Chapter 19
His Brittany had guts. Not that she was his, Trent reminded himself. He needed to avoid that kind of possessive thinking. But he admired the way she’d owned that outrageous statement and risked being laughed at.
Dallas looked like he was fighting the urge. Trent’s fist curled. Punching his brother for laughing at Brittany wouldn’t be his first choice, but it was on the list.
Angie glanced at her beloved and elbowed him in the ribs. “Stop it. That’s not wacky at all.” She turned to Brittany. “Your mom’s right. Most people would think you’re imagining things and dismiss what you just said. But most people don’t have Desiree McLintock for a mother.”
“Your mom experienced the same thing?” She sounded like she’d unearthed the holy grail.
“Absolutely. She knew the very moment she got pregnant with me. She told me that a few months ago. She also said that wasn’t the only time. She felt it with the twins, and with Rance. She’s a total believer that sometimes you just know it happened.”
“So I’m not crazy?”
Angie smiled and shook her head. “No, just pregnant, and to hear her talk, some days you feel pregnant and crazy. She says it’s a trip, but a fun one. She’s a pregnancy pro. You should talk to her.”
Just the kind of suggestion Trent had been hoping for. “That makes a lot of sense.”
“Except not now,” Brittany said. “With the wedding in three days, I’ll wait until after that.”
“Yes, but they’re leaving on their honeymoon the next day,” Angie said. “And since you’re looking for support and she’s a logical one to give it in this situation, I hate for you to go another three weeks without talking to her.”
“But I’m sure she’s very busy.”
“Not so much. She gave the family instructions and we’re all doing the prep. Kendall, Cheyenne, Dallas and I finished up a combo bandstand and dance floor today. We had to send her off to have lunch with Andy because she kept trying to pitch in.”
“Okay… then maybe… but we’re so close to this event and she knows a lot of people. I, um, wouldn’t want this news to get out when the entire town will be gathering for?—”
“Ah, I see.” Angie gazed at her. “I promise you don’t have a thing to worry about. Nobody in the known universe can keep a secret better than my mother.”
Dallas nodded. “That’s for damned sure.”
Trent peered at him. The conviction in his brother’s voice and the slight tension in Angie’s expression put him on alert. What sort of secret was Desiree keeping that Dallas and Angie knew and he didn’t? He’d find a time to ask about it.
But this was not that time. “Let’s get dinner on the table. Then we can hash a few things out while we eat.”
“I’m for that, bro.” Dallas gave him a thumbs up. “We’ll all bring more intelligence to the subject after we get some food into us.”
Angie lifted her eyebrows.
“Or I should say I’ll be more intelligent.” He winked at her. “I don’t speak for my brilliant partner.”
She laughed. “Now you’re getting smart.”
“The food’s ready to be dished and brought in.” The day after Trent had moved into the cabin, he’d enlisted Dallas’s help to carry the large kitchen table to the living room. Then he could eat and work on his laptop in view of Cheyenne’s floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. “And the fire could use some love.”
“My department.” Dallas made a beeline for the hearth. “I am a professional.”
Angie groaned. “You’ll be sorry you let him be in charge of it. He’s such a stickler.”
“I’m aware. I’ve known him longer than you. But with Dallas around, you never have to worry about stray sparks or chimney fires.”
“Yeah, I’ll give him that.” She blew her husband a kiss. “Love you, honeybunch.”
A pang of envy caught Trent square in the chest. He’d once believed he and Cheryl had that kind of relationship. He wanted Dallas and Angie to grow old together. Maybe they’d be lucky and savvy enough to make that happen.
Angie followed him into the kitchen and opened the fridge. “Whoa, somebody stocked up on non-alcoholic beer. Want some, Brit?”
“Sounds great.”
“Trent, I’ll handle drinks. I know what Dallas wants. How about you?”
He couldn’t give her the answer that popped into his head. “I’ll take the unleaded beer, too.”
“Aw that’s sweet. Beau and Marsh are doing the same for Ella and Jess. It’s nice.” She grabbed two bottles of virgin beer from the door. “Dallas and I are drinking the leaded stuff. That bandstand project was a booger.” She took out two bottles from a different shelf and headed for the living room.
Brittany scanned the kitchen. “Beautiful cabinets.”
“They’re impressive.” He drained the pasta and began dividing it among the bowls lined up on the counter. “Especially when you know that a water leak ruined some of the bottom ones and Clint built new ones to match.”
“Wow. He’s talented.” Her casual tone sounded breathy. “So… what can I do?”
Once again, he couldn’t give an honest answer. He wanted her to kiss him until neither of them could breathe. But he wasn’t supposed to be thinking that, let alone saying it out loud.
“How about taking in the salad?” He tilted his head toward a big wooden bowl. “I put in several different kinds of lettuce. I looked it up, and?—”
“Leafy greens.” She gave him a smile. “They’re good for me and the baby. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He couldn’t have the kiss, but he’d take the smile and be grateful she was here at all. He’d been surprised when she’d agreed to come and now he never wanted her to leave.
Inviting Dallas and Angie had been the right move, though. He hadn’t come up with it until around four this afternoon, when his craving for her presence had threatened to undermine all his good intentions.
He’d called Dallas, and luckily his brother and sister-in-law had just finished the bandstand project and were headed home, exhausted and thrilled to have someone fix them dinner.
When Dallas had heard Brittany was coming, he’d agreed a discussion was in order. They had to get their stories straight before they picked up their parents in Missoula tomorrow afternoon.
But when Trent slid into his seat next to the woman he’d been thinking about all day, his breath caught and he lost focus. The table was round, so seating the four of them in a semi-circle meant everyone had a view of the fire, and bonus, he’d be close to Brittany.
Tactical mistake. The scent of her hair made him dizzy. His arm brushed hers and their thighs touched before she moved away. The heat of her body drew him like a moth to flame. Last time he’d been this close, they’d been naked.
“I just thought of something,” Angie said.
Yeah, so had he and it was giving him a woody.
Angie gave no indication she’d picked up on his issues. “Your parents arrive tomorrow,” she said. “Once you deposit them at the ranch house, there goes Brit’s chance for a private talk with my mom.” She turned to her. “You need to go see her in the morning.”
“Can’t. I’m booked solid with patient appointments.”
“Okay, then tonight.”
“Tonight?” Her voice squeaked. “But?—”
“It’s okay.” Angie shifted in her seat and pulled out her phone. “She’ll want to talk with you. If she finds out after the fact that I didn’t contact her about this, she’ll be ticked.”
“She and Andy are probably fixing dinner right now. I don’t want to?—”
“I’ll ask if we can come after dinner. Don’t worry. I’ll go with you. It’ll be fine.”
Dallas frowned. “Shouldn’t Trent go with her instead of you? He’s the one who helped create this m—uh, blessed event.”
“This is a girls talk situation, hon. You can stay here and keep your brother company.”
Trent let out a sigh of relief. He would go if Brittany wanted him there, but he’d already dealt with her mother at lunch. He’d need to bulk up before taking on the most powerful woman in Wagon Train.