Page 147 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“Pie, Mommy. I have some?”

“Yes, we’re all going to have some. With ice cream, too.”

Jared’s dark blond brows rose.

“Why not?” She could be adventurous, too, and Sienna deserved a treat after all she’d put her through lately. “We can have dessert for breakfast once in a while, right?”

“Absolutely. It looks delicious.”

“I...I hope so. Blueberries aren’t in season, so I had to use canned fruit.” She set the pie down on the counter to cool.

“I would never know,” he said. “Can’t wait to dig in.”

He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

Immediately she glanced at Sienna to see if she had any reaction to Jared kissing her. She did. She leaned forward and, with Jared’s guidance, kissed her other cheek. “Tank you.”

Sienna grinned. “You’re both welcome.”

As it turned out, Sienna ate her piece of blueberry pie with French vanilla ice cream while sitting on Jared’s lap. He spoon-fed her small bites like a pro.

“I can’t remember having a better breakfast,” Jared said when they were all finished. “And I’m certain little Sienna here hasn’t, either. Pie was delicious.”

“I’m glad you both liked it. The thing is, Sienna might be bouncing off the walls soon. Sugar tends to fuel her up.”

“Does it now? I might have a solution for that.”

“I’m all ears.”

He grinned. “Do you trust me?”

She nibbled on her lip. She was having a hard time trusting people lately, other than Amy, who knew all of her secrets. She really had to delve deep to answer him. “What are you planning?”

“Can’t tell you. This time, I’m gonna surprise you.”

“Me?”

“You and Sienna.”

“Well?” He was waiting, his brow furrowing. He seemed to think his question was a simple one. One she’d be able to answer without hesitation. Last night she’d trusted him with her body and he hadn’t hurt or disappointed her. Just the opposite: it had been thrilling and crazy-good. But Sienna was a different story. Sienna was the most precious thing in her universe.

Yet she had to admit, Jared had been nothing but gentle, caring and kind to Sienna. She’d be safe with him. “Okay, yes. I trust you.”

“Great, meet us outside in ten minutes.”

She blinked. “Outside?”

“Yep, and no peeking.”

“Jared, what are you doing? Get Sienna down from there this instant.” Bella’s heart raced, thumping against her chest. She bit down hard on her lower lip as she approached the fence.

Jared sat tall in the saddle on a chestnut mare inside the corral, holding Sienna with one hand wrapped around her body, the other hand on the reins.

“Bella, just look at her. Sienna loves it up here on Sundae.”

Her daughter was smiling and, with Jared’s encouragement, was stroking the horse’s thick mane. “Come on over here, Bella.”

Her heart in her throat, Bella stepped up to the fence, noting the joy on Sienna’s face and Jared’s big, strong hand locked around her. A war battled inside her head. Was she too protective of Sienna? As iftherewas such a thing as being too protective for a first-time mom. Or was she projecting all of her fears and anxiety on her baby girl?