01 Winters Thaw

by Mari Carr

  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 Three

  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.”

  Daniel grinned. “I’m afraid I was pretty hopeless at all this stuff until I moved out of my parents’ house and started doing it for myself. My mom tried to assign it to me as a chore, but eventually she gave up when she realized it would only be done right if she did it herself. I never did learn how to load a dishwasher to please that woman. No matter how many times I tried.”

  Vicky chuckled. “The washing machine gene seems to be lacking in the Compton males as well. Last time Doug tried to help me, he had all the dinner plates facing the wrong way.”

  “I think you mean dishwasher, Vicky,” Jody corrected.

  “What did I say?”

  “Washing machine,” Daniel replied easily.

  “Oh,” Vicky chuckled. “Well, the men in this family struggle with that appliance too.”

  They all laughed.

  Sienna entered the kitchen and tossed a dishrag in the sink. “Table’s wiped up. Need any more help in here?”

  Jody shook her head as she put the last few pieces of silverware in the sink. “No. I think Vicky and I have everything in hand.”

  “We sure do appreciate all your help, Levi,” Vicky said as she grabbed the coffeepot, filling it with water.”

  “Levi?” Sienna asked. “Vivi, this is Daniel.”

  Vicky was silent for a moment. “Oh, my goodness. I’m sorry, Daniel.”

  Jody laughed. “Man, that’s a blast from the past. Levi hasn’t worked here in nearly a decade. Wonder what made you think of him, Vicky.”

  “Who knows?” Vicky shrugged nonchalantly, but Daniel could see she was disturbed by the mix-up. She’d called him by the same wrong name a couple days earlier, but he hadn’t bothered to correct her. He could only assume Vicky had seen a lot of hands come and go during her fifty years on Compass Ranch.

  Jody put detergent in the dishwasher. “Daniel, if you’ve got a few minutes to hang out with See and the guys, I’ve made a coconut cream pie for dessert.”

  Daniel rubbed his stomach. “Few more weeks here and I’ll need to buy bigger pants. Even so, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for a piece of your pie.”

  He followed Sienna into the family room. Seth and the boys had plopped down on the large sectional and were watching a hockey game.

  “Who’s playing?” Daniel asked as he took a seat.

  “Kings and Rangers.”

  Sienna claimed a comfortable chair near him, curling her legs beneath her. Since kissing her in his trailer two weeks ago, Daniel had made sure to keep his distance—physically—but that didn’t mean he hadn’t worked to regain her trust while building a friendship.

  They all sat in silence for a few minutes until the Kings scored. Doug and James were rooting for L.A., so they started trash talking with Seth, a Rangers fan. Sienna smiled at their antics but didn’t take part.

  “You like hockey?” Daniel asked her.

  She shrugged. “It’s okay. I prefer it over baseball or basketball. Unfortunately, these guys—” she gestured to her brothers and dad, “—watch it all. I don’t think I’ve ever actually held the remote control in this house. Not once.”

  “You ever think about getting your own place? You’re working now. I’m sure there must be an apartment near the doctor’s office you could afford to rent. That way you’d have control of the TV.”

  She dismissed his suggestion. “I’m fine staying here and saving my money until Josh graduates in the spring. We’ll probably rent a place for a few years, but with me working and living at home for now, we’ll have a down payment for our own home sooner than we’d planned. I guess that’s one benefit to him changing his major and staying in school an extra year.”

  “Yeah, but isn’t that extra year going to add to his student loans?” Daniel wondered about Sienna’s boyfriend, uncertain why he disliked the guy so much. Over the past two weeks, he and Sienna had spoken every night, always in the company of her family. Each time the subject of Josh had arisen, Daniel had learned something else about the man that annoyed him.

  Sienna shook her head. “He won’t have any debt at all. His parents are paying for his education.”

  Daniel fought to keep his face impassive, though her answer bugged the hell out of him. Another tick against Josh. He was spoiled.

  Seth must have been listening to the conversation because he said what Daniel was thinking. “If I were his folks, I’d have made him start footing the bill this year. I think Josh would benefit from having to work for what he wants.”

  Sienna didn’t reply. Daniel got the feeling this conversation wasn’t a new one.

  Seth gestured to Sienna. “Take my baby girl there. She kept a 3.9 grade point average in college and held down a part-time job to help pay her way through school. She didn’t take her education for granted because she knew how much it cost and how hard she had to work to earn that money.”

  “Dad,” Sienna said, “Josh appreciates his parents’ help. It’s not like he’s wasting their money. He’s getting an education that will help them manage the store better.”

  Seth shrugged, letting the argument lie, though Daniel noticed his boss didn’t agree.

  Daniel was curious to meet Josh, to see the guy who’d earned Sienna’s unwavering loyalty. She sure did spend a hell of a lot of time defending her boyfriend’s actions.

  He let his gaze drift over her. She was wearing the same royal blue sweater she’d worn to his trailer when he’d kissed her. It made her chestnut hair seem redder, brighter, more vivid. He’d always been a sucker for a redhead and while he wouldn’t call Sienna’s hair auburn, she had just enough of the color to catch his attention. The sweater hugged her curves, showing off her generous breasts.

  He shifted in his seat and willed away the erection threatening to make an appearance. What an idiot. He was sitting five feet from his boss and getting a boner from staring at Seth’s daughter. Daniel had worked hard to keep his attraction to Sienna a secret, but tonight he feared he was failing in the attempt.

  Stupid.

  First of all, he needed this job. Pissing Seth off didn’t seem particularly smart. Secondly, Sienna was committed to a jerk boyfriend who obviously didn’t deserve her. While he longed to shake up her well-ordered life, to show her there was a world full of men who would treat her better, Daniel couldn’t do that as long as she was with Josh.

  Sienna’s phone beeped. Glancing at the screen, she stood. “Speak of the devil.” Daniel caught sight of Josh’s smiling face as she clicked on the screen. “Hi, Josh,” she said, her voice lighter and breezier than Daniel had ever heard it.

  Then Daniel heard Josh’s reply and was forced to acknowledge he sounded like a nice guy.

  Hey, beautiful. Damn, you’re a sight for sore eyes.

  “Sweet talker,” Sienna teased as she left the room.

  Seth’s attention returned to the game. Daniel tried to concentrate on the TV, but he found himself straining to hear Sienna’s voice. She’d only walked to the hallway. While he could hear her tone, he couldn’t make out the words she was sa
ying. Everything seemed fine for a few minutes and then he heard her say something louder, with definite anger.

  “What do you mean it’s too late?” she asked.

  Her voice drowned out the TV. Seth glanced toward the hallway. He sighed heavily, allowing Daniel to see that he wasn’t exactly pleased with his daughter’s boyfriend.

  “Sounds like the asshole screwed up again,” Seth muttered.

  “Is this a pattern?” Daniel asked.

  “It is lately. I’m not sure what’s gotten into the kid. Josh always had his head screwed on straight, and he was good to Sienna. Then, last year, out of the blue, something snapped. He decided to change majors and his grades started slipping. More often than not, they end up fighting whenever he calls. He’s coming home next week for Thanksgiving. I’m going to have a word with him. This shit’s not going to fly for much longer. I don’t like him upsetting Sienna all the time.”

  Daniel was glad to hear Seth had plans to talk to Josh. He’d been wondering lately if there was a way he could warn the man off, but considering Daniel had only known Sienna a month, it really wasn’t his place.

  Given the dark expression on Seth’s face, Daniel was grateful he wasn’t going to be the recipient of that little talk. Seth, a peaceful, fair man, had a protective streak a mile wide when it came to his kids.

  Daniel noticed it went quiet in the hallway. Then he heard the front door open and close. Worried about Sienna, he stood. “I think I’ll take a rain check on that pie. I’m still full from supper.” It was cold as blue blazes outside. Clearly, Sienna was upset if she’d decided to brave the elements rather than return to the warmth of the family room. He needed to make sure she was okay.

  Seth’s gaze drifted from Daniel to the doorway. Daniel tried to ignore the way his boss’s eyes narrowed slightly. “It’s pretty dark out there. Be careful.”

  The last two words, though innocent enough, seemed to hold a deeper warning. Shit. He was falling for the boss’s daughter.

  The first time he’d laid eyes on her, Daniel had felt too strong a pull to the pretty, though far-too-serious woman. In the past, he’d chosen women who preferred a fun time over commitment, a few quick tumbles in the hayloft versus a long, drawn-out wooing.

  Sienna was the complete opposite of his type. She was a nice girl, but it didn’t matter. He ached to drag her to the dark side with him, to draw out some of the wickedness he sensed lurking beneath the surface. And maybe, just maybe in the midst of all that hot sex, she’d find a way to bring some sort of order to his own fucked-up life.

  “I’ll be fine, Seth. Good night,” he said.

  James and Doug waved goodbye absentmindedly, their gazes never leaving the television. Seth, however, watched him depart, suspicion written on his face. Something told him he was going to wind up getting one of Seth’s little talks after all.

  As he stepped onto the front porch, he paused to let his eyes adjust to the darkness. He scanned the yard, seeking Sienna, and caught sight of her heading down a narrow path that led to the creek.

  He pulled his coat around him and cursed the cold. Then he followed her direction, his speed and long legs cutting the distance between them quickly. When he got within earshot, he called out her name.

  “Sienna.”

  She stopped walking and turned, waiting until he caught up.

  “What are you doing out here?” she asked.

  He tried to play it casual. “I was heading back to my trailer. Isn’t it a little cold for a stroll in the moonlight?”

  She shrugged. “I needed to cool off.”

  “Trouble with Josh?”

  “He’s failing business calc.”

  Daniel paused, pleased that she’d answered his question. In the past few weeks, he’d felt a friendship building between them. Unfortunately, he wasn’t going to be happy just being her pal. “Isn’t the end of the semester coming up?”

  “Yeah. It is. He has less than a month to bring up a very low grade. If he doesn’t manage that, then he’ll have to stay at college this summer to make up the course.”

  He could understand her frustration. Sienna had been ready to start her new life as an adult when she graduated last spring. Now she was putting her future on hold while Josh played catch-up. “Can’t he get a tutor or something?”

  She nodded. “He could. If he would. I made that suggestion a month ago, when things were still salvageable, and he didn’t bother. Now he seems to think it’s too late.”

  “Does Josh want to graduate from college?”

  Sienna laughed. Her expression instantly morphed from pissed off to unadulterated humor. The sound had an unexpected effect on him as his cock began to thicken. He needed to get laid or else he’d do something very stupid, like make a play for the boss’s unavailable daughter. “I’m starting to think he doesn’t. Josh seems very resistant to entering the real world.”

  “And that’s funny?” He couldn’t understand why she was laughing about the situation.

  “Nope. It’s annoying, frustrating, maddening. But if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry, and there’s no way I’m going to shed any more tears over Josh’s stupidity.”

  He knew it. Her fucking boyfriend had been making her cry. Daniel’s hand balled into a fist. His decision was made. Seth wasn’t the only man on the ranch who’d be having a little talk with Josh next week.

  He took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “Seth said he’s coming home for Thanksgiving.”

  “He is. And he and I are going to have a come to Jesus meeting.”

  Daniel hoped she was going to direct her immature boyfriend to the nearest exit, but he didn’t think she would. “Meaning?”

  “It’s time for Josh to grow up. His parents aren’t going to keep footing the bill for him if he fails course after course.”

  “It’s not just his parents who are being inconvenienced. What about you?”

  She glanced up at the moon, then she sighed. “I’m in this for the long haul. He probably sounds like an idiot to you, but that’s because you’ve never met him. Josh is actually very sweet. I really think he’s just going through a phase right now. We’ll have a long talk over Thanksgiving and everything will be fine.”

  Daniel didn’t think so, but he wasn’t sure how to argue with her. He didn’t know Josh. Regardless, he was damn sure the guy didn’t deserve Sienna.

  Her face cleared. “Thanks for talking things out with me, Daniel. I feel better now.” She rubbed her gloved hands together for heat. “I think I might head back to the house for some coffee and pie. Are you sure you don’t want some?”

  He shook his head. “No. It’s getting late. I’m going to turn in early.”

  “Good night,” she said.

  “Night, See.” He watched her walk back to the main house, but he made no effort to return to his trailer. She’d been right about one thing. The cool air helped him think too.

  As for the rest…

  Well, she’d been wrong about all of it. Regardless of how sweet Josh was, he was wrong for Sienna Compton. The asshole was stifling her, holding her back from her true potential.

  Daniel smiled. It was time for a new plan.

  Chapter Four

  “That was a damn fine meal.” Daniel rubbed his too-full stomach as he walked into the Comptons’ family room, surprised to find Sienna alone. Josh had arrived earlier this morning. Daniel thought he’d sensed some tension between Josh and Sienna, but he chalked it up to wishful thinking on his part. Much as it pained him to admit, Josh seemed like a nice guy.

  Loud conversations from the dining room carried to them. The house was jam-packed with Sienna’s family celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. He’d gotten to know all of her aunts, uncles and cousins over the past month, but now his head was reeling as he tried to remember the names of all the close family friends who were visiting.

  “The Mothers can cook.” Sienna stressed the word mothers.

  “Mothers?”

  Sienna laughed. “It’s a
nickname Jade gave to my mom, Leah, Lucy and Cindi. When they come together, it’s like they morph into this huge giant force that takes out everything in its path. There’s pretty much nothing that goes on in the family that isn’t discussed at length by all of them every Sunday afternoon at teatime.” Sienna used air quotes around teatime.

  Daniel was confused by her gesture. “What’s wrong with teatime?”

  “I’ve never seen one of them drink a cup of tea. They usually make a pitcher of margaritas or split a bottle of wine.”

  He chuckled. “Your family is hilarious. Never seen a family who gets along like this one, never fighting, always having fun.”

  “You say that now, but you better hope you never fall into the Mothers’ sights. There’s no subject they don’t consider themselves authorities on, and once they’ve discussed your so-called problem at length, they’ll offer endless advice. They’ve rearranged the furniture in every house on this ranch, helped plan more parties than I can count and set up way too many blind dates.”

  “Wow. And I assume this drives everyone crazy.”

  Sienna shook her head. “Nope. That’s the most annoying part of it. They have amazing decorating taste, create menus to die for and, while I won’t say their matchmaking record is perfect, it’s pretty damn close. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom and aunts to death. It’s just that sometimes it’s hard to accept their advice, even if you think it may be right.”

  Sienna didn’t have to explain. Daniel assumed her strained relationship with Josh hadn’t just caught Seth’s attention. The Mothers would have noticed as well.

  “What did they tell you to do about Josh?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “How did you know that’s what I was talking about?”