Anyhow, I will be too busy to see you for a while, but I remain your friend,
Lucas Wilder
Chloe sat back in her chair and felt the blood drain from her face.
It was true!
Lucas had made a wish and he was calling to her from beyond, urging her to continue life. With Trent.
That was how it felt. Like he was asking her to follow his wishes and marry Trent. How could she refuse Lucas? She glanced at the letter, almost wishing the ink would fade away, absolving her of the obligation written there.
The sentiment that touched her the most was his wish that Evan, their dear son, be brought up in Montana. She recalled how Lucas had talked about how much he loved Montana; how much it meant to him; that it was the perfect place for a child to grow up healthy and strong. Wasn't that what Chloe wanted too? It had been, until Lucas had passed, and then she hadn't been sure what to think. But the letter somehow cleared her mind of all the recent confusion.
Chloe heard Trent quietly clear his throat, calling her attention. "Well? Do you believe me now?"
Chloe sighed and turned to Trent."The letter's genuine. I know that."
Trent leaned forward. "But what it says is more important."
Chloe nodded and peered at Trent. "Lucas made his wishes very clear in this," she said indicating the fragile piece of paper that threatened to change the course of her life. And that of her son.
Trent fidgeted for a moment. "Look. I know this is very difficult for you. I never for a moment believed that anything would happen to Lucas. And when I made that promise the furthest thing from my mind was that one day I'd have to honor it."
"Life has a way of testing us in the most unusual ways, Mr. McIntyre," she said calmly.
Trent's mouth opened slightly at her formal use of his name. But right now she needed some distance, some space to consider all that was happening.
Trent continued, moving forward until he was sitting on the edge of the sofa. "And, I grant you, this is certainly an unusual situation. But there is no denying the seriousness of your situation. And that of your baby," he said glancing in the direction of the other room.
Chloe felt a knot of anxiety in her middle and quickly wondered if Evan was alright. She felt an urgent need to go to him, check that he was sleeping safely.
She stood up. "I must check on Evan," she said
Trent rose up and blocked her path. "If I may, Chloe. I need to finish what I have to say to you."
Trent gestured to the door. "I know you need to attend to Evan. But I will be brief."
Chloe paused, averting her gaze from Trent. "I would appreciate it if you could say what you have to say," she murmured. She shifted from side to side. The room seemed confining, the air somehow drier. Drawing a breath felt more difficult.
Trent cleared his throat. Chloe glanced at his face and saw the emotions warring there. Their eyes met. His dark penetrating gaze and deep brows seemed to draw her closer, holding her so that she couldn't turn away. Chloe could not shift her eyes as Trent spoke the most important words she had heard since the day Lucas had asked her to marry him.
"Chloe. I would be honored if you would consent to be my wife. If for no other reason than to ensure that the wishes of your dear husband and my best friend are respected. I would also regard it as a privilege to ensure that your son has the best chance of a promising future."
Chloe felt rooted to the spot. She peered into Trent's eyes trying to find even the slightest hint of insincerity, of calculation, of hesitation.
But she found none.
Chloe felt as if she had been wrapped up in the consuming silence that followed his words. Trent's eyes narrowed as he probed and searched for her reaction to his words. Those were life changing words for both of them. As much for him as for her. She could see it written on his face. The muscles there were locked in a rictus of self control. His shoulders were tight, his breathing short.
The silence was broken by a distant cry from the other room
Evan.
The faint little voice made both of them turn.
Trent's mouth opened and his eyes flashed to the door. "Is he okay?"
Chloe pushed past Trent. "I need to check him," she said.
Trent gently took a hold of her arm. "Do you have an answer for me, Chloe?"
Chloe ran a hand through her hair and glanced from side to side. What could she say? Her mind was in turmoil and her insides were churning. This wasn't the time to be giving this man the answer he so obviously needed. He'd have to wait. She had a child to attend to.
"Mr. McIntyre..." she began to say.
Trent squeezed her arm lightly. "Trent. Please call me Trent," he interrupted.
Chloe sighed and nodded. "Trent. I need time to consider. I'm sure you understand."
"When can I expect an answer?"
Chloe smiled weakly and let out a slow breath. "Tomorrow," she said at last.
Harriet appeared at the door with a tray of teacups, teapot and cakes. She stopped and stared at Chloe and Trent. Her eyes widened at the spectacle and then she walked over to the table and placed the tray down. "Evan's awake, Chloe."
"I'm going," Chloe said quickly.
And, with that she left the room as quickly as she could, relieved to be going to the aid of her baby.
CHAPTER FIVE
Trent stood at the door of the bedroom and hesitated. The sounds from inside touched him deeply, made some unfamiliar feelings turn inside him.
"There, there," he heard Chloe whisper to Evan. The baby was still crying but his mother's tender attentions were calming him down.
Trent found himself smiling in spite of the emotional drain he felt after the discussion in the other room. It had been hard trying to think of ways to ask Chloe to become his wife. She was almost a stranger, even if there had been times when Lucas had been courting her when pangs of jealousy had pulled at Trent.
He wished he'd been more careful with his words, more sensitive toward Chloe. But the truth was he was no educated man. He'd worked the land most of his life and words didn't always come easily. And at times like this? Well he would defy any man to find it easy asking someone in Chloe's position to become his wife.
The silence from inside the room suggested that Evan had settled. Trent slowly pushed the door open and leaned his head inside the room.
Chloe was standing at the window. Her back was to him and Trent could see Evan's tiny head against her shoulder. He felt his throat tighten and swallowing suddenly became real difficult. Chloe looked so serene standing in front of the window, gently swaying, her son safely held close.
Trent took a step and his booted foot pressed down on a creaky floorboard. He froze and saw Chloe turn. Her eyes widened. "Trent?"
"How is Evan?" Trent asked pointing to him.
Chloe twisted her head and glanced at Evan. "He's fine. I think he's hungry," she whispered.
Trent nodded and then realized what that probably meant. Chloe had something to do that required him to leave the room. And soon.
Trent took a few more tentative steps. "Can I say hello?"
Chloe smiled. "Sure. Hey Evan. Look who's here," she said turning the little boy so that Trent could see him.
Trent looked at the beautiful, small face with the wide eyes and blonde hair and felt something shift deep inside him. This was Lucas' son. And he looked amazing. The boy's eyes fixed on Trent, and he was sure they twinkled ever so slightly at the sight of the stranger who'd come to visit.
"Hey. He likes you," Chloe said with a warm smile.
Trent shifted uneasily. "You think so?"
"Sure. That little twinkle is his way of saying hello," Chloe said.
Trent smiled. Chloe bobbed the baby up and down gently, still holding him close. They seemed so right together, so perfect.
"Look. I better be going. I can call tomorrow. If you want me to do that," he said.
Chloe nodded. "I'd like that, Trent," she said.
"Fine. See you la
ter little fella," Trent said curling his fingers in a playful goodbye to Evan.
The baby smiled at Trent and there was that feeling again. The one that he'd never felt before; the one he wasn't sure he understood right now.
With a nod to Chloe he turned and headed to the door. As he left the room he turned and pulled the door closed behind him. As he did so he glanced back at Chloe. She was facing the window again, the picture of perfect, contented motherhood. She looked like she didn't have a worry in the world and he wondered if she'd already made up her mind.
****
Trent found the cemetery at the edge of town. It had been a short walk and some locals had helped him find his way. He had to pay his respects to his friend. There was more to respecting Lucas than honoring a promise to care for his wife and child.
As he made his way to the cemetery Trent tried to figure out what he was going to do. Did he want Chloe to say yes? She certainly was a fine looking woman. If he was going to have to marry then she would make a good wife to have by his side.
But was he husband material? That was an impossible question to answer. Trent knew his own faults. Knew that he'd wasted too much time on too many people of questionable reputation. And in the process he'd gotten himself a reputation that, truth be told, he wasn't too proud of. Maybe Chloe would be good for him. He'd certainly envied Lucas his good fortune when he'd courted and married Chloe. He couldn't deny that on more than one occasion he'd wished it had been himself who'd done the courting. But Lucas had wasted no time in making Chloe his wife. And Trent had been happy for him.
Now, things had changed and Trent was facing the biggest change in his life. He wasn't sure he was up to the challenge. He was sure that looking after Chloe and Evan would force some big changes in his life. But Trent knew he had the means to make sure they both had a good life.
What kind of marriage would it be, though? It would be a marriage of convenience. That's what it would be. A marriage in name only. Trent had heard of people getting married just because it suited both partners; or because a family demanded it; or children needed to be cared for. But those marriages had always struck him as kinda peculiar. Where was the love in a marriage like that? Wasn't that what marriage should really be about? Love?
Lucas had certainly loved Chloe. Trent had no doubt about that. And he could see why. She had so many fine qualities. Trent wasn't that much of a fool that he couldn't see how fine Chloe Wilder was. But once she became Chloe McIntyre, what then?
He entered the small cemetery. There were only a few graves and he soon found where Lucas had been laid to rest. A cool breeze blew across the graves. Trent stood at the foot of the plain grave which still had freshly turned soil across the top of it. Trent removed his hat and held it tight by his side. A small wooden cross had been fixed into the soft earth at the head of the grave. On it were carved Lucas' name and dates. Also on it were words that made Trent's breath catch.
"Beloved Husband and Loving Father"
That was what Chloe and Evan had lost. Was Trent up to standing in the shoes of his friend? Could he be the father and the husband his friend had asked him to be?
There was only one way to find out.
CHAPTER SIX
Chloe sat at the table in Evan's bedroom, holding her son close to her. She'd just finished feeding him. She made sure he got rid of the wind that was trapped in his stomach. She laughed when she saw the cross little expression on Evan's face at the sensation in his tummy, and the relief when he managed to get it out, with the help of his mother.
Chloe looked down at Evan, marvelling at the beauty of his features. He gazed up at her, his eyes focusing intently on the face above him. He reached out a tiny hand and Chloe offered a finger which Evan eagerly grabbed, tightening his grasp around it.
"You're beautiful, Evan. The most handsome baby in the whole wide world," she said softly.
She knew he couldn't understand the words but he seemed to feel the warmth in her voice and the love in her smile. This connection meant so much to her. It was all that mattered to her now. She knew she'd have to do something to guarantee Evan's safety.
But could she marry Trent McIntyre? What other options were available to her? Some part of her had hoped that someone would come along and help her in the way that Harriet and Marcus had helped out. But there was no future for her and Evan in living above a mercantile on the good graces of a generous couple.
And hadn't the letter made everything so simple, so straightforward? Lucas wanted Evan to grow up in Montana. Didn't Chloe have an obligation to honor her husband's wishes every bit as much as Trent felt he had to?
Evan coughed and Chloe changed his position making sure he could get rid of what was in his little throat.
What did she think of living on a ranch? She hated the idea, if truth be told. She recalled making it plain to Lucas that if she married him she wouldn't live on a ranch. He'd agreed, after a while. But he'd been so set on marrying her that nothing would stand in his way.
Ranch life with a baby? How would that work? Wouldn't it be dirty and dangerous? Chloe had always thought that ranchers were an uneducated, common type, made rough and coarse by outdoor work. Maybe she was wrong about that. Trent certainly didn't fit her preconceived notions about ranchers. He seemed kind and polite, even considerate. Although it was plain he lacked education he looked like he had a decent character. His heart seemed to be in the right place. There were many who would never have even given that promise in the first place.
And now he seemed determined to honor it and make her his wife.
Chloe sighed as she thought of that. What would a marriage to Trent be like? It would be a marriage of convenience. A relationship born out of a promise. They would live as a couple, politely observing all the niceties of married life, and that would be that.
But what about all those other aspects of being man and wife? What about those?
Chloe cleared her throat and forced those thoughts out of her mind.
She looked down and saw that Evan had fallen asleep. She took him to the crib and gently laid him down again, covering him with loose blankets. She smiled at the sound of his contented soft breathing. He looked even more beautiful with his eyes closed.
Chloe crept to the door and left the room. She made her way downstairs to the mercantile store area. Harriet was tidying up some rolls of fabric that were laid out on a long table in the center of the store. Chloe never ceased to be amazed at the variety of goods offered for sale in the store. Marcus had done a great job, along with Harriet, in establishing himself as an indispensable asset to the town.
Harriet turned and looked at Chloe. Harriet quickly turned away but not before Chloe saw the drawn expression on Harriet's face.
"Harriet? What's wrong?"
Harriet busied herself and shook her head. "Nothing, Chloe. Don't mind me." But Chloe wasn't convinced. She went to the woman and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Something's bothering you. What is it?"
Harriet turned, revealing red eyes and a pale, ashen face.
"Harriet. What is it?"
Harriet shook her head. "Don't bother yourself Chloe," she murmured.
"Is it about Mr. McIntyre?"
Harriet smiled weakly. "Not at all. He seems a fine young man."
Chloe nodded. "He does seem to be. And he has come with a most extraordinary proposal," she said.
"Proposal?" Harriet asked, her eyes widening.
"Indeed. A proposal of marriage?"
Harriet's mouth dropped open. "Oh Chloe! That's wonderful news," she said wrapping her arms around Chloe and hugging her. Harriet grasped Chloe so tight it felt like all the breath had been squeezed out of her.
Harriet leaned back and clutched Chloe by the shoulders. "That means you'll be going to Billings. To Trent's ranch?" she said peering eagerly at Chloe.
Chloe nodded and frowned. "It appears so. If I say yes. And I haven't yet," Chloe said emphatically. "I'm still considering it."
&nbs
p; Harriet frowned. "You're going to refuse?"
"I'm not sure," Chloe said. "It's such a surprise," she admitted.
"But think of Evan. He'll be safe and secure. And there's nothing like ranch life for bringing up a boy healthy and strong," Harriet stated.
"I know. I do have to consider Evan. You're right. But what was troubling you?"
Harriet's expression changed immediately. Worry spread across her face. She was silent for a few moments. Chloe had never seen Harriet like this before. It was like the woman had seen a ghost.
Harriet strode over to the door and turned the closed sign and locked the door.
"Why are you closing the store?" Chloe asked.
Harriet pulled down a shutter, making the room darker. She came up to Chloe. "Someone was here a while ago. Asking for you," Harriet said quietly.
Chloe felt a knot of discomfort settle in her middle. "Asking for me? Who was it?"
Harriet's brows furrowed. "A man. Someone I didn't recognize," she said firmly.
Chloe frowned. Who could it be? Could it be a friend of Lucas'?
She froze. Chloe felt herself go cold.
Or could it be someone who'd known Lucas without necessarily being a friend? Maybe someone involved in his death.
"What did he say?"
"He said he was looking for the wife of Lucas Wilder. Had an important message for his widow."
Chloe felt herself go pale. Who could it possibly be?
"Did he give his name?"
"He wouldn't. I asked him, but he refused. After that I told him you weren't here, and that if he didn't leave I'd call the sheriff," Harriet stated.
"Oh Harriet. I'm so sorry. You must have been so upset," Chloe pleaded.
Harriet's jaw set firm. "Not at all, Chloe. I know how to deal with difficult customers. He was no different than the rest," she concluded straightening up.
Chloe admired Harriet's direct approach to customer service but deep down she was disturbed. Who could the man have been? And what had he wanted? With a rush of panic she thought of Evan. What if something happened to Chloe? What would become of Evan? He would be all alone in the world with no-one to look after him.
Trent's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides series) Page 3
