Page 62 of A Montana Rodeo Star

“So, you really think we need to keep this whole thing a secret?” Faith whispered, finally meeting her friend’s exhausted face.

“We don’t really have another choice. Not unless we want to be the ones to tear up a family. And I can tell you right now, I may have been adopted, but my parents will disown me if I’m the one to start the war.”

Faith shook her head. “I don’t know if I can do it, Hallie.”

“You have to. This is between him and his parents. Not you. All you can do is be there for him when it does come out.”

“He’ll hate me if he finds out I know.”

Hallie didn’t argue. Of course Brent would hate her. But that was if he found out.

And just like that, Faith could feel her stomach roil all over again. She hunched over and dry-heaved for what felt like an eternity. The whole time, Hallie waited patiently. Then when it was all over, they both climbed into the car and Hallie drove her home.

The silence in the car was painful. But Faith couldn’t bring herself to speak. It’d probably hurt anyway. She could feel just how raw her throat had become.

When they pulled up in front of her house, Hallie whispered, “You promise you won’t tell him?”

Faith nodded numbly.

“Thanks, Faith. And… I’m sorry.”

Faith cut her a saddened look. As much as she hated that Hallie had spilled everything, she could understand her need to purge the information. It was a grenade. And Faith got the distinct feeling that it would explode sooner rather than later, leaving a crater in the family she adored so much.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Brent showed up for his next practice with a skip in his step and a smile on his face. As the wedding day and the big rodeo event drew closer, was he getting antsy? Of course. But with Faith by his side, he knew he’d figure it out. She was his rock. She’d be able to help him keep his head in the game.

At this point he wasn’t going to tell his parents anything. And he wasn’t going to tell Tripp about the event until closer to the day. Because that would only stir the pot at home and frankly, he didn’t want to be kicked out of the house.

Faith wasn’t anywhere in sight when he showed up at her house, but her sisters were visiting on the porch drinking what appeared to be lemonade.

Wait, no. Not lemonade.

They were drinking iced tea.

Brent rolled his eyes. He had one guess where that particular beverage came from and it was more than likely the man who lived under his same roof.

Word was spreading that he was the best at fixing the concoction and the small town of Rocky Ridge was getting their own dose of southern charm from Tripp Gilley himself.

Brent chuckled to himself and headed for the corral where he’d be practicing with Tate and Jason. Only, the latter wasn’t there.

Tate was working with one of the several teens who were getting ready to compete in the youth events coming up at the end of the month.

They were all making great progress. It was fascinating to see their growth and measure it against his own. Not that he was trying to compete with teenagers, but because he wondered how far he would have come if he’d been offered an earlier start like they had.

The kid was a gangly teen with a mop of dark hair. It was damp with sweat which became all the more apparent when he tossed his hat aside out of frustration.

“You need to remember that balance is key. That’s what makes this a difficult but rewarding sport. Anyone can call themselves a cowboy, but the men who can stay in the saddle when a horse is intent on throwing them to the dirt are the real ones.” Tate clapped a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“I didn’t even stay on for eight seconds last time. I couldn’t⁠—”

“I know what you’re going to say. And I’m going to stop you right there. Don’t compare your stats to the other competitors.”

Brent grinned because that was the whole point, wasn’t it? To beat the other players in the game?

Clearly the kid had a similar sentiment because he glowered at Tate like he was an idiot.

Tate laughed. “One day you will. But right now, that’s not the priority. I want you to beat your last record. I want to see you improve based on what we know you’re capable of. Understand?”