Trent's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides series) (7 page)

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. "For 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.

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."