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

parents had passed years ago. Before she had married Lucas, she and her sister Louise had lived together in their small home on the outskirts of town. After the wedding Louise had gone back East to live with relatives. Chloe hated back East. For her, there was nowhere else like Montana. It was the only place she would consider suitable for bringing up Evan. The East wasn't for her. And especially not for her baby.
    Chloe heard voices and footsteps. She shifted nervously on the sofa, straightening her back and loosening her collar which suddenly seemed unnaturally tight.
    She heard Harriet talking animatedly. Trent's familiar deep voice punctuated Harriet's rapid chattering.  
    Chloe took in a deep breath and raised her head, striving for poise and grace.
    Then the door opened and Harriet and Trent walked into the room. Chloe felt the breath catch in her throat. In the confines of the small room Trent seemed so large, so wide. He was taller than she remembered. His boots made a heavy sound on the wooden boards. He held his hat in both hands. His eyes locked on Chloe with an expression of the deepest sympathy.
    "Trent. It's so good to see you. Thank you for coming to see me."
    Trent's shoulders dipped and he leaned his head to one side as he spoke. "Chloe. May I express my deepest condolences for your loss."
    Chloe smiled politely. "That's kind of you, Trent. Lucas was a good man."
    "The best." Trent's voice was tight. "I've been mightily touched by the news of his passing, I can tell you."
    "We all have," Chloe concurred.
    "A very sad thing indeed," Harriet said.
    Trent seemed to examine Chloe "How are you bearing up Chloe?"
    "It's been difficult, Trent," she answered. "I won't deny that. But I have to be strong. For Evan."
    Trent's eyes lit up. "How is the little one?"
    "He's fine. He's strong, I can tell you," said Chloe proudly.
    "Just like his father," Trent said slowly.
    "Indeed. He might have some of my looks, but he's sure got his father's fighting spirit," Chloe said.
    Harriet spoke up. "I'm going to fetch some tea. Have a seat Mr. McIntyre," she said gesturing to the sofa.
    "Trent. Just call me Trent, ma'am."
    Harriet nodded. "Trent. I'll leave you two for a while. I'm sure you've got so much to say to each other."
    Chloe gave Harriet a puzzled look which was completely ignored by Harriet as she strode out of the room.
    When they were alone Trent followed Chloe's gesture and took a seat next to her on the sofa.  
    Now that he was next to her Chloe was struck by both the strength and the weariness of Trent's presence. Up close she could see that he looked tired, exhausted even. His eyes were moist and filled with barely contained emotion. Trent laid his hat on the nearby table and turned to Chloe.
    "How are you really bearing up? I know what you said in front of Harriet. But tell me the truth."
    Chloe's shoulders sank and she felt suddenly heavy. What could she tell him? Could she really tell him about her nightmares, the terror she felt at the prospect of being alone with a baby in the wilds of Montana? There was only so much she could do to put a brave face on everything. Surely he would see through that. It seemed he already had seen through some of the appearance of coping she was trying to summon up from deep within herself.
    "It's been mighty difficult, Trent. You know that Lucas left me and Evan with virtually nothing."
    Trent's eyes narrowed. "How could that have happened? What went wrong?"
    Chloe sighed. "Lucas had some scheme he was getting involved in. You know him. He was always coming up with some scheme or other. He told me that if it worked out we would be set up. We could even buy a house on the edge of Helena. It had something to do with transporting cattle."
    "He should have come to me," Trent offered. "I would have helped him out."
    Chloe shook her head. "You know he was a proud man."
    Trent nodded. "He was that."
    Chloe continued. "Lucas just wanted to strike out on his own. He sank virtually