Come On Over (16 page)

He blinked at her, then narrowed his eyes.

She felt a blush and gestured vaguely in the direction of the woman and her children.

“Oh.” He removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair. “I think two would be enough.”

His gaze intensified when he met her eyes, and she was really, really glad to hear someone say, “Excuse me, miss. I have a question.”

For the next two hours, the crowds steadily increased. Trent had wanted to help but there was nothing for him to do except handle the money. He knew so many people, several he hadn't seen in years, so Shelby encouraged him to go catch up with his old friends.

As soon as the rodeo started, the crowd thinned. Shelby had sold a lot and was deciding on whether to follow Gladys's lead and shut down the booth for the night when Rachel showed up.

“Oh, I think Trent's inside,” Shelby told her.

“I know. I saw him.” She pursed her mouth, looking hesitant. “I have a favor to ask, and if you say no it's fine. I promise. No pressure.”

“Okay.” Shelby maintained a blank face, convinced things were about to get awkward. Of course this had to do with Trent. “Ask away.”

“Would you mind giving me a peek at the rest of your stuff? You know, the jewelry you're putting out tomorrow.” Rachel gave her a sheepish smile.

“Um, I—”

“I'm really not being a pig.” She rolled her eyes. “It's for Christmas presents. For Jamie and my other sister-in-law. Or I wouldn't ask.”

Shelby was speechless. Was this Trent's doing? While she appreciated his good intentions, she would kill him.

Rachel sighed. “I'm sorry. Pretend I didn't open my big mouth.”

“No. Wait.” What if she was wrong about Trent? “I'm hesitating only because I don't have anything else. This is it.”

Rachel glanced at the dozen or so pairs of earrings, the lone necklace that was left on the table. The other two tables had already been folded up and put away thirty minutes ago.

“Are you kidding?” Rachel seemed genuinely shocked. “You have nothing else. The fair runs two more days.”

“I wasn't prepared,” Shelby said, miserable and embarrassed. “I had no business taking up a booth when I didn't know a thing about this fair.”

“Oh, no, it doesn't matter.” Rachel waved away the concern. Nose wrinkled, and staring off, she gave the impression she was thinking hard. “This is your main business, right? How you make your living?”

“Now.” Shelby nodded. “Yes.”

“I have an idea. How about you hang onto whatever you have left here...I'll even loan you the pieces I bought. I'll get Jamie to do the same,” she said, waving a hand as if it was a done deal. “So you can at least take orders and make the jewelry after the fair. What do you think?”

Stunned and seriously touched, Shelby gaped for a moment. “That you're brilliant,” she said finally.

Rachel laughed. “We'll get along just fine.” She held out her bags. “Feel free to pass around the part about me being brilliant.”

Her thank-you came out choked.

“Oh, Shelby.” Rachel dropped the bags on the table and came around to give her a hug. “It's nothing. We're a small, friendly town. We help each other. Well, most of us do. I can think of a few people I would love to kick in the tush, but hey...”

Shelby laughed and blinked several times before she embarrassed herself. No tears had actually fallen and she wanted it to stay that way.

Rachel released her. “I'll talk to Jamie, but I'm sure she'll be on board. She's inside with Cole and my other two brothers. Maybe you'll meet them later. If not, someday.”

Shelby nodded. “You really are brilliant.”

“I know.” Rachel grinned. “Don't look now but the kissing bandit's coming.” She stepped back. “Trent's one of the good guys. I'm glad he's come home. And that he has you. I bet you and I will be friends.”

Shelby just nodded. Her eyes still burned and if she tried to speak she'd be toast. Rachel was right. This was Trent's home. And Shelby was nothing but an interloper looking for an easy way out of her old life.

16

T
HE
FAIR
ENDED
after three successful days. Shelby had seemed to enjoy herself, and hadn't minded a bit when he'd had to run home to take care of Griffin. Trent had made it a point to be there for the tear-down, but enough people had volunteered that he didn't feel guilty leaving early to get Shelby home. Poor woman was exhausted.

They weren't too far from the Eager Beaver. Neither of them had spoken in a while. Thinking she might've dozed off, he glanced over at her snuggled down in the passenger seat.

She had her whole body turned toward him, her cheek resting against the back of the seat. “I have a confession to make,” she said.

He felt his gut clench. She hadn't been quite herself the past two days. He'd chalked it up to exhaustion. After a jarring silence, he took a curve in the road, then glanced back at her. She was yawning hugely. He smiled.

“You know that first day when I met Rachel and Jamie?” she said, and he nodded. “I thought you put them up to it.”

Trent frowned. “Put them up to what?”

“Saying all those nice things about my jewelry. Buying all that they did.”

“Why would I have done that?”

“Because you felt sorry for me. You knew I was worried my jewelry wasn't any good.”

“Yeah, but I also knew that wasn't true. And that you'd see for yourself soon enough.” He reached across the console for her hand. “Tell you the truth, I was a little worried. I knew people would snap up your stuff fast and then you'd be upset when you sold out.”

Her hand felt cool and limp, and she didn't respond. Even though the road was tricky for a couple of miles, he had to take a quick look at her.

She blinked and turned her head.

“Shelby?”

“Careful. There's a deer up ahead on the right.”

“I see her.” He watched the doe hover at the side of the highway, then bound into the woods. He was more concerned with the suspicious glassiness in Shelby's eyes. And the fact that she'd pulled her hand away. “Something bothering you?”

“You mean other than I've been sleepwalking for two days and I have a ton of orders and no idea how I'll ever complete them before Christmas?”

“You will. I have faith in you.”

She sniffled. Turned sharply to look out her window.

What the hell? He pulled the truck over to the shoulder and cut the engine.

“What are you doing?” She straightened, glanced at him, looked away and dabbed at her eye.

“Tell me what's wrong.” He swore, if she said “nothing,” he would lose it. He'd heard enough “nothings” from his ex to last him a damn lifetime.

“We're almost home. Can't we talk then?”

“We could.”

“Okay.” She glared at him. “You're not driving.”

“I said we could, not that I agreed.”

“Trent.” Her shoulders slumped against the seat. “Please.”

“Are you telling me nothing's wrong?”

“No. I'm telling you I want to get home. Before the first snowfall if possible. Please.”

Trent started the engine. He let her be for the ten minutes it took to arrive at the Eager Beaver and park. But then she opened her door and jumped out so fast he wondered if she planned to dodge him all night. Fine. He wouldn't say another word.

Shit.

Mutt came running from behind Violet's trailer straight toward him. He stopped to scratch behind the dog's ears. “How are you doing, boy? Have you been taking care of those kittens and their mama?”

He barked and led Trent to the kitchen door.

Trent sighed. Animals were so much easier to understand than women.

He let Mutt in behind him, scooped kibble out of the bin and dumped it into his bowl. Without a single complaint or cross look Mutt chowed down. Didn't take much to make an animal happy, either, unlike women. Trent should've learned that lesson by now.

Irritated with himself for giving a damn, he walked through the house to see if Shelby had closed herself off in her room. Just as he got to the hall she stepped out of the bathroom.

“Was that...” He closed his eyes for a second. “Better?”

“Much,” she said with a regal lift of her chin. “Thank you.”

“You could've just told me.”

“I could've.” She tried keeping a straight face. “But I didn't.”

He lunged for her and missed. Laughing, she did a taunting little shimmy and danced out of his reach.

“Okay. I see how you are. Now that you're a mini tycoon you think you're too good for me.”

She stopped and stared at him.

He expected her to laugh. Maybe flip him off. Or play along by sticking her nose in the air.

Trent never thought she'd burst into tears.

And damned if he knew what to do. He froze, a bunch of stuff flipping through his mind, afraid he'd make a wrong move and chase her off. He could only do one thing—trust his instincts.

He grabbed a box of tissue from the bathroom, then he pulled Shelby into his arms.

She cried louder.

Holy hell.

She didn't push him away, though, so he hugged her a little closer and rubbed her back, letting her cry with her face buried against his chest. He lightly kissed the top of her head, hoping she hadn't noticed. She might not like it at the moment, but he'd needed the small comfort.

Wanting Shelby to call the shots, he stayed quiet and completely still, even when Mutt barked at the door.

She drew back, pulled out half the tissues in the box, and kept her head bowed while she wiped her eyes and blew her nose. “We better let him out.”

Mutt probably just wanted to go chase evening critters. But Trent went ahead and opened the door to give Shelby a moment. After that... Hell, he didn't know.

“Can I get you something?” he asked. “Water? A sandwich? How about a beer?”

She gave him a watery smile and shook her head. “Thanks.”

Realizing he was still wearing his hat he yanked it off and spun it around in his hands. “Guess you're just tired, huh?”

“I am,” she said, “but that's not it.” She cleared her throat. “Maybe I will have some water.”

They both turned to the kitchen at the same time.

“I think I can manage,” she said with a soft laugh. “May I get you anything? A beer?”

“I don't know. Will I need one?”

Her expression faltered. “I don't think so.”

Goddamn it, he wanted to kick himself. What a jackass thing to say. He'd given her an out. It would've been easy for her to blame exhaustion. But she seemed willing to talk, and what did he do?

Halfway to the kitchen she turned around. His gut clenched. She walked back to him, got up on tiptoes and kissed him before continuing to the kitchen.

Shit. He really did want that beer. But he wouldn't follow her. “Shelby?”

“Got it.” Less than a minute later she returned with water for her and a bottle for him.

“Thanks,” he said, and twisted off the cap. “This is not a commentary on anything. I just feel like a beer.”

“Got that, too.” She smiled. “Let's sit on the couch for a change, huh?”

She sat first, in the middle, which helped him out. Hard for him to make a wrong move. His ex would've plastered herself to one corner and silently dared him to overstep. Hell, why had he been thinking of Dana lately? He wasn't even that pissed at her anymore. Setting his beer on the coffee table, he sat in his normal spot. Shelby inched a bit closer. The warmth flooding his chest made him a little tongue-tied, so he just smiled and put a loose arm behind her on the couch.

She shifted to face him and sighed. “Thank you,” she said. “For helping me get the booth at the fair. For having faith in me. For liking my jewelry. For...putting up with me. I showed up out of the blue, turned your life upside down and you still—” Her voice caught. She took a quick sip, her gaze lowered. “I guess I'm just trying to say thanks for everything.”

Part of him thought he should just keep his mouth shut. The other part had him scared to death she was working up to a goodbye. “You're tired,” he said, taking her free hand in his. “Now isn't the time to make any big decisions if that's where you're going with this.”

Her eyes widened in genuine surprise. “I'm not. I honestly just wanted to tell you how great you've been and how much it matters to me.” She took another sip then put her glass on the coffee table. “It's been a long time since anyone has been in my corner. That's why I'm emotional. I just—”

He squeezed her hand, wanting to hold her. But something told him there was more to be said first. “You don't have to thank me. Look how supportive you've been of me. What you said about Moon and that last call. Hey, we're—” His throat closed some when she warily looked up. “We're friends.” When the hell had that word become inadequate? She felt it, too, and yet what else were they if not friends. “That's what friends do. Support each other.”

She nodded. “You're right,” she said with a short laugh. “Who woulda thunk it, huh? That we'd ever reach across that blue duct tape and—”

Trent groaned. “Okay, not a shining moment. Can we forget about that?”

“Well, what about me?” She winced. “Coming out wrapped in just a towel.”

“Oh, well, that's completely different. Feel free to do that anytime.”

Shelby laughed. “See? You make me laugh. Before meeting you, do you know how long it had been since I really laughed, or felt like myself?” She sighed. “Of course you don't. The other night I was trying to remember and I honestly couldn't.”

“Ah, Shelby...”

She leaned another inch closer. “I'm not done thanking you.” He opened his mouth and she put a finger to his lips. “Rachel and Sadie and Jamie, I like them all so much and they seem to like me. One word from you about why I came here in the first place and they'd hate my guts. Things would've gotten too icky for me to stick around...”

“I would never have done that.” His heart pounded. He should tell her right now how much he wanted her to stay. Call them friends, whatever. It didn't matter.

“I know.” She touched his face. “You're a real sweetheart. Even when you pretended to be a meany there were a lot of tells that said otherwise. And now that I know a bit about your world, I'd say every one of your friends knows what a good man you are.”

Trent wasn't very comfortable with all this. “I think you're being over-generous, but thank you.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. How easy it was to get lost in that beautiful smile of hers. He could stare at her lips forever.

Damn, he needed to say something. Fast. Shelby needed to hear how much he cared for her and wanted her to stay. Now. Once Violet showed them proof that the ranch was his, Shelby might think he was only being a softie by letting her stick around, that she was extra baggage.

He cleared his throat. “What I said about being friends—” Why was this so hard? “You know I care about you...right?”

Shelby nodded, but she was worrying that lush bottom lip of hers.

Hell, his getting all serious could chase her away. He had only known Shelby for a little over two weeks. His feelings for her were strong, stronger than was wise. For both their sakes, they should take whatever was happening between them slowly. He hoped this wasn't just a rebound thing...for both of them.

When she drew closer and kissed him, he went with his gut and pulled her onto his lap. They'd had a long, full weekend and were both tired. Now wasn't the time for words.

* * *

S
HELBY
CURLED
UP
in Trent's lap, soaking in his warmth and caring. She'd never had a friend like him before. In fact, she had a pretty strong feeling they were a lot more. Everything seemed better when his arms were around her.

He was so different from Donald; Trent made it hard to remember why she'd ever loved Donald.

Trent tilted her chin up. His lips brushed hers softly, back and forth in a gentle rhythm as he stroked her hair. Her eyes closed and with his hypnotizing touch, she felt the stress of the weekend fade away.

If she could just stay right where she was for the next ten hours or so...

She pulled away for just a few seconds, far enough to see the way he looked at her with his beautiful gray eyes. Oh, yeah. They were more than friends. When she found his lips again, she wasn't nearly as tender as he'd been. Neither was the way she held on to him. She wanted to stop the world. Right here in this perfect moment.

At first sight, she'd thought he was just a hot cowboy. A pretty damn rude hot cowboy. But even as he'd tried to bully her off the ranch, she'd seen enough to know he would never do anything to harm her. That his grouchy routine with Violet was just a ruse to let two stubborn people take care of each other.

His tongue slipped between her lips, and she was back in the present, in the safety of his arms. She needed to remember everything. The soft groan he made when she followed his tongue back into his mouth. How fast he could make her heart pound while the rest of her was as relaxed as Mutt in front of the fireplace.

Making out with Trent should be included among the wonders of the world. Not that she wanted anyone else to prove her point. The thought of someone else kissing him...

She pulled back and met his gaze again. He seemed surprised, a little worried. It was nothing compared to how she felt.

“You okay?” he asked.

She nodded. “If I ask you to take me to bed, just to cuddle, would that be all right?”

His slow smile made her melt inside. “Anything,” he said. He helped her up and they walked to his bedroom in no hurry. When they got there, he turned down the bedding, then took off Shelby's clothes. The whole time, she just smiled. Memorizing his gentle touch, his reverent looks. Pity she'd probably be asleep by the time he could join her.