Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“You ready for this?”
Brent eyed the horse that stood in the corral with Jason. The man looked possessed. The wide grin made it clear he knew exactly what Brent was going to be up for in the next few minutes. “You really want me to try to get on the back of a horse that hates people riding him?”
“We have to break him in. This was how bronc riding started, you know that, right? Folks made a sport out of what had to be done. Only this time, it’s different.
You need to stay on as long as you can if we’re going to get this guy prepared to have a real rider.
” Jason patted the horse’s flank and the beast snorted.
His hoof stamped into the dirt and he tossed his head.
Yeah, he definitely didn’t want someone on his back.
Brent eyed the horse. Of course Jason was right.
There were a couple ways to desensitize and train a horse to take a saddle and a rider and this was one of them.
Thankfully, his cousin Bo didn’t focus on horse training as much on his ranch.
He usually purchased horses at auction who were tried and true.
Or he got them straight from a breeder who socialized his horses early on.
Blowing out a breath, Brent nodded. “Yeah, okay. Let’s do this.”
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck lifted. He didn’t have to turn around to know why. It seemed to be happening more and more lately—this ability to sense her whenever she came around. Faith was watching him.
He couldn’t decide if he liked that idea or not. He’d been getting better with his technique and the muscle memory that came with the exercises he did with Elliott and Tate.
But today would be different. He would probably get thrown from the horse and get hurt. He wasn’t afraid by any means. In fact, he was prepared for what would happen. A few bumps and bruises were nothing.
Fighting the temptation to seek out the pretty brown eyes that could glow honey in the sunlight, he stepped toward the horse. The animal sidestepped him and Jason chuckled. “You’re going to have to do better than that.”
Brent shot him a disgruntled look. “To be fair, when I compete I’m going into the chute. I don’t have to run and jump on the horse’s back.”
“Yeah, well, we don’t have a chute.”
“Maybe you should get one.”
Another chuckle.
Brent folded his arms. “I’m serious, man. I’ve seen the kids come through here. They’re learning how to do the rodeo competition just like me. Maybe it would be a good idea to expand the lessons you offer and make a career out of it.”
Jason’s brows tugged together and he cocked his head. For a second he seemed to truly consider the suggestion then he shook his head. “Nah. We help train people because we love doing it.”
“And you love competing, but you don’t do that for free.” Brent was almost positive that Tate and Jason didn’t take any money from the handful of kids who came and went from their small ranch.
Jason cut him a look but didn’t confirm. “You gonna get in the saddle or just keep standing there? I’ve got better things to do than talk shop.”
With a sigh, Brent studied the horse. He was mostly sure that if he charged at the horse he’d end up spooking the thing and it’d trample Jason.
Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.
“Stop grinning like a loon and get in the dang saddle.”
A very distinct feminine chuckle at his back had Brent stiffening. Still, he didn’t give into the urge to look at her. Instead, he did as he was told and charged forward. He managed to get in the saddle and grip the rope seconds before the horse threw its body into impossible positions.
Jason whooped and hollered. There were a few more whoops of surprise and cheers as he continued to hang on and focus on his foot placement. He kept one hand in the air. The seconds went on for ages. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion until at last, he was thrown into the dirt.
The air was knocked from his lungs but that was the extent of the pain he suffered. He was vaguely aware of Jason retrieving the reins of the horse and leading him away from where Brent lay sprawled on the ground.
A shadow crossed over his body, and he squinted as Faith’s eyes came into view. She hovered over him, a grin pulling at her lips. “That was pretty good. Do you think you can move?” She held out a hand and he reached for it but had to do most of the work in getting upright.
“Check him out, Faith, and we’ll do this again.”
Brent grimaced which only spurred on Faith’s laughter.
He would never get tired of that sound. It was genuine and perfect just like her.
Get a grip, Brent. She’s not on the market. She said so herself. And neither are you, for that matter.
“You okay to go again?”
He nodded, rubbing at his torso after he’d managed to catch his breath. “I’m ready.”
“Okay, when you’re done, come to the house. I’ll get you some stuff for your sore muscles.”
Brent didn’t have a chance to voice his surprise before Jason called him over. “That was good, but we’re going to keep at it. I want you to focus on…”
Brent cut a glance at Faith’s retreating form. She was going to help with his muscles? Because they were becoming friends? Or because her brothers knew she could take care of the medical adjacent stuff.
Probably the latter.
“Brent, you listening?” Jason barked.
Nodding, Brent rubbed his hands together. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Brent sucked in a sharp breath and Faith withdrew her fingers immediately.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“It’s fine,” he grunted. “Really, it’s not so bad.”
She gave him that look. The one that said stop acting like a tough guy and let me take care of you. He both loved it and hated it all at once. He liked the idea of someone caring enough about him to want to help.
“I’m sure it’s just bruised.”
“Yeah, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you knocked a rib out of alignment. Maybe you should go get an adjustment. Chiropractors can make sure that everything is where it should be.” As if to prove her point, she pressed a couple fingers to that sore spot on his back and he muttered a curse.
The woman smiled sweetly at him. “Like I said,” she stepped back. “Go get an adjustment and maybe take it easy?”
“Can’t.” Brent let his shirt drop so he was no longer showing any skin. “I have a competition this weekend.”
“Isn’t that one local? Aren’t you afraid—”
“They won’t be there.” He was sure of it.
“Why not?”
He grinned. “Tripp and Wendy will be throwing a party to announce their engagement. I’ve already told them I won’t be available. And the whole family will show. I’m all set.”
Up until this moment, he was proud of his plan. But then he saw the disappointment in her eyes, and he couldn’t help but second guess the plan.
She must have read the indecision in his eyes because she reached forward and touched his arm. “Oh, it’s not what you’re thinking.”
“It’s not?” He smirked. “And what am I thinking?”
Faith shook her head, blessing him with a small smile. “I was thinking it’s sad that you can’t have the people who you care about there to cheer you on.”
The smile fell from his face. “Oh.”
“Yeah.” This time she said it quietly, her sadness practically dripping from that single syllable. But then she forced the happiness back to her face. “But hey, I’ll be there. And so will my brothers.”
“You will?” He liked that idea.
A lot.
More than he probably should.
“Sure.” She nudged him. “Have to make sure you stay alive, right?” She’d said it so light-heartedly that it was clear she didn’t connect her words with his parents’ arguments about the rodeo.
Before she could catch on to his change in mood, Brent switched subjects. “How are things with you? Read any good textbooks?”
She laughed and all the tension drained from his body.
He watched her with bated breath and he couldn’t have expected what came next.
“Actually, I’m looking into community college classes in sports medicine.
It turns out there are some interesting programs I can do locally.
Or I can get some other emergent care training. ”
“That’s amazing, Faith. What do you want to do with that? Would you get a job in the medical field?”
“I don’t know. I thought it might be cool to be a paramedic at the rodeos. Or I could go all the way and become a physical therapist. There are a lot of options.”
He beamed at her. She was practically glowing as she talked about what she wanted to do with her life. He could understand that spark of interest more than she would ever know.
Brent wanted to tell her he was proud of her for the courage it would take to chase her dreams. Was it strange that he wanted to be there with her?
To see her dreams become a reality? Chasing his own dreams was its own kind of high.
Bearing witness to someone he cared about do the same was an entirely different level. But then a thought occurred to him.
Their futures weren’t exactly conducive to one another.
He was going to be a rodeo star if he had anything to say about it. The steps he’d been taking up until this point proved that to him. The bruises on his body, the aches in his muscles they were there to remind him about everything he was fighting for. Everything he ever wanted.
And Faith?
She was going in a different direction. She’d be sticking around Rocky Ridge to become someone who could help others. Would it be fair of him to get attached to her only to ask her to follow him on his journey?
No.
Absolutely not.
Even if she wanted to date. Even if he was interested in spending more time with someone. It would be wrong to expect someone to put their life on hold so he could become the star he knew he could be.
Friendship was one thing. Friends could go months without seeing the other.
But something more? No.
“What?” Her laugh of a question yanked him from the most ridiculous thought process he could have found himself in.
“Hmm?”
She laughed again and it made his smile widen. “Where did you go?” Faith leaned forward and poked him in the forehead. “You doing okay?”
He reached up and grasped her finger, holding it tight in his hand as he laughed it off. “Just thinking about how good you’d be at that sort of stuff. I bet there’s a well of knowledge in your head that is just waiting to be put to use.”
They were staring at each other. Close. Probably too close. And he only realized it when he glanced down and found he was still holding her finger. Faith must have noticed at the same time because she tugged her finger free and released another soft laugh. “I think you’re probably right.”
“Oh, I know I’m right.” He chucked her under the chin. “And you want to know what else?”
“Hmm.” She kept her eyes trained on him. Man, why did it feel so good to have her undivided attention?
“I’m going to be cheering you on from the sidelines the whole entire time.”
Her face glowed with a new surge of excitement. “You will?”
“Of course. It’s the least I can do. And hey, I’ll even be your first victim.”
She scoffed and gave him a shove. “Hey!”
He feigned chagrin and ducked down. “Patient, okay? I’ll be your first patient. Or would I be a client?” He squinted. “I guess it would depend on what field you’d want to go into.”
Tapping her finger on her chin, she hummed. The movement drew his eye and he stared at what rested just above where she touched. Those perfect, full lips. They were the best shade of red, and she didn’t even wear makeup—at least not that he could see.
Dang it all!
He needed to quit this line of thinking. It was getting dangerous.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’d hate for you to be a patient if I became a paramedic. But then I guess you wouldn’t be a client either.” She made a face. “Please don’t do anything to warrant a visit from me if I’m in emergent care.”
Brent held up two fingers. “Scouts honor.” They relaxed on the chairs where they sat, each letting their thoughts consume them. Then Brent murmured, “I like this.”
She slid her gaze to him. “What?”
“This.” He pointed from himself to her and back. “I didn’t expect this. How easy it is to be friends with you.” Brent might have said that more to convince himself than her, but he wasn’t going to think about that too hard. When he glanced at her, she was smiling back.
“Yeah. I feel the same way.”
“Great.” He got to his feet and fought the urge to grimace in front of her. He’d soak in an ice bath and he’d be fine. The only problem he had now was hiding the injury from his parents. His mother was far too good at noticing the little things. “I’ll catch you later,” Brent promised.
Faith nodded. “And I’ll see you at the competition.”