Page 43 of A Montana Rodeo Star

A hand wrapped around her wrist and tugged her to a stop. Her breath caught in her throat as she was spun around and pressed against the side of the house. She hadn’t realized she’d turned the corner and was now out of sight of anyone who might tattle to her family.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

So much for avoiding him.

Maybe someone had seen the way he’d chased after her. Would they say something to her brothers?

Part of her needed that to happen.

But the chaotic part of her heart that skipped excitedly in her chest as she came face to face with an irritated Brent wanted nothing more than to banter with him. She wanted to push him, tease him, see if there was anything to the spark she felt between them. It wasn’t smart, but it was there in the recesses of her mind like some swirling mist that threatened to infiltrate her entire being.

Brent searched her eyes, his brows pinched together. He opened his mouth a couple times only to shut them and look away. There was a subtle shake of his head as if he was convincing himself of something. Then he released her and dragged both hands through his hair.

He wasn’t using his usual cowboy hat, and his hair was already beautifully mussed, but the movement only made it more so. She swallowed hard, watching him, waiting for the inspiration to either run or light the fire from the embers that glowed between them.

It was fascinating watching Brent in this state. His usually calm demeanor was cracking. He was going through something, and he clearly didn’t know how to handle it. Was it bad that she liked the idea she was part of the reason for it? That she could be the cause for someone like Brent to unravel?

Little Faith Dennison, capable of bringing a man to his knees.

A lump formed in her throat and her face grew hot. Too hot. So hot that she had to place her cool hands to her face. She turned to leave if only to find some water to splash on her heated skin when his low voice had her pausing in her tracks.

“Don’t go anywhere, Faith.”

Slowly, she faced him again, her eyes narrowing. It was getting late but it was still light enough to see every detail of his handsome face. She could see the way his left eye twitched. Once. Twice. Then he brought up his hands and rubbed his temples.

“I beg your pardon?” she asked. Then she chastised herself because there was less venom in her voice than there should have been. He probably didn’t even know that he’d struck a chord with his demands. So she tried again, this time putting a little more into her attempt as she lowered her voice and drew closer to him. With a poke to his chest, she whispered, “What is wrong with you?”

He appeared taken aback by her brashness because he stepped backward and his eyes flared. But that reaction was too short-lived. His jaw tightened and he crossed his arms. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“Darn straight, I’ve been avoiding you.” Her voice rose even though she knew she needed to be careful. “You embarrassed me, Brent. In a place where I go often. So many people witnessed your little show⁠—”

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice died in her throat. He was sorry? For what exactly?

Brent rolled his lower lip between his teeth and blew out a heavy breath. “I’m not sorry about making Garth leave you alone.”

Faith wanted to laugh. “So you’re sorry for what, then?”

“Embarrassing you.”

Those words were all it took for the fight to go out of her. Why was it so easy to forgive him for something she’d been fretting over for the last couple of days? She was upset over more than just him making a scene. Deep down, she knew it was more. She didn’t like that he thought he could tell her who she could or couldn’t spend time with.

Because she wanted him to care about who she spent time with for different reasons.

Faith pushed down that reality and shoved it into a dark spot beneath her ribcage where she didn’t have to acknowledge it. She dropped her eyes to the ground, unable to look at Brent for fear that he’d see the truths that were bobbing to the surface.

“Faith.” This time, she could hear the pleading in his voice and it was almost too much. She nearly looked up at him just so she could search for hints that he was fighting the attraction she felt so strongly between them. His feet shuffled forward but she stepped back.

Her eyes darted up to meet his for the briefest of seconds and she flashed him a wan smile. “Thanks for apologizing.”

She caught a glimpse of his confused frown but refused to analyze it.

“It’s fine.”

“Faith?”

Shaking her head, she took another step away from him so the distance continued to grow. “I promise. It’s nothing that my brothers wouldn’t do, right?” Why did saying that out loud hurt so much? “You know you don’t owe me anything, right?” She peeked at him once more. “We’re friends. You were just looking out for me. That’s all.” Faith didn’t give him a chance to utter another syllable before she slipped past him toward the front entrance of the house.