Authors: Maya Stirling
Trent's Montana Bride (Sweet, clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides series) (14 page)
The sun shone down on a scene of celebration. It was the day they'd all decided would be perfect to commemorate the three marriages which had taken place exactly one year before. The long table had been set up in front of Trent and Chloe's ranch house. It was covered with an array of delicious food. The guests had come from near and far. There was Nathan and Abby Grantly with their young daughter Emma; Devlin and Elise Cooper; Mrs. Ross and her fellow housekeepers; the ranch foremen from the three ranches; Joshua McKenzie, a visiting cousin of Nathan's who owned a ranch out in the western part of Montana; and two very special newcomers.
The cries of the the two newborn babies threatened to drown out the unanimous chorus of approval in response to Trent's toast. Everyone laughed as Abby bounced her beautiful dark haired son, Jacob on her knee. The little boy was dressed in his finest and gurgled noisily, reaching out tiny hands, desperate for even more motherly attention. Trent had never seen Abby look so happy as she did now. Her and Nathan looked like they'd acquired the habit of spoiling their little boy. That was okay with Trent, because he and Chloe had spent the last year doing exactly the same with Evan.
Trent looked over at Devlin and Elise. They were busy attending to their little one; newborn Bethany Cooper. Her blonde hair and blue eyes matched those of her very proud mother. Elise smiled at Devlin as he took the tiny bundle of joy and settled her on his lap.
"I think I speak for Nathan and Devlin when I say that we consider ourselves to be truly blessed by the three beautiful women who grace our lives with their presence," he said. Trent was pleased to see that his remark had brought a visible change of color to the faces of Chloe, Abby and Elise.
He pressed on regardless. "And now we have some little newcomers on our ranches. Two boys and one girl who will each get a chance to grow up in this beautiful Montana land that has given us all so much, and that we love with all our hearts. I don't know about you all, but I think the future looks real bright and rosy."
They all chimed in with their agreement and sipped their drinks.
Trent sat down and looked at Chloe. "How was that?" he asked her.
She reached over and clasped his hand. "Perfect."
Trent smiled and tucked into the food. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Not least of all, himself and Chloe. The last twelve months had been incredible. Their relationship had gone from strength to strength. She was an amazing woman. His heart was filled with her and every day was a blessing. Just to be in her presence made him feel a happiness he'd never known could exist.
And now there was the news that she had broken to him earlier that day.
Trent stood up again. Everyone at the table groaned.
"Not another toast, Trent," Nathan said with a smile.
Trent smiled back at his friend. "More like an announcement."
Trent glanced down at Chloe who lowered her eyelids. "I have the pleasure of informing you that Chloe is going to have a baby," Trent stated simply.
There was a roar of approval from everyone at the table. Forks were tapped on plates and glasses were lifted.
Trent looked down at Chloe. "Needless to say I am the happiest man in the world, right now," Trent said. He sat down and planted a brief kiss on
Chloe's soft lips. This prompted another cheer from the guests. Trent could see that Chloe was embarrassed but, right now, he didn't care about that.
Nathan and Devlin both stood and raised their glasses in unison. "To Trent and Chloe and their great news," Devlin announced enthusiastically. Everyone clinked their glasses and drank to the best news that they could possible have had, even on such a fine day as this.
The rest of the meal seemed to pass in haze of good feeling the likes of which Trent hadn't experienced before. He couldn't believe how well everything had turned out for the three ranch owners. Only a year ago they'd all been without wives. By various circumstances, through fate or design or good fortune, they each now had wives and families that would fill their lives with love and happiness for years to come.
Once the meal was over there was dancing and singing for the rest of the afternoon. Trent was teased mercifully by Nathan and Devlin. He'd never had much of a singing voice, but nothing was going to stop him, not even the mildly disapproving looks from Chloe.
As the day started to cool the children were taken indoors by their mothers, and the men gathered together on the porch.
Trent had only met Nathan's cousin Joshua McKenzie once before at a meeting in Helena about the movement of cattle across the states. Joshua owned a ranch over in the west of Montana, and according to Nathan, had done real well for himself. The spread was large and the herd was sizeable and healthy. In his brief meetings with Joshua, Trent had gotten the impression that the tall, young, undeniably handsome, dark haired ranch owner was a driven man. He had a serious demeanor and seemed intent on maintaining his independence and building his ranch up into a real going concern that he could work for years to come. But there was definitely something about the good looking man that seemed not quite right. He seemed troubled by something.
Trent had seen that look before.
"How is business out in western Montana, Joshua," Trent asked him.
The rancher's dark brows furrowed. "Business is as good there as it seems to be here. Some trouble with rustlers. Apart from that, couldn't be better," Joshua replied. His voice was deep and assured. His eyes had a steady look in them. Joshua McKenzie struck Trent as a man who would take no nonsense. It was a surprising quality to find in a man barely thirty years old.
Nathan fixed Joshua with a look and punched his cousin playfully on the arm. "Tell Trent what your real problem is," Nathan said with a broad grin. Nathan looked at Trent. "Wait'll you hear this," he said.
Joshua's face colored. "Now, Nathan. I asked you not to mention that."
Nathan laughed. "Haven't you seen what's happened to us three," he said gesturing to Trent and Devlin. "It's wonderful. There's nothing to be frightened of," he said with a teasing tone of voice.
"No-one said anything about being frightened," Joshua said quietly.
Nathan rolled his eyes. "I've seen that look before, Joshua. It's how a man looks when he knows he's going to have to marry. Especially when he didn't figure on doing so anytime soon," Nathan joked.
Trent frowned at Nathan.
Nathan smiled. "Lady trouble," he explained with a nod toward Joshua.
The rancher sighed. "I don't want to talk about it," he said. Joshua stepped off the porch and walked slowly away, shaking his head.
"What's the deal?" Trent asked.
Nathan just laughed. "You don't want to know. After what we've all been through, nothing surprises me anymore," Nathan said.
Trent frowned. "You've got me curious."
Nathan took a sip of his drink. "Okay. Let me tell you..." he started to say. He was interrupted by the opening of the front door and the appearance of Abby.
"Nathan could you come in here and give me a hand with Jacob? We need to get ready to leave soon," she said.
Nathan rolled his eyes at Trent. "Looks like you'll have to wait to hear about it," he said walking toward Abby.
Chloe appeared at Abby's side. "I'm going to put Evan to bed. You want to help?" she asked Trent.
"Sure," Trent answered, walking to the door. He turned briefly and saw that Joshua was leaning on the rail of the corral, gazing up at the sky. He wondered what was on the man's mind. But that would be for another day.
Trent followed Chloe upstairs. They got Evan ready for his nap and laid him down. Standing above the crib, Trent wrapped his arm around Chloe's waist. She'd be getting bigger soon, and he'd need to take good care of her. But that was going to be nothing but a pleasure. He looked down at Evan, savoring the look of contentment on the little boy's face.
"He's beautiful, isn't he?" he said to Chloe.
She nodded. "And he's happy."
Trent looked down at Chloe's face. "I love you, Chloe."
He saw her face light up and was glad that such simple words could bring so much happiness to her.
"I love you, Trent," she whispered.
And in that moment, looking deep into her eyes, with her warm presence firmly by his side, he was glad that her words had exactly the same effect on him.
THE END
Look out for
JOSHUA'S MONTANA BRIDE
Coming in September
Thank you!
Thank you for reading Trent's Montana Bride. I hope you enjoyed it.
If you'd like to know when my next book is available, you can sign up for my new release email list at
mayastirling.com
I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. They help me know what readers of my books want in future novels.
The Montana Ranchers and Brides series
Montana ranchers and their search for brides in the 1880's
An Amazon Bestselling series in Historical Romance
Trent's Montana Bride
Joshua's Montana Bride (coming in September)
The Brides of Sweetheart Falls
Three sisters and their struggles finding husbands and new lives in 1870's Wyoming
An Amazon Bestselling series in Historical Romance
Book 1
Mail Order Vows
(Cassie's story)
Book 2
Mail Order Beau
(Martha's story)
Book 3
Mail Order Blessing
(Rachel's story)
Mail Order Vows (Cassie's story)
Brides of Sweetheart Falls series: Book One. A sweet, full length, complete mail order bride romance novel with a happy ending.
Wyoming 1878
On the verge of giving up on a future in the growing Wyoming town of Sweetheart Falls, and heading back to an uncertain life back East, recently widowed mail order bride Cassie Miller is given a final chance at happiness.
Soon Cassie finds out she has no choice but to marry handsome ex lawman Ethan Macleod. However, can she make a new life while trying to come to terms with the loss of her beloved husband Joshua?
Can she really trust Ethan, the man the entire town agrees would make a perfect husband? How come he already knows so much about Cassie?
And just how far will he go to prove to her that he is worthy of being her new husband?
Book 2 Mail Order Beau (Martha's story)
Brides of Sweetheart Falls series: Book Two. A sweet, full length, complete mail order bride romance novel with a happy ever after.
Wyoming 1878
Martha's story.
After waiting months for the Sweetheart Falls Matrimonial Society to find a husband for herself and her sister, Cassie Macleod's sister, Martha is beginning to wonder if she and Rachel will ever get married. Meanwhile, there's a baby on the way at the Macleod farmstead, and Martha and Rachel need to move out so that their sister and her wonderful husband, Ethan can start their new life as a family, without relatives getting in the way.
However, when town matchmaker Hettie finally provides a selection of suitable husbands, only one of them holds any promise.
Who is the mysterious ranch owner who wants to wed one of the unmarried sisters? Why is he going to such lengths to keep his identity secret? And just what will Martha have to do to secure a future for herself and Rachel?
Book 3
Mail Order Blessing (Rachel's story)
Mail Order Blessing. A sweet, full length, complete mail order bride romance novel with a happy ever after.
Wyoming 1878
Rachel's story.
Sweetheart Falls' town matchmaker Hettie Longfellow has finally found a husband for young, eager to marry, Rachel. Or so Rachel thinks. But there's one obstacle. Aaron Caldigate doesn't want to settle down in town. Then there's the problem of Aaron's past and how it stands in the way of Rachel's chances of married bliss.
Aaron Caldigate is a man who keeps his word. He's returning to Sweetheart Falls because he promised he'd come back after completing his training as a lawyer. But he's not planning on staying, especially since his mother has taken it upon herself to find him a bride!
However he hasn't counted on a very determined and beautiful young bride-to-be who is going to do everything she can to persuade him that Sweetheart Falls is the only place to settle down, and that she is the only woman for him.
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Trent's Montana Bride © 2014 Maya Stirling