Caleb Read Online Free PDF

“Let’s see if it fits.”
    “I figure you’re the one who has to stay in town,” he continued as he slid the ring onto her finger. A strange and uncomfortable weight surrounded her skin. “You might as well blame me. I’ll never see these people again, and also, you’ll gain more sympathy if you can pin the entire mess on me.”
    He held her hand for a moment as he inspected his work.
    Apparently, he intended to earn his pay, which provided a small measure of assurance. “It’s very pretty,” she said, touched that he’d taken their arrangement as seriously as she had.
    “Not as pretty as the lady wearing it. Here’s the box. You can put it away until later.” He smiled as though he had no idea how much her heart gobbled up his words. “So, do you have a contract I need to sign or what?”
    A smart person would have, but… “I didn’t have anything drawn up. I couldn’t use a lawyer in town, and I haven’t had time to search for anyone out of the area. Elle vouched for you, and I trust her. If you’re the man she said you are, I figured a good, old-fashioned handshake would be enough.” She prayed she wasn’t wrong.
    “I like it.” He held out a hand, and she grasped it for a firm shake. “I agree to abide by our terms.”
    “I do as well.” She slid her fingers from his warm hand, but was unable to look away from his direct gaze.
    “Great. I expect I’m staying in the house with you. If so, could you show me my room? It’s been a long drive, and I’m beat.”
    “Of course.” Her laugh came out nervous and uneven. She’d been so worried about finding someone that she hadn’t considered the logistics of actually living together. “You can take the room next to mine. It has the most space, and a lovely view of the mountains to the west. You can’t see much in the dark tonight, but I think you’ll like it here. There’s nothing like a misty morning right before the sun peeks over the hills.”
    He gave her a look that melted her wooly socks. “It sounds amazing. I know you think I’m doing this for the money, and I’m always willing to help a lady, but really, I was eager to spend time in Wyoming. Wide-open land like this is where I belong. I was thinking of heading to Montana next.”
    She narrowed her gaze just the slightest and studied him a little deeper. She couldn’t deny there was something about him. What exactly she couldn’t say, but she was thrilled Elle had sent him her way. She smiled. “I couldn’t agree more. I often say it constantly whispers my name, and everyone thinks I’m crazy when I tell them that in the dead of winter. To me, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is around here. This place will always be home.”
    His eyes grew serious. “I don’t think you’re crazy.”
    Not for loving the land. Her sanity in other areas, however, could be questionable. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet a kindred spirit.” As she stared at the incredibly sexy man standing before her, peace filled her heart. He seemed confident and reliable. This might actually work.
    “Go grab whatever you brought with you, and I’ll reheat some of the chili I made for dinner. I’m sure you’re hungry as well as tired.”
    A wide grin lit his face. “Yes, ma’am.”
    He settled his hat back on his head, gave her a cursory nod, and strode to the door, letting a gust of refreshing mountain air sweep through the room as he left.
    Rachel stood dumbfounded for a few moments after Caleb shut the door behind him, trying to process what had taken place over the past few minutes. She’d wanted a stand-in husband. Now she had one. A handsome stranger in her house that she would live with for the next couple of months.
    She wasn’t quite sure how she felt about that.
    As she prepared his dinner, she heard him re-enter the house and head upstairs. She thought of running after him to show him which room was his and then realized he could probably figure it out because it was obvious