Chapter 33
Rance was effing brilliant. Trent planned to tell him so the minute he had a chance. He’d come up with a strategy to test whether Brittany really wanted to dial it back or only thought she did.
Risk was involved. The lantern lights were no big deal, but if she’d wanted him to sell his truck, he would have had to do it. He’d counted on her rejection of the concept because she clearly liked riding in it.
If that turned her on, so what? Their strong mutual attraction could be viewed as a gift and not a problem to be eliminated.
Maybe eventually she’d realize that. He didn’t mind the separate living quarters idea, although he wished they were geographically closer. Right next door would be good.
But why give up lovemaking when they found it so satisfying? If they were clear that they weren’t looking for a happily ever after, everything would be fine. The baby would be fine, too.
“We still have thirty minutes before we need to be at the ranch house, so I planned to stop at my cabin so we can drop off your suitcase.”
“That’s fine.”
“And I can give you something I picked up today. It’s a late birthday present and an early Mother’s Day present.”
“Oh, Trent, you didn’t have to?—”
“I wanted to. It’ll come in handy this weekend.”
“Where is it?” She scooted around in her seat. “I don’t see anything. Is it tiny?”
“Not so tiny. I used your suitcase to keep it hidden so I can surprise you.”
Settling back, she gave him a smile. “That’s very nice. Surprises are fun.”
“I hope you like it.” He pulled up to his cabin. After Dallas’s comment about the porch swing, he’d found himself looking at that swing a lot. And arguing with Dallas in his head.
Shutting off the engine, he pointed to it. “I should give you that.”
She frowned. “No, you shouldn’t. What’s up with you? First you want to sell your truck and now you’re trying to give me your porch swing.”
“I can’t picture sitting in it by myself and it’s not long enough for me to lie down. But you could lie in it, and once the baby comes, you could rock her to sleep.”
“I’m not taking your swing. Even if you don’t use it much, it looks great there. Cozy.”
And that was the point. Once upon a time he’d wanted cozy, thought he’d achieved it, and his world had come apart like a poorly designed bird’s nest.
If Dallas was right, and buying that swing was a subconscious effort to rebuild that nest, he needed to get rid of it ASAP and keep an eye on those tendencies. “But you don’t have any porch furniture.”
“I’ll buy some, the collapsible kind that I can easily take with me when I move.”
“Move?” His attention shifted immediately. “You’re moving?”
“Not right away, but I’ll need a backyard that’s safe for her to run around in. My current one won’t work and I’m not putting time and money into a rental.”
“A yard. I didn’t think of that.” He gazed at his cabin. He could fence in an area outside the back door and build a swing set himself rather than buy the ready-made kind. How about a sandbox? Yeah, he’d?—
“Trent?”
“What?” He blinked. “Sorry. I was busy putting together Montana’s backyard.” Hm. Should he be worried about his eagerness to do that? Maybe.
“She’ll love it here. And by the way, you can rock her on that swing, so don’t go giving it away.”
“All right, I won’t.” He climbed out of the truck. “Stay put, please, and don’t turn around. I’ll fetch your surprise.”
Opening the back door on his side, he nudged her suitcase out of the way and pulled out the rounded box. If she’d been able to see it, she’d have guessed immediately.
He walked around the back of the truck and opened her door. “Happy birthday and happy Mom’s Day.”
“A hat?” Her face lit up just the way he’d hoped. She popped off the lid and gasped. “It’s a silverbelly!”
“That’s what they called it at Hannigan’s. When I mentioned I was looking for a gift for you and was leaning toward a hat, a lady took me right to this one. She said you come in every so often and try it on.”
“I do! But it’s so expens?—”
“Like I said, it covers two occasions.” Happiness swelled in his chest. “Let me have the box so you can come on down and put on the hat.”
She handed it to him and scrambled out. “I can’t believe you got me this. I’ve been in love with it for months, but I couldn’t bring myself to spend the money since I have my old black one.”
“The woman at Hannigan’s said this gray mist color will go with your hair….” He trailed off as she put it on and faced him. “Wow.”
“Good?”
“Beautiful.”
“It’s a gorgeous hat.”
“I’m not talking about the hat.”
She gazed up at him, her blue eyes warm. “You’re very sweet to say that. And so generous.”
“You’re welcome. And bonus, when you’re wearing it, kissing you won’t be so easy.”
“That’s what you think.” Nudging back her hat, she rose on tiptoe, slid her hand behind his head, and pulled him close. “Thank you for this amazing gift.”
He closed his eyes and savored the velvet touch of her mouth, the flavor of peppermint toothpaste on her tongue, and the press of her fingers against his scalp. Knowing he shouldn’t, he gathered her close, relishing the warmth of her body and the glorious sensation as he tightened his hold and she melted into him.
It took all his will power to put a tiny space between her lips and his. “We can’t do this.”
“I know.” She swallowed. “I’ll count to three and we’ll both let go.”
“Okay.”
“One, two, three.”
He turned her loose and she backed away, her breathing as wonky as his. He cleared his throat. “If one hat doesn’t stop us from kissing, I’ll bet two hats will.”
“It’s more complicated with two.”
“I’ll wear mine, then.” He paused. “Except that makes me sexier. While I’m inside I’ll grab my baseball cap.” Rance would be proud of him for that idea.
She made a face and tugged down the brim of her Stetson. “No.”
Adorable. “Just trying to help.”
“I understand that, but please don’t ditch your hat. It suits you.”
“That gray one sure suits you.” He gestured toward the cabin. “Door’s unlocked. Go check it out in the bathroom mirror. I’ll get your suitcase.”
“Thanks.” She flashed him a smile and started toward the porch.
He watched her walk away, partly because he loved how she moved and partly because she looked so damn cute wearing the hat he’d bought her. Seeing it on her made his heart beat faster and his breath catch. His chest warmed and tickled, like he had fuzz balls in there.…
Aw, hell. Dammit to hell. Dallas was right about the swing, about second chances, about everything. There was a big fat, flashing-neon-lights reason why he’d bought her that hat.
He was in love with her. And she would hate it, but she needed to know.