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

  Trent's Montana Bride

  Montana Ranchers and Brides series

  By

  Maya Stirling

  CHAPTER ONE

  HELENA, MONTANA 1886

  Chloe Wilder bent down, reached into the crib, scooped up her nine month old baby into her arms and started to gently rock the little crying boy.

  "There, there, Evan. Don't cry. Mama's here. There's nothing to be frightened of," she said softly, holding Evan's tiny head close to her shoulder.

  The baby was wrapped up in a loose blanket. Chloe could feel the reassuring warmth of the baby's body heat as she held him close to her. She moved his head slightly so that the material of her green dress wouldn't be too rough on his delicate skin.

  It was the the third time he'd woken up from his afternoon nap. She wondered why Evan was so unsettled. Maybe he sensed her tension. She felt immediately guilty that she might have transferred her worries to him. Chloe had worked so hard to shelter her son from the pain of recent weeks, but there was only so much she could do.

  Lucas, her husband, would never be around to help her again. She was on her own now.

  Evan's cries became more insistent and Chloe started to pace the carpeted floor of the cramped bedroom. As she rocked Evan, holding him tight, the little boy's crying started to subside. Chloe felt his blonde hair between her fingers. He'd gotten that from her, just like his blue eyes and pale skin. She wondered just how much of Lucas he would have inherited. Only the years would reveal that. Years that she would have to face on her own, with no husband.

  She hoped that Evan would grow up to be as tall, strong and handsome as Lucas had been.

  A knot of pain settled in her stomach as she thought of Lucas.

  Gone now. Cut down in his prime.

  Chloe went to the window and looked down at the street below. It was getting busy this afternoon. The boardwalk of the Helena street was crowded with the townsfolk going about their business.

  Chloe hated living above the mercantile. But right now she had no choice. Lucas had rented the small rooms only months before, assuring Chloe that it would only be a temporary arrangement, until the deal he'd been working on came through. Marcus Grieg, the owner of the mercantile had been a friend of Lucas and had been more than happy to accommodate his friend.

  But it was no place for a widow and her baby.

  Chloe gazed up the main drag of the street and wondered when her visitor would arrive.

  Would Trent McIntyre be on time?

  There was a gentle knock on the door.

  "Come in," Chloe said softly.

  The door opened tentatively and Harriet Grieg, the wife of the owner of the mercantile, eased her head into the room. "Is Evan okay?" she asked her brows furrowing.

  Chloe smiled. "He's fine. Just a little unsettled. Chloe twisted her head and looked down at Evan's face. "But he's already going back to sleep."

  Harriet came into the room and gazed at Evan. She and Marcus had no children of their own. The couple were both only a few years older than Chloe's twenty four years but they hadn't been blessed with little ones. Harriet had spent the last weeks heaping love and support on Chloe and Evan. Chloe had been so grateful to the couple. It had made a huge difference to Chloe as she had tried to come to terms with what the future held for herself and her infant son.

  Harriet was a sturdy, big boned woman with even features who would surely bear Marcus lots of fine, strong children. Maybe in time it would happen.

  Just standing next to Harriet made Chloe feel positively frail by comparison. Chloe was petite with delicate features. Lucas had never stopped telling her how beautiful she was. She thought of how he'd ran his hands through her fine, blonde hair, traced his thumb along her full lips, cupped her oval face in his firm hands.

  Chloe pulled her attention back to the moment. There was nothing to be gained from dwelling on what was gone. Not for now, when there was so much to be concerned about.

  "I've taken the liberty of preparing some tea and cakes. I can bring them to the parlor when he arrives," Harriet said.

  "If he arrives," Chloe responded. "He was supposed to be here an hour ago."

  Harriet smiled. "Maybe the train from Billings has been delayed. Happens all the time," she said.

  Chloe frowned. "You're sure you don't mind me having a gentleman caller?"

  Harriet shook her head. "Of course not. He was a close friend of your late husband. He's coming to pay his respects. It's only natural."

  Late husband.

  The words hit Chloe like a blow to the head. When would she ever get used to hearing those words.

  Never.

  Chloe drew Evan closer to her. The baby's breathing had softened and he felt heavier in her arms. This was all that was left of her time with Lucas. This beautiful, precious bundle of life that she had created with him. Lucas had loved his son so much. He'd spoken every day since Evan's birth about his plans for them all. They'd move out of Helena. He'd get a place for them to settle, a place where they could be independent and happy. It would happen, he'd said. Chloe would just have to wait until the deal came through.

  But it had never come through.

  Chloe took Evan over to the crib and laid him down, covering him with blankets. She arranged them so they wouldn't be too tight around her son's tiny figure. Satisfied with her work, and the sound of Evan's soft breathing, she turned to Harriet. Both women nodded to each other in wordless satisfaction.

  Chloe followed Harriet toward the door avoiding the floorboards she already knew to be loose and creaky. They left the door ajar and walked down the corridor to the sitting room which faced onto the alleyway at the side of the building. The room was sparsely furnished with a worn sofa, round table and a pair of wooden chairs. There was a sideboard which held some plates and decorative items. The room had a dusty feel to it although Chloe did her best to keep it clean. Whenever she wasn't attending to Evan's needs, which seemed to be just about all the day and night, at the moment.

  Harriet sat down on the sofa and patted the place next to her, smiling up at Chloe. "Have a seat Chloe," she said.

  Chloe took her place next to the kindly woman and prepared herself what was undoubtedly another well intentioned, but mildly annoying lecture.

  Harriet had taken upon herself to be a constant source of advice to Chloe. In recent days these conversations had acquired a rather more urgent tenor. Chloe knew that Harriet and her husband had been kind; more than kind, in allowing Chloe to stay in the small accommodation which adjoined their own. It had always been intended to be a temporary arrangement. And now that Lucas was gone and Chloe was on her own it seemed appropriate that she move on.

  "Can we talk about Mr. McIntyre?" Harriet asked.

  Chloe drew in a breath. "Of course."

  "Who exactly is he?" Harriet enquired.

  That was a good question, and one that Chloe herself didn't necessarily have a simple answer to. But she knew that Harriet wanted the facts about a man who was coming to call and who she was being asked to allow into what was her own home.

  "Trent McIntyre is a rancher. His spread is over near Billings. By what Lucas told me about him, Trent has done well for himself. Him and another two ranchers over there have built up their herds and all of them seem to have prospered."

  Harriet nodded approvingly, but said nothing, merely lifting an eyebrow, awaiting more from Chloe.

  "My late husband..." Chloe's voice cracked at the use of those words. Harriet reached over
a hand and laid it gently on Chloe's arm.

  Chloe swallowed and continued. "Lucas worked for Trent when Trent was starting out. When Lucas was courting me, I was living over at Billings. I knew Trent. Got to know him before Lucas and I got married. He seemed like a fair boss. And he was a good friend to Lucas and I. In fact Lucas and Trent were real close. Lucas had been there at the ranch from the start, and had helped Trent get the things going. They were like two peas in a pod. They went everywhere together. Trent was a fine, decent man. And he was good to Lucas. But once Lucas set his mind to marrying me, he wanted more."

  Harriet's eyes narrowed. "In what way?"

  Chloe nodded. "Lucas wanted more than to be just a foreman on Trent's ranch. So Lucas and I got married and we came here to Helena to make a fresh start."

  Harriet paused. "So Mr. McIntyre is your late husband's former employer and a... friend?" she said eventually.

  Chloe frowned at Harriet. "I guess you could say that," she said hesitantly.

  Harriet's choice of words seemed oddly unsettling for some reason. What did the mercantile owner's wife think was the reason for Trent's visit. He was coming to pay his respects.

  Wasn't he?

  In the weeks since Lucas' untimely death Chloe hadn't been in any fit state to let Trent know about what had happened to his friend. Finally she'd sent a letter and, almost as fast, she'd received word that he wanted to visit Chloe.

  Chloe knew that she should have told him about Lucas' shooting sooner. However, the grief had held her immobile for so long, and she had the baby to look after. The last thing she could have thought of during the last few weeks was making sure everyone who needed to know about Lucas' fate was informed. Trent was one among many she'd needed to inform. But, unlike the others, he hadn't wasted any time letting Chloe know he was on his way to her.

  "How well did you know Mr. McIntyre?" Harriet asked.

  "During our courting I did get to see how close Trent and Lucas were. Trent seemed to want Lucas to stay on the ranch. But Lucas said it was no place for a married man. Especially with a wife who wasn't used to living on a ranch. I grew up in Billings. The idea of living on a ranch just didn't appeal to me. Luckily Lucas had other ambitions. And they didn't involve staying in Billings."

  "So you married and left Billings."

  "Just about. Just after the wedding I recall Lucas and Trent having a real heart to heart talk. It was at the wedding reception. I was sitting at the head table and I could see them in the corner, talking their heads off. You know how men can be at weddings. It brings out something in them. At the end they both shook hands. Lucas wouldn't tell me what their talk had been about but it sure looked serious."

  "They must have been good friends."

  "I guess they were. But Trent's determined to remain a bachelor."

  "He's never going to marry?"

  "Not according to Lucas. Trent has a reputation," Chloe said.

  "What kind of a reputation?" Harriet asked frowning.

  "Let's say, he's a good friend to the women of Billings?"

  Harriet's mouth dropped open. Chloe had scandalized the woman, and she immediately regretted her description of Trent. He was a fine looking man. Of that there was no doubt. So, it was natural that someone as tall, wide shouldered, dark haired and good looking as Trent would be popular. He was certainly an eligible bachelor, especially since he owned such a valuable ranch.

  "Oh. I didn't mean that to sound as bad as it did," Chloe said quickly, backtracking. "I knew more than one girl in Billings who thought he was the finest man in Montana. The gossip about him was endless."

  Harriet straightened. "Well. Despite his...reputation, I'm sure he will behave like the perfect gentleman. No doubt he will want to reassure himself that you are bearing up after the tragic loss of your husband. It's a decent thing he is doing, taking the time to come and visit you," Harriet concluded.

  Chloe nodded. "I'll be glad to see him. I have to apologize to him for not letting him know sooner about Lucas."

  "I'm sure he'll understand, my dear," Harriet said nodding reassuringly. "Now. Where are those tea cups?" she asked herself.

  Chloe glanced toward the sideboard. "There are some on the bottom shelf, I believe."

  Chloe watched Harriet go to the sideboard and open the lower wooden door. Yes. The cups were there.

  Chloe looked toward the window and frowned.

  Now. Where was Trent McIntyre?

  CHAPTER TWO

  Trent McIntyre stood outside the front of the mercantile and gazed up at the windows of the rooms above the store.

  He couldn't go through with it. He just didn't have it in him.

  Trent stood aside to let an elderly couple make their way out of the mercantile. He briefly checked his reflection in the window of the store. He didn't look like himself. The jacket and waistcoat felt tight. He pulled at the sleeves and took a deep breath. He straightened the wide brimmed hat. It was only natural for him to make an effort and get dressed up considering what he was about to do.

  But could he go through with it?

  He suddenly became aware that someone inside the store was looking at him. It was a woman. As the vaguely seen figure started toward the door, obviously intent on asking Trent to come inside, Trent decided it was time for yet another brisk walk up the boardwalk.

  Trent moved on quickly and mingled amongst the townsfolk of Helena, glad for the anonymity of a crowd.

  The truth was, he needed time to consider. Again.

  What was he thinking of?

  Back at Billings everything had seemed so easy, so simple. When he'd explained things to Devlin Cooper, his fellow rancher, on the darkened streets of the town the night before, it had all seemed so straightforward.

  But not now. Not here. The woman who was going to be the object of his attention was upstairs, above the mercantile. And she had no idea of the real reason he had come to see her. She couldn't know. That had been a secret known only to Trent and Lucas.

  Trent felt his stomach sink at the thought of his poor friend lying in the earth, his life ended prematurely. A good man. That was what Lucas Wilder had been. The best man Trent had ever known. And now he was gone, leaving behind a wife and baby.

  And a promise.

  Trent paused outside the saloon and considered whether a drink might just take the edge off how he was feeling. He shook his head.

  He'd never been a regular at the saloons in Billings and he wasn't about to start doing anything like that here in Helena. The booze was for the men who couldn't handle reality. Ranch life had taught Trent how to manage the harsh truths of life. And he wasn't going to turn up stinking of whisky on such an important occasion, especially given what he had to say to Chloe Wilder.

  The harsh truth was that his best friend was gone. Trent swallowed as the emotion rose up, drying his mouth, tightening his throat. How cruel life out here in Montana could be. Sure, it was a beautiful country and most of the folk who'd settled here wanted to build, to create, to start anew and make the place fit for families. But there was always going to be that minority of men who were determined to ruin it for everyone else.

  The rage and sadness that had warred within Trent started up again. He strode on, back toward the mercantile.

  Trent examined the faces of the people of Helena. They were mostly all good people. He couldn't imagine any of them wanting to ruin the lives of a beautiful young woman and her newborn.

  But, Lucas had taken a bullet, and paid the ultimate price. Chloe would tell him all about it, he was sure. In her own good time.

  For now, the only thing Trent could think of was the promise.

  The commitment.

  When he'd made it everything had seemed so certain, so sure. He'd given his word to Lucas at the wedding reception, and when he'd done it, there had been no thought in Trent's mind that he'd ever have to keep that promise.

  But here he was and the unthinkable had happened. Trent now faced a future very different from the one he
'd anticipated for himself.

  How could he keep such a promise?

  The answer that came to him as he strode ever nearer toward the mercantile was the same one that had kept him awake all of the previous night.

  A man was nothing if he didn't keep his word.

  It was as simple as that.

  Did Trent regret having told Lucas that he would do what his friend had asked of him? The answer to 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.