Chapter 37
Trent watched Brittany tear after Ella. When neither of them came back right away, he figured they’d escaped to a private location to talk about him.
He sipped on his unleaded beer and checked his phone. His parents had already retreated to their room. The volume on the music had been reduced from fire siren level to loud. Might be time to hit the road.
A hand on his shoulder made him turn.
Marsh stood there, a sympathetic gleam in his eyes. “It’s an uneasy feeling when they go off to talk about you and you don’t know whether the discussion will go in your favor or not.”
“I suppose you would have experienced that.”
“Yeah, but don’t worry. Ella thinks a lot of you. We both do. She’ll put in a good word.”
“I appreciate it.” He smiled. “I could use one or two of those.”
“Nice job getting Brit the hat she’s been pining over.”
“She told you I bought it?”
“Ella and I asked. She’s wanted it for months. Ella and Faye considered getting it for her birthday, but even splitting the cost in half would be way more than the three of them usually spend on each other. They didn’t want to up the ante and make her think she should find something in that range when it was their turn.”
“Whereas for me, the sky’s the limit.”
Marsh chuckled. “I know that impulse. And bonus, she loves the hat.”
“She seems to.”
“It makes sense that you two would find each other. Neither of you wants a commitment right now.”
“Right.” He hesitated. He wouldn’t reveal anything about the baby, not when the wedding was less than twenty-four hours away. But Marsh had known Brittany a long time. “I might have screwed things up.”
“Already? I thought you just got together.”
“We did, and I know it’s not supposed to work this way, but… I’m in love with her.”
Marsh frowned. “I hate to say it, dude, but if she’s your first after a long dry spell, that could feel like?—”
“I told myself that. But from the very beginning, something about her clicked and locked right into place. That feeling just gets stronger by the day. By the minute, even. I didn’t feel that with Cheryl. Or any woman I’ve been with.”
“I can’t argue with that. Not my experience, but I suppose it can happen. I wouldn’t tell her, though. Not yet.”
“Too late.”
“Well, damn. No wonder she chased after Ella.”
“It seemed really important to let her know.”
“You spooked her. She’s brave about most things, but not a relationship with a guy.”
“Because of her parents splitting.”
He nodded. “Fifth grade. We were at recess when she told us. She’s always been small compared to Ella and me. But that day she was so tiny.”
His gut clenched. “I hate that she went through that.”
“If you ask me, she never got over it. She wants kids, but no guy ever measures up. She’s afraid to trust them.” Marsh glanced past him. “They just came back.”
“I need to talk with her. I’ll see if she’s ready to leave.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks.” He walked toward Ella and Brittany. “Have a good chat?”
Ella smiled. “Absolutely. How about you and Marsh? Did you solve all the problems of the world?”
“Not quite.” He glanced at Brittany. “My folks left the party a little while ago. They said to tell you they’d see you tomorrow for the bench-building party.”
“We’re doing that, too,” Ella said. “I’m gonna find Marsh and drag him out of here. Tomorrow’s a big day.” She turned to Brittany and hugged her. “See you then.”
“You bet. G’night.”
“Are you ready to go, too?”
She turned and met his gaze. “Yes. Yes, I am.”
He longed to read passion in those blue eyes. Instead he saw only firm resolve. “Then let’s say our goodbyes and leave.”
It took a while to accomplish that, and he had to endure the winks and knowing looks from people who thought he and Brittany were going back to his cabin for a roll in the hay. He figured his chances were slim to none.
Because his chest hurt like hell, he decided to open the dialogue as soon as they started the walk to the truck. “Do you want to talk now or wait until we’re at the cabin?”
“We can wait.”
“Just so you know, if you’d like me to take you back home tonight, I will.”
“That’s good to know. Thank you.”
Knowing that could happen increased the pressure in his chest. Although if they were ending things, wouldn’t it be better to just do it?
No, it wouldn’t. If she’d give him one more night, he’d take it.
He helped her into the truck because he was looking for every excuse to touch her. He might not have many more of those.
Making small talk had never been a talent of his, so he didn’t try on the way back to the cabin. When they got there, he helped her back out and kept holding her hand as he shut the door.
She didn’t try to pull away, but she didn’t weave her fingers through his like she had when they’d been talking with his parents. It was a small difference, but it registered.
He kept holding her hand as they climbed the steps, crossed the porch and walked inside. He had the living room lamps on either side of the sofa on a timer, so the room looked welcoming.
But maybe not welcoming enough to make a difference. He wanted her to like walking into his cabin, to imagine herself doing it every day when she came home from work.
Oh, yeah, his subconscious had been busy ever since she’d mentioned that she’d have to move to somewhere with a yard for Montana. If she had to move, why not live in his cabin, where there would be a yard as soon as he bought some building materials?
He cleared his throat. “Want to talk here?”
“Sure.” She started pacing.
“Want something to drink?
“No, thanks.”
“Want to sit?”
She shook her head and continued to pace, not meeting his gaze. “The thing is, I have trouble believing in true love to begin with, let alone a love that springs up out of nowhere in a few days. We can’t even count Sunday and Monday. Tuesday was almost over by the time I walked to the Buffalo.”
“And I wish I could say I’ve reconsidered. But I can’t. I love you.”
She finally looked at him, misery in her blue eyes. “Why? How? You barely know me!”
“I know you care about others, including me, or you wouldn’t be so torn up about this. You’d laugh at me and demand to be taken home.”
“I don’t know anybody who would be that mean.”
“I do. Being married to someone exactly that mean and then meeting you is like being taken from darkness to light. You didn’t manipulate me into the baby thing. You gave me time to decide. And now I know why I did.”
“Because of the sex?”
“No, dammit! Because I watched you acting like a kid on that barstool and that’s when I fell for you. Before we climbed in my truck and I realized you wanted me.”
“The spinning barstool?”
“Do you know how many people in this world have forgotten how to be silly? Cheryl almost turned me into one of them. And suddenly there you were with the Happy Birthday song set to go off at the moment you were born, proud of being a year older.”
“Except worried. I’ve read the stats on pregnancies.”
“Because you don’t have your head in the sand. Your concern is valid. So what do you do? Marry someone just to get a baby? No, you’re not capable of that. Instead you come up with a creative plan which benefits someone besides just you.”
“So I’m a decent person who likes to spin on barstools. That hardly seems like enough to?—”
“Are you fishing?”
“No! I just?—”
“You’re gutsy. Asking me was a bold move. Talking to Desiree took nerve. You also listened and revised your plan as a result. You’re flexible.”
“Duh. I was a gymnast.”
“I didn’t mean physically, although your body drives me?—”
“See? That’s?—”
“But it’s not the main draw! You know what? We could try an experiment. But first let me know — have you decided whether I’m taking you home tonight?”
“It would probably be easier on both of us if you did.”
“Or you could give me a chance to prove I can spend the rest of the night in bed with you and all we’ll do is sleep.”
“You can’t do it.”
“Try me.”