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It had been a weird winter. Hell, the whole year had been screwed up. And yet, Sienna couldn’t muster any regret or sadness. Truth be told, she was having the time of her life.

Vivi smiled. “Sounds like you found some really nice things, Hope. Jody and I got Seth a new saddle. I can’t wait to see his face when he opens the box. That one he’s using now is about to fall apart.”

Hope gave Sienna a funny look before turning her gaze back to their grandmother. “You just told us that, Vivi.”

“Oh. Did I?” Vivi frowned as warning bells sounded in Sienna’s head.

Sienna leaned closer. “I’d like to make you an appointment to come in and see Dr. Spencer.”

“Why?” Vivi asked. “I just had a checkup six months ago.”

Sienna nodded. “Even so, I’m concerned about these lapses of memory you keep having.”

Hope chimed in. “I think a checkup is a great idea.”

Vivi waved away their concerns, dismissing their anxiety with a joke. “You’re worrying for nothing. When you get to be my age, you’re lucky if you can remember your own name most days.”

“Even so, I’d feel better if you’d go,” Sienna pressed.

Hope bent forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “So would I.”

“No,” Vivi snapped, rising from the swing angrily. “There’s not a thing wrong with me and I don’t appreciate you girls pestering me. My memory is fine.”

Hope bit her lip nervously. Sienna shared her cousin’s surprise and anxiety. Vivi had never lost her temper with them. Ever.

“Vivi,” Sienna started, trying to keep her voice softer, calm. “I just think?—”

“Dammit, Jody. I said no!”

Sienna wasn’t sure how to respond.

Finally, it was Hope’s quiet voice that filled the silence. “That’s not Jody, Vivi. It’s Sienna.”

Vivi’s angry face melted away as bewilderment clouded her eyes. Sienna realized she preferred the anger. Her grandmother’s gaze passed from Sienna to Hope, appearing so lost, it took all the strength in Sienna’s body not to rise and wrap Vivi up in her embrace. To drop her request. To promise that everything would be okay.

“Fine,” Vivi said at last. “Set up the appointment, Sienna. I’ll go.” She walked back into the house leaving Hope and Sienna floundering for answers.

It was several hours later when Sienna made her way to the stable. She and Hope had made an appointment with Sienna’s boss for after New Year’s. Dr. Spencer assured them he’d do a thorough exam and he agreed that the girls were right to insist Vivi come in.

Once they’d spoken to the doctor, they called Sterling and Jade to tell them what had happened. All four girls made plans to accompany Vivi to the appointment. Talking to her cousins had gone a long way to soothing Sienna’s concerns, but she still couldn’t quite let go of her anxiety.

She hoped Daniel could offer her some sort of solace. He had a way of taking her mind off her worries, either with jokes or sexual innuendoes. Every night, they’d come together in a mad dash, stripping off their clothing and tumbling onto the bed, barely speaking a word. The sex was incredible, but she enjoyed the cuddling that came afterwards just as much. Daniel would hold her as they talked—their conversations little bits of nothing most of the time. Lately, it felt as if he was tempering so many of her rough edges.

After her distressing conversation with Vivi, she hoped to do some forgetting of her own.

She glanced around the stable, disappointed when she found it empty. She hadn’t sought Daniel out during the day this week, appreciating their need to be circumspect. But today…she needed him.

“Hey,” Sienna cried when strong arms engulfed her from behind. She relaxed within seconds, recognizing Daniel’s touch.

“Shh.” Daniel’s breath tickled her ear. “Walk.”

She obeyed his hushed demand for silence, amazed by the instant arousal his touch provoked. He propelled her toward the tack room. The windowless space was small and dark. Once they were inside, Daniel didn’t bother to turn on the light. She jerked when she heard the door close behind them, twisting in his arms.

“What are you do?—”

Daniel cut off her question with a kiss that not only robbed her words, it stole her air as well.

“No talking or I’ll gag you.”