Page 192 of Ride a Cowboy

Hope was quiet for a few moments. Sienna noticed the sadness that had taken up residence in her cousin’s eyes for weeks creep in again. “What’s wrong, Hope? Are you still worried about Vivi?”

Hope nodded. “Yeah. Of course. But I don’t see that feeling going away anytime soon.”

“It’s more than that. Isn’t it?”

Hope sighed, rubbing her eyes wearily. “I still wish for what I wanted at sixteen. But I’m afraid maybe it’s just a silly girl’s dream. Something impossible.”

Sienna knew what Hope wanted. While she longed to reassure Hope it wasn’t unattainable, she knew the odds were rather slim. Hope had grown up in an unconventional home, but one that worked. Uncle Silas, Uncle Colby and Aunt Lucy were meant to be together. While their love was different, it didn’t make the union any less special, perfect.

She reached out to grasp Hope’s hand. “You’re beautiful, smart and sweet. I don’t doubt for a minute that when you find love, it will be beyond your wildest dreams.”

But Hope wanted more from her. Sienna could see it. She needed Sienna’s assurance that there might be two men out there who would claim her heart and give her the life she desired more than anything.

Offering those words wouldn’t be fair. If Sienna had learned anything this winter, it was that what you wanted didn’t always match up with what you got. But that didn’t make the prize any less sweet, any less magical.

“Hope. I think you’re going to have to go with the flow on this one. You can’t force it. Love comes where it comes. And we just have to make sure that when it shows up, our heart and our eyes are open enough to see it. To feel it.”

Hope smiled, her face clearing. “You’re right. I need to shake off these winter blues. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing. And hope springs eternal.”

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