Page 49 of A Montana Rodeo Star

Faith couldn’t help but shift once more to look at the man, but this time, Brent moved with her and when she looked up, he was frowning at her. She blinked a few times. “Okay…” she drawled. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Brent Gilley,” the name said again.

She gasped and attempted to give his shoulders a shove. “You need to go. You can’t miss your turn.”

He didn’t budge. He also appeared to be ignoring her and the announcer. “I don’t want you going out with him.”

“What? Why?”

This time Brent moved so close they were mere inches apart. “Because I want to go out with you.”

Was the world spinning? What was happening? She’d fallen into an alternate reality. She just knew it. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. “Wh-what?”

Brent pressed his forehead to hers and he closed his eyes. His breathing was heavier, now, like he’d just gotten off the bronc instead of needing to be getting on one. “I can’t fight it anymore, Faith. Moreover, I don’t want to.”

Numb.

Tingling.

Euphoria.

Faith couldn’t speak. She didn’t even have the strength to say anything when the announcer made a final call for Brent. All she could do was pull back to stare into those beautiful, stormy, blue eyes.

Time slowed to a complete stop. “What are you saying?” she finally managed to whisper.

“I’m saying that I have feelings for you, Faith. There’s no use fighting them and it’s more distracting wondering who the next guy Hallie is going to pick for you than to just ask you to be with me.”

“With you…” she said weakly.

“With me.” Brent reached for her face. The leather gloves were softer than she’d expected when he placed a large palm to the side of her cheek. “Spending time with you is the most fun I’ve had in a long time. And the best part is that you get me.”

“But the rodeo…” she whispered. “You were supposed to go on.”

“I’ll get the next one.”

Faith blinked again. Then faster as she took a step back. “My brothers⁠—”

“Will get over it. I don’t care what I have to do or say. I’ll convince them that we should be given a chance. But Faith, you’re your own person. If you want something, you should go for it. Like the medical training. If you want me…”

She could hear the uncertainty in his voice. Like he had suddenly realized he’d come over here to give her a speech without the knowledge that she’d reciprocate his feelings. She’d never told him that she wanted more. But she could admit that she wasn’t the best person at hiding her feelings. In fact, she was almost certain that her brothers were already aware of the fact that she had a major crush on Brent.

Since the very beginning.

Faith swallowed hard.

“Hey, Gilley, you were supposed to go on…” The voice trailed off when Brent shot the man a dark look. The intruder lifted a shoulder. “I think the judges will let this one slide if you can be ready in five.”

Faith’s eyes widened and she gave Brent another shove. “You have to go.”

“Not until you agree to go out with me.” Brent’s request sent a flurry of dandelion seeds swarming within her. They drifted and spun, dancing to music that only she could hear.

A smile broke across her face and Brent shot her one to match. He took both of her hands in his which was a little awkward since his helmet was still beneath his arm. In this moment he only had eyes for her, and she was getting drunk on the feeling. But it was his next words that had her going completely weak in the knees and wishing she could hit the pause button at this exact moment.

“Say yes, Faith. Say you’ll let me show you how a girl should be treated right.”

She blushed. Something told her he wasn’t going to let this go until she agreed. And why wouldn’t she? He’d made an ultimate sacrifice for her. Others might not understand what he’d risked but she did. So she nodded. “Now go out there. Show those judges what you’re made of.”

Brent nodded and turned away. He tossed her one more look over his shoulder as he left. It was as if they both couldn’t believe what they’d just agreed to. Or maybe he thought she’d walk away when he wasn’t looking?