if Millie won’t do it, I’ll have to ask Callum to find someone, and I really don’t want that. I don’t need or want to depend on him more than necessary. This marriage is supposed to be strictly business, no emotions involved. But with everything feeling so upside down, having Millie there might make it feel just a little less surreal.
“This marriage is just on paper, nothing more,” I add, though part of me wonders if I’m saying it to convince her or myself.
“I understand that, sort of,” Millie says, her voice skeptical yet playful. “I mean, I know you need to get married to save the ranch, but Callum Atwood? The man who doesn’t even want to date because it takes time away from the brewery is offering to be your husband?” She pauses for a moment, then her tone turns dreamy. “Unless… maybe Callum’s had a thing for you all along, and he’s been too intimidated by your success and strength to admit it. And when he saw you crying, his heart shattered into pieces, knowing you’d be the only one to put them back together.”
I can’t help but giggle, shaking my head at her wild imagination. “Millie, this isn’t one of your romance novels. Callum isn’t some tortured hero secretly pining after me. Trust me, he hasn’t been desperately seeking my attention or falling for me in secret. That actually sounds more like the Atwood brother you’re dating,” I tease, laughing even harder at the thought.
Still chuckling, I continue, “Callum’s not in this for love. He understands what it’s like to be married to your work, just like I do. He knows how much time and effort it takes to make your dreams come true. We both agreed this marriage is just temporary. Two years, then we get divorced. No harm, no foul.”
“But what does Callum get out of this?” Millie asks, her voice shifting back to curiosity. “I know him well enough to know he doesn’t just do things out of the kindness of his heart. There’s got to be something in it for him.”
I lean against the barn doorway, my fingers unconsciously tugging at my bottom lip as I think. Millie’s got a point, and I hesitate for a moment. Should I tell her the real reason Callum agreed to this? She’s dating his brother, after all, and I’m sure she’d mention it to him eventually. But then again, Callum did say he plans to tell his family the truth himself, so maybe it’s not that big of a deal.