Chapter 18
“He’s a good-looking man, Brit, but he has a terrible attitude about love and marriage.”
“For me that’s a plus.” Brit walked faster to keep pace with her mother’s stride on the way back to the office. They weren’t late, so there was no reason to barrel down the sidewalk, but her mom had a bee in her bonnet, as Grandma Hutchens used to say.
“But to be so jaded at such a young age just isn’t right How old is he, anyway?”
“I’m surprised you didn’t ask him.”
“Didn’t think of it. It doesn’t matter. He’s younger than Dallas and older than his two sisters, which makes him a middle child. Maybe that’s his problem.”
“Middle children have a problem?”
“Some do. They don’t get the honor of being first or the spoiling of being last. But Trent doesn’t seem to crave attention. I deliberately made lunch all about him and he kept trying to turn things around and find out more about me.”
“Which he did! I had no idea you played softball in high school, let alone that you were team captain. Do you have pictures?”
“Somewhere. Remind me and I’ll dig them out. Anyway, Trent seems like a good guy, not full of himself, but not shy, either. He’s just lost his faith in finding a life partner. Completely lost it.”
“Which means his ex smashed his heart into a million pieces.” Hers gave a sympathetic tug.
“And he’s been divorced how long?”
“Six months since the actual decree. I don’t know how long they were separated before that.”
“Likely several months or more. The process takes a while. By the time your dad’s and mine was final, he was living with Rhonda. They got married the next week.”
“And lived unhappily ever after. I know Dad likes me to visit, but it’s no fun listening to them argue. They do it constantly.”
“And have for twenty years. I’m glad they moved to Idaho, but I’m sorry your visits there are miserable.” She sighed. “You haven’t had good role models in the love and marriage department, honey. No wonder you decided Desiree had the right idea.”
“Do you know why she didn’t accept any of those proposals?”
“According to the scuttlebutt, Sky’s father was the love of her life. But he broke up with her because he fell for someone else and she never told him she was pregnant. No man since then has measured up.”
“Until Andy.”
“He might not have measured up at thirty. He’ll need all the patience and wisdom he’s gathered over the years to deal with an independent woman like Desiree.”
They’d reached the front door of Doc Bradbury’s office but Brit made no move to go in. They had ten minutes left and the conversation was important. “But you said she fell madly in love with each of the dads.”
“She did, but I guess not enough to marry them. She set a high bar when it came to matrimony.” Her mom held her gaze. “Like you.”
“Do you think that’s a mistake? Am I too picky?”
“Not at all. I wasn’t picky enough when I met your dad. In my heart I knew he wasn’t fully committed. Then again, neither was I. Everyone around us was getting married so we did, too. That’s not a good reason.”
“I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you. That’s why I’m still single.”
“And pregnant.”
“Marriage doesn’t have a timetable. Childbearing does.”
Her mom looked as if she had a comeback, but she didn’t say it. Instead she took a long, slow breath. “I get it. I tried like crazy to get pregnant again after you were born. I felt the clock ticking, too. But nothing happened.”
“And there I was, begging you constantly for a brother or sister. I’m sorry, Mom.” She gave her a hug.
“It’s okay, sweetie. At least you stopped pestering after your dad and I split up. But I still thought about it, still wanted another baby, for you but also for me. Except I was too traditional. I couldn’t picture having one on my own.”
“Neither could I. Until I met Trent.”
Her mom glanced around, clearly checking for potential eavesdroppers. Then she lowered her voice. “I can see why you chose him. And why he said yes. You two give off sparks like firecrackers on the Fourth.”
She flushed. “That’s a byproduct. It will fade.”
“Keep telling yourself that. Have you seen how he looks at you?”
Her cheeks grew hotter. “He’ll get over it.” But would she?
“Not any time soon, honey. That man is besotted. He?—”
“We should probably go in.” Reaching for the door, she held it for her mom, who let out a sigh as she walked through it.
Brit followed and paused to take a calming breath. She didn’t need to be reminded about the hot glances Trent had sent her way when he thought she wasn’t paying attention. Or how eagerly her body had responded.
She’d better cancel the plan to drive out to the ranch after work. It was too soon. She’d text him when she had a few spare minutes.
But those few spare minutes never materialized. When she finally grabbed her phone at four-thirty, she found a text sent two hours ago with directions to his cabin and a message — hope you like spaghetti. I’m making Marybeth’s recipe for the sauce.
She couldn’t cancel on a guy who’d devoted time to homemade spaghetti sauce. It would be a good test to see how they’d manage this friends-only plan. Besides, his parents were flying in tomorrow and they hadn’t talked about what he’d tell them.
After freshening up at home, she climbed in her truck, a modest two-seater with a short bed as opposed to Trent’s massive F-250. She’d considered bringing a jacket but decided against it. She didn’t need one for the short walk from her truck to his front door.
Country tunes might jumpstart her libido, so she searched on her phone for a podcast that dealt with healthy eating during pregnancy. Podcast playing, she headed out to Rowdy Ranch. No country tunes this trip.
She hadn’t changed clothes or done anything different with her hair. This wasn’t a dinner date. It was merely a chance to scope out Trent’s cabin and discuss how they’d handle their new status.
The podcast would keep her mind off the prospect of spending time alone with Trent in his cabin. They’d stick to his kitchen and maybe his living room, depending on where they ate.
She’d be wise to stay out of his bedroom, although he might want to give her a tour and show her where he’d put the crib. Would he want it in his room when their baby was small?
Quite likely, which meant she could end up in his bedroom while they discussed that possibility. He wouldn’t try to coax her into bed, though.
He’d promised this was just dinner and he was a man of his word… a man who affected her like no other, especially this morning when he?—
Sucking in a breath, she jacked up the sound on the podcast, which only turned it into annoying background noise. A discussion of fruits and veggies couldn’t compete with an image of Trent standing at the foot of her bed, arms crossed, teeth flashing in a smile as he informed her it was baby-making time.
She groaned and shut off the podcast. Besotted. Her mom had used that word to describe Trent but he wasn’t the only one with that condition.
Why had she agreed to this dinner? She didn’t need to see his cabin yet. That could wait. They could have discussed his parents’ visit on the phone.
She’d agreed because she wanted to see him, spend time with him. Maybe she needed to prove she could do that without wanting to jump his bones.
And she was here, and in record time. In addition to ignoring the podcast she’d ignored the speedometer. The twin pines he’d mentioned were up ahead, leading her to the turnoff to his place.
Heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and excitement, she pulled in and parked next to his dark blue truck. It dwarfed her little orange one.
Would anyone be able to see her truck from the road? Maybe it didn’t matter. They’d been spotted having lunch together today, so the rumor mill would already be in motion.
Smoke curled from the chimney. She left her purse in the truck and got out, breathing in the aroma of cedar as she closed the door. A chill was in the air, even though the sun hadn’t dipped behind the Sapphires yet.
A cozy fire and a homecooked meal prepared by a handsome cowboy and eaten while tucked away in the privacy of a beautiful log cabin. This would be a test, all right.
With all her senses on high alert, she started up the flagstone walk toward the porch. She would hold the line and so would he. They — wait. Someone inside the cabin just laughed. Not Trent. A woman. What the hell?
When she reached the porch, the murmur of voices drifted from inside, along with more laughter. That was Trent. She’d know his deep chuckle anywhere.
Then he opened the door. He wore a different shirt from the green one and the sleeves were rolled back. “Hey, there! I thought I heard a truck, but I wasn’t sure.”
“Mine’s not very loud.” She climbed the steps and crossed the porch.
“It’s cute, though. Suits you. Come on in.” He stepped away from the door. “Dinner’s almost ready. We were hoping you’d get here soon. We’re all hungry.”
She speared him with a look. “Who’s here? I?—”
“You didn’t get my text? I sent it about thirty minutes ago.”
“I didn’t hear it come in. I was listening to a podcast on the way.” And obsessing about him. She could easily have missed the sound of an incoming text.
“It’s Angie and Dallas, Brit!” Angie called from over by the fireplace. “Trent said he was making Marybeth’s spaghetti sauce and we couldn’t resist.”
Trent lowered his voice as he met her gaze. “Thought they might help.”
“Good idea.” And she was disappointed that they wouldn’t be alone, after all. How messed up was that?
Dallas and Angie got up from the sofa and headed toward her, Angie in the lead.
“Hey, Brit.” She offered a gentle smile. “Didn’t mean to startle you. Trent said he’d?—”
“It’s fine. I’m glad you came. But I can’t figure out how you got here, though. The ranch is spread out. Nobody walks from one cabin to another.”
“Except when there’s a shortcut.” Dallas shared a glance with Angie. “Last year when I lived in this cabin, I figured out that if I cut through the woods instead of going on the road, I’d be at Angie’s back door in no time.” He grinned. “And nobody was the wiser.”
Brit eyed the newlyweds. “You had to sneak around to see each other? I didn’t hear about that.”
“Some of Angie’s brothers weren’t keen on me getting involved with their little sis.”
“So we pulled a gotcha,” Angie said. “We carried on right under their noses. It was fun.”
Dallas rolled his eyes. “You had fun. I was a nervous wreck.”
“In other words, you two are no strangers to intrigue and complicated situations.” Brit glanced up at Trent. “Have you told them?”
“Not yet. I wanted to check with you.”
“My mom says we’re nuts to tell anyone but her. She said without evidence, no one will believe us.”
“But if we don’t tell them?—”
“I know. But what if they?—”
“Hey. People.” Angie propped her hands on her hips. “Did aliens land a spaceship on Brit’s roof? Did Elvis knock on her front door? You can’t have a back-and-forth like that and not deliver the goods.”
Brit agreed, but she needed Trent’s okay. He gave a short nod, and she turned back to Angie, the one she felt most comfortable making eye-contact with. “This may sound wacky, but we’re convinced that this morning we created a baby. As far as we’re concerned, I’m pregnant.”