Also, Wyatt had no income yet from his cattle, at least not steady or reliable. Yes, they’d made a sizable amount today from Mr. Fehling. But this batch would be one of the last now that the fruit was mostly harvested. As usual, after replenishing baking supplies, she’d planned to give the leftover money to Wyatt so he had the cash to buy necessities for the ranch. But maybe he’d use it to help his siblings pay for their trip west.

Whatever the case, Wyatt didn’t need to worry about her and Astrid too. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to get serious about planning to leave.

She took his callused hand in hers, trying to comfort him. “Let’s get that letter to Flynn ready to post. He’ll appreciate knowing he has a new place he can call home.”

“I’ll get some paper from Captain Jim and write it now.”

“And we’ll send him the earnings from today to help pay for their journey here.”

“No how, no way. I ain’t taking your money—”

She stopped him by laying a finger against his lips. “Our money, Wyatt.” They’d had this argument before, and she never liked it.

Before she could drop her hand, he snagged it and pressed a kiss to her palm.

At the soft warmth, her breath hitched. The sadness in his eyes made them a rich molasses brown, and she found herself sinking into them, unable to look away.

“Looks like I have a knack for making a mess of things.”

“Everything will work out,” she whispered. But would it?

He brushed his lips against her palm again.

He’d rarely touched her in the weeks they’d been married, had stayed true to the boundaries he’d established from the start, had given them plenty of time to try out their marriage of convenience and see if it worked. With only a couple of weeks to go until the end of the three-month arrangement, it was safe to say they’d gotten to “liking each other.”

Right now was proof of it, proof that more and more lately, this attraction was real. Her heart couldn’t deny how much she liked him no matter how much her head warned her to be cautious.

As if reading her thoughts, he dropped his other hand to her waist, drew her closer, and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist, his breath warm against her thudding pulse.

His fingers tightened and splayed over her hip, making her entirely aware of his searing touch and the power of his masculinity. His somber but beautiful eyes held hers, causing her heartbeat to sputter with strange need, although for what she didn’t know.

“Better not bring your family here,” came a voice from the livery door.

Wyatt stiffened.