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

everything we had into that venture."  
    Trent's brows furrowed and his gaze became distant, preoccupied. Chloe wondered what he was thinking about.
    "Tell me how it happened," he said after a long pause. And then he asked the question she knew he would have to ask. But it was the one she dreaded. "How did he die?"
    Chloe's mouth suddenly went dry. For a moment she thought her throat had seized up. Trent deserved an explanation. He had a right to know the details even if it caused her heart to burn in the telling of it.
    Chloe composed herself as best she could. "Lucas left me and Evan one night. Said he'd be back before midnight. When he didn't come back by the morning time I alerted the sheriff and he went looking. Later that day, the longest day of my life, the sheriff came here and told me they'd found Lucas. He'd been shot and left in a ditch."
    Trent's face paled when Chloe uttered those words. Chloe saw his jaw tighten and his lips draw into a narrow, tight gash. Trent's fists clenched into white knuckled knots. She hesitated before continuing. Eventually Trent seemed to calm himself. "Go on. Who did it?"
    "They don't know. All they know is that there was some sort of argument over money. One of the men involved was questioned but released."
    Trent's eyes widened. "No-one's been arrested?"
    Chloe couldn't answer that. The thought of the man who'd shot her husband still being free made her shake with fury. Trent looked at her. His dark, brown eyes fixed on her, seeking answers, searching her face for any signs of emotion. She got the distinct impression that, right here in this very moment, he was intensely concerned for her well being.
    "So you've been living in this place and the guy who killed Lucas is still at large?"
    Trent's voice was filled with incredulity.
    Chloe shifted nervously. "I haven't felt in any danger. Harriet and Marcus have been more than kind in allowing Evan and I to stay here for the moment."
    Trent huffed. "For the moment. But this is hardly a safe place for you to stay. Especially with a baby. Whoever killed Lucas might decide to take an interest in you."
    Chloe hadn't even considered such a possibility. Surely Trent couldn't be right. Could he? After all, she had nothing in this world except her precious baby. There was no money. She had scarcely any possessions.  
    Trent shifted and leaned closer to Chloe. She caught his scent, which was a curiously attractive mixture of leather and soap. Trent smiled and she noticed that his teeth were white and even.
    "May I explain the real purpose of my visit?"
    Chloe regarded Trent carefully. "I believe you have come to pay you respects to Lucas. Am I not correct in that assumption?"
    Trent nodded thoughtfully. "Of course you're right in assuming that I'd want to do that. That I'd need to. And I'm so very sorry for all of this. I cannot imagine how you must feel."
    Chloe sighed. It felt suddenly so good that someone would express concern for her, want to lighten the load she had been carrying these few weeks, want to share in her grief. When she looked into Trent McIntyre's face she saw a man who cared. She saw a treasured friend who was here to help. A calmness settled on her, even as Trent leaned closer and placed a hand over her own.
    Chloe was momentarily taken aback by the forwardness of the gesture. Her instinct was to quickly withdraw her hand, but she found that her hand stayed exactly where it was. She looked into his eyes and caught the briefest hint of satisfaction there. Was he testing her? And did he think she had allowed him to do what he'd just done, and in doing so accepted the gesture of consolation?
    "I appreciate the concern you so obviously feel."
    Trent peered intently at Chloe. "It's more than concern, Chloe."
    Chloe frowned. "In what way?
    Trent's brows creased and he lowered his head. He seemed to be searching for words. Chloe saw his jaw tighten and his throat work furiously as he swallowed. Eventually he raised his head and she