The Cowboy's Spring Romance

by Shanna Hatfield

  After announcing winners in that game and passing out boxes of conversation hearts to the champions, she asked the students to exchange their Valentine’s by putting them in the envelopes on the desks. She and Trent quickly pushed the desks back to their original places before a flurry of activity erupted as kids stuffed cards in envelopes and ran around the room.

  Trent decided the next time he helped Lindsay with a party, he’d make sure to stuff his ears with cotton balls before coming. The shrieks and chatter of her students were growing louder by the minute. He dreaded what would happen when she got out the treats.

  Once all the cards were exchanged, Lindsay poured each child a cup of punch and set out the cookies. Trent helped get the kids settled at their desks with the treats. The noise level decreased as they munched their goodies and opened their cards. Some of the kindergarten students didn’t know what their cards said, but were excited to get them, nonetheless.

  The noon bell rang and the kids, full of sweets and fun, gathered up their cards, put on their coats, and ran out the door. Cass went out with her friend Ashley while Trent helped Lindsay clean up the room.

  “Well, that went better than I expected.” Lindsay wiped frosting off the floor near one messy little fellow’s desk.

  “Did you anticipate they would hang from the ceiling or take us hostage?” Trent asked with a teasing glint in his eyes.

  “Neither one, but there is usually someone who cries, someone who eats too much and gets sick, that sort of thing.”

  “In that case, I’m extremely glad it went well.” Trent shuddered at the thought of a sick child.

  “Thanks again for coming to the rescue.” Lindsay wiped down the last desk and looked around to make sure classroom order was restored.

  “You’re welcome.” Reluctantly, Trent decided he might as well let her know about his lack of exciting plans. “I know it isn’t terribly romantic or exciting, but would you mind going to The Dalles for our date? We could see a movie and have dinner.”

  Lindsay studied him for a moment. She didn’t care where they went or what they did. Her main objective was to spend time with the good-looking man helping her clean up after twenty rambunctious students. “That sounds great to me. I should be home around four. What time would you like to leave?”

  “You mean you aren’t done here for the day?” Trent asked. Under the impression he would the whole afternoon to spend with Lindsay, he experienced a moment of disappointment.

  “No. We’re having teacher in-service this afternoon, so I won’t be able to leave early. I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t mention that this morning.”

  “No, that’s fine. I’ll come by your house around four-thirty to pick you up if that works for you.” Trent gathered his coat and hat. He fully embraced the opportunity to have a few more hours to come up with something romantic that would impress Lindsay.

  “That would be perfect.” She walked him to the classroom door. Stretching up, she kissed his cheek. “Thanks again for your help.”

  “Anytime, Lindsay.” Trent tamped down the desire to kiss her lips and hurried outside to where Cass waited for him.

  He helped the little chatterbox into her booster seat then drove to Viv’s to pick up their lunch. Cass ran inside ahead of him and went back to the kitchen. Viv came out with some to-go containers and wished him a Happy Valentine’s Day. Trent gave her a hug and noticed the fresh flowers in vases on the tables.

  Why hadn’t he thought of flowers sooner? That would be one way to impress Lindsay.

  “Say, Viv, is there anywhere around here to get some flowers?” Trent asked, trying to be nonchalant.

  Viv read right through him.

  “Got a hot date?” She gave him a teasing wink.

  “Maybe.” He felt like he was about to step into an ambush.

  “I bet I know who,” Viv said, enjoying the opportunity to tease him.

  “I’m sure you do, since you seem to know everything that goes on around here.” Trent stated a fact. Not much got by Viv’s notice. “Anyway, do you know where I can buy some flowers?”

  “The Dalles would be your closest bet,” Viv said. “I checked around yesterday and got the last two bouquets in Sherman County.”

  Mindful of the panic on Trent’s face, Viv patted his arm and smiled. “I’ve got an extra rose in the back you could take off my hands.”

  “Are you sure, Viv?” Trent regained a glimmer of hope after Viv’s dire announcement sent his dreams for a perfect date crashing to the floor.

  “You bet. Wait here while I get it.” She returned with a single yellow rose tipped in red and handed it to Trent. He looked at the bright bloom and then at some of the flowers on the table. He wanted to ask Viv if he could trade it for a pink or red bloom. “You give her that one, Trent. She’ll like it just fine.”

  “Okay.” Who was he to argue when he was bumming a rose off Cady’s aunt? “Can I pay you for it?”

  “Nope. Just make sure you give it to Lindsay.” Athough Trent was clueless, Viv knew the color of the rose meant both friendship and passion. “And you might want to get some candy to go along with it.”

  “Right. Candy.” Trent tried to balance the vase and the to-go boxes while herding Cass toward the door.

  Viv picked up the little girl up and carried her out, setting her in the pickup. Cass threw her arms around her great-aunt’s neck and noisily kissed her cheek.

  “Love you, Aunt Viv,” Cass said.

  “Love you, too, sweetie-pie. Be good for your uncles.” Viv closed Cass’ door before giving Trent a knowing look. “And you behave yourself.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Instead of driving home, he drove down the street to the grocery store and ran inside with Cass. While she studied the small selection of toys, Trent zeroed in on a heart-shaped box of chocolates and a stuffed bear holding a heart.

  Quickly snatching them both, he paid for his purchases, loaded Cass in the truck, and raced home.

  After lunch, Travis took Cass with him on his horse, joining Trent and the rest of the hands as they rode through the herds, looking for cows they needed to bring in that might calve soon. Until all the calves were dropped, they would keep a diligent watch on the cows.

  Periodically checking his watch, Trent wanted plenty of time to get back to the house, clean up, and pick up Lindsay.

  They cut several cows from the herd and brought them into the pen by the barn. By the time they got there, one had already headed into labor. She was small and a first-calf heifer. Trent worried about how she’d do with the birthing process, but decided Travis would take good care of her.

  The hands split up to make a sweep through the two remaining herds while Trent went in to clean up. Cass fell asleep on the horse, just like Travis predicted she would. Trent carried her to her room and tucked her under the quilt on her bed. Travis, or one of the hands, would sit in the house when he left so she wasn’t alone.

  He hustled to take another shower and shaved for the second time that day. As he put on a pair of pressed Wranglers, a dark blue shirt with lighter blue stripes and a pair of polished boots, he whistled in an attempt to calm his nerves. Once he subdued his wavy hair, he slapped on aftershave, shrugged into his coat, and called Travis.

  “I’m heading out, so send someone to the house to sit with Cass. And don’t forget, Cady left a special treat in the freezer for tonight. I got out dessert so it would thaw. Oh, and I left Cass a present on the counter.” Trent knew she would hug the stuffing right out of the bear he purchased at the grocery store.

  “Are you sure you can’t stick around and help us?” Travis teased.

  “I’m outta here, bro. Hold down the fort.” Trent picked up the rose and candy as he walked out the door.

  Anxious to see Lindsay, he arrived at her house a few minutes early. He sat in his truck, gathering his nerve before making his way down the walk and up the steps.

  She opened the door at his first knock and gave him a smile that made him feel woozy. When he h
anded her the vase with the rose and the box of candy, she looked surprised, but graciously accepted them, inviting him inside. She placed the rose on the coffee table along with the candy then turned to get her coat.

  Although she still wore the red sweater and black slacks she had on at school, she’d traded her flats for black heels and her hair now bounced in curls around her face and down her back. Trent struggled against the longing to wrap one of those golden curls around his fingers and feel the silky splendor of it.

  Instead, he held her coat while she slipped it on, and took her hand as they walked out the door to his pickup.

  “Do you have a favorite place you like to eat in The Dalles?” Trent should have made a reservation somewhere, but he wanted to give Lindsay a choice.

  “I don’t have a favorite place, but Italian sounds good.” For whatever reason, Italian food always conjured up thoughts of romance in Lindsay’s mind. She blamed it on Disney and the Lady and The Tramp movie. The first time she watched it, she thought it was so romantic and sweet. Now, here she was hoping to experience a little of that romance tonight.

  “Italian it is,” Trent said, offering a crooked grin that made her stomach flutter. Why did he have to embody all the traits a girl could want in a red-blooded, fun-loving, incredibly good-looking cowboy? Maybe that was why he made her so flustered. It wasn’t just the fact that he was undeniably handsome. He was also funny, smart, thoughtful, and such a gentleman. He really was unlike any guy she had ever dated, which intrigued her even more.

  Driving north on Highway 97 toward the freeway, they were making good time until Trent suddenly turned off the road and drove up an incline. Stopping at the top of the hill, Trent pulled around so they could watch the sun descend. The sky was on fire with blazes of color and Lindsay couldn’t think when she’d seen such a beautiful sunset.

  “Wow, Trent, this is amazing.”

  “It certainly is.” Trent agreed, although he was more interested in watching Lindsay and the way the fading light played in her hair than the sunset.

  Lindsay turned her head to look at Trent and felt drawn to him by a force that defied description. Unbuckling her seatbelt, she slid closer to him while he did the same. His arms were just going around her, when his cell phone rang. Ignoring it, he rubbed his thumb along Lindsay’s cheek, discovering her skin felt as soft and smooth as he dreamed it would. He pulled her closer to him and inhaled her warm scent, falling into the blue pools of her eyes. Wanting to make their first kiss special and memorable, he began to lower his head when his phone rang again. Lindsay pulled back while Trent mentally lambasted whoever was interrupting this moment.

  “Hello?” he answered, not bothering to see who was calling.

  “I’m sorry more than you can know at disturbing you, lover boy, but you’ve got to come home,” Travis said.

  “Do you have a death wish?” Trent asked, trying to keep the irritation from his voice as he looked at Lindsay and smiled.

  “No, but we’ve got two cows in distress. Your little heifer took a turn for the worse right after you left. She is going to need some help and the vet said it could be hours before he can get here. He has three other calls ahead of us. We really need you to come back.”

  Trent knew Travis wouldn’t call unless it was an emergency.

  “I’ll be right there,” Trent said, unable to keep disappointment from his voice or his face.

  Turning to Lindsay, he took her hand in his and gently rubbed his thumb in her palm in lazy circles. The sensation made her tingle from her hand all the way to her toes. “I would rather do just about anything than have to cancel our date tonight, but we’re in the middle of calving season and it appears I’m needed at home.”

  “It’s okay, Trent. I understand.” Lindsay did understand, even though she was thoroughly disappointed. She grew up in a rural community, although not on a farm, and understood sometimes things happened that were beyond control.

  “I am sorry, Lindsay. I was really looking forward to spending the evening with you,” Trent said, driving back to the highway and heading south toward home. “I’ll take you home and maybe we can reschedule for Saturday, if that would work for you.”

  “Why don’t I go with you? If it doesn’t take long to do whatever needs done, we could still go to Viv’s for a quick dinner. And I’ll still hold you to a date Saturday.” Lindsay was grasping at any straw to spend more time with Trent.

  “Are you sure?” Trent asked, pleased that Lindsay wanted to go with him instead of go home. “I don’t know how long it will take.”

  “I’m sure. I can wait at the house with Cass. Maybe I could help get dinner ready for your crew,” Lindsay said, warming to the idea of being domestic. She knew Cady had meals frozen and all they had to do was warm them up and add a salad or some vegetables.

  “That would be fine, although I’m not going to put you to work,” Trent said, speeding toward the ranch.

  “Do you often get called to come to the rescue?” Lindsay asked, wondering what exactly was wrong.

  “Travis called the vet and he’s tied up, so I’m the next best thing until he gets there.”

  “Is an animal hurt?”

  “No, we’ve got a heifer about to freshen and the calf is too big for her,” Trent said, not wanting to elaborate too much. Since Lindsay didn’t grow up on farm, he wasn’t sure how much she understood about the calving process.

  “Will she be okay?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ll do what I can to help her.”

  “And the other guys can’t? Help her, I mean?”

  “They don’t… well…” Trent didn’t want to sound like he was bragging or that the ranch would collapse without him there. “I always loved animals and knew I wanted to be a vet from the time I began high school. I started working on my bachelor’s degree with online courses my junior year so I could jump right into a veterinary program. I was in my second year of vet school when Dad died. Trey abandoned his plans of being a history professor and I left behind my dream of becoming a vet. We both came back to the ranch and have been working hard at it ever since. So, if one of our animals needs doctoring, I’m the one who usually takes care of it. If it is something beyond my skills, we call the vet. Travis called him and we are fourth on the list this evening. Trav’s afraid the heifer might die before the vet gets there.”

  “I’m sorry, Trent. I had no idea,” Lindsay said, feeling sorrow for the boys who gave up their dreams to keep the family ranch thriving. “Can you help the heifer?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m certainly going to try,” Trent said as they neared the sprawling house of the Triple T Ranch.

  Lindsay was familiar with the house, having been to visit several times to see Cady, but it never failed to impress her. The whole place was neat and inviting with wide-open views and a welcoming atmosphere.

  Trent pulled up at the steps to the mud room then ran around to open Lindsay’s door. Helping her up the steps, he opened the door and escorted her through the mudroom and into the kitchen.

  Tommy was at the stove with a dishtowel around his waist as an apron while Cass sat at the counter trying to read a book. He gave them a surprised look as they came in.

  “Hey, I figured you’d be almost to The Dalles by now,” he said, rinsing his hands at the sink.

  “Travis called. That heifer needs some help and the vet’s tied up. Lindsay’s going to hang out in here with you for a while,” Trent said, giving Lindsay’s hand a squeeze. “Lindsay, you remember Tommy?”

  “Of course I do. Cady said you’ve been a big help to her in taking care of the meals and kitchen when she has to be gone. I heard you are getting to be quite a cook yourself,” Lindsay said, making Tommy smile while Trent disappeared down the hallway.

  “I don’t know about that, but I am having fun learning,” Tommy said, slicing tomatoes and cucumbers for a green salad. “Can I get you anything? I could make you a cup of tea.”

  “I’m fine, but thank you for the o
ffer. Can I help you with anything?” Lindsay asked as she sat down by Cass and gave the little girl a hug.

  “No, but maybe you can help Cass with her reading. She’s been wrangling through the last few words on that page for quite a while.”

  “Will you really help me, Miss Lindsay?” Cass asked, looking up at her teacher with fond admiration.

  “You bet I will, sweetie-pie,” Lindsay said, pulling the little girl onto her lap and sliding the book closer to them both. She was helping Cass sound out a word when Trent ran back through the kitchen dressed in old jeans that had seen better days and a dark short-sleeved T-shirt that molded to him like a second skin. Lindsay suddenly found it difficult to swallow while her temperature was on the rise. Had the kitchen been so warm when they came in?

  Coming over to her bar stool, Trent put a warm hand on her back and pecked her cheek before ruffling Cass’ hair. “You and Tommy take good care of Miss Lindsay while I go help in the barn. Okay?”

  “Sure, Uncle Trent,” Cass said, swinging her little feet from her spot on Lindsay’s lap. “Tommy and me can handle it.”

  Trent laughed and ruffled her hair again. “I’m sure you can.”

  Taking long-legged strides to the door, he turned back to Cass. “Do you like your bear?”

  “Oh yes, Uncle Trent. He’s the best! Thank you!” Cass blew him a kiss, which he caught with a grin.

  “You’re welcome, goofball. Bye.”

  With that, he shut the door and was gone. It was then Lindsay noticed Cass had a plush white teddy bear clutched to her little chest.

  Lindsay helped Cass with her reading while Tommy made a green salad then took a large box out of the freezer. Inside were pans of lasagna, ready to heat, as well as breadsticks twisted into the shape of hearts. A huge chocolate cake, also shaped like a heart could be served with raspberry sauce and freshly whipped cream, or so the instructions taped to the box said.

  Tommy got out a carton of heavy cream and whipped it while Lindsay and Cass set the table. Cass insisted they put candles on the table and use red napkins so it would look “just like a party.”