Page 14 of A Montana Rodeo Star

And yes, she knew it was much more than that.

Tate and Jason wanted to protect her from men who weren’t ready for anything serious. Based on what she’d seen with Brent, he fit that description to a ‘T’. The man had a one-track mind. He wanted to become a rodeo star and the path to success meant he couldn’t allow himself any distractions.

Faith wanted him to get it—his dream—everything he could ever want. If there was someone who deserved that brand of happiness, it was Brent.

“What’s strange about them?”

She rolled her lower lip between her teeth and gave him an awkward smile. “They’re darker than most. It’s… interesting.”

“Amazing… Strange… Interesting…” His grin had the ability to make her melt if she wasn’t careful. “Can’t wait to find out what other words you might have for them.”

She rolled her eyes.

He leaned in close once more and she caught her breath as he whispered, “Probably the same words I’ll have for the cookies.” Brent was definitely flirting.

Wasn’t he?

Faith couldn’t tell.

Against her better judgment, she turned her face toward him and her lips nearly brushed against his cheek.

Brent didn’t exactly jerk backward, but he did appear startled to a degree. He pulled away and stared. His eyes searched hers for answers to questions she would never be able to give. Maybe she got lucky and he found what he was looking for, because that easy smile returned. And it was as if nothing happened.

He patted her shoulder. “Thanks for the cookies, Ace.” Yep, just being friendly.

She cleared her throat. “You’ll have to let me know if they live up to the hype.” With that, she yanked her car door open and settled into her seat. Brent smiled and her focus dipped to his lips. It would be a mistake to wonder what it would be like to kiss a guy like Brent. A guy who had family values and a charming smile. A guy who didn’t want to worry his mother and could forgive so easily.

Faith sighed, giving Brent a small wave. Yes, it would definitely be a mistake to allow herself to catch feelings for Brent Gilley.

Friendship was all he would be interested in from a girl like her.

CHAPTER FIVE

It was weird, right?

That moment between him and Faith.

When he’d told his mom that he’d see Faith off, he’d planned on telling Faith that she had to be more careful. He’d planned on putting her in her place and warning her that a lot of bad stuff could happen to him if his mother found out his real plans. That was why his circle was so small.

Not even Tripp knew the full extent of his plans. The only people aware were Faith’s family.

But as he’d gone over that interaction at the car a few days ago, one thing stuck out to him.

There was something about Faith that had him losing track of what he’d planned to say. She’d been so meek and apologetic he’d felt bad for getting mad. It had been a mistake. And she’d owned up to it.

Heck, she’d given him a logical alibi. He hadn’t even needed to come up with an excuse to give his mom and she had no reason not to trust Faith.

And that wasn’t even the half of what he’d continued to go over in his head.

He’d caught that scent of cinnamon on her breath when he’d leaned in to speak to her. It was quickly becoming a smell that he couldn’t get enough of. How was Faith not already taken?

Oh, right.

The Dennison twins.

He chuckled to himself. Tate and Jason were a stone wall when it came to their sisters. No one would ever be good enough for them.

But that didn’t mean Faith felt the same.