What was he saying? Suddenly stepping out on the yard and going to the barn seemed like the only thing he wanted to do.
Trent glanced down at Chloe and saw the look of consternation on her face. Something clutched at his chest when he saw that expression, but it was already too late. The damage had been done and he needed to get outside before he made things any worse.
Chloe stood. Trent bowed his head slightly and, as fast as he could, and with as much dignity as he could muster, he walked out leaving Chloe alone in the dining room.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
What had possessed Trent to leave like that? Chloe walked gingerly up the stairs not wishing to make any noise which might carry to Evan's bedroom. Trent was somewhere outside. She'd debated following him out there and demanding an answer as to why he'd stormed out like that. But she figured it might be best to leave him alone for now.
It was going to be as hard for Trent to adjust to life with her as it was going to be for Chloe to get used to her new life on the ranch. And this was a wedding night. Perhaps reaching out and touching his hand had disturbed him. Certainly the color of his face had changed as she'd done it. But she'd wanted him to know just how much she'd appreciated his words. It couldn't have been easy saying those things. Especially for a man who'd only just married; someone used to a life of no ties and obligations; a rancher she realized she hardly knew.
Chloe paused at the top of the stairs.
Silence.
Evan was still asleep. Chloe realized she felt tired herself. Evan's sleeping pattern was still chaotic. But Chloe was getting used to being up at all hours. Now that she had the help of Mrs. Ross maybe things might get a little easier. She recalled how hard the days and nights had been immediately after Lucas' passing. She'd spent long hours alone above the mercantile. Harriet had been good to her and Evan. But it had been hard.
Now she was in a new place, and already she was beginning to get the sense that things might be better for her and Evan here.
Chloe stepped up to the door and peered into the room. Mrs. Ross was seated close to the bed. Evan's little form was covered in loose blankets. He looked tiny on the wide, expansive bed. No chance he'd roll over and fall off that, she thought. The sound of his breathing made Chloe's heart soften with love.
Mrs. Ross turned and saw Chloe. The housekeeper tiptoed to the door and stepped out into the corridor.
Mrs. Ross frowned slightly. "What are you doing here?" she whispered.
Chloe glanced at Evan and then at Mrs. Ross. "Trent had to go outside for a while," she explained.
Mrs. Ross pursed her lips. She pushed the door to Evan's room open a little and gestured with her head. "Let's go down to the kitchen," she said.
"But Evan?" Chloe objected.
"He'll be fine," Mrs. Ross murmured. "Come. I'll make us some coffee," she said.
Chloe followed Mrs. Ross down to the kitchen.
"Can I help you clean up," Chloe offered.
Mrs. Ross rolled her eyes. "You are joking, aren't you?"
Chloe sat down at the table and sighed. "The meal was lovely, by the way," she said to Mrs. Ross who nodded appreciatively.
Mrs. Ross prepared the coffee and sat down next to Chloe.
"I don't know why Trent left like he did," Chloe said.
Mrs. Ross sipped her coffee. "Drink some of that coffee," she ordered Chloe.
Chloe took a sip of the warm liquid. "That's nice," she commented.
Mrs. Ross sighed. "If you ask me, Trent's probably a bit frightened," she said.
Chloe stared at the housekeeper. "Frightened? Of what?"
"Of marriage, I guess," she said. Seeing Chloe's reaction she reached out a reassuring hand. "Not of you, Chloe. No-one could be frightened of you. Or of Evan. You're both sweet. It's probably the whole idea of being a husband which is getting to him," Mrs. Ross said.
Chloe thought of the look on Trent's face after he'd made his declaration of intent to take care of her and Evan. Maybe in that moment he'd realized the seriousness of what he'd taken on. Maybe it had gotten to him somehow.
"You see, Chloe. Trent's been living the life of a single man these past few years. And enjoying it if what I hear is true," Mrs. Ross said.
Chloe felt her face color at Mrs. Ross' description of Trent's former life. Because that's what it was. A previous life which he had decided to give up in order to honor a promise.
"He used to spend a lot of time in town. I know he's your husband now. So don't take what I have to say wrong now. But he did have a reputation with the ladies. He's a handsome man. As I'm sure you already noticed," Mrs. Ross said.
Chloe nodded. Trent was indeed a good looking man. She'd thought so when they'd first met, back when Lucas had been courting Chloe. She remembered being struck by Trent's pleasing features, especially when he'd made such efforts to be courteous and nice to her. Trent, Lucas and Chloe had been close, but she'd always felt that Trent had been holding something back. Lucas had told Chloe that Trent was used to having some wild times in the town, particularly after days of hard work on the ranch. Lucas had told her of times when Trent had taken the ranch hands into town and they'd had a wild old time, with Trent playing a full part in all the proceedings.
"He's had some dalliances, if I could describe them like that," Mrs. Ross said interrupting her thoughts.
"Dalliances?" Chloe asked. "Was he ever sweet on anyone?"
Mrs. Ross shook her head. "No-one. Trent always said the last thing he wanted was to be married," she said.
Chloe felt something clutch at her stomach. "He said that?"
Mrs. Ross nodded and sipped her coffee.
"So marrying me must have been real hard for him," Chloe said.
Mrs. Ross squeezed Chloe's hand. "Marrying someone as beautiful as you couldn't have been hard for Trent. He's all talk. I always knew that. I've seen the way he looks at you," Mrs. Ross stated firmly.
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked.
Mrs. Ross gazed deep into Chloe's eyes "You mean you haven't noticed?"
Chloe frowned. "No. I haven't. I mean, he's been very nice to me. And he couldn't have been more kind to Evan. But I don't know what you mean."
Mrs. Ross' mouth creased disbelievingly. "I think you do, Chloe."
Chloe felt the color drain from her face. What did Mrs. Ross mean? Chloe had never felt that Trent was paying her any kind of special attention in the short time they'd known each other.
"But we hardly know each other," Chloe responded.
"Looks like you both have plenty of time to put that right," Mrs Ross observed.
"Mrs. Ross. You know that this is a marriage of convenience, don't you," Chloe said.
"I've heard of those. Seems like most of the ones I hear about end up like proper marriages. In every detail, if you know what I mean," she said with a mischievous smile.
Chloe raised a hand to her throat which had suddenly become tight.
"Take some more coffee," Mrs. Ross advised her. Chloe complied.
"But we have an agreement. Trent made a promise to Lucas."
"And that's a mighty fine thing Trent is doing. He should be congratulated for honoring his word to your dear departed husband," Mrs. Ross said.
"It is a fine thing he is doing for me and Evan. Isn't it Mrs. Ross?"
"It surely is. But you have to accept that you and Trent are man and wife now. You'll never forget your first husband. He'll always live in your heart. And that's only right and proper. But you need to think of yourself and Evan. The future for you both."
Chloe nodded. Mrs. Ross was right. She'd never lose Lucas from her heart. Every day she would think of him; recall the good times, the love, the kindness. But she had to consider Evan's future. He was the most important person in her life now.
If that meant that she'd have to accept Trent as her husband and trust that in time they would get accustomed to each other, then that was how it would have to be.
Chloe heard the patter of heavy rain drops against
the kitchen window.
Mrs. Ross sighed. "Trent's going to get soaked if he's outside," she said.
"Did he take a coat?"
Mrs. Ross smiled and shook her head. "One thing you'll learn about ranch life is that you have to take the rough with the smooth. The men who work here are a hard bunch. A little rain might concern town folk, but these men are made of sterner stuff," she said.
There was a distant rumble of thunder.
"I must go to Evan," Chloe stated firmly, standing up.
"Is he frightened of the thunder?" Mrs. Ross asked concern on her face.
Chloe nodded. "Once in Helena there was a bad storm. He didn't take to the sound of thunder," she said.
Chloe headed up the stairs as fast as she could. Inside Evan's room she saw that he had indeed noticed the sound of thunder. He'd shifted his position in the bed and was beginning to make small noises of discontent.
Chloe lifted Evan up and drew him close to her. "There, there, Evan. It's alright. There's nothing to bother about. Just some pesky rain. Mama's here."
Evan gurgled, his eyes still half closed with the remnants of sleep.
Chloe glanced out the window. The rain was getting heavier now. Where was Trent? What was he doing out in that? Maybe Mrs. Ross was right. Perhaps for Trent this was nothing, merely a passing shower. Maybe he'd be in the stable with the horses. She hoped he was safe, out of the storm. Chloe didn't want him coming back inside soaked to the bone. The last thing she wanted was a husband getting sick.
Especially on their wedding night.
She drew Evan tighter against her shoulder.
This was their wedding night.
What a strange thing a marriage of convenience was. This night, of all nights, would normally be a time of closeness, intimacy, even passion. But not with a marriage in name only. For that was what it was. That thought made something tug at Chloe's heart. Was that sadness? Regret?
Evan coughed slightly and Chloe patted his back, rocking him gently.
Chloe looked out at the dark and the rain and wondered how it could be that, on this night of all nights, she was here, alone in a room with her son, while her husband was somewhere outside.
Later when she lay in her own bed, listening to the distant sound of the rain and Evan's soft breathing, she heard Trent coming back into the house and make his way up the stairs.
And when he walked past her slightly open door she was sure that she heard his footsteps pause for a long moment, before eventually heading down the corridor, all the way to his own bedroom.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Trent awoke and squinted at the bright early morning sunshine coming in through the bedroom window. He stretched out an arm across the wide bed. There was no-one next to him and the memory of the previous night suddenly filled his thoughts.
How could he have been so stupid? Storming out like that. Leaving Chloe all alone on that night of all nights. But the impulse to leave the dining room had been overwhelming. He'd realized that they might be married but they were still strangers. And that thought alone had driven him out, lest he make a complete fool of himself. Chloe wasn't like other women. She was so special. He'd always known that, ever since Lucas had first introduced her to Trent.
Last night he'd felt that special quality in her even more keenly than ever before. The way she'd reacted to his clear statement of intent had shaken him. She'd welcomed those words in a way that had taken him by surprise.
Chloe had been Lucas' wife. Now she was Trent's!
It wouldn't have felt right and the only way he'd known to deal with the feelings warring inside him had been to get outside, be anywhere except near Chloe.
He'd gone to the stable and tried to busy himself ensuring the horses were settled. Trent knew enough about Montana weather to know that there had been rain coming. And he'd been right. The downpour had been heavy and the roaring sound of it thundering on the roof of the stable had matched the feeling in his heart.
When he'd finally summoned up the courage to come back into the house he'd been relieved to find that Chloe and Evan were fast asleep. It had made things so much easier. But it had taken him a long time to fall asleep.
The house was quiet. Trent was always the first to get up in the morning, although Mrs. Ross usually ran him a close second. He'd always liked to start his day fresh, with no-one else around. It helped to keep his mind clear, making it easier to prepare for the day to come.
He got dressed and made his way down the corridor. Peeking into Chloe's room he saw that it was empty. Her bed showed signs of having been slept in. A tinge of regret gnawed at him at the sight of that.
Across the hallway the door to Evan's room was open. His room was empty too. Trent heard faint sounds from downstairs. The sound of laughing. Evan giggling and the voices of Chloe and Mrs. Ross.
He made his way downstairs quickly. He strode hesitantly into the kitchen. Chloe was seated at the kitchen table bouncing Evan on her lap. The little boy's eyes were wide with excitement and his bright smile involuntarily drew a similar one from Trent. Chloe turned and looked at Trent.
"Good morning," he said quietly.
"Good morning," Chloe responded with a slight smile. She continued to bob Evan up and down. Mrs. Ross was cleaning some plates. She didn't turn, merely uttering a cursory greeting. Trent knew that sound and it usually meant trouble.
Trent went to Evan and squatted down, reaching eye level. "Hey Evan. How are you this morning?" he asked, poking a finger toward the little guy. He was so darned cute. It was a great way to start a day, thought Trent.
Evan's eyes fixed on Trent's face and gave him a huge smile.
"That's as much as your going to get from Evan, I think," Chloe said continuing to bounce her son on her knee.
Trent stood up. "That smile will keep me going for the rest of the day," he said.
Chloe nodded to him. "There's some breakfast left. I haven't eaten it all," she said.
Trent noticed there was an edge to Chloe's tone.
He helped himself to the food, noticing that Mrs. Ross wasn't making any eye contact.
"You're all up early," Trent said after he'd taken his place at the table, and was tucking into his breakfast.
Chloe set Evan down on her knee. "Evan was up early. We didn't want to wake you."
Mrs.Ross turned. "You planning to be busy today, Trent? Or are you going to spend any time with your family?" she asked.
Trent kept his head down. The food on the plate was suddenly real interesting.
"I figured I could take Chloe on a tour of the ranch," he said, his mouth full of food.
Chloe frowned. "I don't want to leave Evan. In any case I saw most of the ranch yesterday when we arrived. There can't be much more to see," she said.
Trent's eyes narrowed. "Can't be much more to see? Why there's whole areas of the spread that I'd like you to see," he insisted. "You can bring Evan," he said.
"How can she do that?" Mrs. Ross asked. "The ranch isn't a safe place to be carrying a baby around." Mrs. Ross rolled her eyes. "Trent! What are you thinking. Evan's just a baby."
Trent frowned and nodded. "I guess you're right. Now that you mention it, we've never had a baby on the ranch."
"That much is obvious,"Mrs. Ross said with a shrug.
Trent gave her a sharp look but he could tell she'd just ignored him entirely.
Chloe looked at Trent. "I know you've probably got a whole lot of work to do. You've been away from the ranch. There's bound to be catching up to do. I understand," she said.
Trent swallowed and peered into Chloe's eyes. How could she look so good so early in the morning. Especially after being up with Evan. Her fine features looked so pleasing to the eye at this time. He'd never have thought that the simple act of sharing a breakfast could be so satisfying.
"You're sure you don't mind?"
Chloe nodded. "I'm sure. Evan's going to keep me busy. And I can have a look around the ranch house. Get an idea of what it's like, for myse
lf," she explained.
Trent looked at Mrs. Ross. No reaction there.
"Okay. I'll go to work. But on one condition. When I come back around lunchtime I get to spend some time with you and Evan. If he's awake," he said with a smile.
Chloe laughed. "I can't guarantee that," she said.
Trent spent a bit longer finishing up his food and guzzling down his coffee. All of a sudden the day seemed more exciting. He was looking forward to a hard day's work. There was plenty to do and the men would know that their boss would be eager to make up for the time he'd been away.
Trent stood and came around the table. He squatted down and looked at Evan. "Gotta go to work, Evan. But I'll see you later. You be good to your mama," Trent said ruffling the little boy's hair.
Trent looked into Chloe's eyes. She looked like she was trying to shift her gaze away from him, but he could see she wasn't doing a convincing job of it.
"I'll see you at lunchtime, Chloe," he said quietly.
Her eyes widened. "Okay. Don't work too hard," she said.
Trent leaned in and kissed Chloe on the forehead. Her skin was soft and the scent of her hair filled his nostrils. He drew in a breath and let his lips remain on her skin for the briefest of moments.
Then he leaned back and looked into Chloe's eyes. She glanced at him and then fixed her attention back on Evan.
Trent glanced at Mrs. Ross who was frowning at him. "I'm sure you can come up with some good ideas for a special lunch, Mrs. Ross," he said.
Mrs. Ross folded her arms across her chest. "Maybe I can," she answered back, sounding none too pleased.
Trent knew he had to make a speedy exit.
With a flourish of his hand he grabbed his hat, leaving his wife and step-son behind, and headed out for a hard day's work on his ranch.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A few hours later, Trent just about made it home in time to have a delicious lunch with Chloe. As a reward for arriving on time he got a look and raised eyebrow from Mrs. Ross. He was going to have to get used to the idea of coming home from work and sitting down to eat with his wife. He figured it wasn't going to be too difficult to get accustomed to that.
Trent's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides series) Page 6