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Sienna jumped, startled when Jade emerged from the stable. “Jesus!”

Jade threw her hands up. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Sienna put her hand over her heart, trying to calm it. It had been racing since she left Daniel’s trailer. “It’s okay. I didn’t see you there.”

Jade glanced to the left, following the direction Sienna had come. “Where were you?”

Sienna considered lying, but it was pointless. Jade could read her face too well. “Daniel overdid it today working with the horses and then teaching Doug barrel racing techniques. I offered some salve to soothe his stiff shoulder.”

Jade smiled. “Only the salve or did you rub it on too?”

Sienna rolled her eyes. “I’m a nurse, Jade. He was in pain and I helped alleviate it.”

“I bet there are a few other pains in Daniel Lennon’s body he’d let you ease if you’d let him.”

“Don’t be vulgar.”

“A little dirty fun with Daniel might be just what you need. I bet that man could teach you some new tricks. And it’s obvious he’s into you.”

Sienna frowned, disagreeing with Jade’s assessment. “Daniel’s into women in general. He’s a player. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumor about Lacey going down on him in the bathroom at Spurs last night. Hell, you work there. You must’ve seen it.”

Jade rolled her eyes. “It’s a complete lie. Lacey caught sight of Daniel when he came in with the hands. She likes to mark her territory whenever a hot new buck comes to town. She followed him to the bathroom all right, but I’d bet Compass Ranch nothing happened. For one thing, there wasn’t enough time. Secondly, I saw Daniel and Lacey’s faces when they came out. She was putting on a good front, but I could tell she’d been rejected, and he was annoyed, plain and simple.”

Sienna wondered why Daniel didn’t attempt to clear his name when she mentioned the rumor. “Regardless of what he did or didn’t do with Lacey, I’m not interested.”

Jade grinned. “Really? Tell me again, Sienna. When did you go completely blind? That guy is sex in blue jeans. I wouldn’t mind taking a tumble with him in the hayloft. I hope to hell he’s still here during the summertime. What’s he look like without his shirt on? Bet he’s built like a brick shit house.”

“You need to stop hanging out with ranch hands all the time.”

Jade didn’t back down. “Don’t hold out, See. Put me out of my misery.”

Sienna recalled the scars on Daniel’s chest. They seemed to make him uncomfortable. “He’s okay.”

Jade laughed. “You’re such a shitty liar.”

“This whole conversation is pointless. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m in a relationship. I’m not about to throw away what Josh and I have for a roll in the hay with some cowboy who probably won’t be here come spring.”

“Remind me again. What is it you and Josh have exactly?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You know damn well we’re committed to each other. Our futures are set. Together.”

Jade smirked. “I understand that you think so, but I’m starting to doubt whether or not Josh is still on board with the Sienna Life Plan. Have you asked him lately?”

Sienna tried to ignore the little voice in the back of her head that said Jade was right. Josh had been distant since returning to college this year without her. She blamed it on the miles and the fact they were both busy, but her gut instinct told her it was more than that. “It’s not my life plan, Jade. It’s ours. Josh is as committed to me as I am to him.”

Jade stuffed her hands in her front pockets and started walking toward her car. “I hope that’s true. I gotta go. I’m bartending at Spurs again tonight. See you tomorrow.”

Sienna watched her cousin climb into her car and drive away. She reached up and touched her lips, recalling Daniel’s kiss. There was a part of her that couldn’t deny it was the best kiss she’d ever had.

God. When did life get so complicated?

And exciting?

Chapter 3

Daniel helped Jody and Vicky clear the supper table. Since the invitation to join them for dinner his first night on the ranch almost a month earlier, he’d found himself offered a regular spot.

“Thank you,” Jody said when he put a stack of dirty plates in the sink and began rinsing them. “I know you’re here to help the boys improve their rodeo skills, but do you think you could add kitchen duties to that list? I wouldn’t mind Doug and James learning how to pitch in around here.”