Page 60 of A Montana Rodeo Star

Slowly, she turned her attention to Brent who was chatting with his brother. The two of them had moments of strained behavior toward one another as well, but right now they were joking around. Their smiles seemed genuine.

She couldn’t help her own smile as she watched their interaction. People needed family. She knew that better than anyone. While there were times when her brothers and sisters didn’t seem to notice her, she knew she could count on them.

Hallie didn’t have any siblings. She had her parents. Her cousins. But no one who she could truly confide in.

Maybe that was the problem. Whatever she was dealing with couldn’t be hashed out with the other women who were seated on their blanket. Hallie needed to get something off her chest and that was where Faith could come in. She was a third party with no skin in the game. She could be a sounding board.

Nodding to herself she crawled closer to Hallie. Keeping her voice low, she murmured, “You okay?”

Hallie cut her a look. One that said of course she wasn’t okay, but she wasn’t about to spill her guts to anyone right now. Then as if thinking better of it, she gave Faith a curt nod.

Faith let out a derisive snort—one that made Hallie stiffen. Her lips pressed into a thin line and she watched Faith expectantly. Then Faith shook her head with another laugh. “I’m sorry, but you’re about as bad at lying as Wren. My sister wears her heart on her sleeve. She practically screams her issues by her expression alone.”

“Okay…” Hallie drawled.

“So, when I asked you if you were okay, I didn’t want you to brush me off and pretend that you were. I wanted you to tell me what’s bothering you so you can get it off your chest. Having something heavy weigh down on you isn’t going to do you any good and I’m going to be sitting here frustrated that you didn’t just accept my offer to help.” For a moment, Faith wondered if she’d crossed a line and gone too far. Especially with the wide-eyed look on Hallie’s face.

It wouldn’t have surprised her in the slightest if Hallie had told her to leave her alone and mind her own business.

Instead, Hallie opened her mouth and leaned closer. But before she could say anything, Brent’s voice carried toward them, and she flinched.

“Who’s ready for the show of a lifetime?”

Faith didn’t break eye-contact with Hallie, hoping her eyes said everything she couldn’t. Tell me what’s wrong. Confide in me. I can help.

Hallie pursed her lips together and sat straight again, her hands in her lap. Then she sighed. “Later, okay? Can I drive you home?”

Faith blinked. Brent had picked her up for this little get together so she didn’t have to drive. How would he feel about Hallie driving her home? Would he be annoyed? At Hallie’s tight expression, Faith felt she didn’t have any other option but to nod. “Of course.”

The firework show wasn’t as long as the guys had expected, but it was still a fun show. Faith spent the whole of it snuggled into Brent’s side relishing the way his arm wrapped around her body to keep her close. This was everything she’d wanted that she never knew she could have. And best of all, she had it with Brent. She couldn’t get enough of him.

She couldn’t explain it, this sense that everything would work itself out. Faith just had this gut feeling that even if Brent got the sponsorship, even if he had to travel, they’d be able to work things out. It would be hard and just thinking about him leaving had her anxieties skyrocketing again, but they’d manage.

Faith would finish her coursework. She’d get a job here, or maybe she’d team up with a sponsor and get assigned to a cowboy. Maybe she could even work with Brent.

That idea sent a shiver down her spine and when it rippled through her body, Brent peered down at her. “Cold?”

She shook her head, smiling up at him. “Nope.”

He searched her eyes, probably looking for a lie but he wouldn’t find it. She reached up and placed her palm to his cheek. “Thanks for bringing me out here to spend the day with your family. It’s been fun.”

When the light show was over, Brent pulled her to her feet but before he could drag her toward his truck, Hallie snatched her hand. “Faith promised me I could take her home.”

Brent frowned, glancing at Faith for confirmation.

Shrugging, Faith let out a soft laugh. “I could use some girl talk.”

He didn’t look convinced. Could he tell that Hallie was having a bad day and that she needed a friend? Or was he worried his cousin would say something he didn’t want Faith to know? Sheesh, that hadn’t crossed her mind up until a few moments ago and Faith didn’t like that idea one bit.

Before Faith could take back her statement, Hallie tugged her toward her car. She pulled a little harder than was necessary—a woman on a mission. And when they arrived at the vehicle, she scurried around the side to climb behind the wheel.

Her chest was heaving but that wasn’t surprising based on the way she’d man-handled Faith all the way here.

Faith chuckled nervously. “That bad, huh?”

Hallie startled and swung her eyes to Faith. “You have no idea.”

“Well, if you don’t want to talk about it⁠—”