Page 12 of Found in Wild Sage

“Spontaneous combustion is similarly rare.”

I shoot him a glare, but the knot in my belly is loosening. He’s dry as all get out, but he’s here engaging with me. And he’s giving me that hint of humor I see him share with patients and occasionally his brothers when I get to see them together.

“Well, that’s a relief. I’d still like to ask some things.”

He holds my gaze for a long moment, almost like he’s willing me to believe him with that look. “You can ask me anything and I will give you an honest answer.”

Something about the way he says this feels weighty. There’s a gravity to it, like he’ll slice himself open if only I say the words.

“Okay. Well, first, what kind of timing are you thinking? Did you and Davis talk about that?”

He sets his coffee mug down after taking a drink. “He suggested we allow for a short period of engagement, something like two weeks, and then marry.”

I swallow hard. “Right. Okay. And we just go to the courthouse?”

“Yes. Simple. We’ll need witnesses, but since we’re not keeping this a secret, I imagine you’ll ask Sam and I could ask Grant to keep it simple.”

“We won’t keep it a secret.” I repeat this because I’m absorbing it. I hadn’t thought through the implications either way, but I suppose I didn’t think it’d be a secret since I also thought about him not being able to date if people know we’re married.

“Making sure people in the community know about our marriage will solidify it. It’s unlikely there’d be suspicion, but since the timing will seem rushed, it’s best we aren’t in a position to have someone sniffing around and finding out we’ve kept it quiet. We don’t want to do anything that seems suspect.”

He’s so sturdy and clear about all of this, you’d think he was talking about the morning work schedule or recommending his accountant. Certainly not a plan to marry in order to make sure I keep my child.

Although it’s not exactly nefarious. I can’t imagine him doing anything truly wrong.

“Makes sense. So, you’ll tell your family?”

He nods. “And you’ll tell Sam. Jack. Anyone else you’d like to. We’ll tell the staff, though I don’t expect any issues.”

My cheeks heat. I hadn’t thought about how it’ll look to Maggie, or the nurses and Dr. Martinez, to learn I’ve been dating him, which they’ll rightfully assume.

A warm hand covers mine. I look up to find him watching me.

“We don’t have to do any of this.” He withdraws his touch.

It was so fleeting, but so nice. I am touched constantly by Charlie, but otherwise, I’m sort of starved for contact. It’s probably a little pathetic how much I liked his rough palm on my hand.

It’s even more pathetic how I get a flash of those palms elsewhere. Down, girl.

“I know. I want to. I just hadn’t thought through it all.”

He nods. “I’m sure we’ll encounter more we haven’t thought of. But regarding work, there’s no policy we’re breaking. There’s also nothing to feel bad about.”

“I know. You’re right.”

“What are your other concerns as of now?”

The heat in my cheeks goes nowhere as the thoughts hit instantly. I press my lips together because I’m feeling so foolish and naïve, and I don’t even know why. It’s not like it’s every day people engage in a marriage of convenience, regardless of what romance authors would have us believe.

“Tell me, Evie.”

His words and that sure, demanding tone urge me on enough. “How long are you thinking? What will you do for your… personal needs? Will you still see people? I—I’m sorry, that’s so intrusive, but⁠—”

“I told you I’d answer whatever you ask. I’m not sure about duration. We can get Davis’s take on that—though no, we can’t actually ask him that. But I’m not concerned. A few years if we need to make sure Charlie’s safe. And no.”

“No?”

“Under no circumstances would I be unfaithful to you. My needs come second to yours, period.”