Trent's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides series) Read Free

that question lay like a stone in the middle of his gut. Trent didn't regret for one moment giving his word, even if it meant that his life would never be the same.
    But what if Chloe refused? What if she simply denied the power of her late husband's wishes? Trent ran a hand through his thick dark hair at the thought of Chloe Wilder. When he'd first known her she was one of the fresh faced regulars at the Billings' socials. He recalled seeing her. He'd thought she was a mighty fine looking young woman, with her thick blonde hair, fine figure, delicate, even features and piercing blue eyes. She was truly one of the beauties of Billings.  
    At that time Trent'd had no time for permanent ties, no matter how attractive and tempting. So when his friend Lucas had told him one day that he was going steady with Chloe Wilder, Trent had simply congratulated his friend on his good fortune and cautioned him about the dangers of giving up the life of an unattached man.
    But Lucas had been smitten. He'd fallen head over heels in love with Chloe. As Lucas and Chloe had spent more time with Trent on the ranch, Trent could see why his friend had become so infatuated with her. She was a spirited, firm minded, graceful young woman who seemed older than her years. Trent had begrudgingly conceded that Chloe would make a fine wife, and he hadn't been surprised when Lucas had announced their engagement.
    By the time of the wedding the three of them had become friends. Such close friends that, when Lucas had told Trent that the newlyweds were moving to Helena, Trent had been genuinely saddened at losing his friend and his beautiful wife as a friendly presence in his daily life.
    Lucas and Chloe had left and Trent had resumed his former life of hard work and hard play. In spite of the happiness he'd seen in Lucas, Trent knew that the married life was not for him.
    But now he was here, faced with the most difficult challenge of his life. Next to this, starting and building a ranch up from nothing seemed easy.
    There was going to nothing easy about what he was about to do.  
    Trent reached the mercantile and paused outside the front door. He took a deep breath, opened the door and stepped inside the store.  

CHAPTER THREE

    "He's here, Chloe," Harriet said bursting into the sitting room.
    "Oh my!" Chloe said turning to the mirror. "Harriet. How do I look?" she asked urgently. All of a sudden Chloe thought her hair looked dishevelled, her choice of pale green dress inappropriate, and the shadows under her eyes seemed even more pronounced than earlier.
    Harriet placed a hand on Chloe's shoulder. "You look lovely, my dear."
    Chloe smiled at Harriet. "Thank you."
    "Let me go and fetch Mr. McIntyre," Harriet said turning.
    Chloe took a seat on the sofa and tried to compose herself. Her mind was a whirl of spinning thoughts. What could she say to Trent? He'd want answers. No doubt he'd need to know how Lucas had met his end. Chloe wasn't sure she was ready for such a conversation, but she knew that it was the least that Trent deserved, given how close he and Lucas had been.
    Maybe he'd want to visit Lucas' resting place in the cemetery on the edge of town. Trent would have to do that on his own. Chloe couldn't think of bringing little Evan to that place again. Not so soon.  
    She was sure that Trent would be gentlemanly and sensitive to her situation. He might even be able to offer Chloe some modest assistance. As Lucas' friend she was sure that Trent would feel some obligation to help out in whatever way he could.
    Chloe told herself she would thank him, but politely decline any offers of help he would make. Although she hadn't quite figured things out, she felt keenly that she was on her own, and that no matter how, she was going to have to stand on her own two feet. She had a baby to care for and she wasn't about to let him start a new life on the wrong foot.
    Chloe didn't know yet what she was going to do. She had no relatives in Billings. Her