Little Cowgirl Needs a Mum / Once Upon a Proposal: Little Cowgirl Needs a Mum

There were ten twosomes. Even Allison’s daughter, eight-year-old Cherry, was here to work on her family quilt. That was good, since Jenny hoped to use her friend’s expertise to help with the class.

The one disappointment was that she didn’t see Gracie Rafferty. Evan had gone back on his word.

“Gracie didn’t show?” Allison asked as she stood back from Cherry, who was busy using a cutter on her fabric.

Jenny shook her head. “I did everything I could to get her here. I even offered to drive her in.”

Her friend smiled. “It’s one of the things that’s so endearing about you, Jenny Collins. You want to help everyone, but there are some out there who don’t want it.”

“I know, but Gracie was so eager to finish her mother’s quilt.”

“And she will … someday.”

No sooner did the words come out than Gracie Rafferty came rushing through the door. She was out of breath when she asked Jenny, “Am I too late?”

“No, you’re in time,” Jenny assured her and pointed to an empty space she’d saved. “You can sit here.”

Gracie beamed as she took her place in front of the portable sewing machine and next to Cherry. Jenny had planned it that way, knowing Gracie would need Allison’s help with the complicated pattern.

Evan Rafferty appeared in the doorway. Jenny hated the way she reacted to the man dressed in worn jeans, a navy Henley T-shirt and dusty boots.

She’d been born and raised in Texas, but somehow this man gave a whole new meaning to the word cowboy. It seemed many of the other women in the room were sizing him up, too.

With hat in hand, Evan walked toward her carrying a large shopping bag. “She’ll need this.” He gave it to Jenny and she looked inside to find the quilt from the cedar chest.

“Thank you, Evan, for letting Gracie join the class.”

He nodded and they walked back toward the doorway and out of earshot. “I didn’t go back on my word, Jenny. I hope you don’t either.”

Jenny knew she’d never do that to sweet little Gracie. “I don’t go back on my word, either, Rafferty. In your daughter’s case, I definitely think the class will help her. It’s important to her that she finishes this. What better place than with other girls her age? Where she isn’t outnumbered by men.”

They both glanced toward Gracie’s workspace. Millie was helping the girl lay out her fabric and the Double Wedding Ring cutting template. “Look at her, Evan. You have a determined child.”

Evan didn’t like feeling helpless. The day he’d found out about Meg’s cancer, he’d known he couldn’t fix it. He couldn’t save her. Worst of all, he couldn’t keep his daughter from losing her mother. It was a natural instinct to protect his child. It seemed he’d been doing it all wrong.

“She’s a lot like her mother.” There hadn’t been many things that Meg had left unfinished. No doubt Gracie had decided to pick up where she’d left off.

He quickly drew his attention away from Gracie and looked at Jenny. The woman looked like a breath of fresh air and bright sunshine. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail and she wore a yellow knit top with a long print skirt that seemed to flow against her generous curves.

She’d kept him distracted all week. He didn’t like that much.

“All Gracie has talked about all week is you and the sleepover.” His gaze locked on hers. “If you don’t have the time, let me know now.”

Jenny looked surprised at his directness. “The question is, Rafferty, are you ready for a half dozen little girls and me?”

No way was he ready for her. “Not sure I can handle it, but I’ll try.” He glanced away. “When will the class be finished?”

Jenny blinked. “In two hours.” She glanced at the clock. “Three o’clock. Of course, the game could go extra innings.”

He caught the baseball analogy and fought a smile as the high-pitched chatter of little girls serenaded them. “I don’t think you’re ready for extra innings, teacher. I’ll be back at three.” He said goodbye to his daughter and walked out.

She watched Evan leave, as did the other adult women in the room. The man wasn’t even aware of his sex appeal.

Allison appeared beside her. “Okay, what’s going on?”

Caught, Jenny glanced away. “Nothing. Evan only wanted to know what time class ended.”

Her friend crossed her arms. “And I’m talking about the intense heat between you two.”

Jenny shook her head. “No heat. I barely know the man. Besides, I’m not falling for another cowboy.” Two summers ago she’d nearly given up everything for the Casalis’ ranch foreman.

“Brian wasn’t the man for you.” Allison’s green eyes sparkled. “But someone like Evan Rafferty I can see you with. Good-looking. Sexy. He has a cute little girl, and most importantly he seems very interested, too.”

Jenny knew that wasn’t true. “What are you doing looking at another man?”

“Since I’m married to a hot Italian, I recognize attraction when I see it. And you two were throwing off sparks.”

Jenny lowered her voice. “Nothing is going to happen between Rafferty and me. He’s recently widowed.” She wasn’t sure he was ready. “And besides, I’m going back to San Antonio soon.”

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.