****
Trent slowed the truck and pulled into a driveway when the GPS announced he had reached his destination. Driving up to the house, he stopped the vehicle. Gazing through the windshield, he saw smoke pouring out of a stone chimney. He was lucky he’d made it. That woman could have caused them both a lot of trouble. Some people just didn’t know how to drive in snow. She was beautiful though. Her green eyes were the color of summer grass and stunning with the long lashes surrounding them. She had a peaches and cream complexion with a few freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her pert nose. Long straight dark hair fell to her shoulders, and a blue knit cap covered the top of her head. She looked to be petite if going by how far she had the seat up in her SUV. Hell! A woman was the last thing he needed right now. He looked out the windshield to look at the log home.
“Nice place,” he muttered as he turned the engine off and opened the door then stepped out. Glancing around, he noticed the snow was getting so heavy he could barely make out the barns.
Taking a deep breath, he blew it out to see it form into a puff of air in front of him then he shut the truck door, walked up the steps to the porch, and knocked on the door. It opened, and a beautiful redhead stood looking at him with a smile on her face.
“Hi, can I help you?” she asked him.
He removed his hat. “Yes, ma’am. I’m looking for Jake Stone. Do I have the right place?”
“You do. Jake’s in the middle barn.” She pointed over Trent’s shoulder, and he turned to look across the yard.
“Thank you.” He nodded at her and put his hat back on then turned from her.
“Have you been here before? You look familiar.”
Trent turned back to face her. Why was everyone telling him he looked familiar?
“No, ma’am. I’ve never been here before.” Trent smiled, but she continued to stare up at him with pretty green eyes, though to him, they weren’t as beautiful as the woman’s who’d almost run into him in his opinion.
“Okay. Well, have Jake bring you in for a cup of coffee. It’s cold out here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Trent touched the brim of his hat then walked down the steps and headed to the barn in the direction she’d told him.
The snow was quickly piling up, and it was only going to get worse. Even this early in November wasn’t the best time to be out and about in Montana. Snow could come quickly and get deep in a short amount of time. Being from Billings, he was used to it, but that didn’t mean he liked being out in it. He hadn’t even gotten a place to stay since he hadn’t planned on staying, just meet Josiah then go back home. Sighing, he entered the barn and let his eyes adjust then walked down the aisle. Horses stuck their noses over the gates to see who the new visitor was. Trent smiled at the scent of horses, hay, and leather. To him, nothing else smelled better. Except for a woman and it had been so long since he’d been with one, he may have forgotten how good they smelled. Hearing a man’s voice, he headed in that direction to see a man standing in a stall, with his back to him, wiping a horse down and murmuring to it.
“Excuse me. Are you Jake Stone?”
The man turned to look at him, and Trent immediately knew why everyone thought he looked familiar.
“I am. Can I help you with something?” Jake stared at him.
Trent couldn’t stop staring at him then Jake’s eyebrow rose making Trent clear his throat.
“I’m sorry. I understand that Josiah Stone was your father.”
“He was. Why?” Jake set the currycomb down and placed his hands on his hips.
“I’d like to know a little about him.” Trent drew himself up to his full height of six foot four, which put him eye to eye with Jake Stone.
Jake frowned. “Why? How do you know him?”
“I don’t know him. That’s why I want to ask you about him.”
“Who are you?”
“Trent Donovan. I’m from Billings.” Trent stuck his hand out, and after a slight hesitation, Jake took it.
“And why do you want to know about my father, Trent?”
Trent glanced away then back and looked Jake in the eye.
“Because he was my father too.”
Chapter Two
“What did you just say?” Jake said in a low tone of voice.
“Josiah Stone was my father,” Trent said.
“Bullshit.” Jake stepped toward him, but Trent stood his ground.
“I’m not lying.” Trent reached inside his coat and pulled out the envelope that held a copy of the letter his mother had written him, and a copy of his birth certificate then handed them to Jake.
Jake stared at Trent then took the envelope from him. Trent watched as his eyes scanned the letter and certificate then he looked at Trent. His face turned ashen, and his hand started shaking. He handed them back to Trent.
“Let’s go inside,” Jake said and walked out of the stall. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called someone to come and finish cooling the horse down.
Trent followed him out of the barn, across the yard, and onto the porch where they stomped their boots to remove the snow. Once inside the kitchen, Jake removed his coat and hat then motioned for Trent to do the same. A little boy came running into the kitchen, then a little girl came in on wobbly legs behind him, and Jake squatted down to scoop them up.
“Hey, where’s Mama?”
The little girl pointed out of the kitchen then she smiled at Trent, and he couldn’t stop the grin when he looked at her. She had red curls and green eyes, an image of her mother. The little boy resembled his father with his black hair and dark eyes.
“They’re both beautiful,” Trent murmured.
“Thank you. Hattie is eighteen months old and a holy terror. Will is three years old and still acts like he’s in the terrible twos.”
“Still hanging on to those, huh?”
“I think he invented them. He’s got it down perfectly.” Jake set them back down then nodded for Trent to follow him, and the kids trailed behind them.
They entered a living room where a fire roared in the massive stone fireplace. The flames were climbing high, flickering between blue, and orange. A twelve-point buck’s head hung above the mantle, and even though it was early November, four Christmas stockings hung from the mantle, and a brightly decorated Christmas tree sat in the corner. Two comfortable looking leather recliners sat facing a large screen TV, and a maroon sofa sat in front of a row of windows.
“Hi,” the woman who had opened the door to him earlier entered the room and kissed Jake.
“Red, this is Trent Donovan. Trent, my wife, Becca.” Jake introduced them.
Becca stuck her hand out to him, and he took it in his.
“Nice to officially meet you, Trent,” she said as she smiled up at him.
“Officially? What does that mean?” Jake asked her with a frown.
Trent watched as Becca scowled back at Jake.
“He came to the door looking for you, and I told him you were in the barn. We didn’t introduce ourselves.”
“Oh. Okay.” Jake raked his fingers through his hair and huffed out a breath.
“What’s wrong with you, Stone?” Becca folded her arms and stared up at her husband.
“Nothing, darlin’. Hell. Everything,” Jake muttered.
Becca looked at Trent and scowled at him. “Just what are your reasons for being here? You’ve obviously upset my husband.”
Trent glanced at Jake to see his lips twitching as if trying to hold back a grin, and then he pulled Becca into his arms and kissed her forehead.
“It’s fine, Red. Trent is…hell. It seems that Trent is my half-brother.”
“What?” Becca stared at Jake then looked at Trent and gasped. “That’s why I thought you looked familiar.”
“Yes, ma’am. I didn’t know why you and two others would tell me I looked familiar until I saw Jake.”
“Jake, you have to tell Gabe and Wyatt.”
“I know, but it’s getting too bad ou
t to have them come here today.” Jake looked at Trent. “Can you come back tomorrow?”
“I—”
“Come back? Jake, this is your brother. You have to let him stay with us.”
“No, ma’am. I’m sure Jake needs some time to process this, and with me here, he won’t be able to do that. I’ll head back to town,” Trent said.
“Do you already have a place to stay?” Becca asked him.
“No ma’am, but I can get one once I get back to town.”
“You are not going back to town. It’s getting too bad out. If you don’t stay here, then you can stay in one of the cabins on my property. It’s just a few miles down the road.”
“Your property?” What the hell did that mean?
Becca smiled at him. “I own a local bed and breakfast. It’s closed for the season, but I also have cabins on the property. You’re welcome to one of them for as long as you need. There are one, two, or three bedrooms. Take your pick.”
“You don’t have to do that—”
“Give up, Trent. You won’t win an argument with her. I know that firsthand,” Jake said with a smile.
Trent didn’t know what to do. He could go back to town and get a room, but he looked at Becca and saw the determination on her face. Blowing out a breath, he nodded.
“All right. A one-bedroom will be fine.”
“Great. Jake, take him over there.”
Jake looked at Trent and shrugged. “You can follow me there. It shouldn’t take us too long. The roads aren’t bad yet, are they?”
“They were starting to get covered. I’m sure I can make it back to town.”
“Stop arguing. Good Lord, I can tell you’re related to Jake.” Becca put her hands on her hips and glared up at him.
Trent grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh my God! If I hadn’t seen the resemblance before, I see it now. You have the same smile.”
“Let’s go now before it gets any later,” Jake snapped as he headed for the kitchen.
Trent took a deep breath and followed him then turned to look at Becca.
“I appreciate this.”
“We’re family.” She shrugged. “It won’t take long to heat the cabin since it’s small.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And stop calling me ma’am. My name is Becca, and I’m your sister-in-law.” She smiled at him.
“Thank you…Becca.”
“Give him time. I’m sure he’s in shock right now, but Jake and his brothers are good men.”
Trent nodded then entered the kitchen to see Jake waiting for him. He already had his coat and hat on. Once Trent put his on Jake nodded for him to go out the door when he opened it then followed him out.
“Just follow me,” Jake said then walked to his truck and climbed in.
Trent opened the door to his truck and climbed in, started it then followed Jake out of the driveway. They turned right and drove for a few miles. With the way the snow was still coming down, Trent didn’t see it letting up anytime soon. He would have been fine at a hotel, but it seemed like once Becca Stone made up her mind, there was no stopping her. When Jake slowed his truck and turned into a driveway, Trent did the same then followed him to the side of a large white colonial home. Several chimneys jutted up from the roof. Jake pulled around to the side porch and stopped his truck then stepped out and walked back to Trent’s pickup. Trent lowered his window.
“I have to go inside and get the keys to the cabin. I’ll just be a minute.”
“All right.” Trent put his window back up when Jake walked away.
He didn’t know what was going through Jake’s mind right now. The man had two brothers and just had another one tossed at him. He seemed like a good man, but he had to be in shock, just as Becca said. There was so much Trent wanted to ask him. Had Josiah been a good father? Did he love Jake’s mother? What had happened to him? Was Jake’s mother still living? Shit. Trent ran his hand down his face. He’d never thought of that. If she were still alive, what would this do to her? Trent didn’t like hurting anyone. He just wanted to know about his father. He’d never given it a thought as to whose lives he’d be disrupting. Damn it to hell! He watched as Jake came back out and climbed into his truck then pulled out. Trent followed him up a road, past some barns, then into a clearing. They drove up an incline then when they started down the other side, Trent saw the cabins. Jake pulled up to the first one he came to and stopped his truck. Trent pulled in behind him, put the gear into Park, shut it off, stepped out, and walked to where Jake already stood on the porch. Trent watched him insert the key then push the door open. He reached in and turned on a light. Trent entered behind him and glanced around the room.
“It’s nice,” he said.
“Yeah. Becca inherited the house, and ranch from her grandmother and turned it into a B and B. She had so many people wanting to come here that she had the cabins built. We’re full every season.”
“What’s the season?”
“Early May to early October. One reason for the fireplaces. You might want to build a fire to take the chill off. There’s a bin beside each cabin on the right side, with cut logs. The thermostat for the heat is down the hallway. Do you have any luggage?” Jake placed the keys on the counter.
“Just a duffle bag. I hadn’t planned to stay more than a day or two…”
“I see. Well, I’m sure you know I’m in shock about all of this, and I don’t know how Gabe and Wyatt are going to take it.”
“What about your mother?”
“She passed away before Dad did. He loved her so much that he gave up when she died. At least, I thought he did,” Jake murmured.
“I’m sure he did.”
“You don’t know though, do you?” Jake snapped.
“No, I don’t. I’m sorry, Jake. I’m not here to hurt anyone.”
Jake took his hat off, ran his hand through his hair then resettled the hat. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m just not sure how to take any of this.”
“We’ll talk whenever you’re ready. How’s that?”
“Sure. If you need anything, call me.” Jake rattled off his number, and Trent added it to his phone and told Jake his. “All of the cabins have soup if you want it. If the roads are passable tomorrow, you can go to town and get food, or we can supply it.” Jake quickly looked him up and down. “Pots and pans are supplied. I’ll give you a call once I process this and figure out how to move forward.”
“Sounds good. Thanks for everything, Jake, and please tell Becca I appreciate this. I did tell her, but I can’t express how grateful I am for you both letting me stay here.”
“No problem. There are clean sheets and blankets in the linen closet in the bathroom. You’ll have to make the bed up. Have a good evening. Oh, the TV works too.” Jake nodded then walked out and closed the door behind him.
Trent glanced around the cabin. It was one large room with a bar separating the small kitchen from the living room. The stone fireplace already had wood in it waiting for a match to light it. A sofa sat facing the hearth with a coffee table in front of it, and a flat-screen TV hung above the mantle. An overstuffed chair sat in the corner alongside a set of French doors. Trent turned to look at the door then walked toward it. Looking out the window beside it, he saw nothing but snow coming down in big fat flakes. He shivered then strolled to the fireplace, kneeled, and opened the flue. After finding a box of matches on the mantle, he then lit one and set it to the logs. The fire started, and the smell of the burning wood filled the room while the flames wrapped around the wood making popping and snapping sounds.
Trent strode down a small hallway to look for the thermostat. He came upon a bathroom and then the bedroom. The thermostat was on the wall in the hallway just as Jake had said. He turned it up and immediately, he could smell the dust burning off the baseboard heaters. He’d make the bed later. Walking back to the door, he opened it and stepped onto the small porch. It was so quiet that he could hear the snow falling. Taking a deep breath
, he walked to his truck to get his duffle bag and remembered the way Jake had looked at him when he said they would supply him with food if need be. Trent figured Jake thought he didn’t have any money with his worn jeans and boots. His truck was ten years old, and he was sure Jake noticed that too. Did Jake think Trent was here for money? He’d straighten him out on that if it came up. He didn’t want money; he just wanted to know about the man who’d been his father.
After walking back up the steps, he stomped his feet to remove the snow then entered the cabin and dropped his duffle bag. He took his hat and coat off then hung them on the pegs by the door. It looked like it was going to be a long night. Walking over to the coffee table, he picked up the remote, aimed it at the TV, and then plopped down onto the sofa. After pulling his boots off, he swung his legs up onto the couch and settled in for the night.
****
Jake entered the kitchen, pulled a chair out from under the table, and took a seat. Hattie walked to him with her little arms up, so he picked her up and sat her on his lap. She kissed his cheek and his heart melted as it did anytime, he held his children. Becca came into the room and leaned down to kiss his lips.
“Are you all right?” she asked him.
“Not really. I’m just so confused about all of this, and I have no idea how Wyatt will take it.”
“What about Gabe?”
Jake ran his hand down his face. “I don’t know. It’s…” He shook his head.
Becca lifted Hattie off his lap and held her then took her place on his lap. Jake wrapped his arms around her and put his face against her neck. God, he loved this woman and the children they’d created together.
“It will work out, Stone. You’ll see.”
“I wonder if it’s money he’s after. I mean, his clothes are almost threadbare, and his truck is at least, ten years old.”
“Never judge a book by its cover. It just might be the way he prefers it. He seems like a nice man.”
“I’m sure he is but why didn’t Dad tell us about this? According to the letter Trent’s mother wrote to him, Dad sent her money every month to take care of Trent until he turned eighteen. Christ, did Mom know?” He groaned thinking about how his father could have betrayed his mother.
Trent Men of Clifton, Montana Book 9 Page 2
