Little Cowgirl Needs a Mum / Once Upon a Proposal. Patricia Thayer

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      When Jenny looked up, discovering him, it was he who suddenly felt like the intruder. Her dark-eyed gaze locked with his. He couldn’t read her thoughts. Did she think he was a bad father? What did he care what she thought? She was the one intruding on his life.

      Jenny saw Evan Rafferty in the hall. She held her breath, hoping that he wouldn’t interrupt them. His daughter desperately needed to share some of her pain. She needed to let out her feelings without worrying about anyone else.

      Jenny brushed tears from the child’s face. “What else did your mother tell you?”

      Gracie looked thoughtful. “She asked me to be a good girl.”

      “And you are,” Jenny confirmed. “What else?”

      “To help Daddy ‘cause he’ll be all alone.” Those pretty sapphire eyes locked on hers. Her daddy’s eyes. “I don’t know how.”

      Jenny had to swallow hard to move the lump from her throat. “Oh, sweetie. It will take time. Maybe if you both share all the good times together. Tell stories about your mom so you’ll always remember her.”

      Gracie smiled. “Maybe I can tell him how much fun it was sewing the quilt with Mommy. Maybe he’ll let me go to your class.”

      Jenny’s heart tightened painfully. “Maybe. But if he doesn’t agree right now, maybe he will later. You can wait,” she said positively. “Your mommy will understand.”

      Gracie hugged her. “I’m glad you came to see me, Jenny. Will you be my friend?”

      Jenny swallowed back tears and hugged the child to her heart. “Oh, of course, Gracie.” She glanced over to find Evan was still there. Her chest tightened, seeing that his child’s words had affected him, too.

      That wasn’t all she felt. Their gazes connected as she suddenly became aware of the man’s powerful presence. Yet, underneath, she could sense sadness, a loneliness that pulled at her. She felt the longing, too. A rush of heat went through her and she couldn’t look away.

      That was when she realized that all the Raffertys were getting to her.

      CHAPTER THREE

      AN hour later, Evan sat at the dining-room table drinking his wine. The laughter was getting to him, but he found it hard to join in. He watched Gracie with Jenny, recalling what had taken place upstairs in the bedroom.

      His daughter’s sadness ran deep, and he couldn’t seem to help her. Yet, this woman had an easy, comforting way with the child. He envied that.

      He turned to his brother. Matt seemed infatuated with her, too. That was a good thing, wasn’t it? It seemed his brother was returning to that happy and carefree guy he remembered.

      His attention returned to Ms. Collins. She was attractive with those big brown eyes and silky wheat-colored hair. He felt a stirring of interest, but told himself it was because he hadn’t been with anyone in a long time. Even months before Meg died, they hadn’t shared any intimacy. Not that they had shared much before that, either. So it wasn’t exactly headline news that the sight of a pretty woman would push his buttons.

      He took another drink of the zinfandel. The fruity taste—strawberry and raspberry—had just enough sweetness with a hint of oak. Pride struck him, knowing he’d helped produce the grapes for this vintage.

      His father leaned toward him. “It’s so natural between them,” he said, nodding toward the two females. “It does my heart good to watch them.”

      Evan knew that Gracie missed her mother. He’d hated hearing her crying at night, hated even more that he didn’t know how to comfort her. Meg had been the loving, nurturing one. She and Gracie had had the close bond he’d never managed with his daughter.

      He studied Jenny. She had that same easy way with kids, with the rest of the family, too. He wasn’t going to let himself get taken in by the pretty woman. He didn’t need the distraction, and too many people could get hurt if things didn’t work out. His main concern now was his daughter.

      “Gracie, I think it’s time for you to get bathed and ready for bed.”

      She started to argue, then looked at Jenny. “Will you come and say goodnight?”

      Jenny glanced at Evan. “Sure. I’ll help clean up here and be right up.”

      “Okay.” The child stood and scurried out of the room.

      Jenny looked at Evan’s father. “Dinner was delicious, Sean.”

      “Then have another glass of wine, and savor it a little longer,” he insisted.

      She shook her head. “Although it was wonderful, I have to drive back into town. Now, no argument, I am going to help you with the dishes.” She stood, stacked some plates and carried them into the kitchen.

      Sean turned to Evan. “You’re coming, too. Because whether you believe it or not, you need to speak to Jenny about Gracie. And listen to her, son.” Sean headed out, and Evan followed. He hated that his father was right. Hated that he couldn’t seem to make Gracie happy.

      In the kitchen Matt was already beside Jenny when they got there, but his father stepped in. “Lass, you get away from the sink. It’s Matt’s turn to clean up. Besides, most everything goes into the dishwasher.” He glanced at his eldest son. “Evan, why don’t you show Jenny around the vineyard?”

      That was subtle.

      Jenny looked stunned. “Oh, there’s no need, Sean. I’ll go up and see Gracie, then I should get back to town.”

      “There’s plenty of daylight left. And I’ll keep my granddaughter occupied until you return.” He leaned toward her. “You wanted to talk to Evan, now’s your chance.” He motioned to the door and practically pushed them both outside.

      Jenny could tell that Evan didn’t like the idea of them being thrown together any more than she did. That bothered her. Except for her stepbrothers, she wasn’t used to people not liking her. She worked hard to make friends.

      “You don’t have to do this, Mr. Rafferty.”

      “It’s Evan.” He tugged on his hat as he walked her toward a golf cart. “Jenny.”

      She sat in the passenger seat as he walked around and climbed in. He drove off toward the hillside. “I usually walk, but this will be faster.”

      “And you can get rid of me quicker.”

      He shook his head, but didn’t say a word as they rode past the barn and took a trail up the bumpy hillside for about a half mile. The spring evening was nice. Quiet. Serene. Peaceful.

      The cart stopped at the edge of the rise, he got out and she did the same, but had to hurry to keep up. The sun was just going down as they walked toward the rows of vines.

      “The tour isn’t necessary, Evan. I only came out here to ask you a question about Gracie. I never planned to get invited to supper or involved in your life, your family.”

      When he stopped suddenly, she nearly ran СКАЧАТЬ