Hunter's Montana Bride (Montana Ranchers and Brides #8) by Maya Stirling

show certainty and conviction. It was hardly the moment for her to show weakness or vulnerability.
    "I can't talk about that, Hunter. It's very complicated," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
    She saw him stiffen in response. His lips tightened into a thin, harsh line.
    After a moment he answered her. "Does that mean you can't talk about it, or you won't talk about it?"
    "A bit of both really," she explained softly.
    Hunter's brows furrowed. "But you just left without explanation, Gretchen. What am I supposed to make of that?" he demanded, a hint of impatience in his voice.
    Gretchen lowered her head and tried to find the right words; the only words that could make him understand. But they just wouldn't come to her.
    The promise was holding her in chains.
    "I know it can't be easy, Hunter. But isn't it enough that I'm back and that I brought the twins with me?"
    Hunter sighed. "Of course, it's wonderful that you and the twins are here. With me. That's not what this is about, Gretchen," he said.
    Hunter withdrew his arm from behind her back. When he stood up, he suddenly seemed to loom menacingly above her. He looked down at her, and she felt small held by his piercing gaze.
    "I need to know what happened while you were away. I went to your parents so many times, demanding an explanation. All I got was vague hints that you would be coming back soon; that you were fine; that there was nothing to be concerned about." Hunter's fists clenched into tight balls. "Your mother was always so reasonable. But what was I supposed to do, Gretchen? I was worried for you. Crazy with worry," he blurted out, whirling round and turning his back on her.
    Gretchen stayed seated. She could see Hunter's shoulders rise and fall as his breathing quickened. She could tell his body was coursing with emotion and barely contained frustration.
    After a moment of careful consideration Gretchen spoke. "You must trust me, Hunter," she said quietly. She tried to summon up all the possible composure she could into her voice.
    He spun around and she saw that there was wide-eyed incredulity in his gaze. "Trust you, Gretchen? Trust you?"
    Gretchen nodded wordlessly. She knew there was no sense in enraging him any more by pleading with him further. So she simply restated her request. "You have to. For the sake of the children."
    Hunter took a step forward and looked down at Gretchen. She peered up at his face. The color of his skin had changed, flushed with emotion and she could see the muscle in his jaw twitching nervously. "How can I trust you if you won't tell me what happened. All I know is that, whatever it was, it meant you couldn't come home to me, where you belonged. And that you didn't deliver our babies here, on our ranch. Our home. Our family's home."
    Gretchen stood and reached out a hand to Hunter. "I so wanted that to happen, Hunter. You have no idea. But life can be cruel. People can be cruel," she said and then hesitated realizing she was going too far.
    "What do you mean?" he demanded. "What people? Who are you talking about?"
    Gretchen turned away from Hunter. He reached across and took her arm. His grasp wasn't hard or even firm. It seemed he merely wanted to prevent Gretchen from walking away. Perhaps he thinks he's close to an answer, she thought. But he isn't. I know I can't tell him what he needs to know. Not yet.
    "This was a mistake," she said.
    She felt Hunter pull her around to face him. "What's a mistake. The twins? Us?"
    "No. I didn't mean that," she said quickly. "I didn't mean that at all."
    Gretchen sighed and reached up a hand and stroked the side of Hunter's face with the back of her hand. "You must be patient, my love," she said.
    On hearing her words, her use of that special word, she saw his eyes light up slightly. His features softened enough that she felt encouraged. "I promise you that I will explain everything to you. In time. I promise. I'm hiding nothing that would make you feel ashamed of me. Just give me