01 Winters Thaw (2 page)

Sienna leaned against the railing. “Yeah, but between the horses, the other ranch chores and the time Dad spends working with the boys on their rodeo skills, Mom seems to think he’s wearing himself a bit thin.”

“Jody has said the same thing to me. She’s trying to encourage him to hire more help, but that boy can be stubborn as a mule sometimes.”

Sienna grinned at her grandmother calling her nearly fifty-year-old father a boy. In Vivi’s eyes, her beloved sons would always be her boys. “Well, so can Mom. It might be fun to see who wins this fight.”

Vivi moved closer. Sienna suspected it was to share body heat as the breeze picked up. She knew she should suggest they go inside, but Sienna needed the fresh air. It helped clear her rather disconcerting thoughts.

“It will be little surprise to either of us who wins, Sienna. Seth would move heaven and earth to make your mom happy.”

Sienna’s smile dimmed a bit. She recognized the truth behind her grandmother’s words and it reminded her of why she’d come outside in the first place.

Josh.

She used to believe they were soul mates, destined to share the same enduring love Sienna witnessed every day between her parents. Now, she was starting to question those feelings.

“What’s wrong, See?”

Sienna had never been able to hide anything from Vivi. “Just missing Josh.”

Vivi sighed. “That boy has some growing up to do.”

Sienna shrugged, though she certainly agreed. “Maybe he does. Did I tell you he’s hinting around about possibly going to Florida with his roommates from college over the holidays?”

Her grandmother’s scowl told her she wasn’t any happier with Josh’s desire to miss a Compton Pass Christmas than Sienna was. Of course, if it had just been the trip, maybe Sienna could have understood, but lately, Josh was doing a lot of things she couldn’t wrap her head around.

“That young man needs to get his head out of his ass. Pardon my language.” Oh yeah. Vivi was annoyed. She rarely cursed.

Strangely, her grandmother’s response made Sienna feel less guilty about her own anger. “I agree with you. I can’t figure him out these days.”

Since they were fifteen years old, she and Josh had walked the same path, hand in hand. They’d chosen to attend the same university after graduating from high school and their master plan had never wavered. She would become a nurse, he a teacher. They’d come home to Compton Pass, get married and live happily ever after. Sienna was still committed to that dream.

As for Josh…

Vivi tightened her grip on her shawl when another gust of wind blew over them. “I was surprised when he changed his major. Thought he was determined to be a teacher.”

“So did I. I’m sure his parents are thrilled he’s chosen to study business so that he’ll be better prepared to take over the store when they retire, but I think they would have preferred he made that decision before they spent so much money on an education he won’t be using.”

Josh’s family owned and operated the local hardware store. As an only child, Josh stood to inherit the prosperous business. For most of his life, Josh had insisted he had no desire to run the store. Sienna wasn’t sure what had happened to change his mind. He’d simply stood up after Thanksgiving dinner last year and announced he was switching his major and that his four-year college plan would now take five.

Sienna had been as shocked as his parents and hurt that he’d made the decision without discussing it with her first. Not that she would have tried to talk him out of it. She’d never ask him to pursue a career if it wasn’t something that would make him happy. But weren’t they supposed to be partners? They’d mapped out their futures together. So why did Josh take a detour without her?

“I’ve been worried about you, See. I know you miss Josh, but you’re still young. There’s no reason why your life should be put on hold while you wait for that boy to come home. Why don’t you take Jade up on her offer the next time she invites you for a girls’ night out?”

Sienna made a pained face. “Jade’s idea of fun is a million miles away from mine, Vivi. If she was interested in dinner and a movie or shopping or something like that, I’d be there. For her, girls’ night out involves crowded bars, loud music and pool tables. I’m not in the mood to spend an evening fending off a bunch of drunk rednecks, while trying to keep Jade from getting into a fight with whoever is stupid enough to cross her path.”

Vivi chuckled. “I suppose you’re right. That girl has a wild streak a mile wide. Gonna take a pretty special man to love her without breaking her spirit.”

“Personally, I think she could do with a bit less of that damn spirit.”

Vivi shook her head. “No. Jade’s just fine the way she is.” Vivi seemed to be the only Compton who didn’t see anything wrong with Jade’s rebelliousness, though she had to admit there were times when Sienna wished she was more like her carefree cousin. Jade lived in the moment, never thinking much beyond what the next five minutes would bring. Sienna had never mastered that concept.

“In fact,” Vivi continued, “I think all my granddaughters have grown up to become amazing young women.”

Sienna smiled at her grandmother’s compliment, grasping Vivi’s hand and squeezing it gently. “Thanks.”

She glanced down the road at the sound of tires on gravel. She spotted her father’s truck. “Looks like the guys are home.”

Vivi followed her glance, her brow creasing. “Why did all three of them go into town again?”

Sienna paused, studying her grandmother’s face. “They weren’t in town, Vivi. They went to a trade show in Casper. Remember?”

“Oh. That’s right.” Lately, Vivi’s sharp-as-a-tack mind seemed to wander more. While Vivi’s memories were still there, Sienna noticed her grandmother found it more difficult to recall day-to-day happenings or the names of new ranch hands or where she left her glasses. Sienna attributed the slight lapses to age. After all, Vivi was over seventy.

“What’s that coming up behind Seth’s truck?”

Sienna turned at Vivi’s question and spotted an RV that was at least two decades past its prime following her father’s vehicle. “Holy crap. Do you think Dad bought that eyesore? Mom will kill him.”

Vivi chuckled. “I’m surprised it still runs.”

Mom joined them on the front porch. “What the hell is that?”

Sienna grinned. “We have no idea, but at least it’s not a horse.”

Mom turned and gave her a heavy sigh. “I’d prefer a horse. At least they’re nice to look at. Besides, who’s driving that thing?”

Sienna glanced at her dad’s truck. There in the cab sat her father and both of her brothers, grinning like fools. Her mother sometimes despaired over exactly how much Doug and James were like their father. Said she had a hard enough time keeping Seth in line. Now that he’d acquired two mini-mes, the task had become impossible. Sienna knew the complaint was said with love. Despite the definite streak of stubbornness that ran through the male Comptons, they were compassionate and dedicated to their family and the land. Add to that their undeniable charm and wit and it made for a pretty irresistible combination.

Dad climbed out of the truck, his arms spread wide. Mom’s annoyance over the camper obviously wasn’t long lasting. She dashed off the stairs and straight into her husband’s arms. Dad wrapped her mom in an embrace that usually warmed Sienna’s heart. Today, though, it reminded her of her loneliness for Josh, and a lump formed in her throat.

Her brothers grabbed their backpacks out of the truck cab and headed toward the stairs. “Hey, See. Hiya, Vivi,” Doug said as he approached them. “You missed a helluva show.”

Vivi put her hands on her hips. “What have I told you about that cursing, Douglas Compton?”

“Aw dammit, Vivi, I’m a grown man. All men cuss.”

Sienna fought to hide her smile. Her baby brother, Doug, had just turned eleven and he was too precocious for his own good. She suspected his rush to grow up stemmed from the fact he idolized his older brother, James. At fifteen, James had everything Doug wanted: a learner’s permit, a girlfriend and—according to Doug—really cool hair.

Dad came up behind his son. “Doug, what was I saying to you not ten minutes ago in that truck?”

Doug’s shoulders flew up guiltily. Obviously, he was surprised he’d been caught by Dad. “Sorry, Sienna. Sorry, Vivi.”

Sienna, unable to fight it, let her grin show. She was glad to have her dad and brothers home. Even though they’d only been gone a few days, the ranch was always too quiet without them. They brought life to the place. Especially Doug.

It wasn’t until her father stepped closer to the porch that Sienna realized they weren’t alone. Her breath caught when she spotted the stranger who was standing in their midst and she mouthed a silent
whoa
.

Dad turned toward him. “Jody, I’d like you to meet Daniel Lennon.”

Mom extended her hand and the handsome cowboy shook it.

“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

“Likewise,” her mother said with a friendly smile.

Seth gestured to where she and Vivi stood. “And these two lovely ladies are my mother, Vicky, and my daughter, Sienna.”

Daniel tipped his hat in a courteous gesture toward Vivi, then his coal-black gaze met Sienna’s. He was the most handsome man Sienna had ever seen. Even as she thought it, she felt guilty for comparing Daniel’s sexy-as-sin five-o’clock shadow to Josh’s baby-soft cheeks.

“Sienna,” Daniel said softly. It felt as if he was trying the name on for style. She’d actually never cared for her name. At least not until that moment. She’d often complained about being named after a crayon. And not even one of the pretty colors. A brown one.

However, the way Daniel said it, slowly, almost like a caress, made her think of sex and sweaty sheets and naughty,
naughty
things. Sienna blinked rapidly and forced herself to glance away from the good-looking cowboy. She was standing next to her grandmother, for God’s sake, and imagining doing all sorts of wicked things with a man she’d only just met.

Her horniness was Josh’s fault. He’d headed back to the university at the end of August and hadn’t bothered to make even a quick weekend trip home since then. They’d have to make up for lost time over Thanksgiving.

“What brings you to Compass Ranch, Daniel?” Leave it to Vivi to cut to the chase and ask the question on the tip of every woman’s tongue.

“I hired him,” Dad replied. “He’s going to help me start my horse breeding business. I called Sam last night and we decided the time was right to diversify a bit. Silas and Colby are more than capable of handing the cattle side of things. Sam and I are interested in seeing if we can make a real go of the horses—more than just the tinkering I’ve been doing the past few months.”

Mom smiled, wrapping her arm around Dad’s waist. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. So you’re familiar with horse breeding, Daniel?”

Daniel nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I grew up on a farm in Loudoun County, Virginia. I was working with the horses alongside my dad from the time I could walk.” Sienna tried to ignore the effect Daniel’s slight southern twang was having on her more private parts. Better to blame her suddenly taut nipples on the cool October breeze.

“How did a Virginia boy end up all the way over here in Wyoming?” Vivi asked.

Doug answered for him, too excited about the news he had to share. “The rodeo. Daniel was a rodeo star and he’s gonna teach me and James all the tricks. He rode the bulls, Vivi. Loads of times. He’s retired now, though.” Rodeo riders were Doug’s superheroes. While most eleven-year-olds wished they could be Batman or Superman, Doug had always insisted he would be a bull rider. Sienna, like her mother, prayed it was a dream that would pass as he grew older. She hated the thought of her baby brother ever doing anything so dangerous.

Now that her father had brought this man here, it was going to be even more difficult to discourage Doug’s youthful aspirations.

Daniel was still staring at her. His gaze was almost unnerving. No one had ever studied her with such blatant interest.
Sexual
interest.

Time to nip things in the bud. She had enough on her plate without dealing with some horny ranch hand. “A bull rider, huh? You seem awfully young to be retired. Were you not very good at it?”

Dad blinked, surprise and confusion written on his face at her rudeness. Her tone sounded hostile even to her own ears.

“Sienna,” Dad started, but Daniel didn’t appear to take offense.

“I was injured pretty badly during my last ride. It put a quick end to my future with the rodeo.”

Sienna felt like dirt. God dammit. What was wrong with her? She bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry.”

Daniel grinned. “Why? You weren’t the bull. Anyway, I packed up my trailer and decided to try my hand at being a salesman for a rodeo equipment company. Met your dad at the trade show and he took mercy on me. Apparently, I suck at sales.”

Dad chuckled and patted Daniel on the back in a friendly gesture. Sienna was curious about how this man had earned her father’s fondness in just a few days. “The man is too damn honest. He wasn’t content with just telling me what was good about the items he was peddling. He also felt compelled to explain what was wrong with them.”

James piped up. “He told us how the strap on one of the saddles broke and cost him a rodeo championship.”