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)
“That’s the one,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck as if that’ll somehow ease the tension. “It’s a long story, Anya.”
“A long story?” she repeats, her tone incredulous. “You think getting married out of nowhere to Violet is just some casual long story?”
I raise my hands, trying to calm her down before she gets too carried away. “Look, it’s not what you think. It’s a business arrangement. She needs help keeping her ranch, and well, I’m tired of everyone treating me like I’m going to be single forever. So, we both get something out of it. It’s a win-win.”
“A business arrangement?” Anya echoes, shaking her head like she can’t quite believe what she’s hearing. “You’ve seriously gone and married one of the sweetest girls in this town for a business deal?”
Griffin steps forward, putting a reassuring hand on Anya’s shoulder, but she shrugs him off, still looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. “I know it sounds crazy,” I continue, trying to keep my voice steady. “But it makes sense for both of us. She keeps her land, I get everyone off my back. We help each other out.”
Anya looks at me for a long moment, her expression softening just a little. “I just… I don’t get it, Cal. You really think you can pretend to be married to her and not get attached? I mean, it’s Violet. You’ve known her forever.”
“I know,” I say, swallowing hard, feeling the weight of the situation settle on my chest. “Trust me, I’ve thought about that.” More than I care to admit, if I’m being honest with myself. There’s no denying that being around Violet stirs something in me, something I can’t quite put a name to.
Tripp shifts the focus. “How are you going to tell Mom and Dad?” he asks, slipping his phone back into his pocket. I know he’s just texted Millie to get the scoop on the courthouse wedding. He never lets anything slide by unnoticed.
I shrug, trying to act casual, though I feel anything but. “I guess at Sunday dinner,” I reply, though the thought of springing this on our parents makes my stomach twist. Mom will probably freak out, and Dad… well, I’m not sure what Dad will think. He’s always been good at hiding his reactions, but this? This might push him over the edge.
The questions keep coming, one after another. “Where are you two going to live?” Paxton asks, crossing his arms like he’s trying to figure out how this whole thing could possibly make sense.
“And how are you going to handle being married? I mean, come on, Cal, you barely even know her like that,” Brock adds, looking genuinely confused.
“I’ve known Violet for years,” I say, but even as the words leave my mouth, I know they’re not quite right. I’ve known of her, but knowing her like this—like as my wife—is a whole different thing.
“She’s different now, though, right?” Anya chimes in, her voice more thoughtful, her arms now crossed in front of her as she leans against the bar. “You’re not just helping her keep her ranch. You’ll have to actually live together, be around each other all the time. You sure you’re ready for that?”
I rub the back of my neck, the pressure of their questions bearing down on me. “Yeah, I’ll be moving into her place,” I admit, glancing down at my watch, hoping to signal that this grilling session is about to end. “We’ve got a plan. We’ll figure it out.” But even as I say it, I wonder if that’s entirely true. Everything feels a little too… real now. Like it’s hitting me for the first time.
“She’s still up at the bar, right?” Shep asks, his brow furrowed. “You just left her there alone?”
I nod. “Yeah. I had to talk to you guys, get this off my chest.”
Anya, always quick on her feet, suddenly bolts toward the stairs. “I’m talking to her first!” she declares over her shoulder, and I know there’s no stopping her.
I sigh as she takes the steps two at a time, the energy in the room shifting as everyone stares at me in disbelief. Well, the cat’s officially out of the bag now. My family knows, and soon the whole damn town will too.
“Good luck, man,” Griffin says with a grin, clapping me on the shoulder as if I’m headed into battle.
I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, I think I’m gonna need it.” Then, with one last glance at my brothers, I head back upstairs to face whatever’s coming next.
Chapter 9
Violet
I’m halfway through my second Puppy Politics Pilsner, which, I have to admit, is just as delicious as Callum said it would be. There’s something fascinating about the fact that he not only named this beer but created it from scratch. It takes a real talent to brew something so unique and memorable, and for the first time, I find myself thinking about Callum beyond just our arrangement.