Becca stood. “Come on, Jake, get your hat, and coat off.”
Jake frowned. He hadn’t realized he still had them on. Nodding, Jake stood to remove them. After hanging up his coat and hat, he took Hattie from Becca and carried her to the living room. He dreaded making that call to his brothers.
****
“How are things in Montana, Delaney?” her mother asked when she picked up the phone.
Lanie smiled. “Wonderful. It’s snowing now. It looks like I won’t be working for a few days.”
“I know that upsets you. I don’t know anyone who loves going to work as much as you do.”
“I love working with the horses. I have a great boss. Jake and his wife Becca are great.”
Arlene Gates laughed. “I’m happy to hear that you love your job, but we do miss you.”
“I know, Mom. I miss you both too. You should come for a visit. Get Dad out of the house.”
“It would be nice to see you.”
“How about Thanksgiving? You know, Aunt Connie has a big dinner at the diner for people who don’t want to do any cooking and for those who will be alone. She’d love to have you and Dad come.”
“It does sound like a good idea. I’ll talk to your father and give Connie a call. I’d like to help her prepare for it.”
Lanie laughed. “She told me that she fixes ten huge turkeys and all the fixings.”
“I haven’t seen my sister in over a year. I miss her,” Arlene’s voice caught.
“Then make plans, Mom. I haven’t seen you and Dad in six months. I miss you both so much.”
“We’re going to do it. I’ll tell your father and let you know when we can get there.”
“Fantastic! I’ll tell Aunt Connie. You can stay here or with her. This house may be small, but it has two bedrooms.”
They continued to talk for a while then finally hung up. Lanie smiled as she thought of her parents coming for a holiday. She laughed thinking of her mother telling her father they were coming here. No doubt, her mother would say to him he either went with her, or she’d go alone, and her father hated being on his own for too long. When Lanie and her mother would visit, Maury Gates called every day, sometimes several times a day. It would be great to see them. Lanie missed them both so much, and they were always there for her. They were there when Brett had broken her heart, and they’d supported her when she wanted to move to Montana. They hadn’t been thrilled about it, but they also knew it was what she needed.
It still hurt what Brett and Melody had done to her. She wondered how long it had been going on before Brett grew a pair and told her. Melody had called her when Brett moved out of the apartment, he’d shared with Lanie, but Lanie refused to speak to her. Why was it always the best friend? She’d trusted Melody and never suspected a thing until Brett started to seem distant. He made excuses for not touching her. Too tired. Too much to do on a work project. Then came the late nights at the office and her gut told her something was wrong. The day he sat her down and said he didn’t love her anymore was one of the worst days of her life, and when she found out he was in love with Melody, she almost punched him. She’d never wanted to hit someone before, but she had to clench her hands to keep from doing some severe damage to his face. She’d refused to cry in front of him and told him to leave. Once he did, she cried for days then moved out of the apartment and back in with her parents. Lanie had always been close to her aunt, Connie. They kept in touch through emails and the occasional phone call. Connie told her to come and stay with her for a while, and Lanie knew it was what she wanted to do because she wanted to get as far away from Brett and Melody that she could. That had been May, and within a week, she knew she was going to stay in Clifton. The only problem had been finding a job, but one day when she was in the diner, Jake Stone came in and Connie introduced them, telling Jake that Lanie was a champion barrel racer. Jake offered her a job as a trainer right then. He said he would do it, but it took time away from his training reining horses. Lanie had been so excited that she took the job.
When she decided to stay, Connie and her husband, Owen, offered Lanie the little house they’d moved to after wanting to get out of the small apartment above the diner but recently had a new home built. She did and had no regrets. She’d always loved Montana, and Clifton was a great little town. The towns on each side of it were just as appealing. Lanie would travel into Hartland or Spring City to go through the shops there. Thanks to Becca Stone’s B and B, along with the Bur Oak Guest ranch in Spring City, all three towns did great in the spring and summer months. But when winter arrived, all of them slowed down to a crawl.
Lanie had always loved the snow and wanted to experience a white Christmas, and she hoped that Montana wouldn’t let her down as she experienced her first time living in the state. Aunt Connie would send her pictures of the little town during the holiday and Lanie would get tears in her eyes looking at the area blanketed by snow and all the decorations lining the streets. She was keeping her fingers crossed for it to happen this year. The only thing was spending the holiday alone. Oh, she knew she would go to Aunt Connie and Uncle Owen’s place, and her parents would make it, but she had no one special in her life anymore. But she would get a tree and decorate it.
“Seriously, Lanie? Thanksgiving isn’t here yet, and you’ve already got the house decorated.”
She remembered that Jake and Becca had their tree up already, and she’d been sure it was because of the kids, but Jake told her it was all Becca’s doing. Smiling, she decided to take a hot bath and relax then she’d do some reading and head to bed. If the roads were clear tomorrow, she’d go to work. With that in mind, Lanie headed for the bathroom.
Chapter Three
The sun shining through the French doors woke Trent. Sitting up, he swung his legs over the side, rubbed his eyes, and realized he’d fallen asleep on the sofa.
“Damn it,” he muttered as he pushed to his feet and stretched. His back ached a little from sleeping there. He shoved his hands against his lower back and arched backward to try to get the kinks out.
Striding into the small kitchen, he started a pot of coffee then headed down the hallway to grab a shower. He wondered if he’d hear from Jake today. If he didn’t, he’d stay in and watch some TV after he made a trip to town for food. He sure as hell had no desire to go out, but he knew it was necessary if he wanted to eat.
Entering the bedroom, he lifted his duffel bag onto the bed and pulled out clean clothes along with his shaving kit then walked into the bathroom. After stripping, he reached into the shower, turned the water on, and then stepped inside the stall. His muscles were tight, and he knew it was from stress. He wondered if Jake had told his brothers yet and if so, how did they take it. Trent wasn’t looking forward to meeting them. Jake seemed okay but shocked, and now Trent had to go through it again. Twice. He wasn’t sure what kind of greeting he’d get. He snorted and shook his head. It wasn’t going to be a greeting, but he was sure there’d be a lot of questions and animosity.
After finishing his shower, he reached for a fluffy blue towel and dried off then wrapped it around his waist and walked to the mirror over the sink then swiped a hand across it so he could see to shave. He hated shaving, and he had to do it twice a day. Maybe he should grow a beard. Trent chuckled thinking about that. No doubt, he’d get tired of it then it would be worse trying to shave it off. He squirted the shaving cream into his hand then lathered up his lower face and neck then ran his razor under the running water and shaved the scruff off his face then splashed on some aftershave.
Once finished, he dressed then quickly made up the bed and walked to the kitchen to find something to eat. As he passed by the French doors, he saw that the snow had accumulated a good bit, but unless it had ice on top of it, he’d be able to get out and buy some food. He had no idea how long he’d be staying in Clifton. He was anxious to learn about his father and get to know his brothers, although he was sure they didn’t feel the same. It had to be hard to accept that thei
r father had an affair. Trent clenched his jaw thinking of Josiah Stone taking advantage of his mother.
“Fuck,” he swore as he stared out the doors.
He needed answers. Josiah had been married, so why did he seek attention from another woman? Walking to the coffee pot, he poured a cup then took a seat on the sofa and stared into the empty hearth. All sorts of thoughts raced through his head, and if Trent was feeling this way, how was Jake handling it. When he finished his coffee, he pushed to his feet, walked to the fireplace, and closed the flue then made his way to the kitchen and put the cup in the sink then pulled his coat and hat on. Picking up his keys, he walked outside. The sun shining off the snow made it near impossible to see. Trent stood on the porch and pulled his leather gloves on, even though he didn’t button up his coat, then carefully made his way down the steps and to his truck. He’d seen breakfast on the menu at the diner. After getting some food in him, then he’d go grocery shopping. He couldn’t help but wonder when he’d hear from Jake. Sure, he’d told him to get with him when he was ready, but Trent was anxious to learn about his father. He started the truck, cleared the snow off the windshield, and then climbed in to head for town.
As he drove down Main Street, he noticed there was hardly anyone on the sidewalks or any traffic even though the snow didn’t cover the roads. He pulled into the parking lot of the diner, found a spot, put the gear into Park, shut the truck off, and then stepped out. It was bitterly cold, the air had a mean snap to it, and more snow could be on the way. He entered the diner, the little bell announcing his presence but this time, he ignored the stares and took a seat at the counter. Connie smiled at him when she saw him. He gave her a nod then picked up the menu and scanned it and his mouth watered as he tried to decide what to get.
“Good morning, Trent. Still here, huh? Coffee?”
Trent looked up at Connie and nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Becca Stone is allowing me to stay in one of her cabins.”
She smiled at him and poured him a cup. “That’s nice. Becca’s a sweetheart. Let me know when you’re ready, hon.”
“I will. Thank you.”
When the bell over the door announced another customer, Trent glanced over and saw the woman who’d almost hit him yesterday enter. She smiled at everyone but when she saw him, the smile left her face. Trent looked back to the menu. She was even more beautiful than he remembered, and he’d been right about her being petite. He doubted she’d reach his shoulder.
“Hey, Lanie. Grab a seat, hon, and I’ll get you a coffee,” Connie said.
“Thanks, but I’ll get it. You look busy.” The woman walked behind the counter, grabbed a cup, and poured herself some of the hot brew. She glanced at Trent and held the pot up.
“I’m fine, thanks.”
She nodded, put the pot back on the warmer, then walked back around the counter, and took a seat a few stools down from him. Connie came over to him.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, ma’am. Pancakes, sausage, and hash browns, please.” Trent closed the menu and slid it into the metal holder behind the napkin dispenser.
“Three stacks or four?”
“Oh, four, please.” Trent smiled.
“A growing boy, huh?” Connie laughed. “That’s my niece, Delaney Gates.” She nodded toward the woman. “We all call her Lanie. Lanie, this is Trent Donovan.”
Trent nodded at her, and she raised her cup at him then smiled at Connie.
“We’ve met except we didn’t exchange names. I about ran into him yesterday on the road. I slid on the snow, and Mr. Personality here chewed me a new one.”
Trent choked on his coffee. “That’s not true.”
“What? That you chewed me a new one or you’re Mr. Personality?” She lifted her cup to her mouth, and he was sure it was to hide a grin.
Trent narrowed his eyes. “Both.”
Delaney laughed low in her throat, and he thought it was the sexiest thing he’d ever heard. Mentally shaking his head, he set his cup back down and glanced around the diner. No one paid him any mind. It seemed like a tight community. One he’d never fit in. Hell, he didn’t fit in anywhere anymore, except at the Birch ranch in Billings.
The bell chimed over the door again, and Trent looked over to see the sheriff enter. Shit. Was he going to question him more? Trent hoped not. He had enough to deal with right now.
“Hi, Sam. Tess. Grab a booth,” Connie said to them.
Trent looked back to the sheriff to see him nod at him. Trent nodded and noticed the raven-haired beauty with him. Damn. Another beautiful woman in this small town.
“How are you doing, Mr. Donovan?” Sam asked him.
“I’m good, Sheriff. You?” Trent nodded at the woman.
“Good. This is my wife, Tessa. Tessa, this is Trent Donovan,” Sam introduced them.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Donovan,” she said as she put her hand out to him.
Trent stood and shook her hand. He watched a frown mar her brow and thought here we go again, but she didn’t say anything just smiled up at him.
“Please, call me Trent. Enjoy your breakfasts.”
“You too. Come on, Sam. I’m starving.” Tessa led the way to a booth. Sam stared at him for a few tense seconds then gave him a nod and followed his wife.
Trent blew out a breath and resumed his seat. Connie set his breakfast in front of him and touched his hand making him look up at her.
“Don’t let Sam worry you. He takes his job very seriously. We’ve had strangers come through in the past who caused some problems. He’s just cautious.”
“As I said, I’m not here to cause any trouble.”
Connie winked. “I know that, hon. I’m a pretty good judge of character, and I do believe you’re not here for that. Eat up.” She walked off to wait on another customer.
Trent stared at his food and his stomach growled. Picking up his fork, he dug in.
****
Lanie watched Trent Donovan out of the corner of her eye. The man was hot, in that brooding cowboy way, but she sure wasn’t interested in him. No siree. Not this girl! Who are you trying to convince?
“Me,” she murmured.
“Excuse me?” Trent said as he looked at her.
“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“You do that a lot?” He lifted his cup, but she saw a dimple peek in his cheek.
“Most intelligent conversation I can have,” she said, laughing.
When Trent chuckled, Lanie’s belly clenched. What a sexy sound! The man had it all. Her eyes skimmed over his cowboy hat and down his sheepskin coat to his well-worn cowboy boots. She did love cowboys. His jeans were frayed on the bottom, and there was a tear in the knee. Either he really liked that pair, or he was down on his luck. She smiled at her aunt when she set her breakfast in front of her.
“He’s good-looking, isn’t he?” Connie whispered to her.
“No doubt there but a man is the last thing I need right now.”
“I didn’t say you needed him. I just said he was good-looking.” Connie winked at her.
Lanie looked at her aunt and narrowed her eyes. Connie raised her eyebrows making Lanie laugh.
“You’re incorrigible.”
Connie laughed. “I’ve been told my nieces take after me.” She shrugged. “Nothing wrong with enjoying the scenery and I’m not sure he’s sticking around. A roll between the sheets might get your mind off that POS you were involved with.”
Lanie choked on her eggs and picked up her coffee to wash them down.
“POS?” Lanie knew what it meant, but she wanted to hear her aunt say it.
“Piece of shit.” Connie grinned and walked off.
Lanie laughed and shook her head then glanced over to Trent to see him standing. He reached into his back pocket, pulling his coat back giving her a good view of his crotch. She groaned as she looked at the worn fly and how he filled those jeans out. He really was gorgeous, and by the looks of it, he had one hell of a hard body. She’d like to see ho
w hard. She snickered then looked at his face to see him raise an eyebrow at her. Shaking her head, she looked away and dug into her eggs. She’d probably never see him again. What a loss.
****
Trent paid his bill then walked outside to see flurries. He’d had a feeling more snow was coming. Looking toward the Glacier Mountains, he saw it moving over them and a lot more by the looks of it. Walking briskly to his truck, he climbed in. Just as he started the vehicle, he heard ice pinging off the roof and hood. It looked like he was going to have a day in. Driving out of the parking lot, he stopped at a grocery store to buy some necessities and food, then made his way to the cabin. As he pulled up to it, his cell phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Trent? It’s Jake. It looks like we’re going to have to wait a day or two. There’s some bad weather moving in.”
“Yeah, I just got back from the Clifton diner, and it’s sleeting. If Becca doesn’t mind, I’ll stay here until we…get together.”
“Of course, she doesn’t mind. I haven’t told Gabe or Wyatt yet. I’m going to wait until we can all get here together. Does that work for you?”
“Whatever you think is best, Jake.”
Jake’s sigh came over the phone. “I don’t mean to snap at you, Trent. It just feels like someone pulled the rug out from under me and I’m trying to get past this. I don’t think that’s going to be an easy task.”
“I understand. I can stay as long as you want. Until the weather clears.”
Jake chuckled. “That could be spring. Are you…all right there?”
Trent figured Jake was asking him if he needed money for food.
“I’m fine. I just stopped and got some food. Get with me when you want to do this.”
“I will. I have to tell you that Gabe, most likely, won’t be a problem. I’m more worried about Wyatt. He’s the youngest—well, he was the youngest, and I know he’s not going to accept this overnight.”
Trent Men of Clifton, Montana Book 9 Page 3