But now he was here, faced with the most difficult challenge of his life. Next to this, starting and building a ranch up from nothing seemed easy.
There was going to nothing easy about what he was about to do.
Trent reached the mercantile and paused outside the front door. He took a deep breath, opened the door and stepped inside the store.
CHAPTER THREE
"He's here, Chloe," Harriet said bursting into the sitting room.
"Oh my!" Chloe said turning to the mirror. "Harriet. How do I look?" she asked urgently. All of a sudden Chloe thought her hair looked dishevelled, her choice of pale green dress inappropriate, and the shadows under her eyes seemed even more pronounced than earlier.
Harriet placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder. "You look lovely, my dear."
Chloe smiled at Harriet. "Thank you."
"Let me go and fetch Mr. McIntyre," Harriet said turning.
Chloe took a seat on the sofa and tried to compose herself. Her mind was a whirl of spinning thoughts. What could she say to Trent? He'd want answers. No doubt he'd need to know how Lucas had met his end. Chloe wasn't sure she was ready for such a conversation, but she knew that it was the least that Trent deserved, given how close he and Lucas had been.
Maybe he'd want to visit Lucas' resting place in the cemetery on the edge of town. Trent would have to do that on his own. Chloe couldn't think of bringing little Evan to that place again. Not so soon.
She was sure that Trent would be gentlemanly and sensitive to her situation. He might even be able to offer Chloe some modest assistance. As Lucas' friend she was sure that Trent would feel some obligation to help out in whatever way he could.
Chloe told herself she would thank him, but politely decline any offers of help he would make. Although she hadn't quite figured things out, she felt keenly that she was on her own, and that no matter how, she was going to have to stand on her own two feet. She had a baby to care for and she wasn't about to let him start a new life on the wrong foot.
Chloe didn't know yet what she was going to do. She had no relatives in Billings. Her parents had passed years ago. Before she had married Lucas, she and her sister Louise had lived together in their small home on the outskirts of town. After the wedding Louise had gone back East to live with relatives. Chloe hated back East. For her, there was nowhere else like Montana. It was the only place she would consider suitable for bringing up Evan. The East wasn't for her. And especially not for her baby.
Chloe heard voices and footsteps. She shifted nervously on the sofa, straightening her back and loosening her collar which suddenly seemed unnaturally tight.
She heard Harriet talking animatedly. Trent's familiar deep voice punctuated Harriet's rapid chattering.
Chloe took in a deep breath and raised her head, striving for poise and grace.
Then the door opened and Harriet and Trent walked into the room. Chloe felt the breath catch in her throat. In the confines of the small room Trent seemed so large, so wide. He was taller than she remembered. His boots made a heavy sound on the wooden boards. He held his hat in both hands. His eyes locked on Chloe with an expression of the deepest sympathy.
"Trent. It's so good to see you. Thank you for coming to see me."
Trent's shoulders dipped and he leaned his head to one side as he spoke. "Chloe. May I express my deepest condolences for your loss."
Chloe smiled politely. "That's kind of you, Trent. Lucas was a good man."
"The best." Trent's voice was tight. "I've been mightily touched by the news of his passing, I can tell you."
"We all have," Chloe concurred.
"A very sad thing indeed," Harriet said.
Trent seemed to examine Chloe "How are you bearing up Chloe?"
"It's been difficult, Trent," she answered. "I won't deny that. But I have to be strong. For Evan."
Trent's eyes lit up. "How is the little one?"
"He's fine. He's strong, I can tell you," said Chloe proudly.
"Just like his father," Trent said slowly.
"Indeed. He might have some of my looks, but he's sure got his father's fighting spirit," Chloe said.
Harriet spoke up. "I'm going to fetch some tea. Have a seat Mr. McIntyre," she said gesturing to the sofa.
"Trent. Just call me Trent, ma'am."
Harriet nodded. "Trent. I'll leave you two for a while. I'm sure you've got so much to say to each other."
Chloe gave Harriet a puzzled look which was completely ignored by Harriet as she strode out of the room.
When they were alone Trent followed Chloe's gesture and took a seat next to her on the sofa.
Now that he was next to her Chloe was struck by both the strength and the weariness of Trent's presence. Up close she could see that he looked tired, exhausted even. His eyes were moist and filled with barely contained emotion. Trent laid his hat on the nearby table and turned to Chloe.
"How are you really bearing up? I know what you said in front of Harriet. But tell me the truth."
Chloe's shoulders sank and she felt suddenly heavy. What could she tell him? Could she really tell him about her nightmares, the terror she felt at the prospect of being alone with a baby in the wilds of Montana? There was only so much she could do to put a brave face on everything. Surely he would see through that. It seemed he already had seen through some of the appearance of coping she was trying to summon up from deep within herself.
"It's been mighty difficult, Trent. You know that Lucas left me and Evan with virtually nothing."
Trent's eyes narrowed. "How could that have happened? What went wrong?"
Chloe sighed. "Lucas had some scheme he was getting involved in. You know him. He was always coming up with some scheme or other. He told me that if it worked out we would be set up. We could even buy a house on the edge of Helena. It had something to do with transporting cattle."
"He should have come to me," Trent offered. "I would have helped him out."
Chloe shook her head. "You know he was a proud man."
Trent nodded. "He was that."
Chloe continued. "Lucas just wanted to strike out on his own. He sank virtually everything we had into that venture."
Trent's brows furrowed and his gaze became distant, preoccupied. Chloe wondered what he was thinking about.
"Tell me how it happened," he said after a long pause. And then he asked the question she knew he would have to ask. But it was the one she dreaded. "How did he die?"
Chloe's mouth suddenly went dry. For a moment she thought her throat had seized up. Trent deserved an explanation. He had a right to know the details even if it caused her heart to burn in the telling of it.
Chloe composed herself as best she could. "Lucas left me and Evan one night. Said he'd be back before midnight. When he didn't come back by the morning time I alerted the sheriff and he went looking. Later that day, the longest day of my life, the sheriff came here and told me they'd found Lucas. He'd been shot and left in a ditch."
Trent's face paled when Chloe uttered those words. Chloe saw his jaw tighten and his lips draw into a narrow, tight gash. Trent's fists clenched into white knuckled knots. She hesitated before continuing. Eventually Trent seemed to calm himself. "Go on. Who did it?"
"They don't know. All they know is that there was some sort of argument over money. One of the men involved was questioned but released."
Trent's eyes widened. "No-one's been arrested?"
Chloe couldn't answer that. The thought of the man who'd shot her husband still being free made her shake with fury. Trent looked at her. His dark, brown eyes fixed on her, seeking answers, searching her face for any signs of emotion. She got the distinct impression that, right here in this very moment, he was intensely concerned for her well being.
"So you've been living in this place and the guy who killed Lucas is still at large?"
Trent's voice was filled with incredulity.
Chloe shifted nervously. "I haven't felt in any danger. Harriet and Marcus have been more
than kind in allowing Evan and I to stay here for the moment."
Trent huffed. "For the moment. But this is hardly a safe place for you to stay. Especially with a baby. Whoever killed Lucas might decide to take an interest in you."
Chloe hadn't even considered such a possibility. Surely Trent couldn't be right. Could he? After all, she had nothing in this world except her precious baby. There was no money. She had scarcely any possessions.
Trent shifted and leaned closer to Chloe. She caught his scent, which was a curiously attractive mixture of leather and soap. Trent smiled and she noticed that his teeth were white and even.
"May I explain the real purpose of my visit?"
Chloe regarded Trent carefully. "I believe you have come to pay you respects to Lucas. Am I not correct in that assumption?"
Trent nodded thoughtfully. "Of course you're right in assuming that I'd want to do that. That I'd need to. And I'm so very sorry for all of this. I cannot imagine how you must feel."
Chloe sighed. It felt suddenly so good that someone would express concern for her, want to lighten the load she had been carrying these few weeks, want to share in her grief. When she looked into Trent McIntyre's face she saw a man who cared. She saw a treasured friend who was here to help. A calmness settled on her, even as Trent leaned closer and placed a hand over her own.
Chloe was momentarily taken aback by the forwardness of the gesture. Her instinct was to quickly withdraw her hand, but she found that her hand stayed exactly where it was. She looked into his eyes and caught the briefest hint of satisfaction there. Was he testing her? And did he think she had allowed him to do what he'd just done, and in doing so accepted the gesture of consolation?
"I appreciate the concern you so obviously feel."
Trent peered intently at Chloe. "It's more than concern, Chloe."
Chloe frowned. "In what way?
Trent's brows creased and he lowered his head. He seemed to be searching for words. Chloe saw his jaw tighten and his throat work furiously as he swallowed. Eventually he raised his head and she felt her mouth open at the emotion she saw harbored in those eyes. Trent's face had paled and he looked like a man in the grip of the most terrible fright.
"What is it Trent? What's wrong?"
Trent shook his head. "There is nothing wrong, Chloe. In fact. Quite the opposite. Everything is just the way it should be."
"I don't quite follow you," Chloe said.
Trent looked like he was about to burst, so intense was the emotion on his face. His eyes were suddenly animated and he shifted on the sofa.
He took in a deep breath. "The reason I came here today was to carry out a promise I made."
His voice was thick with finality. There was a hard determined quality to it all of a sudden.
"Promise? What kind of promise?"
Trent stared blankly, as if he could hardly believe what he was about to say. "I made a promise to Lucas," he declared. Suddenly Chloe felt a flutter of worry in her middle.
"To Lucas?"
Trent nodded. "Do you remember the day of the wedding?"
"Of course I do."
"During the reception Lucas asked me something. At first I refused. The thing he asked me to promise him seemed just plain crazy. But in the end I agreed because I saw how much it meant to him. And it seemed so unlikely I would ever be called upon to honor it. Until now," Trent said his eyes narrowing and peering deeply into Chloe's. "I gave him my word."
Chloe felt the tumbling inside her begin to whirl even faster. What was he talking about? What could Lucas have possibly asked Trent to promise?
"I may have a reputation for other things, but one thing I am is a man of my word," Trent said slowly.
"What are you talking about?"
Trent suddenly looked like a calm had settled upon him. He was still and focused as he spoke to Chloe. "I promised Lucas that if anything happened to him I would make sure that you and any children you and he might have had would be looked after."
The words hung in the air between them for what seemed like an eternity. Chloe was stunned. This virtual stranger had come all this way on a fool's errand. How could he possibly take care of her and her baby?
"What! Lucas asked you to take care of me and Evan? How?"
"In the only way there is. Chloe," Trent said leaning even closer. "I came here today to ask you to become my wife."
CHAPTER FOUR
"You want me to become your wife?" Chloe shrieked. She could barely contain the disbelief, the outrage, the indignation. How dare he ask her such a thing. And so soon after the passing of her husband. Who did he think he was? Trent was only a vague acquaintance, not even a friend of long standing. It was unbelievable that he could think that she would become his wife.
"I know this is a shock to you..." he started to say.
"Shock! That doesn't even come close to describing this...this...ridiculous suggestion," she cried.
"Now just hold on there, Chloe. Hear me out," Trent said grasping her hands tighter.
Chloe wrenched herself free of his grip and leapt up. "You want me to marry you? I don't even know you."
Trent stayed seated on the sofa. Chloe thought that if he came to her she might well just run out of the room. Chloe felt him watch her as she began to pace back and forth, wringing her hands.
Trent shook his head. "I knew it would end up like this," he murmured.
Chloe halted. "Like what?"
"I just knew you'd think it was the stupidest idea in the world. Thing is, though. It wasn't my idea." Trent looked at her. "It was what Lucas wanted."
"What possessed Lucas to think of such a thing? He never told me this."
"He figured you might not like it. Looks like he was right."
Chloe groaned softly. "Oh, Lucas. What on earth were you thinking?" she called out.
Chloe thrust her fists down at her side. She glanced over at him, seeing the dark which had filled his eyes.
"I don't believe you," Chloe said, suddenly. She came to the sofa and stood defiantly, peering down at Trent, challenging him to provide proof, thinking deep down that he wouldn't be able to, hoping that it couldn't be true.
Trent rolled his eyes. "What do you mean, you don't believe me?"
"Just that. How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"You're calling me a liar?"
Chloe paused, reluctant to press the issue. "I'm not saying that. I just don't have any proof that what you're saying is true," she said.
Trent sighed and leaned back on the sofa. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. But, since you're not willing to believe me, I can give you this," he said reaching inside his jacket.
He pulled out a small, plain brown envelope and handed it to Chloe.
"What's this?" she asked.
"It's a letter from Lucas. To me. He wrote it just after you two got married."
Chloe took the envelope and saw her shaking hand.
Trent pointed. "Go on. Read it."
Chloe suddenly felt unsteady on her feet. Trent stood up quickly and took her by the arm. "Are you okay, Chloe?"
The room started spinning and her breath deserted her. Chloe looked at Trent and saw the concern on his face. It was genuine. No-one could fake that look.
She let him guide her to the sofa. She sat down and tried to calm herself. After a moment she opened the envelope and slid out the thin piece of paper.
Chloe considered the significance of what she was holding. This was a letter from Lucas that she'd never seen before. Hadn't even known existed before now. Of course, she had his love letters. She cherished every one of them. At nights she read them. They helped her fall asleep, especially on those terrible nights when sleep just wouldn't come. They guaranteed that the fears would subside. At least for a few hours.
Chloe stared at Trent, seeing the expectation written on his face. "Read it. Then you can believe me," he said.
Chloe pursed her lips, controlling the impulse to respond. After a moment she went over
and sat at the table by the window. Glancing back at Trent she saw that he had leaned back on the sofa, waiting patiently.
Chloe held the letter to the light. She recognized Lucas' handwriting. It was neat and tidy with just a hint of impatience. So like him. Chloe rubbed the surface of the letter with a finger as if touching the ink on the paper would bring her closer to Lucas. She felt her throat tighten, her heart beat faster. Did she really want to read this? If it said what Trent claimed then Chloe would have the most difficult decision in her life to make. She wasn't sure she was ready for that. Not so soon after Lucas' passing.
After a pause she fixed her gaze on the small piece of paper and started to read.
Dear Trent,
How's it going old buddy. You know I'm not one for writing letters. Except the ones I write to Chloe. And those aren't hard work at all. But I wanted to write to you to make sure we both understand what we said at the wedding. You know, about me and Chloe and the little one? That's right, Trent. I'm going to be a dad! Isn't that incredible? I can hardly believe it. I can't wait 'till the baby is born. Boy or girl, I don't care. Chloe is so happy. I need to take good care of her. I have a few irons in the fire, so to speak. I know you think I'd be good on the ranch, but, the truth is Chloe doesn't want to live on a ranch. And I have to respect that. Seeing as how she is to be the mother of my child.
So, cutting to the chase. What I asked you to do for me is real important.
If anything happens to me I want you to take care of Chloe and the baby.
Just like you promised.
I know you are a man of your word and I am sure you will not let me down.
Saying that, my plan is to live until a ripe old age. Montana living suits Chloe and me just fine and we don't plan on leaving this place. My child is Montana bred and will be Montana born too. There's nowhere else I want him to grow up, except Montana. And I will do my best to ensure he grows up to be strong and happy.
Trent's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides series) Page 2
