Trent had been stunned by the suddenness of her decision. He'd asked her if she was sure and she'd been adamant that it was the best thing for Evan, and that was all that mattered.
So Trent was now a married man. He could only imagine what the reaction of his fellow neighbouring ranchers Nathan Grantly and Devlin Cooper would be. They had both gotten married recently under circumstances every bit as unique as his. But they both seemed positively enthusiastic about their marriages, even if one was a mail order bride and the other was a marriage of convenience.
Three ranchers and three sudden marriages!
Trent bit his lower lip, trying to figure out how it had all happened so quickly.
But wasn't that the way of life. For every loss there seemed to be a compensating gain. Trent had lost a friend in Lucas, the tragic details of which were still unclear, but had found Chloe; Nathan had lost his wife to illness but had been united with a wife who was clearly bringing joy back into the life of himself and his young daughter Emma; Devlin had been jilted at the altar but had found what looked suspiciously like love with feisty Elise Macleod.
Trent drove the horses on across a flat plain. Further ahead the trail split in two and Trent quickly considered what he should do. Back at the ranch house Chloe and Mrs. Ross would be doing their best to make sure Evan was settling in. Chloe would be unpacking the bags and filling the closets and drawers with the few belongings they'd managed to bring with them. Some more stuff was going to be sent on by Harriet and Marcus at the mercantile in Helena during the next few days, but Trent felt there was an urgent need for some things to make settling in even quicker. Especially for Evan.
Thinking about the little baby boy made something jump in Trent's heart. There was no doubting how handsome Evan was. He was going to grow up to be every bit as tall and good looking as Lucas.
But now Trent was his father. That single thought made Trent's shoulders tighten. He'd hardly had a chance to really consider what it would mean to become Evan's adopted father. Trent's life as a single man had come to a sudden halt. His friends were going to be stunned when they learned how much responsibility Trent had taken on.
A knot of worry lodged itself in Trent's gut as he thought about what that would mean. Would he be able to look after Evan and Chloe? Would he be up to the task? When he thought about the wayward life he'd led until now, Trent had serious doubts about himself. Compared to suddenly becoming a husband and father, building this ranch up from scratch seemed a breeze.
He came to the fork in the trail. One led to the far edge of his spread where he knew he'd find plenty of work to distract himself. The other trail would take him into Billings. It wasn't too late to make it into town and the stores would still be open.
Trent thought of those small bags, the obvious lack of things for Evan and Chloe. He shook his head and flicked the reins, driving the horses on toward town.
***
"What on earth has Trent gone and done?" Chloe said with a gasp, peering out the kitchen window.
Mrs. Ross wiped her hands on her apron and came to the window and looked over Chloe's shoulder at the sight out in the yard.
By the fading early evening light Chloe could see that Trent had pulled up the buckboard to a halt at the front door. She saw that there were bags piled high on the back of the buckboard. Trent jumped down from the seat and started to grab the bags. When he turned, Chloe quickly moved away from the window.
"Looks like Trent's been shopping," Mrs. Ross said with a smile.
"Shopping?" Chloe said with a tone of mild consternation. "Trent goes shopping?"
Mrs. Ross peered out to the yard. "They don't look like supplies for the ranch, either," she observed.
"What possessed him to do such a thing?" Chloe asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there're some baby clothes in those bags," Mrs.Ross said with a smile.
"I need to tell him that Evan's having a nap," Chloe said rushing into the hall. The front door burst open and Trent strode in, his arms laden with bags. He froze when he saw Chloe standing at the foot of the stairs, a long finger over her lips.
"Shh... Evan's sleeping," Chloe whispered.
Trent nodded and glanced over toward the parlor. He stepped gingerly over the hard wooden boards, keeping the heels of his boots off the floor. Chloe followed him into the parlor.
Trent laid the bags down on the table next to the window.
Chloe looked questioningly at Trent."What's all this?"
"I went into town. Figured you and Evan could do with some extra things, seeing as how we had to leave so much stuff behind for the moment," Trent explained.
Trent thrust his hand into one of the bags and pulled out a petite blue baby suit. "The clothier in town is a friend of mine. He's always got a supply of baby clothes. Seems like people keep on having babies," Trent said with a smile.
Chloe took the outfit from Trent and examined it. She had to admit it was pretty and the fabric felt so soft in her fingers. She could imagine Evan looking lovely in it. "You shouldn't have, Trent. We've got enough clothes for Evan," she said.
Trent shook his head. "There's no such thing as a baby having enough clothes," he stated.
Chloe grudgingly admitted that Trent's sentiment was probably right. Chloe's heartfelt desire was that Evan would want for nothing. And it appeared that Trent thought the same.
Trent brought out another few outfits, all the same size. He laid them out on the table. Chloe was aware that she and Trent were standing close to each other scrutinizing the baby clothes. It felt somehow right. She looked at Trent. He'd obviously been driving the horses hard. There was a sheen of sweat on his brow, and his dark hair was mussed up, loose locks clinging to his forehead. She had to restrain a sudden urge to shift those locks back into place.
Trent turned to her, his eyes bright and Chloe quickly shifted her attention back to the baby clothes.
"Well. Evan's not short of clothes for now," Chloe admitted. She saw Trent's grin at her remark.
Chloe recalled how she and Lucas had done the very same thing when they had chosen clothes together. The memory of that produced a brief surge of emotion.
Chloe cleared her throat. "What else did you buy?"
Trent drew in a deep breath and looked at Chloe. "Now. Don't be mad at me. But I couldn't buy Evan something and not give any thought to you," he said.
Chloe's mouth opened in surprise. "For me?"
"Yup. My friend helped me pick this out," Trent said. "Said if you don't like it, I can return it."
Chloe raised a hand to her chest, trying to contain a sudden rush of feeling. "You didn't buy something for me, Trent. Say you didn't," Chloe pleaded.
Trent opened the last remaining bag and drew out one of the most beautiful dresses Chloe had ever seen. It was a delicate cotton gown in shimmering green, with decorative ruffles and elegant small buttons. Trent held it out in front of Chloe, the gown unfurling to its' full length.
"Oh, my goodness! Trent. It's beautiful," Chloe exclaimed. "You shouldn't have."
Trent shook his head. "Of course I should have," he responded.
Chloe took the dress in her hands, savoring the softness of the fabric. She briefly checked the fit, holding the dress across the front of her body. Trent's eyes lit up. Chloe felt a thrill of appreciation as he looked at her. It was a look of approval that gave her a brief moment of satisfaction.
"You'll look beautiful in that, Chloe," he said softly.
Chloe was taken aback. He'd called her beautiful!
"You mean the dress is beautiful," Chloe corrected him.
Trent leaned in slightly. "No. I mean you look beautiful," Chloe. His eyes narrowed. "And the dress just adds something to what's already there," Trent said quietly.
Chloe turned quickly away. She didn't want Trent to see the effect of his words on her. She went to the mirror at the far end of the parlor. Looking at her reflection she could see how lovely the dress looked. Whether she was beautiful wasn't for her
to say. But the dress certainly took away some of the sadness that had been in Chloe's eyes for far too long.
Trent came and stood behind her. "See what I mean?"
Chloe smiled. "It's lovely. Trent. Thank you."
Chloe saw the satisfaction on Trent's face.
"Now. I've been thinking," Trent said placing both of his hands on her shoulders. Chloe felt a sudden rush of sensation at his touch. It was the first time she'd felt his hands on her like that. In the mirror she could see that her face had changed color.
"Evan needs his crib. My friend Nathan probably has one I could get my hands on. If you're willing to wait until tomorrow. I can go over to his ranch and get it. What do you think?"
Chloe turned. Trent's hands slid from Chloe's shoulders and she felt an involuntary moment of regret that he was no longer touching her. She quickly composed herself. "That sounds like a good idea. I don't know how long it'll take for Harriet to send Evan's own crib and all the other stuff over. But that should do, until it arrives."
The practical matters of Evan's care took over the moment. Chloe put the dress back in the bag.
"Thank you for all of this, Trent. It was very kind of you," Chloe said.
Trent looked at Chloe, his brows creasing, his gaze intense and sincere. "It's the least I can do, Chloe. You and Evan are going to have everything you both need. I promise you that," he said, his voice suddenly quivering with an emotion that took Chloe by surprise.
She suddenly wondered what other surprises Trent McIntyre had in store for her.
CHAPTER TEN
Mrs. Ross had prepared a special meal, just like Trent had asked her to earlier. He was pleased with the result. Mrs. Ross never let him down. When he led Chloe to the dining room for their wedding evening supper, he was met with a sight of the table filled with plates of soup, platters of chicken, vegetables, fruit. There was even a bottle of wine, but Chloe declined the offer of that because she didn't want to be sleepy in case Evan woke up.
Trent and Chloe settled down for the meal. Mrs. Ross went upstairs to watch Evan. Trent was glad that he and Chloe would have some time together. They had a whole lot of getting to know each other to do. Trent watched Chloe eating. He tried to keep the conversation light and casual. He could see she was still settling in. It would take time. He couldn't imagine how hard it must be for her coming to live on a ranch, especially when she'd set her mind against it while she was married to Lucas.
But she was his wife now.
Once again that thought shocked him. Here he was, on his wedding night, with a woman he barely knew and upstairs was a child he had agreed to bring up and make into a man. It defied belief.
He thought of all his declarations to his friends that he would never marry. But he never would have bet on something like this happening.
Trent glanced over at Chloe. There was no doubt that she was beautiful. He'd always thought she was, even when Lucas was courting her. But he'd never have stepped on another man's parade when he was wooing a lady. He wouldn't want another man doing that to him. Chloe's blonde hair shone in the soft candle light. The color of it caught Trent's attention and his gaze was momentarily transfixed. She looked up just at that moment. Her eyes narrowed slightly when she saw he was looking at her.
She smiled. "What is it?" she asked quietly.
Trent shook his head. "Nothing. I was just wondering if you like Mrs. Ross' cooking," he asked.
She didn't look too convinced by what he said. Had she seen how he'd been looking at her?
"It's real good. I haven't had a meal this nice in a while. Harriet was a good cook, but it was usually simple, plain food," Chloe explained.
"This is really our wedding meal. We didn't get the chance to have a reception, so I guess this is the next best thing," Trent said.
"It's lovely, Trent. Really. It couldn't be nicer," she said. He was certain she was being sincere. There was a calmness about her since he'd returned with the clothes. He was glad she really liked the gown he'd bought for her. Buying clothes for women wasn't something he was used to. He'd been anxious that she would react badly to him buying her things. He'd been pleased that she had accepted it. There was nothing more important to him right now than making sure that Chloe and Evan were happy on the ranch. However he knew that it was going to take time. Trent took a drink of water and frowned. Patience wasn't exactly one of his virtues, and he knew it. But he'd have to do his best. After all, he had given up the life of an unattached ranch owner. It was a huge change for him, and one he was going to need time to get used to.
Toward the end of the meal the conversation shifted to Lucas. It was inevitable that the subject of his friend and her husband would come up on this night of all nights. At first she seemed reluctant and Trent felt like a fool for bringing it up. But after a pause Chloe opened up and started sharing with Trent some of her memories of the brief time she'd been with the father of her baby boy. Trent listened to her account of their struggles to get settled in Helena; Lucas' difficulties getting the kind of work he wanted; how it had taken Chloe a long time to get to understand just how proud and independent Lucas had been; their joy at the birth of their son and how it had brought them even closer together.
Trent's eyes misted up as he listened to the details of their life. He was surprised to even feel a pang of jealousy when he saw how Chloe's eyes lit up every time she spoke about Lucas. The glint in her eye told him that she still loved Lucas, even though he was gone.
How could Trent compete with that? Did he even want to compete with the obvious love and affection that still burned inside Chloe?
Trent busied himself with the plate of fruit, suddenly wishing that the meal could be over.
Chloe asked Trent what his memories were of Lucas.
Trent paused for a while and then spoke: "He was a fine man. The best I've ever known. If he hadn't have been, I never would have given my promise."
Chloe smiled. "He must have trusted you so much to even ask you that," she said.
Trent nodded. "The more I think of it, the more it seems like the greatest honor he could ever have given me," he said.
Chloe lowered her eyes and Trent realized he might have embarrassed her. "And it is an honor," he continued.
Chloe looked up and Trent saw that her eyes were glistening.
Trent felt like reaching out and covering her hand with his own. It was so close and he really wanted her to know how sincere he was being.
"I know we've talked here and back in Helena about this marriage of ours. It sure seems as strange to me as I'm sure it is to you," he said.
"It's not strange at all, Trent," she said softly her eyes fixing on his. "It's what Lucas wanted. I intend to respect that as much as I can," she concluded.
Trent felt something shift inside him when she said that. He was briefly lost for words. What did she mean, respect? Did she mean what he thought she meant. This was their wedding night after all.
"And so do I," Trent said awkwardly. "However if you need time to get used to life here, you just ask me, and I'll do whatever I can to make things easy for you and Evan. That's what I'm here for."
Chloe nodded imperceptibly. He hoped she believed him.
"I know it's going to take a while for you to get used to things here. And to get used to the idea of being my wife," he continued.
Trent saw that his use of the word had affected Chloe. Was that a hint of a smile there on her face? Trent drew in a deep breath. He wasn't sure where this conversation was leading but wherever it was going he wasn't entirely sure he liked it. But he had to make this declaration to her. It was crucial to Trent that Chloe understand what this marriage meant to him. He needed her to know that he was serious about the responsibilities and obligations he'd taken on.
"What I really mean is this," he said leaning closer toward Chloe. She gazed at him, waiting expectantly for what he was about to tell her.
"You and Evan were the most important people in Lucas' life," Trent continued. "Fo
r that reason I will give you this promise. I will devote myself to ensuring that you both are safe and happy. Evan will have everything he needs to grow up to be a strong, healthy boy and eventually a man his father would have been proud of."
Chloe eyes misted and Trent felt a lump in his throat. He'd gone and ruined a perfectly good dinner by opening his big mouth. But the thing had to be said. And he'd said it.
Chloe suddenly reached out and grasped Trent's hand. The touch of his wife's hand sent a pleasant shock throughout Trent. He felt a tingle up his spine. Chloe's hands were soft and tender. In spite of himself he liked the feel of her gentle touch.
Trent looked into Chloe's eyes and saw an expression there that he couldn't quite describe. He could see that his words had affected her.
"Thank you for saying that, Trent," she said softly. Her voice had never sounded more sweet to Trent than in that moment.
Trent cleared his throat and paused. He felt an impulse to lean in closer to her, searching out her tender lips. But somehow it didn't feel quite right, not even on their wedding night. An unsettling sensation quivered inside him.
Trent leaned back and slid his hand away from Chloe's soft touch. Chloe's eyes narrowed.
"I think we should check on Evan. It's getting late," he said.
Chloe frowned. "Mrs. Ross would tell us if there was a problem," she said.
Trent pushed his plate away and stood up. "She's too polite to interrupt us. Maybe best to have a look."
Trent moved around the table and paused. "I...uh...need to check the horses are settled," he explained. "I'll be back in a while," he muttered.
Trent's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides series) Page 5