The Cowboy's Spring Romance

by Shanna Hatfield

  They enjoyed a delicious meal and even indulged in a decadent chocolate dessert before deciding they had better get on the road. They still had a long drive ahead of them to get home.

  At the door, Trent realized all Lindsay had on to ward off the cold was her thin shawl and her sleeveless silk dress.

  “Wait here a minute,” he said, running outside. Starting his pickup, he let it warm up briefly then drove it up to the door. Coming back in to get her, Trent slipped his sports coat around her shoulders. When his hands brushed her neck, pulling her hair out of the coat, Lindsay wasn’t sure she could count on her legs to function normally and carry her out to the pickup. She was grateful to feel Trent’s big hand on her elbow, guiding her outside.

  Helping her in the passenger side, he played well the role of gentleman as she slid in with her tight skirt. Waiting until she was fastened in, he closed her door and hurried around to the driver’s side.

  They talked about dinner and the magnificent view from the restaurant as they started toward home.

  Growing quiet, they both got lost in their own thoughts. Trent couldn’t remember when he’d ever enjoyed a date with a girl more than he did today, despite the mishap skiing. Lindsay was lovely, exciting, smart, and kept him on his toes. He hoped she had enough fun today to agree to a second date. He had no idea how he would top today, but he was going to work hard to try.

  Lindsay fought to keep her eyes open. She had never enjoyed a day with a man more than she had today with Trent. He was fun and thoughtful, honest and caring, not to mention incredibly handsome. As she sat back wrapped in the warmth of his coat, she inhaled his unique scent and felt it seep into her being. She drifted to sleep, dreaming of Trent’s arms wrapped around her as closely as she had the arms of his coat.

  Trent watched Lindsay’s eyes drift close and her head tilt until it rested against the cool side window. He wanted more than anything in that moment to pull her close and cradle her to his side. That would be quite a distraction to his driving, not to mention a threat to his self-control. So he let her be, hoping she wouldn’t wake up with a cramped neck and turned his attention back to the dark road ahead.

  Lindsay was still asleep when he pulled up in front of her house and turned off the pickup. He carefully opened her door, but she still didn’t rouse. Hoping the cold air would revive her, Trent grabbed her skis, poles and bags, carrying them to the front door then returned for Lindsay. He gave her a gentle shake but she still dozed.

  Smiling to know she was a deep sleeper, he unbuckled her seatbelt and slid his arms around her. Picking her up, he was surprised how light she was, considering her height, and relished how wonderful she felt in his arms. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled her scent and felt longing pour through him with a heated rush.

  Lindsay’s head rested against his shoulder as he carried her up the steps. Without her key to open the door, this was as far as they could go.

  “Lindsay,” Trent said, hoping to see some stirring of life in her face. He kissed the top of her head, then her cheek. “Hey, Princess, time to wake up so we can get you inside.”

  Her response was to snuggle closer and put her arms around his neck.

  Trent didn’t know how much of that he could handle before he did something he shouldn’t, like kiss her with all the intensity and desire that was about to get the best of him.

  Easing her to her feet, he grasped her arms and gave her another gentle shake. “Lindsay, time to wake up.”

  Slowly, she half opened her eyes and looked at him with a hooded expression and a beguiling smile that made his insides clench and teeth grind. If she was awake and cognizant of what she was doing, it would be one thing, but Trent knew she had no clue how enticing she looked.

  “Trent, you’re amazing,” she said, not quite awake as she leaned against him, rubbing her hand on his chest.

  Before she could say anything else, Trent yanked his coat off her shoulders, knowing the cold would bring her fully awake.

  “Oh!” she gasped, both eyes popping wide open and taking a step back. She could feel her cheeks heat as she wondered what she had said or done to put the edgy look on Trent’s face.

  “You’re a hard woman to wake up,” Trent said, his face softening as she dug in her purse for her keys. Pulling out the ring, she quickly stabbed the door key into the lock and opened it.

  Trent picked up her bags and followed her inside, setting them down near the couch.

  Lindsay flicked on a couple of lights and turned to Trent, who stood by the door.

  “I had a wonderful time with you today,” Trent said, keeping his hands shoved in his pockets. “Thank you for going with me.”

  “I don’t know when I’ve had a better day,” Lindsay said honestly, trying to clear her dream of Trent from her mind. She had no idea how she got from the pickup to her door, but she had dreamed he picked her up and carried her. She realized that was ridiculous. No one had picked her up since she was eleven and had that horrendous growth spurt that resulted in her being taller than most of her teachers, let alone the boys at school. Lindsay also dreamed he called her Princess. She was about as far from a princess as you could get, so she chalked that up to her fantasy as well.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Trent said, still standing by the door. He was afraid if he took one step in her direction, his carefully held together composure would explode and he’d frighten her off with the passionate kisses he longed to give her. “Maybe we can do something together this coming week.”

  “I’d like that very much,” Lindsay said, suddenly feeling shy. “I appreciate you offering your apologies and the opportunity to start a new friendship. I’m really glad you did.”

  “Me, too.” Trent needed to leave now. If he didn’t, he didn’t think he could be held responsible for anything he might do. “Well, goodnight then.”

  Lindsay couldn’t believe after the wonderful day they had, he wasn’t even going to kiss her goodnight. Taking a step toward him, she put a hand on his arm and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for a very special day.”

  “No, thank you,” Trent said, pecking her cheek in return and hurrying out the door.

  He nearly ran down the porch steps to his pickup then hurried out of her driveway.

  Lindsay was worried now about what she might have said while she was asleep. She knew she shouldn’t have drifted off. She had a terrible habit of talking in her sleep, one that had plagued her since her early teen years. She certainly hoped whatever it was wouldn’t keep Trent from asking her out again.

  If someone told her a week ago she’d be standing here disappointed because Trent failed to kiss her after the most romantic date she’d ever had, she would have told them they were deranged.

  Now, she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than the touch of his lips to hers.

  Chapter Seven

  I don't understand why Cupid

  was chosen to represent Valentine's Day.

  When I think about romance,

  the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler

  coming at me with a weapon.

  Author Unknown

  “Thompson Ranch,” a gravelly voice said in Lindsay’s ear. She wasn’t sure if it was Travis or Trent.

  “May I please speak with Trent?” she asked politely, nearing panic.

  She hadn’t seen or spoken to Trent since their date Saturday night. He sent her a text message that Denni asked him and Travis to come to The Dalles Sunday and he wouldn’t be at church that morning.

  Monday morning, Trent dropped Cass off at school, but didn’t have time to run inside to the classroom and Travis picked her up at noon.

  Now, here it was Valentine’s Day and Lindsay was about fit-to-be-tied. Not only by the fact that she had hoped Trent would ask her out for a date tonight, but also because the two parents who were supposed to help with her class’ Valentine’s party called in sick yesterday.

  After trying every parent and getting no helpful response th
e night before, Lindsay resolved to call Trent first thing to see if he would be willing to help. She supposed Travis would be fine, but Trent seemed more comfortable around kids than Travis. If he said no, she was going to be on her own for the party.

  “This is Trent,” the raspy voice replied.

  “Trent, it’s Lindsay,” she said. “I was hoping you might be willing to help me out of a jam.”

  She heard him clear his throat. She could picture him sitting up in bed, rubbing his eyes and running a hand along his stubbly cheek. His hair would stand on end and his chest would be bare. For some reason, that particular vision made her stomach flutter and her insides warm.

  “Hey, Lindsay,” Trent said, sounding much more awake. It wasn’t yet six in the morning and he put in a really long day yesterday. It was a good thing the phone rang, or he might have slept right through his alarm. Some of their cows started calving and they had trouble with three of the new mamas yesterday that required pulling two calves and having the vet come out for the third delivery. “What can I do for you?”

  “I apologize for calling so early, but I’m slightly desperate. I’m sure Cass told you we’re having a Valentine’s party in the classroom this morning. Two of the parents who were supposed to help called me last night to say they couldn’t make it, and I can’t find anyone willing to assist with the kids. It would just be for an hour this morning. I can pull together snacks and games, but I do need some help keeping things moving along and the kids from getting too excited and out of hand.

  “Are you sure I’m capable of tackling the job?” He wasn’t entirely certain he could handle a classroom full of youngsters high on sugar and excitement. Most of the time, it was all he could do to keep tabs on Cass.

  “I think you’ll be fine. Do you have time? Can you help me? It would be from eleven to noon. We have early release today in all the grades.”

  Trent rubbed his hand along his jaw, convinced he was about to lose every last speck of his common sense. “Sure, I can be there. Do you need me to bring anything?”

  “No. I’ll have everything ready if you can just be here to help keep them contained.”

  He laughed. “No problem. I’ll be there at eleven.”

  “See you then,” Lindsay said. “Thanks so much, Trent. I really appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you later.”

  “Oh, and Trent?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for Saturday. It was amazing and I had a wonderful time.” Lindsay would say yes in a heartbeat if Trent got around to asking her out again.

  “I had a great time, too.” Trent plunged ahead before he lost his nerve. “If you don’t have plans today maybe we could do something after school gets out.”

  “I’d like that. Thanks again and see you later.” She disconnected the call. After pumping her fist in the air, she jumped to her feet and did a little victory dance in her kitchen.

  She not only had someone to help with the party, she had another date with Trent!

  ><><

  “Are you completely insane?” Travis asked when Trent told him he was helping with the party at school. “They are going to eat you alive.”

  “They can’t be that bad. We do okay with Cass.” Trent poured coffee into their mugs.

  “That’s because she’s family, we love her, and she has to mind us.” Travis shook his head. “I don’t know how you managed to get yourself roped into this.”

  “Well, it was Lindsay doing the asking,” Trent grinned. Travis should understand he couldn’t say no, even if he wanted to. “Besides, she said yes to a date after school. Can you please watch Cass?”

  Travis rolled his eyes and sighed. “What about the calving? We’re a little tied up with it right now, you know.”

  “I know, but can’t you please give me a few hours today with Lindsay. You can take Cass with you to ride the herd. You know she loves being outside on the horses.”

  “She does great, but the constant chatter wears me out.” Travis slumped down onto a barstool. “Maybe I can take her before she settles down for her nap and lull her to sleep on Dodger.”

  Trent laughed. “Fine, just don’t let her fall off.”

  Travis sent him a glare that said he was smarter than that. Slowly stirring his coffee to cool it down, Travis gave some thought to Trent’s date.

  “What are you going to do to wow Miss Lindsay with today’s date?”

  “I don’t know.” Trent poured cereal into a bowl and added milk. “Any suggestions?”

  “I think you should figure this one out yourself.” Travis drank his coffee. “Just remember, it is Valentine’s Day. Women set their expectations pretty high. You sure you’re up to the challenge?”

  “Not at all.” The realization he had nothing planned brought Trent up short. He better start making some plans or Lindsay would be sadly disappointed.

  “Maybe you could dress up like Cupid when you go to the classroom. That would really impress her, I’m sure,” Travis teased.

  “Just be quiet if you can’t be helpful.” Trent buttered toast when it popped out of the toaster. “I’ll think of something.”

  “Well, according to my watch, you’ve got approximately three hours and twenty-six minutes to come up with some romantic scheme to sweep her off her feet.”

  Instead of responding, Trent went to Cass’ room to see if she was up and dressed.

  Travis agreed to drop her off at school while Trent worked on his ideas for a romantic date, despite the fact that he was quickly running out of time. Instead of working on plans to make Lindsay swoon at his feet, he ended up helping with the calving all morning.

  At ten-thirty, he hustled back to the house, took a shower and shaved, then hurried to make it to school before eleven.

  Trent hoped Lindsay would understand things were busy on the ranch and forgive him for his last minute invitation to spend time together. He should have given some thought to their next date, but honestly didn’t think she would agree to go out with him again so soon. It was probably just because it was Valentine’s Day. Most females were caught up in all the hullabaloo of the holiday. That was why Trent purposely avoided dates around Valentine’s Day – too many expectations that he had no intention of meeting. Until now. Until Lindsay.

  Wishing for some fabulous idea to reveal itself, he realized he still had absolutely nothing planned. As a last ditch effort, he could take her to The Dalles for dinner and a movie.

  Quietly walking into the classroom, the kids worked to finish an assignment. Trent leaned against the back wall by the coat closet and waited. Lindsay looked up from her computer and noticed him, her eyes lighting with pleasure.

  She rose from her desk and walked to the back of the room. When she stopped next to him, she took his hand and held it between both of hers. Trent thought she looked beautiful in a deep red sweater with black slacks and her hair pulled into a loose bun at the back of her head.

  “Thanks again for helping me out,” she whispered, leaning toward him.

  If they hadn’t been standing with twenty pairs of little eyeballs staring at them, Trent might have given in to his desire to take Lindsay in his arms and kiss her until she melted against him. Instead, he smiled and inclined his head toward the students.

  “Shall we get this party started?” A cheer went up from the kids and chaos broke out as assignments were shoved into their desks and they looked at Lindsay expectantly.

  The parents who were supposed to help with the party also signed up to bring the treats. Lindsay ran by the little grocery store on her way to school where she bought red punch, packages of heart-shaped sugar cookies, cups and napkins, as well as bags of wrapped Valentine candy. It would have to do.

  She kept a few games in a storage tub in the closet at school and decided the kids could play pin the tail on the donkey along with a candy relay game. All the students decorated Valentine envelopes and had them taped to their desks. The children would exchange cards at the party
, then she’d let them have their treats before sending them home for the day.

  “Everyone come stand back here by the closet for a moment,” Lindsay directed. When the students were out of the way, Trent helped her shove the desks against two walls, leaving a wide-open space in the center of the room. She had the kids split into two teams, with the “ones” on a team and the “twos” on the other. She would cheer for one side, Trent the other.

  She brought out two pairs of mittens and bags of candy. She had the first student from each team put on the mittens, then explained they had to unwrap a piece of candy wearing the mittens and put it in their mouth, before passing the mittens to the next student, who repeated the process. The first team to eat all their candy would win.

  When she said, “Go!” the first two students enthusiastically fumbled at the candy wrapper and got the candy in their mouth. The race was on.

  Trent cheered his little teammates, offering encouragement and words of praise for their efforts. Cass, who was on Lindsay’s team, wasn’t sure she liked her uncle cheering for the competition, especially when she had a hard time getting the wrapper off her candy.

  In the end, Trent’s team barely won, but he clapped and high-fived every tiny little hand that waved in the air.

  “Great job, Team Two! Way to show ‘em how it’s done,” he said, looking at the kids proudly. “Good effort on your part, Miss Pierce.” Trent gave her a warm smile.

  Lindsay was quite taken aback by how good he was around the kids. He would make a great dad someday. Before her thoughts went traipsing down that avenue, she pulled them back and got the kids ready to play pin the tail on the donkey. She had two sets of the game, so she put up two boards and left the kids in their teams to play.

  Trent found himself surrounded by candy-sticky hands and one wild, chubby little cherub who kept trying to pin the tail on him. Good thing he was so tall or he could have really been in trouble.

  As Lindsay watched him escape being pinned for the third time, she couldn’t keep from laughing. At least Trent was a good sport about the whole thing.