Chapter 40
Something had changed. Brit pinpointed it as the moment Trent had emerged from the house after whatever Lucky had called him inside for. When he’d walked back out, his stride had been subtly different, more energized and purposeful.
During the picnic lunch they’d all eaten while sitting on the benches, he’d seemed more animated. Even with her. Whenever he’d caught her eye, he’d given her a secret smile as if he couldn’t wait to tell her something.
On the drive back to his cabin to change clothes, she waited to see if he’d say why he’d been summoned. Finally she couldn’t stand it. “It’s probably none of my business, but I’m curious about your trip into the house earlier.”
“Desiree called a meeting to talk about the new Apple Grove location for L’Amour and More.”
“On her wedding day?”
“She wanted to settle a couple of things before she left for Africa.” The statement was matter-of-fact, but a current of excitement ran through it.
“Huh. Well, I guess that makes sense. The grand opening’s only a few days after she gets back. I just figured she was leaving the details to you, Lucky and Oksana.”
“Which she is. There are just… other considerations.”
He was being deliberately vague about something that was clearly a major shift, which made her more curious. But continuing to pester him for details would be obnoxious since it really was none of her business.
Maybe he was excited about the grand opening. The Sentinel had run a story on it recently and her mom had suggested making a day trip of going up to check it out. “Will you be up there that weekend?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced at her. “Want to go?”
Her breath caught. “I?—”
“Just an idea. You don’t have to decide yet.”
“Okay.”
He pulled into the parking space at the end of the flagstone walk. “You can have first shower.”
“Thanks. I want to wash my hair, so I’ll need time to dry it.” As soon as he shut off the motor, she opened her door and climbed out.
“I don’t think you need to rush, though. We have a couple of hours.”
She was well aware of it. Before he’d proclaimed his love, she’d expected they’d spend some quality time in bed before the ceremony. Was he still thinking that way?
He caught up with her as she headed for the house. “I have a request.”
Her traitorous body reacted. If he wanted to make love, would she have the willpower to turn him down? “What’s that?”
“Sit on the swing with me for a few minutes before you go in.”
Odd, very odd. Maybe now he’d tell her about the meeting. “Okay.” She climbed the steps and held the armrest of the swing to steady it as she sat down.
He settled next to her, his thigh touching hers. Then he slid his arm around her shoulders.
The warmth of his body set her on fire as it always had. She swallowed. “Do you want to make out? Is that what’s going on?”
“No. I want to lay all my cards on the table.”
“I thought you did that yesterday.” Her heart started playing the bongos.
“I laid down some of them, but it seems I had some up my sleeve, cards I didn’t realize were there.”
“Like what?”
“Dallas was right about the swing. I was coming out of my funk when I bought it. I was ready to start living again, create a new dream.”
She began to shake. “Trent, don’t?—”
“And then there you were, wanting a baby, so of course I said yes, because I wanted the baby. And I wanted you. I just didn’t understand that yet.”
This couldn’t be happening. She squeezed her eyes shut as fear washed over her. “You’re going to propose, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.” He shifted on the swing. “Will you look at me while I do it? Please?”
She opened her eyes and turned her head, scared to death but needing to confirm the bad news. Yep. The poor guy really did love her. And some turn of events was driving him to break his promise. “What happened in that meeting?”
“I saw a vision of the future. My future. And I want you to be part of it. You’ll want that, too, if you’ll just give yourself a chance. I love you, and arrogant ass that I am, I think you love me back. Will you marry me?”
She could barely breathe. “No, Trent. I told you not to do this. You promised you wouldn’t.”
“Because I didn’t understand then. I’m breaking that promise because it’s holding us back from something amazing.”
“What vision? Are they putting you in charge of the Apple Grove store?”
“No.”
“Then what’s all this stuff about the future?”
“Our future. Yours, mine and Montana’s. I want us to be a family, living together, loving each other, giving Montana a brother or sister. I want it all, Brittany.”
“Well I don’t.” She pushed away from him and stood, hoping her legs would hold her. “Sorry, Trent. You’ve got the wrong girl.”
“No, I’ve got the right girl because you picked me. You picked me! There’s a voice inside of you saying I’m the one, which is why I’m the father of your child. Listen to that voice!”
His words hit home. She had picked him. She’d engineered this whole mess and now that foolish man wanted to marry her. She couldn’t let him make that mistake. “I’m taking a shower.” She ran into the house, stripped off her clothes in the bathroom and turned on the water.
Then she stood under it and cried, cried for the little girl who hadn’t been enough to make her daddy stay, the big girl who’d set ridiculous standards for the man she’d deign to marry because if she took that plunge, she might discover that she was the one who was lacking.
Trent was everything she’d ever wanted, but she didn’t dare test whether she was everything he’d ever wanted. Oh, but she’d tied him to her for life, hadn’t she? Tied him to her, but guaranteed he’d never really get to know her because they’d live separately.
Eventually the water turned cold and she got out. Once she was dressed, she took her makeup, her small mirror and the hairdryer into the kitchen. An ice cube from the fridge reduced the puffiness under her eyes from her crying jag.
Tossing it in the sink, she went to the front door and stuck her head out. He was still on the swing, staring at the mountains. “The bathroom’s all yours, but I used all the hot water, so you might want to wait a bit before showering.”
“Nope.” He stood. “A cold shower sounds like just what I need.”
“If you say so.” She opened the door wide and started back toward the kitchen.
He followed her in there and took her by the shoulders.
The warmth of his hands and his gentle massage brought a lump to her throat. “Trent.” She would not fling herself into his arms. For his sake as well as hers.
“Brittany.” He perfectly matched her tone.
“Are you going to keep bugging me?”
“Yes. At least until you can tell me with a straight face that you don’t love me.”
“I don’t love you.”
“Say it while you’re looking at me.” He slowly turned her around.
She lifted her head and met the warm, compassionate glow in his eyes. He was so beautiful. She’d have to lie through her teeth. “I don’t?—
“Save your breath. Any fool can tell you’re nuts about me.”
She couldn’t make herself deny it. Especially when he was in this crazy mood. He was way too appealing. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Like I said, I see the whole picture, now. We were supposed to meet on the eve of your birthday, when we were both ready to change our lives. Montana was meant to be. You and I are destined to spend a lifetime together.” He sighed. “And you don’t believe a word I’m saying.”
“Nope.”
“You will.”
“Did they serve gummies at that meeting?”
He laughed. “No.” Then he dipped his head and gave her a quick kiss. “If you want me, I’ll be in the shower.”
She stood there in shock, his kiss making her lips tingle, his words urging her to run after him. But she didn’t have his confidence in the future.
Or in herself.