Page 36 of A Montana Rodeo Star

Well, shoot.

That wasn’t good.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Faith cupped her hands to her mouth and screamed right along with the crowd in the stands. The eight seconds the cowboys were required to stay in the saddle felt like an eternity. Her eyes kept flicking to the seconds ticking down and when the buzzer went off, she shot to her feet and screamed.

Brent stumbled from the horse and hustled toward the edge of the arena. He’d gotten his full eight seconds, but the judges had noticed that his foot positioning needed work. Brent was getting better, but he wasn’t where he needed to be. Still, she couldn’t be prouder of how far he’d come since his last competition.

She hurried toward the stairs and darted for the exit where she knew her brothers would be waiting for Brent. This was a smaller rodeo and the restrictions for those who could visit behind the scenes were practically nonexistent.

Her heart thundered behind her ribs, dancing to a tune she couldn’t keep up with. Brent had stayed on. He hadn’t lost his balance or been thrown haphazardly around like a rag doll. It had been incredible to see him compete.

Even though she knew the risks involved, she was confident that Brent would handle himself and she’d been right.

She made it to Tate’s side just as Brent rounded a corner. Without thinking things through, she flung herself at Brent. Her arms went around his neck, and she squealed out her congratulations. “You scored higher than last time! Can you believe it?” Faith pulled back when she realized he wasn’t even touching her. His arms didn’t come around her waist. He didn’t even pat her back.

Faith blushed and stepped backward, sidling up beside Tate.

“She’s right, man. You did great.” Tate pulled Brent in for one of those bro-hugs. And he got a clap on the back.

Faith tried not to be miffed about the reaction her brother got from Brent. They were all friends. But Tate was closer to Brent than she was. Heck, he was closer to him than Jason. Out of the twins, Tate was the friendlier, more open brother. Jason was more like her. Quiet and observant. He gave Brent a nod of congratulations but that was it.

“I recorded you. There are areas we can work on. I think seeing how you are in the saddle is key to improvement.” Jason’s firm voice was far too serious for a moment that should be celebrated and yet he continued. “You’ve been watching our videos, right? Jacob’s too? You can learn a lot from the best.”

Faith elbowed him. “I’d hardly say you’re the best.”

That got a twitch of a smile from her brother but no other reaction.

Brent nodded, and his eyes only briefly flickered to her. Heat enveloped her with that mere look and it was all she could do not to get lost in her thoughts of how he’d reacted in the barn that day she asked about Jacob.

Part of her wanted to believe that he’d been jealous that she was asking about another guy. But she knew better. Based on the distance he was currently putting between them, he was making it clear there was nothing between them and it was staying that way.

She sighed as she listened with half an ear to the conversation between her brothers and the guy she couldn’t help but be attracted to.

“How about we go out to celebrate,” Brent said.

Faith straightened, hope flaring to life in her chest. Any time she could spend with him was totally worth it even if nothing came of it.

“Can’t,” Tate murmured. “We’re competing at the end of the night, and we have to be here to cheer on the kids.”

Jason nodded his agreement. “But don’t let that stop you. I’m sure Faith isn’t busy.”

She turned to her brother with flared eyes. Jason would never. At least he wouldn’t if he knew how big her crush on Brent had become. He’d be the first to stand in her way.

But Jason didn’t react or he didn’t notice the way she was staring at him.

When she shot a look at Brent and nodded, feeling more than a little off balance, he offered her a smile that would have done her in if it weren’t for her brothers being present.

“Great. I’m thinking cookies.”

Her smile grew. “I don’t have any made⁠—”

“But you just got the ingredients, sis.” Tate nudged her. “And I wouldn’t say no to some cookies when I get home.”

Faith shrugged, her eyes still locked with Brent’s. “Cookies it is, I guess. But you can’t have cookies for dinner.”

All three men laughed and her focus bounced from one to the other before landing on Brent again.