Forever Dreams (Montana Brides) Page 26
Mrs. Davies kissed his cheek. “You did well today. I’m going to bed now. Your mom said to tell you she’d be out tomorrow morning to give you a hand.”
“Thanks.”
Mrs. Davies left, and Trent dragged himself toward the stairs. Two weeks of tossing and turning had finally caught up with him. He needed a shower, and he needed sleep.
He’d dealt with the wolf attack as best he could. Tomorrow would be soon enough to talk to Gracie.
By the time he’d finished in the bathroom, the moon had climbed high in the sky. There was enough light coming through the windows to find his way to the bed, and sink into its softness. Trent slipped between the cool sheets and sighed. He stretched his tired muscles and nearly leapt out of bed.
Holy crap.
Gracie had tucked herself into a little ball under the duvet. She was so tiny he hadn’t seen her body curled up on the side of the bed. If she’d been asleep before, she wasn’t now.
“Hi, Trent.” Her sleepy voice drifted across to him.
He sat up, leaning on one elbow. “How are you feeling?”
Gracie rubbed her eyes and turned toward him. “I’m feeling better.” She took a deep, shuddering breath. “I felt really scared. The cows were terrified, and Jeb’s leg was a mess. I’ve never been happier to see a helicopter in my life. How are Jeb and Trixie doing?”
Trent’s eyes drifted over the shape of her body, half in shadow from the moon. “Jeb’s still in the hospital. The doctors said you did a good job of stopping the blood loss. He’ll be there for a few more days, and then he’ll be coming home to rest his leg. Trixie’s bandaged up and full of antibiotics. She should be fine.”
Gracie stretched and yawned.
“Nice t-shirt, honey.”
“Thanks, you always did have good taste in clothes. Is it okay that I borrowed it? I didn’t have any spare clothes here.”
“Take whatever you want. I’m just pleased you’re not hurt.” Trent rolled onto his back and looked at the ceiling. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but what are you doing in my bed?”
Gracie paused before answering. “I…umm. Well. I was worried. The wolves tore Jeb and Trixie up pretty bad and I thought they’d come back for you. I tried to go to sleep in my room, but it wasn’t working. So I came in here.”
If he reached across and touched Gracie’s face he knew he’d feel the heat of a blush staining her cheeks. He sat still, waiting for her to continue.
“If you want me to go back to my room, I’ll go. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”
Trent swallowed the lump gathering in his throat. If he didn’t tell Gracie how he felt about her, he might never get the chance before she left his life for good. He cleared his throat, rolling back onto his side. Gracie hadn’t moved an inch.
“I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to blurt it out. If I get things a bit mixed up don’t worry about it. The thing is…well…I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love you. I loved you before we got married only I was too thick-headed to realize it. There’s no one else I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Trent swallowed. Not a whisper of sound came from Gracie’s side of the bed. “You haven’t gone to sleep, have you?”
“No. I’m still awake.”
Trent peered at the outline of her body in the darkness. He could have sworn he heard a laugh in her voice. “You’re not laughing are you, Gracie?”
“Who me?”
She was definitely laughing at him now.
Trent groaned. He’d just declared his love to the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and she’d started laughing at him. “Fine. Laugh away.” He rolled onto his back, scowling at the ceiling. “You wouldn’t be laughing if the love of your life nearly got mauled to death by a pack of wolves.”
“I didn’t get mauled,” she hiccupped. “I’m laughing because I’m happy.”
A mound of duvet rose in the air and a ball of cotton landed against his chest. A very warm and wiggly ball. Trent wrapped his arms around Gracie’s body and held on tight. She relaxed against him, resting her cheek against his chest. He could feel her breath against his skin, stirring his body into life.
She wiggled her bottom.
A groan rumbled through his chest. “Keep still you little minx. I’ve got something to ask you.”
Trent clamped his hands on her hips. She wasn’t listening.
“I want you to marry me again. Here, on the ranch, in front of our family and friends. I want you to be part of my life forever.” Gracie stopped moving. He could almost feel her mind working overtime.
She pushed up on her arms, staring down at him. “Is this all about your need to have a family so that Jordan doesn’t run wild?”
Trent nudged a lock of hair over her ear, tracing the side of her face with his fingertips. “I love you. I’d give up the ranch if it helped you believe me. The ranch means nothing if you’re not part of my life. Before dad passed away he told me a man needs the love of a good woman to make his life complete. And he was right.”
Gracie slid her bottom along his body. “Not too good I hope.”
Trent groaned. “We can always negotiate the terms, honey.”
Gracie rolled off his body, flipping onto her back.
Trent gazed at her silhouette. “So is that a yes, or a no?”
“Jordan told me about the plans to convert the barn into a bunkhouse and create a working ranch experience. I think it’s a great idea.”
“Gracie, are you going to marry me or not?” He was worried. More than worried. He was terrified she didn’t love him enough to spend the rest of her life with him.
“And he’s really excited about managing the project.”
He didn’t know where this line of conversation was going, but he’d bet it didn’t have much to do with wedding bells. And it would have even less to do with a long night that didn’t involve much sleep.
“What made you change your mind?”
“Can’t we talk about this later, Gracie?”
She poked a finger in his ribs.
He took that as a no. “Jordan’s idea makes sense and he’s a natural around people. He knows what he wants to achieve and he’ll get there.” Trent heard Gracie moving. At least she was moving toward him, and not out the far side of the bed. That had to be a good sign. Maybe.
She snuggled up to his side and whispered in his ear, “So, cowboy. Do you want to get married next month before you’re forty, or the following month when you’re practically ancient?”
Trent let his breath out, hauling Gracie close. He groaned as she moved her hand along parts of his anatomy that weren’t showing any signs of old age. “I go for the young stud timeframe. Does that give your friends enough time to come across for the wedding?”
“Are you kidding? My friends have the market covered on unexpected events.” Her fingertips did some more wandering. “You could always be my partner at the wedding I’m going to in New Zealand.”
Trent’s breath caught in his throat as Gracie’s lips joined in the exploration of his body. “I’ll have to sweet talk Jordan and see…” He groaned. “Honey, if you keep that up, we’ll be going nowhere for the next couple of weeks.”
A chuckle drifted up from under the duvet. “I don’t think you’ll have any problems with Jordan. Now, what were you saying about young studs?”
Trent hauled her up his body, pushing her onto her back. Rubbing his lips along her jaw, he whispered, “I love you, Gracie McKenzie.”
“Love you too, cowboy.” Gracie reached up and gently kissed his lips. “For real and forever.”
The End
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annamorgan.com.
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Forever in Love
BOOK TWO IN THE MONTANA BRIDES SERIES
Excerpt
“What the hell?” Nathan dropped his pen and stared out the window of his father’s office. The half-light of dusk painted the Montana ranch in a soft pink glow, almost picture-perfect if it weren’t for the blue pickup truck roaring down the gravel driveway. Its horn cut through the still evening air, tapping out a tuneless masterpiece that set his trouble radar humming. He grabbed his jacket and headed toward the front door, wondering what mischief his sister had gotten up to this time.
Sally stopped her truck, leaping out of the cab before he’d made it off the porch. “What’s wrong?” he asked, not trusting the grin plastered across her face.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
Nathan had seen that smile too many times over the last twenty-seven years not to know something was going on.
“Guess who I’ve got in the truck?”
Nathan glanced at the tinted windows. Sally had a soft spot for strays, and she’d brought home more tourists and animals than anyone else he knew. Last time she’d said those words his parents had ended up playing host to a family from Los Angeles. They’d been looking for an authentic cowboy holiday. It hadn’t occurred to Sally that her parents might not want to show off their sprawling cattle ranch to city-slickers, or that they’d come smack bang in the middle of calving.
But then Sally didn’t often think beyond the first impulsive idea that streaked through her brain.
He walked across the yard. “You know Mom and Dad won’t be back for another week, so you’d better make other arrangements.”
“You’re such a grump.” Sally spun toward the truck as the passenger door opened. “Ignore him. He’s having a mid-life crisis.”
A snort of laughter filled the air. A lady-like snort that reminded him of someone he knew. A blonde head appeared, pitching his heart into the soles of his boots.
“Amy? What are you doing here?” A long time ago she’d brushed him out of her life faster than a mosquito buzzing around her head. Cold, heartless and so damn fast he hadn’t seen it coming. His parents and sister were the only people alive that could convince her to come back and visit – and that hadn’t been often.
Sally poked him in the ribs. “That’s a great welcome for someone you haven’t seen in ages.”
“You didn’t tell him?” A blush as red as the setting sun washed across Amy’s face.
“I thought mom would have, but he’s here now. You tell him.”
Amy’s gaze skimmed across the ranch and settled on Nathan’s face. He yanked the collar of his jacket higher, the warm sheepskin protecting him from the bitter wind and questions he didn’t want to answer.
“I’m moving back to Bozeman,” Amy said. “Your mom and dad offered me a place to stay until I find somewhere to live.”
Nathan went perfectly still. Memories of the last time she’d come home tumbled through his head, leaving him confused, worried and angrier than he had a right to be. “I thought you liked living in Chicago. What changed your mind?”
Sally moved to the back of the truck. “Save the questions for later, Nathan. I want to get everything unloaded while there’s still some daylight left.” She flipped the tailgate open and stared at the bags. “Besides, we’ve got more in here than two hot women and a mountain of suitcases.”
Jeez, his sister had outdone herself this time. He waited for the sound of a dog barking or a cat screeching. “You didn’t stop by the animal shelter, did you?”
“I’m trying to keep away. Dad said if I brought him another dog that’s afraid of cows he’d make me come home to look after it.” Sally pushed a suitcase into his chest. “Make yourself useful and take this inside.”
Amy opened the back passenger door. “I’ll help in a minute. I need to get Catherine out first.”
“Who?” Nathan stared at Amy. He looked at Sally. Who the hell was Catherine?
Amy pointed to the backseat.
He moved around the truck and stared at the little girl nearly asleep in her car seat. “You’ve got a baby?” She had Amy’s blonde hair and pixie nose, and if he wasn’t mistaken, her heavy lids were closing on the same chocolate brown eyes.
Sally cleared her throat. “Are you going to stand there gawking or help us unload everything?”
He glared at his sister. He felt like he’d been sucker punched. A baby. When had Amy ever let a man get close enough to create the ball of pink cotton-candy in the car seat? She’d nearly scratched his eyes out the last time he’d seen her. Then she’d run hundreds of miles away, back to Chicago. And, looking at the baby, straight into the arms of another man.
Amy leaned inside the truck, unbuckling the safety harness. He pulled his gaze away and walked toward the house, holding her suitcase in a death grip. No wonder she hadn’t sounded happy about coming back. Amy had always dreamed big and nothing in Bozeman could ever make those dreams come true. And they sure as hell hadn’t involved a baby.
He pushed the front door open, dreading the next few days. Why did she have to arrive now? He didn’t need another set of females upsetting the routine he’d gotten himself into. Eat, sleep, moan some, then groan some more. There wasn’t anything or anyone alive that could better the self-pity he’d hidden behind over the last few months.
But if his parents wanted Amy to stay on the ranch then that was up to them. He’d treat her the same as any other guest. He’d be Polite. Respectful. Courteous. All the things that had been drummed into him over the years.
He stacked the bags in the foyer and straightened his shoulders. He wouldn’t make a big deal out of her arrival. Not this time.
Amy walked toward him with Catherine tucked in her arms. “I wouldn’t have come unless I needed to.”
“I already guessed that.”
A flash of emotion streaked across her face. He couldn’t tell if it was anger or regret. Amy’s chin tilted in the air. Even with her don’t-mess-with-me attitude she looked exhausted. The dark rings under her eyes almost swallowed her face whole. But she hadn’t lost her grit.
After the last time they’d seen each other he’d begun to think the woman he’d once known didn’t exist. She’d pulled a shell around herself so tight that even his mom and dad worried about her. But she was still there beneath the cool exterior she’d erected to protect God knew what from the world. The real Amy Sullivan hadn’t disappeared and something inside him melted.
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Forever in Love – available now!
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Other Contemporary Romances Available From Leeanna Morgan:
Montana Brides Series
Book 1: Forever Dreams
Book 2: Forever in Love
Book 3: Forever After
Book 4: Forever Wishes—coming soon
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Book List
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