Page 37 of A Montana Rodeo Star

“Fine, I’ll pick up something from that taco place down the street. They’re open late. And then we can make those cookies you’re famous for.”

Why did she feel so special when Brent looked at her like that? It was as if he saw something in her that no one else was capable of seeing. It did things to her heart that she just knew would end badly if she couldn’t get a handle on it.

“Cookies and tacos it is,” She agreed quietly.

They all parted ways with Brent promising to be at her place as soon as he had the food. She was jittery as she waited for him to show up at the house. It would have been fine if her sisters and brothers were home, but the former were out somewhere and the latter weren’t expected to be home until late.

Alone.

She was going to be alone with Brent. At her house. Making cookies.

It would have been romantic if she wasn’t so frazzled.

Nope.

No, she wouldn’t allow herself to think of it that way.

To think of him that way.

That would only invite heartbreak.

To keep her hands busy and her mind off him, she gathered the ingredients for the cookies. She’d have to soften the butter in the microwave which wasn’t ideal, but if she started now, she might be able to soften it partially and then complete the process via the mixer.

Faith didn’t hear him enter the house. She didn’t hear his footsteps wander down the hallway toward the kitchen. It wasn’t until the hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention that she realized she wasn’t alone.

Her eyes lifted and she found him watching her—just standing there in the doorway with a paper bag from her favorite taco place in his hand.

For a moment nothing else in the world mattered. She could pretend things were different. That he wasn’t against starting a relationship. That he wasn’t her brothers’ best friend. That she was more to him than just… Faith.

In that moment she could see a future for the both of them. She could fantasize about every little detail.

But that moment flickered and died when he dropped his eyes and grabbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “I got the tacos,” he said softly, lifting the bag.

She bit back a grin and nodded. “I can see that.”

“Extra sour cream, too.”

That detail had her sobering. She’d never told him that she liked extra sour cream. It wasn’t something her siblings liked much. In fact, she was the only one who requested it, so she rarely indulged.

Faith didn’t dare ask him how he knew. Instead, she jerked her chin toward the stools at the counter then turned to gather some plates.

After Brent had dished them up, they ate for the first few minutes in uncomfortable silence. Or maybe that was just her. Why did this always happen? This tension was getting ridiculous and she refused to let it become the norm.

Clearing her throat, she lifted a napkin to the corner of her mouth. “I got the stuff ready for cookies. You sure you want to help?”

He perked up. “You’d let me?”

Faith laughed. “I figured that was what this was all about. You bribing me with tacos so you can get my super-secret recipe all to yourself.”

The wicked grin that spread across his face had her stomach doing summersaults. “You found me out.”

She couldn’t help another laugh from spilling free. Brent was like that. When he chose to, he could be silly or flirtatious. He wasn’t always serious and she loved that he didn’t hide that part of him from her. Faith pushed a tub of sugar in his direction. “We’re going to need a cup of that measured out and mixed with the butter.”

His brows rose. “That’s a lot of sugar.”

Faith winked. “I never claimed these cookies were healthy.”

“No, I don’t suppose you did.”