Page 72 of A Montana Rodeo Star

Faith poked her head out into the hallway and the voices got louder.

“I want to see her.”

“And I told you that isn’t going to happen.”

“You don’t understand. I have to talk to her.”

“Yeah, well, you’re angry. And I’m not going to put her in that position.”

The ringing in Faith’s head intensified and she pressed her fingers to her temples. She recognized the voice. Brent was here. And based on what she could tell, he was angry. Tate was protecting her.

But she didn’t need protection.

It had been a couple weeks since she’d spoken to Brent. After their argument, she’d chosen to keep her distance, to figure out what she wanted to do next. The secret she still held close to her chest still weighed on her and she was contemplating going to speak to Heather herself.

“Tate, please.” Brent’s voice was void of the pleading she would have expected to come with that request. It was as if he were speaking through gritted teeth. Yes, he was angry. Which made her wonder, what had happened?

Had Brent gotten tired of giving her space and he wanted to talk her into accepting what he needed? Or worse, had he found out that she’d kept the secret from him? She shivered involuntarily. She didn’t want to have to confront him.

And yet, her feet seemed to argue with her based on the way she currently headed for the stairs. When she rounded the corner of the hall, her eyes clashed with Brent’s. He stood in the doorway and she remained at the top of the stairs.

His focus must have clued Tate into her appearance because her brother stiffened and swung around to look at her. “Faith, you weren’t feeling well. You can go back to bed.”

She ignored him. “What’s wrong?”

“You don’t have to worry about—” her brother started, but Brent’s voice rose above it.

“Did you know?”

Brent didn’t have to clarify what he was asking. There was only one reason he would ask her that question.

He looked utterly haggard. Even from where she stood, she could tell he’d been through the ringer. His clothes were disheveled. His hair was mussed beyond anything she’d seen before. There were bags under his eyes.

Yes, Brent’s life had been turned upside down and she knew the reason.

“Faith?” Jason had moved into her line of sight, blocking Brent from view. She shifted her eyes to her brother before shifting so she could see Brent again. “You don’t have to speak to him like this,” Jason murmured quietly. “Just tell us to make him leave and we’ll do it. He’s clearly not doing well.”

She didn’t miss the dark look Tate gave Brent and the subtle way he stepped closer, making it clear he would make good on Jason’s promise.

Her heart hurt for the broken man in her doorway. And yes, he deserved some answers though she wasn’t sure they’d be the ones he wanted.

“It’s fine,” she whispered.

“What?” Jason asked. He was a good ten steps away from her. His hand gripped the railing as he stared up at her.

“Let him in. It’s fine.” She said it louder, but her voice trembled a little.

“Well, we’re not going to leave him alone with you.” Tate turned to Brent. “We heard all about you and your priorities. After what you promised…” he shook his head with disgust. “You’re lucky we didn’t kick you to the curb the second you showed up here in your state.”

Brent didn’t look at Tate. His hard stare remained locked on Faith. She fidgeted then nodded to herself. She could do this.

Each step she took closer to him was painful. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she gestured for him to head for their front room. It was a more formal sitting area with two high-back chairs, a coffee table, and a couch. It was where she’d played the piano as a child. This conversation wasn’t one they could have around the kitchen table or the family room.

Brent eyed her brothers when they took up space behind the chair she’d chosen. Then he settled onto the couch, but he remained perched on the edge of the cushion. His hands were clasped together, and his elbows were braced on his knees. For a moment he hung his head and the silence in the room stretched to uncomfortable levels.

Then he lifted his head and his eyes shone with tears. His voice remained hard. “You knew.”

This time it wasn’t a question. She hadn’t answered the first time, but she also hadn’t denied it. All she could do was give him a short nod.