Allison watched her. “I was hoping you’d think about staying here permanently,” she said, then quickly added, “And what better way than to find a great guy?”
A few years ago, Allison had been lucky to find Alex Casali. He’d come into her life when she was at her lowest point, with an injured daughter and an ex-husband who had taken nearly everything from her. Alex had helped her with Cherry’s therapy and got the little girl walking again.
It was a fairy-tale ending when the handsome, wealthy rancher had fallen in love with the single mother. Now married, they’d added a set of eighteen-month-old twins, Will and Rose, to complete the perfect package.
At thirty-two, Jenny wanted to find the same thing, but she realized it might never happen. The one thing she wasn’t about to settle for was less, as her mother had.
“What makes you say Evan Rafferty is a great guy?” she asked.
Allison glanced away, then back at her. “When Megan died, I remember hearing what a great couple they were. Alex had met Evan and his wife at a Cattleman’s Association meeting. He said Megan talked about building their winery and getting out of the cattle business.”
Jenny remembered seeing the herd grazing in the pasture. “Can’t he do both?”
“I believe Evan is doing whatever he can to hang on to it all. His wife’s long illness cost a lot financially.”
Jenny thought about the beautiful Triple R. No doubt Evan and his wife had put a lot of work into it. She also remembered the half-finished winery. Like the unfinished quilt. It was as if Evan just stopped dreaming altogether.
Surprisingly, three o’clock came fast. Although tired, Jenny was also invigorated by the kids’ enthusiasm. Luckily she had experts there to answer the hard questions, but she was concerned about Gracie’s ambitious project. A WeddingRing quilt wasn’t a design for an eight year old. It was even pushing her own skills to the limits.
As the students cleared their areas, Jenny helped Gracie, and Allison did the same with her daughter. The two girls knew each other from school, but they were in different classrooms. Today they had become fast friends.
Cherry turned to her mother. “Mommy, can Gracie go riding with us tomorrow?”
Allison hesitated and then smiled at her daughter. “Of course, as long as it’s okay with her father.”
Gracie was hesitant with her response. “My daddy probably won’t let me ‘cause I can’t go anywhere by myself.”
“Why don’t we ask him?” Jenny said, hoping the man would give his daughter some family time.
“Ask me what?”
They all turned as Evan arrived to pick up his daughter.
“Daddy.” Gracie took his hand and pulled him to the group. “This is Cherry and we’re friends.”
He nodded at the child with the strawberry-blond curls. “Hello, Cherry.”
The young girl smiled. “Hello, Mr. Rafferty.”
Evan looked at Jenny. “How’d it go?”
“Fine. Gracie got a lot started today.” She glanced at her friend, hoping that Evan didn’t sense her concern about Gracie’s complicated project. “Thanks to Allison. Allison, this is Evan Rafferty. Evan, Allison Casali.”
He nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Casali. I’ve spoken with your husband a few times.”
Her friend shook his hand. “Please, call me Allison. You must have done most of the talking, because Alex is a man of few words.”
Evan gave a hint of a smile. “He doesn’t need to say much.”
At a nudge from Cherry, Gracie spoke up. “Daddy, Cherry asked me to come to her house and go riding.”
Jenny watched as Evan started to shake his head. “I don’t think that’s possible right now. I need to get back to the ranch.”
Seeing the girls’ disappointment, Allison said, “Look, girls, go put away your things in your cubbyholes. Make sure your names are on them.” After they’d left, she turned to Evan. “We usually go riding on Sunday afternoons. It started as Cherry’s therapy reward. Since the automobile accident three years ago, she’s worked hard to walk again. She’d really like it if Gracie came along.”
Jenny stood back as Allison charmed the man. “Does Gracie ride?” her friend asked.
“Yes, although it’s been awhile but—”
“Of course, you’re invited, too. Alex is going along.” She grew serious. “I refuse to let my husband work on Sunday. It’s family time.” She glanced at Jenny. “And, of course, Jenny will be there. She’s been working too much overtime.” She looked back at Evan. “I can’t tell you how special it would make the day for Cherry.”
Evan hesitated, then said, “I’ll have to see.”
Allison scribbled down a phone number and handed it to him. “We plan to ride out to Lucky Creek for a picnic. If you decide to come, we leave about eleven.”
Evan had been caught off guard by Allison Casali’s invitation. He looked at Jenny. He didn’t want to spend more time with her. She’d already managed to weave herself into his life.
Just then the girls came back, both looking at him for his answer. It was Allison Casali who helped him out. “If Mr. Rafferty can’t bring Gracie out tomorrow to ride, we’ll do it another time.”
Gracie looked up at him with a sparkle in her eyes that he hadn’t seen in a long time. He had trouble taking a breath. Did it take so little to make her happy?
“Maybe we can make time tomorrow,” he said.
“Really?”
“Yes, really,” he promised.
He leaned down to take her sweet hug. Her arms felt so good. “Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome, Gracie.” He released her and she went off with her new friend.
He stood and caught Jenny watching him. He could see that she approved of what he’d done.
“Seems my daughter’s social life has picked up since you’ve come to town.” He looked into her eyes. Suddenly he was pulled into those dark depths. “Don’t expect mine to do the same.”
“Look out, Rafferty, you’ve already started by accepting the Casalis’ invitation. Just try to enjoy yourself.”
He wasn’t sure he remembered how to enjoy himself, but he suddenly realized he was looking forward to tomorrow.
The next day was sunny when Jenny arrived at the A Bar A Ranch. Okay, maybe this wasn’t a good idea. As much as she’d tried to stay out of the Raffertys’ life, she was smack in the middle of things again. She wanted to blame it on Allison, but she could have made an excuse not to come today. Instead, she’d been looking forward to it.
After climbing out of the car, she headed for the barn as Brian Perkins came out of the corral.
Just a hair under six feet tall, he had that slow, deliberate walk of a man who knew where he was going. His cowboy hat was cocked over his eyes, his sandy hair cut just above his ears.
It had been nearly nine months since she’d last seen him, but it seemed like yesterday. He smiled and lines crinkled around his hazel eyes, showing his forty-plus years. But he still was a handsome devil.
“Hey, pretty girl,” he called. “It’s good to see you.”
She expected that familiar feeling to tighten in her chest, but nothing like that came. She was only glad to see a friend. “Hey, cowboy. You, too.”
She