“No! I will not ask any of them for a job. Hell, Wyatt thinks I’m here because I want something from them. He’d love to hear me ask one of them for a job. You don’t know how badly I want to be with you, but you don’t want the same. If there was any way, I’d find it, but there isn’t. So, where does that leave us?”
She shook her head as tears rolled down her face.
“At an impasse.”
Trent shook his head. “Goodbye, Delaney,” he said quietly, but she didn’t look up at him, she just turned her head away from him. Blowing out a shaky breath, he walked to the kitchen, pulled his coat on then his hat. After a last glance toward the living room, he walked out the back door, closing it softly behind him then climbed into his truck and drove away without looking back.
****
Jake, Gabe, and Wyatt walked out of Dirk Wallace’s office. None of them said anything until they were in the elevator. The attorney had shocked them all.
“I feel like an ass,” Gabe muttered.
“We all do. I’ll go by the cabin on the way home and tell him Dirk wants to see him. I won’t mention anything else.” Jake blew out a breath.
“I feel like a real jerk for what I said about his mother,” Wyatt groaned.
“You deserved that fist to the chin, and you know it,” Jake scolded.
“I know. Even after I said it, I knew it was wrong. Shit.”
The elevator came to a stop, and the brothers stepped out, strode to the parking lot, climbed into their trucks, and drove home. When Jake reached his driveway, he went on past to head for the cabin. He’d tell Trent that Dirk wanted to see him, but he wouldn’t tell him why. Dirk was the one who needed to tell him, not Jake or his brothers. It wasn’t their place.
Driving up to the cabin, he frowned when he didn’t see Trent’s truck. Maybe he was in town, or his vehicle was along the side of the cabin. Jake stopped his pickup, put it in Park, opened the door, and then stepped out. It was so quiet, and Jake had a bad feeling as he climbed up the steps, across the porch, and knocked on the door. When there was no answer, and he didn’t hear the dog barking, he walked across the porch to look along the side but didn’t see Trent’s truck there, so he headed back to the door, reached out and turned the knob, and the door opened.
“Trent?” Jake called out as he stuck his head in. When there was no answer, he stepped inside and immediately knew Trent was gone. Not just from the cabin but in all probability, from Clifton.
“Damn it,” Jake muttered. He turned to leave and saw the key on the counter. Trent was gone. Jake picked up the key, walked out, locked the door behind him, and put the key in his pocket. He ran down the steps and climbed into his truck then pulled his cell phone out and called Gabe.
“He’s gone. I think he went back to Billings,” Jake said when Gabe answered.
“Maybe he’s still in town, and you can catch him before he leaves.”
Jake ran his hand down his face and huffed out a breath.
“Maybe, but I have a feeling he’s gone. I’ll drive into town and look around. I’ll call you later.” Jake hit End, then tried calling Trent but he didn’t answer. He put the phone back in his jacket pocket, put the truck in Drive then gave it some gas making it slide in the snow, and headed to town. He drove down Main Street and looked around then pulled into the parking lot of the diner. Turning the key, he turned the engine off, stepped out, then entered the diner. He absentmindedly waved when people called out to him, then he took a seat on one of the stools. Connie walked to him.
“Hi, Jake. Coffee?”
“No thanks, Connie. Do you know Trent Donovan?”
“Yes, why?”
“Have you seen him today?”
“Trent’s gone back to Billings.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am. He and Lanie had seen each other while he was here. She called to tell me he left this morning.”
“Shit,” Jake muttered as he pushed to his feet. “All right. Thanks, Connie.”
“Jake? Why are you looking for him?”
“He’s…our brother.”
Connie grinned. “Of course, he is.”
“You knew?”
“Have you forgotten that your mother and father were mine and Owen’s closest friends? She never understood why Josiah didn’t want to tell you boys or bring Trent here. I think she would have loved him just as much as she loved you, Gabe, and Wyatt. I thought he looked familiar the first time he came in, but when he told me his name, I thought he was Josiah’s son, but when he asked Sam about your father, I was positive it was him. When he smiled, that sealed the deal. He’s a Stone and a good man, just like his brothers. He didn’t come here to cause problems. I was so happy to see him finally show up, but I couldn’t say anything to anyone.”
“I know he wasn’t here to cause problems and although I don’t know him well, I do know he’s a good man. I need to get in touch with him—”
“Dirk will know what to do, hon. Trent belongs here in Clifton.”
Jake sighed. “I think so too, but that’s Trent’s decision.”
“Jake, he left because he couldn’t offer Lanie anything and I couldn’t say anything. It wasn’t my place. Call Dirk. He’ll fix it then if Trent wants to come back here, he can, or if he wants to stay in Billings, he can do that, but I believe he needs to be with his family. His brothers, his sisters-in-law, and his nieces and nephews. You are a close-knit family, and he needs to be a part of it.”
“Who else knows?”
“I’m sure not many, other than Dirk, Owen, and me. We were friends with your parents for a long time. Owen and I stood up for your mother and father when they got married. She was my best friend. I miss her every day, and she’d want you and your brothers to accept Trent as your brother.”
“We will. I can promise you that. I’m going to go see Dirk.” Jake stood and leaned across the counter and kissed Connie’s cheek. He’d forgotten that Connie and his mother had been close friends. He knew she had to miss having his mother in her life. He ran to the parking lot, climbed into his truck, started it, and drove away from the diner to head back to Dirk’s office. He’d call Gabe and Wyatt once he got home.
****
Lanie laid on the sofa and cried. She hadn’t stopped since Trent walked out last night. She knew he was gone, and he’d taken her heart with him. Reaching for another tissue, she pushed herself up and blew her nose.
“What is wrong with you that you have to pick men who don’t want you?” she asked herself aloud.
Sobs wracked her body as more tears rolled down her face. She’d called her aunt this morning to tell her she needed a day or two off. Connie got it out of her why she was so upset, and once Lanie told her, she said to take all the time she needed. What she needed was to have Trent in her life, but it would never happen. He loved her, but he was gone. She remembered the night she felt his tears on her cheek. He was as upset as she was about this. Maybe she should have gone with him. He was right, she could visit. Billings was closer to Clifton than Albuquerque was, and her parents would be closer now. If Trent only had the money to start his own ranch, but he had to take care of his mother, which made him such a good son. Oooh! That man!
“Damn you, Trenton Stone Donovan,” she yelled.
She fell back over onto the sofa and bawled like a baby. She’d never had such heartache. Sure, she’d been hurt when Brett betrayed her but nothing like this. This was so…all consuming. So painful and it was probably because he wanted her as much as she wanted him. She’d been shocked when he told her he’d take her back with him but then she tells him she won’t go. It had to have hurt him and for that, she’d be forever sorry.
Pushing herself up once again, she stood and headed for the bathroom. A nice soak in the tub would help, she told herself. Once she entered the bathroom, she stripped off her lounge pants and T-shirt then stepped in front of the mirror to brush her hair up into a ponytail. When she looked in the mirror, her mouth dropped open. Now she k
new what death warmed over looked like. It was staring her in the face.
“You look like shit,” she said to her reflection.
Her eyes were puffy and red with dark circles under them, her nose was red, and her hair looked like a bird tried to make a nest out of it. She placed her hands on the counter and hung her head. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She shook her head.
“This is all your fault, Trent Donovan. I’d never look this bad if you’d stuck around and I have never talked to myself this much!”
Sighing, she walked to the bathtub, turned the water on, and watched as it filled the tub. She couldn’t help but remember her and Trent in it together. There wasn’t a place in this house she could go and not see him. How long would this pain hang around? She wanted him to come back, but she knew he never would. Lanie stepped into the tub, leaned her head back, and cried. This was going to take a long time to get past.
****
Trent drove up to his house and stopped the truck. It had taken him a lot longer to get home because he pulled off the road and thought about turning around and going back to her several times. He argued with himself consistently, but he’d pulled back onto the road to head for home. Home. It sure as hell didn’t feel like home anymore because home was where Delaney was. Ginny peered out the front window then looked at him.
“This is your new home, girl.” Trent reached over and rubbed her ears.
Ginny laid on the seat and put her head on her paws. Trent stared at her then opened the door and stepped out. He looked at Ginny, but she hadn’t moved.
“Come on, girl.” He put his hand out, but she stayed where she was.
Trent reached in and pulled her along the seat by her collar. She wasn’t happy in the least. He picked her up then carried her up the steps, onto the porch, opened the door, and entered the house. He set her down, but she sat by the door and stared up at him. Trent figured she was afraid of the new place, so he squatted down beside her.
“It’ll be all right, I promise. You’ll like it here, especially after you meet Zippy, Scout, and Ziggy. They’ll show you how to have a good time.” He rubbed her ears, but she only stared up at him. Trent straightened up then walked back outside for his duffle bag. When he reached the truck and opened the rear door, Ginny jumped up onto the seat and flopped down.
“Damn it, Ginny. We’re staying here.” Blowing out a frustrated breath, Trent sat on the seat next to her and rubbed her head. “I know, girl, I miss her too, but she lives there, and I live here. I’m sorry, girl.”
“Hey, Trent.”
Trent got out of the truck to see his boss striding to him and stopped when he reached the pickup.
“Cyrus, I see the place didn’t fall apart while I was gone.” Trent stuck his hand out, and Cyrus took it.
“Not for lack of trying. How’d it go? Did you get to meet your father?”
Trent shook his head. “He died years ago. It’s a long story, but I did find out I have three half-brothers.”
“Really? Well, I’m sorry about your father, son. How about coming for dinner tonight and filling me in?”
“Can we make it in a few days? My ass is dragging.”
“No problem. Hey, who’s this?” Cyrus saw Ginny on the seat.
“Ginny. I found her in Clifton. I’ll tell you all about that too. I’m just tired.”
“I understand. We’ll talk tomorrow. Take the next two days off, get some rest.”
“I don’t need any more days off, Cy.”
“I’m the boss, so do what I say. I’ll see you in a few nights for dinner.”
Trent shook his head as he watched Cyrus striding away. The man didn’t take no for an answer. Days off are not what Trent needed. He needed to get back to work so he could get Delaney off his mind. Yeah, like that will ever happen.
Chapter Thirteen
Three days later Trent took a ride on his horse, Jigsaw, a black and white quarter horse. The sun was just coming up, but since he didn’t sleep much, he decided to take a ride. All he could think about was Delaney. She should have come back with him. Shaking his head, he knew she’d hate being alone and so far from her family. Especially after she found out her parents were moving to Clifton. She’d been so happy about that. She loved her family and he knew that if she had come with him, she’d eventually hate it. Taking a deep breath, he blew it out then headed for the dirt path along the creek on the property. It was damn cold. He wore his black jacket, cowboy hat, and leather gloves. The men were moving the cattle, but they’d left yesterday, and he’d still been sitting at home. He’d rather have gone on the drive with them. It took a lot of concentration moving that many cattle, so he knew his mind wouldn’t be filled with Delaney as it had been since he left.
After riding a while, he reined Jigsaw to a stop, dismounted and looked around. The trees were bare, and no sound was heard, except for the creek splashing over the rocks. This was beautiful country but without Delaney here, he only saw loneliness in front of him. Breathing in deeply, he huffed then mounted the horse to head back. He used to love riding this trail, but it only showed him how alone he truly was.
When he returned to the barn, he cooled his horse down then entered the tack room. He decided to clean saddles and anything else he could find. He hated being here when he could be out with the men. He took a seat on the bench and stared at the wall. It wasn’t the men he wanted to be with. He missed Delaney so much that his heart felt like it was in pieces. Even Ginny was sad. She wouldn’t even leave the house with him to come to the barn. She’d go outside and do her business then go back into the house. She was heartbroken too, and he didn’t know how to cheer her up. Oh, he knew what would make them both happy, but that wasn’t going to happen. Not that he hadn’t thought about it but where would he even start? There was no way in hell he’d ask any of the Stones for a job. His gut ached just thinking about that. Wouldn’t Wyatt love to see that?
Trent stood and pulled a saddle off the rail then grabbed the soap. He resumed his seat and began cleaning the leather. His heart just wasn’t in this anymore. He was so torn on what to do. About an hour later, a shadow fell across him, and he looked up to see Cyrus in the doorway with a man in a suit standing behind him. Trent got to his feet.
“Trent, this is Dirk Wallace. He’s an attorney for the Stone brothers, and he needs to speak with you.”
Trent stared at Dirk Wallace then shook his head.
“Mr. Wallace, I told Jake that none of them needed to worry about me wanting anything from them so if you’re here to have me sign papers attesting to that, you’ve wasted a trip, you could have just mailed them to me. I have no desire to try to take anything from them.”
“Mr. Donovan, I’m not here for that. There’s no way you could take anything from them anyway. That will is ironclad.”
Trent frowned. “Then I don’t understand why you’re here.”
“If you’d just give me a few minutes of your time, I’ll tell you.”
Trent glanced to Cyrus then back to Dirk Wallace.
“A few minutes for what? To tell me I don’t have any right to anything? You just wasted a trip so you can go.”
Dirk Wallace looked at Cyrus. “Mr. Birch, I really need to speak to Mr. Donovan.” He looked at Trent. “If you’d feel better with Mr. Birch here with us, that’s fine by me, but I really need to speak with you.”
“Give him a few minutes, Trent. It can’t hurt,” Cyrus said.
Trent sighed and laid the saddle soap down. He gave them a nod because he’d do anything Cyrus asked of him. He moved past them through the doorway then led them to his office and jerked his chin for them to enter then he followed and took a seat behind his desk. Both men took seats in the chairs in front of the desk. It seemed odd to Trent that his boss sat on the opposite side. Trent looked at Dirk Wallace and waited. The man stared at him and took a deep breath then blew it out.
“Mr. Donovan—”
“Trent. Please.”
“All right, Trent. The
first thing I have to say is that Josiah was my friend and you are the spitting image of him. Now, what else I have to say will probably shock you, but you have to hear it since it is for your best interest.”
Trent nodded and wondered what the hell could be in his best interest. The only interest he had in Clifton was Delaney, and he’d never see her again unless he did decide to start over. He had to admit, the thought was in the back of his mind to just say screw it and go back to her. Dirk sat back in his chair and stared at him then a smile lifted his lips.
“I need to tell you a little story. Now I know you think you don’t have time for this but, trust me, by the end, you’ll be happy you listened.” Dirk stared at him, and Trent didn’t know what the man wanted him to say, so he just nodded his head.
“Josiah’s father, your grandfather, owned the land that Jake, Gabe, and Wyatt now have. He purchased it when he was twenty-one years old and back then the land was cheap. He and his wife only had one child, Josiah. Your father worked that ranch from the time he was a young boy and even at that young age, he and your grandfather butted heads, but Josiah loved the land. They raised some of the best beef in the state. He met Clarissa when he was nineteen, and she was just fourteen, but he fell in love with her. He stayed away from her because he knew it was wrong, but when she turned eighteen, they began to see each other, and everyone knew they’d get married one day—”
“Mr. Wallace, what does any of this have to do with me?”
“I’ll get there, son. Just let me tell this.”
Trent nodded and ran his hand around the back of his neck. He didn’t need to hear how much his father loved Clarissa. He waved his hand for him to go on.
“When Clarissa was twenty, she got pregnant. They married and were happy. For a while. Every night Josiah would come home from the ranch, he’d be exhausted but with a child on the way, he wasn’t making enough money. Your grandfather had a house built for them, but it wasn’t enough. He didn’t pay Josiah enough, and they argued about it constantly, which made Clarissa and him argue about it when he’d get home at night. But they didn’t let it tear them apart, until five years later when Josiah was passed over for the manager position of the ranch and to say he was livid would be a big understatement. In all honesty, he should have been given that job. He’d worked his ass off every day. His father told him he’d never proven he could manage the ranch and with three young boys to try to take care of, it caused more tension between Josiah and Clarissa. They argued all the time until she took the boys, left him and filed for divorce—”
Trent Men of Clifton, Montana Book 9 Page 14
