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“You’re not going to like it,” Seth warned.

Daniel frowned. “Are you going to tell me to stop seeing Sienna?”

Seth shook his head. “No. Be a waste of breath if I did. Keeping you away from that girl would be as easy as separating Doug from his horse. No, it’s just this. You’re gonna have to give her time.”

Daniel blew out a long breath. “How much time?”

Seth chuckled. “You expect me to give you a date? Doesn’t work that way. She just got out of a long-term relationship with an idiot she truly planned to marry. She’s still smartin’ over that. You two are obviously head over heels in love. Pretty compatible, I’d say.”

Daniel couldn’t hold back his cocky grin as he considered just how well-suited they were—in the bedroom and out. “We’re a good fit. A real good fit.”

Seth raised his hand in warning. “I can still kick your ass, son.”

Daniel laughed. “Sorry. So you’re telling me to slow down. Stop trying to force it.”

Seth stood and walked to the fireplace mantel. Daniel spotted a photograph of a much younger Seth and Jody on their wedding day there. Seth ran his finger along the frame almost absentmindedly. “It’s not an easy thing. I see a lot of myself in you. When men like us make up our mind about how things are going to be, that’s it. We move forward and God help anybody who gets in our way. I made a lot of mistakes when I was trying to win Jody’s heart. I pushed her away with both hands for years because she had some growing up to do. Problem was, when I finally reached out for her, she wasn’t reaching back.”

Daniel nodded. “I let Sienna believe we were having a casual affair. Pretended it was something easy, something she could control. Shame of it is I wasn’t just lying to her, I was lying to myself too. I latched on to the no-strings deal because I figured that was enough, all I needed. What if she never reaches out for me?”

Seth turned to face him once more. “That’s where the time thing comes in. Sienna is questioning her judgment on everything these days. I guess that’s not a comfortable place for a girl who’s always had her life figured out. All you can do is hang in there. Be the man she needs. Be honest about how you feel. If you’re a religious man, a bit of prayer might not hurt.”

Daniel sniggered, but he appreciated the advice. “Okay. So the plan stays the same. Take it one day at a time and hope I manage to wear her down.”

Seth walked back to his desk and plopped down in the large leather chair with a shit-eating grin on his face. “And if that fails, you resort to plan B.”

“What’s plan B?”

“We revisit the kidnapping idea.”

Chapter 13

Daniel drove the ranch truck one-handed. His other arm was occupied, wrapped around Sienna’s shoulder. She’d opted to ride in the middle of the cab. It was Valentine’s Day. It was also his first “date” with Sienna since talking to Seth three weeks earlier.

He’d taken Seth’s advice and slowed things down, allowing things with Sienna to fall into a normal—God, if he could call Heaven normal—pattern. Neither he nor Sienna had talked about their feelings, and subjects like commitment and the future simply didn’t come up.

At least, they hadn’t until now. He hoped a romantic atmosphere would soften Sienna, make her more receptive to his affections. He was adding a new word to their relationship vocabulary tonight—love. He loved her and he was going to tell her.

Life had turned into one perfect day after another. He and Sienna would eat with her family every night, then pile into the family room to watch TV or play games. Sienna kept a close eye on Vicky and often the two women stole away for some private time. Her grandmother was determined to share her stories—of childhood, of marriage and of raising children. Sienna had confessed to Vicky that Daniel knew about her diagnosis as well. As a result, he’d been told a few stories himself. Vicky had shared some entertaining memories about crazy things JD had done when he was a younger man to woo her. Daniel appreciated Vicky’s matchmaking help and was sorry he’d never met JD.

As evening gave way to night, he and Sienna would walk to his RV together. There was no more hiding or sneaking about. When darkness descended, they came together in a tangle of limbs and lips. Sometimes their lovemaking was a rough, heart-racing ride, wilder than his eight seconds on the bull. Other times it was slow and peaceful as a country ballad. Afterwards, they’d fall asleep in each other’s arms. Come morning, he’d leave early, as his chores on the ranch started at first light. Sienna took a bit more time with her waking. She’d return home, shower, dress and head to work. Then he’d spend the entire day watching the clock and waiting for her to return.

He knew what his future should be, but Seth was right—a few months wasn’t all that long. Rushing things was only going to push her away.

As they pulled into town, Daniel drove down Main Street, seeking a place to park. He’d made reservations at the fanciest restaurant in town and then told her last night he was taking her out for the holiday. He’d held his breath as he’d waited for her reply, hoping her fear of hopping back into the “dating scene” had abated since New Year’s. She’d smiled at the invitation and accepted immediately.

“Wow. Charlotte went all out.”

He glanced over to see what had caught Sienna’s eye. He fought to restrain a groan. Charlotte, the owner of Northstar Restaurant, had obviously spared no expense on decorating the windows in a sea of red silk and roses.

“Yeah.” His soft sigh must have given him away as Sienna giggled.

“Aw, come on, Daniel. You know you love all this mushy-gushy shit. Cupids and hearts with arrows through them and chocolates. Maybe Charlotte’s hired Janine from the local high school to stroll around the place playing the violin again.”

Daniel parked the truck on the side of the street, then glanced at Sienna. “Please tell me you’re joking about the violin.”

Sienna’s grin grew. “Sorry. Can’t do that. She’s had a year to practice, so I’m sure she’s better than last year.”

“Were you here last year?”