But he didn't really know yet what that involved. He'd spent such a long time being one of the men and an equally long time being a good but casual and distant friend to some of the ladies of Billings. Now that time was over. He was still one of the men, but he was most definitely a one woman man from now on.
He straightened up and left Evan's room, heading downstairs. When he went outside he saw Chloe still seated there on the porch. She looked up and smiled. "Well. How is it?" she asked.
"It looks good," he answered. "Real good. But I'll let you be the judge of that," he said.
Chloe nodded. "Okay then. Take Evan and I'll go upstairs and have a look," she said.
Trent's jaw dropped. "What?"
Chloe stood up and held Evan's tiny form out to Trent. "You look after Evan while I'm upstairs. I'll get Mrs. Ross to give me a hand."
Trent froze. "I'm not...too...sure I can take Evan," he said.
Chloe crinkled her nose. "Of course you can. You can get to know him a little while I'm gone," she said thrusting Evan out toward Trent.
Trent held out his arms. Surely Chloe didn't want to trust Trent with her son. Their son, he corrected himself.
"Anyway. It'll give me a little break."
That did it. Trent knew he had to take Evan, even if it was just to give Chloe some respite.
Chloe held Evan carefully as she laid him onto Trent's extended arms. "Just make sure you support his head in the crook of you arm. Look. He's smiling already," Chloe said mischievously.
Trent swallowed and felt the weight of Evan on his arm. It felt curiously good and right. And it was true. Evan was indeed smiling right up at Trent.
Chloe led Trent over to the seat and guided him as he gingerly lowered himself down onto the seat. Trent sat back and drew Evan's little body closer to him. What a sight he must be. Trent quickly shot a look out across the yard. He needed to know if any of the ranch hands were seeing him. Not that it would matter, but he wondered just how long it would take for the inevitable teasing by the ranch hands to start.
Trent let out a sigh. "I can't do this. It doesn't feel right, Chloe," he said apologetically.
Chloe smiled down at him. "You look right at home, Trent."
He frowned, unconvinced. He shifted his arms, holding Evan closer. The baby's eyes were bright and fixed on Trent. It made Trent feel something entirely new inside himself.
Chloe turned and strode away. Before he had a chance to say anything else Trent McIntyre was alone and holding a baby on his own ranch.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Two days passed.
The nights didn't get any easier for Chloe. On each of those two nights the rain fell as it had done on the first night at the ranch. Chloe lay in the darkness, alone. She listened to Evan's distant soft breathing. She felt the presence of Trent in the other room. Each night he trod carefully up the hall. Chloe had smiled in the darkness, appreciating the care he took not to wake her or Evan. He had no idea that she was listening to his every move, her breath held still, wondering if every night would be like this.
Chloe thought of when she had come back down from rearranging Evan's bedroom with the new crib. She'd expected to see Trent in a state of panic, struggling to hold Evan, desperate for her to take Evan off his hands. But instead she'd stepped out the front door to hear the soft words that Trent had been whispering into Evan's ear. They were playful sounds that drew giggles of pleasure from her son.
Chloe had found herself smiling as she'd paused, taking in the surprising spectacle. When she'd cleared her throat Trent had turned, smiling a her. "There's your mama, Evan," Trent had said.
Chloe had sat down next to Trent and gently taken Evan back into her arms.
When Trent had asked her if the room looked more like a baby's room with the crib, she had agreed.
It had been a lovely moment, a quiet interlude of sharing, seated together on the porch with the light fading and the air beginning to cool.
Chloe hadn't felt such a strong sense of family since Lucas' passing. Trent sat quietly by her side, glancing at Evan and Chloe from time to time, obvious satisfaction written on his features.
All of which had made the past two nights more difficult to bear. The memory of the three of them on the porch had stuck in her mind and wouldn't budge.
The next day Trent appeared home at lunchtime and announced that Chloe, Evan and he were going on a picnic together. Chloe was taken aback by the idea, but Mrs. Ross thought it was a great idea. In fact she'd already prepared a basket without letting Chloe in on the secret.
Trent went upstairs to get washed while Chloe tried to help Mrs. Ross. In spite of Chloe's insistence Mrs. Ross refused all offers of help and told Chloe in no uncertain terms that she should go upstairs and get herself and Evan ready for the picnic.
Duly persuaded, Chloe made her way upstairs. Evan took some time to get ready. As she dressed him, thinking about how many layers of clothing she'd need to bring, in case there was a sudden change in the weather, Chloe could hear the sounds of Trent washing himself in the other room. In spite of herself, stray thoughts came to her mind of how Trent might look in that moment. The blush that came to her cheeks made her glad she was alone with Evan.
Satisfied that Evan was as neatly attired as she could make him, she placed him down in his crib. Evan was already getting used to the comfort of his new crib and lay back happily waving his arms around. Chloe smiled down at him. "You just wait there. Mama will be back," she said softly.
Chloe left the room with a brief final glance back at Evan and walked down the hall to Trent's room. She slowly pushed open the door to his room. She was initially ashamed to find that she felt a brief surge of disappointment on seeing that Trent was fully dressed, unlike the intrusive thoughts that had forced their way into her mind moments before. But what she saw instead was equally affecting.
Trent was standing in front of a mirror. His stance was upright and tall, his shoulders pulled back and he was dressed in tight trousers, cleanly pressed white shirt and neat waistcoat. The dark trousers emphasized the length of his legs, the waistcoat the width of his shoulders. Trent seemed to be savouring the view of himself in the mirror. He was buttoning up the waistcoat, and every once in a while he nodded to himself in quiet approval. Chloe hadn't ever seen a man so comfortable in front of a mirror, nor so patently self regarding.
The silent spectacle of her husband admiring himself in front of the mirror, oblivious to the presence of his wife, brought a smile to Chloe's face. A giggle bubbled up. She tried to stifle the sound, but Chloe couldn't contain it.
Trent whirled around. His mouth opened and his face went pale. "Chloe. I didn't know you were there," he muttered.
Chloe smiled "Admiring yourself?" she asked.
Trent straightened his waistcoat. "Just want to look good for Evan. It's our first family outing. I thought to make an effort."
Family outing. The words impressed themselves upon her with surprising force.
"You look mighty comfortable in front of that mirror," she teased.
Trent cleared his throat "That's not it at all."
"This what you do before you go for a night out in town?" she asked quirking a brow .
Chloe knew she was making him feel uncomfortable in a playful way. She'd never seen Trent like this before, and the truth was, she kinda liked that he took care with his appearance.
Chloe glanced over at the open wardrobe. Trent certainly liked his clothes. For a rancher his closet was filled with more outfits than Chloe had seen even in most women's wardrobes.
"You like your clothes, don't you Trent?"
He strode over to the closet and quickly closed the door. "Relics of my former life, you might say."
Chloe nodded "Ah yes. The life of a bachelor."
Trent frowned semi seriously. "A man's got to make an effort. Things are different now though. As I told you. Those days are gone for me. But it does mean that I have some mighty fine clothes to wear."
"Maybe you'd like me to go through them and throw out the ones that don't fit with your new role as a family man," she said with a grin.
Trent's brow furrowed. "Oh I don't think that's a good idea. There's nothing in that closet that I still don't look good in," he said coming up closer to her and grinning.
Chloe slapped him playfully on the chest. "You are so vain," she said and smiled. "And to think that you're a rancher. Do the other men know that you're a secret dandy?"
"They know it and they love it. When I used to go into town they were all positively jealous of how I was turned out."
Chloe laughed. Trent was incorrigible and in that moment she felt herself drawn to his humor and his sheer self confidence. He couldn't have made what he had of himself without possessing a deep well of self assurance. She found that both compelling and attractive.
Trent smiled at Chloe. "You don't look too bad yourself if I may say so."
Chloe shifted, overcome by sudden embarrassment. "Evan's ready," she said.
Chloe lifted her head and looked into Trent's dark eyes. There was a glint of something in his gaze that made Chloe's breath catch in her throat. It was a piercing look that drove deep into her. The room seemed suddenly smaller. Chloe could hear the soft sound of Trent's breathing. The silence stretched interminably. Chloe coughed.
"We best be going then," she said. Trent's lips narrowed and his eyes shifted away from Chloe. "Sure," he said quickly.
"I take it you know where we're going for this picnic."
Trent nodded. "There's only one place that I know of which is perfect for a family picnic."
"Not too far from the ranch house?" she enquired.
"No. It's sheltered, close to the house and has beautiful views."
"Sound's nice. Let's go then."
As they left Trent's room Chloe thought how fascinating it had been to catch a glimpse of Trent in his private moments. She'd caught him off guard and she wasn't going to apologize for doing so. She'd learned nothing new. She was already aware of just how well Trent took care of himself. But there was always room for improvement when it came to taking care of a man, she thought. With a last glance at the wardrobe Chloe promised herself that she would take some time when Trent wasn't around to sort out the contents of that closet.
A man didn't exist who wouldn't benefit from a woman's touch when it came to how he was dressed.
And Chloe's husband was not going to be the exception.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Trent was mortified.
Chloe had caught him in an unguarded moment. And she'd teased him too, although that had been curiously enjoyable. Chloe had a sense of humor. Given the recent circumstances of her life that was remarkable. But maybe some of the efforts Trent had been making to help Chloe feel at home during the last couple of days had been paying off. Trent had made sure that he hadn't spent all day at work. They'd had some nice quiet moments together walking in the garden, watching the horses being worked in the corral, and on one quiet evening sitting on the porch looking at the stars. Trent was enjoying getting to know Chloe and Evan. They were wonderful to be around. They'd brought a whole new meaning to his life, one that he was fast getting used to.
But Chloe was still holding back. Trent didn't blame her for that. So much had changed in Chloe's life in recent times that he thought it amazing she even tolerated his presence as much as she did. She didn't talk about Lucas much, and Trent understood that. The pain she was feeling must still be raw and hard to deal with. Trent had made sure he didn't bring the subject of Lucas up in their conversations, figuring that Chloe must be having a tough enough time adjusting to ranch life and motherhood. His admiration for her fighting spirit was growing by the day. And it wasn't just admiration. In his quiet moments, out working with the ranch hands and the herd, he found himself thinking warm thoughts about his new wife.
Trent followed Chloe along the hall and into Evan's room. Chloe looked mighty fine. She'd tied her hair up into a bun. Although Trent preferred to see Chloe's hair fall loose, he liked the way her high cheekbones were accentuated by the hair pulled high.
Chloe bent down and reached into the crib, lifting Evan up. The little guy was so cute in his tight fitting outdoor outfit.
"Can I take him?" he asked.
Chloe turned and her eyes widened. "You sure?"
Trent nodded "I'm sure. We got such a long way to go," he said with a wry grin. "You'll need all your energy for the journey," he said with a teasing quirk of his brow.
Chloe smiled and narrowed her eyes. "What on earth do you mean? I thought you said we had a long way to go."
Trent lifted Evan up in his arms. "Oh yes, ma'am. It sure is a long way."
Trent smiled at Evan and felt a rush of delight as the little boy gave him a grin right back. "Evan already knows," Trent said teasing Evan's nose with a finger. "Don't you Evan? It's our little secret."
Chloe's mouth twisted in a puzzled frown. "What are you up to, Trent McIntyre?"
Trent shook his head, turned on his heel and made his way out. He took a silent pleasure at the sound of Chloe scurrying behind him.
They went downstairs. Instead of heading out the front door Trent turned into the parlor, heading for the French doors at the rear of the house.
"Where are we going?" Chloe demanded.
Trent strode on, ignoring her request for an explanation. Evan started to giggle.
Trent could feel Chloe's eyes burrowing into his back. They went out the French doors and entered the back garden. Mrs. Ross had been tending the flower beds and borders for years. She'd created a beautiful enclosed green space made up of rows of well trimmed bushes, multi colored native Montana flowers of eye popping variety. There was a narrow path which led up the gradual incline to a grove of trees. The copse stretched far back from the house rising up the hillside upon which the ranch house was perched. Trent held Evan closer to him as he strode purposefully onward.
"I thought we were going for a ride on the buckboard," Chloe asked.
Trent shook his head. "Not safe yet for Evan," he answered emphatically.
Chloe drew up by his side gazing up at him. She had to draw her dress close in tight to prevent it snagging on the bushes and flower beds.
"So this...picnic is in the back garden?"
Trent shook his head. "Not just any old back garden."
He strode on. They came to the first of the trees. Trent knew the safest path to take. He was careful with Evan as he lowered his head, edging his way through the grove of trees. He pushed stray branches aside and paused, turning to make sure that Chloe was okay. He smiled as he saw her clutch her dress tight in her fist and trying to maintain a modicum of dignity while avoiding the bending branches.
"You okay?" He asked with a grin.
She peered at him in the softer, shadowed light of the grove. "I'm fine. And Evan?"
Trent twisted his head. "He looks like he's fascinated by the trees."
Evan was gazing up at the dappled light from the branches above his head. He had a huge smile on his face.
After a few minutes of making their way through the coolness of the grove they suddenly emerged out into a circular open area. Trent heard Chloe gasp and smiled. It was just as he'd asked Mrs. Ross to set it up.
"Trent! It's beautiful," Chloe said with a sigh.
They stood in flat clearing in the trees. There was a small, round wooden table and plain chairs. On the table Trent saw the large basket which contained the food. All around the edge of the space were flowers of various types and colors. Trent went to the table and turned. Because of the steep incline of the hill he could see over the top of the trees, above the house and out across the valley. It was a view that never failed to affect him, and here with Chloe and Evan it touched him more than usual.
"I never knew this was here," Chloe said joining him at the table.
Trent nodded. "It's a little secret place. I come here when I want some privacy." He turned and looked down at Chloe. "Now it's y
our secret place too. And Evan's," he said glancing at the smiling boy, who was gazing up at the clear blue sky.
"You said it was going to be a picnic. I thought we'd be sitting on a rug on a hillside somewhere," Chloe said.
"You don't like it here?" Trent asked.
Chloe smiled and nodded. "Of course I like it here. It's beautiful."
Trent turned and sat down on one of the chairs. "Guess we should think about the food that's in the basket," he said.
"Of course," Chloe said opening it up and looking inside. She took out the small plates and chicken that were inside. "Mrs. Ross has outdone herself," she said lifting out more plates with vegetables and fruit.
Trent bounced Evan on his knee. "You like it here, don't you, Evan," he said smiling at the little boy.
Chloe laid out the food on the plates, and before long they were eating and enjoying their time in the quiet, private place that was now reserved for their family. Trent thought about how fine that sounded. He watched Chloe as she ate, enjoying the fact that she was here with him. It was such a simple, surprising pleasure, like so many over the last few days. He'd known they couldn't travel too far with Evan. He'd been keeping this place a secret from her, hoping that at some point he could come here alone with her, maybe some evening when the stars were coming out. But it had seemed the right thing to do when he'd decided that their first visit to the private glade would be as a family.
It felt so good to be sitting at the small table with Chloe. She looked so happy and that made Trent feel that he'd done the right thing in marrying her. The pleasure he also felt at having Evan sitting on his knee couldn't be put into words. It had been an incredible time in recent days. How could so much good come out of such a tragic thing as the death of a friend? Trent couldn't even begin to figure that one out.
The air was cooler in the clearing. "Do you think Evan's warm enough?" he asked Chloe.
She looked over at Evan and put her chicken down on the plate. She touched Evan's face. "I think he's okay for the moment. But you were right. We can't be travelling too far with him. Not until he gets a bit older, anyway," she said.
Trent's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides series) Page 8
