Page 151 of Ride a Cowboy

Sienna suddenly understood the point of Vivi’s story. “You think I was settling with Josh?”

Vivi shook her head. “I can’t answer that question. Only you can see what’s in your heart.”

“What if Josh is the one who’ll make me happy? What if I let him go and I never find anyone who makes me feel the way he did? I mean, he hasn’t always been an idiot.”

Vivi didn’t laugh at her joke. “No. He hasn’t. And I’m not sure he’s being one now. He’s been quite honest with you when you think about it. He’s confused about where he’s going. Rather than lie or cheat on you, he came to you and asked for time. That couldn’t have been an easy thing for him because he does care about you. And let’s face it, my dear, you tend to hold the upper hand in that relationship.”

“I do not.”

Vivi rolled her eyes. “Sienna Compton. You have too much of your mother’s blood running through your veins to ever play the meek woman. For seven years, you’ve made the decisions and Josh, God bless his patient heart, has been willing to follow your lead.”

“Daniel kissed me. Twice.” Sienna wasn’t sure why the words fell out at that particular moment, but she felt like she needed to come clean to someone.

“I see. And?”

“And I liked it. A lot.”

“But?” Vivi prodded.

“But I’m scared. I’ve never been with anyone except Josh. We’re comfortable and life is so easy when we’re together. I don’t know anything about Daniel Lennon.”

“You know you like the way he kisses.”

Sienna frowned. “He has no plans for the future. He’s drifting from day to day with only one goal. To be happy.”

“Sounds like something we should all aim for.”

“But what about his family? And who knows where he intends to settle down. If he intends to settle. I mean, for God’s sake, his house has wheels. That doesn’t seem like someone who’d be content to live in Podunk Compton Pass forever. And regardless of how screwed up the rest of my life may be, I’d never be happy anywhere but here.”

Vivi shook her head. “Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve leapt from a man kissing you to planning out the rest of your lives together and worrying about whether or not it’ll work.”

Sienna sighed. “Crap. You’re right. Why do I always do that?”

“Apparently you’re asking for advice, so here it is. There’s nothing wrong with having goals and plans, but life is much more fun when you take chances as well. Try to live in the moment for a little while, Sienna. Take each day as it comes without worrying about tomorrow. Can you do that?”

Could she? Sienna honestly wasn’t sure, but she was willing to give it a try. “Okay. I guess so.”

“Good,” Vivi rose, walking to the doorway. “Oh, and Sienna, no more hiding. Life is happening out there, not in here.”

Vivi left, and Sienna realized her grandmother hadn’t finished her story. What happened to Charles? How did Granddaddy JD finally convince her to take a chance with him?

Sienna started to follow her grandmother to ask, but pulled up short when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her hair was tied together in a messy ponytail and her eyes were puffy from too many nights of crying.

Time to get yourself together, Sienna.

What do you want?

Only one thing popped into her mind.

Daniel.

Sienna opened her dresser drawer, rummaging through the panties and bras until she found what she sought. Tugging the tags off a new, sexy nightie, she held it up in front of her. She’d bought it for herself last Christmas, but she’d never worn it. Never found an occasion special enough to share it with Josh. God, had she really been unhappy for so long?

Sienna removed the rubber band, letting her hair fall loose around her shoulders. Bending forward, she ran her hands over her face as a new plan fell into place. In theory, it was simple.

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