“Anyway, Tiffany’s got her share of problems and I haven’t worked up the nerve to call her again.”

“You?” Bliss questioned. “Afraid? I don’t believe it.”

“‘Intimidated’ would be more like it,” Katie admitted. “Tiffany’s gone through some rocky times and I think she blames your—I mean, our—father.”

“Maybe she’s got valid reasons,” Bliss suggested as she swiped bread crumbs from the counter and tossed them into the sink.

“Probably. But she’s still our sister. I think we should give her another chance.” She hesitated. “You gave me one.”

Bliss lifted a shoulder. What could she say? It was impossible not to like Katie Kinkaid. “I’ll try.”

“Good.” With a wave Katie was off, scurrying down the hallway like a whirlwind. Bliss followed her to the front door and closed it after Katie’s tired old convertible rumbled down the drive.

Left feeling breathless, Bliss walked back to the den. Each and every day, her life became more complicated than she’d ever expected. Her father’s impending marriage, her half-sisters and Mason were more than she could expect to handle. Not at all certain she wanted to get to know either of her sisters any better, Bliss wondered if they’d ever come to terms with each other. Katie was a steamroller who seemed determined to take control of everyone’s life she crossed, and Tiffany sounded cold and aloof.

“Don’t judge,” she warned herself, but she was still wary. She had to be careful. Years before, she’d cast caution to the wind when it came to relationships and it had cost her; it had cost her dearly. She’d lost her heart and nearly her life. She wouldn’t make that mistake again. Not ever. Or so she tried to convince herself.

Chapter Eight

“So, is there a man in your life?”

Brynnie’s question startled Bliss. She nearly dropped the pot of coffee she’d been pouring for her soon-to-be stepmother. Though she and John were still at odds about selling the ranch, they had buried the hatchet in shallow, soft soil. Everyone was treading lightly and Bliss wondered if the wedding would come off as planned.

“A man in my life? No, not really,” she said, setting the glass pot back in the coffeemaker and handing Brynnie a steaming cup.

“A pretty girl like you? I don’t believe it.” Brynnie took a sip. “Mmm, that’s good.” She set her cup on the marred kitchen table and eyed her future stepdaughter. “You’re an architect, isn’t that what John told me?”

“When I’m working. Business has been a little slow lately.”

“Good. You can spend more time here with your dad.” She added cream to her cup. “I would think, in a job like yours, that you’d work with lots of men.”

Bliss swallowed a smile. “Too many.”

“Uh-uh-uh. That’s not the right attitude. By the time I was your age I was through with my second husband and on to my third.” She laughed—a deep, throaty chuckle, made raspy by too many cigarettes.

“I guess I haven’t met the right man yet.”