Page 129 of Ride a Cowboy

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-me’s, 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.

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