What in God’s name was he going to do about it?
ChapterTen
Samantha continued to watch Trent through both of his bedtime stories.She needed to talk to him, but they hadn’t had a moment alone since he’d left the barn.
Finally, he walked her to her own room.“Will you come in and talk for a few minutes?”
He nodded but hesitated before stepping over the threshold.She’d definitely gone too far, and probably more than once.
“I owe you an apology, Trent.Perhaps half a dozen of them.”
He smiled, and the tension in her heart lessened.“You don’t owe me any apologies.”
“I do, but first, are you alright?I mean, after the… sketchbook?”
He nodded and reached for her hand.Somehow, his were always warmer than her own.“Thank you for that.I’ve wanted to tell him how I felt for a long time, and I didn’t know how.Who knows if I ever would have if you hadn’t forced me to.”
“I didn’t force you.”
He raised his brow.“Didn’t you?”
“There may have been a little coercion involved.”
His body seemed to relax some as he laughed.
“That’s not what I’m apologizing for, though.”
“I can probably guess the things you think you need to apologize for, but you don’t need to.”
“I just don’t want you to retreat from me.”
“I’m not retreating.”
It was her turn to raise her brow.“Then why the hesitation to step into my room?”
“I’ve probably been a little more casual in my interactions with you than was wise.For instance, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to sleep in your bed again.”
“I won’t do anything inappropriate.I promise.”
He squeezed her hand.“You are not the one I’m concerned might do something inappropriate.”
He was trying so hard to be noble, and she was making it difficult for him.He might be a perfect gentleman, but he was still a living, breathing man.
He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.“Will you be alright if I leave you tonight?”
“Of course.”She forced her mouth into a smile.She never knew when Norman might haunt her dreams, so it wasn’t exactly a lie.
“You know where to find me if you need me.”
She looked up into his eyes.“I want to confront him.”She swallowed as fear constricted her throat.“I want to confront Norman.”
Without a second of hesitation, he nodded.“Go get your sketchbook.”
He was heartachingly sweet.Ready and willing to drop everything and help her with anything she needed.“That’s not what I meant.I want to actually confront Norman.”
Trent simply stared for a moment, seeming to struggle with how to respond.Slowly, he blew out a breath.“I very much doubt he’s still alive, Samantha.”
“He’s still alive.”
