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

Jenny found it easy to smile. That was just like those two. “Sounds like fun.”

He grumbled something. “I just want to survive the night.”

She laughed. “Buck up, fella, this is only the beginning.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Friday night arrived, along with a half dozen screaming girls and their thundering footsteps overhead in Gracie’s bedroom.

“Saints save us,” his father said, looking up at the ceiling. “What in the world are they doing up there?”

“I don’t know. I only hope the house is still standing in the morning,” Evan replied, shrugging. “Of course, Jenny’s up there supervising.” Then came another thud. “Maybe they tied her up and put her in a closet.”

Sean laughed. “That’s something you and your brother would have done. But if it happens, then you can go up and save the pretty lass.”

And who would save him? he wondered. Once the girls had found out Jenny was going to be there tonight they were even more excited to come. For him, having her in the house seemed strange, but to everyone else, she fitted in. She did fit in. Maybe that was the problem.

The sound of little girls’ voices grew louder, and then came the stampede of footsteps on the stairs.

“Brace yourselves, here they come,” Sean said.

One by one, three little blondes, two brunettes and one red-haired girl arrived in the kitchen. Every one of them had big hair and tons of makeup on those sweet angelic faces.

Gracie proudly climbed up on a bar stool. The other girls followed her. “Hi, Daddy. We’re having a lot of fun.”

“I can see that.” He looked her over, trying to find his little girl under all the makeup. “Trying a new look?”

“Oh, Daddy. We’re doing the eighties. You know, Madonna, Bon Jovi. ABBA, too.”

The other girls broke into a chorus of “Dancing Queen,” then fell into a fit of giggles.

“Daddy, did you know Jenny can moonwalk like Michael Jackson?

“No, I didn’t.” Evan looked at his dad and mouthed, “Madonna.”

Sean shrugged and whispered, “I’m sure Jenny has it under control.”

“All the girls think Jenny is way cool. She says we’re going to work our way through the decades. We’ll finish with Hannah Montana and Taylor Swift.”

Evan turned back in time to see Jenny walk in. Her hair was big, too, lying in waves past her shoulders. She wore heavy makeup, overdone on the eyes and lips, and some kind of tight stretchy pants that hugged her long sexy legs.

“Hey, girls.” She winked at Evan as she sat down on a stool. “Did you get something to eat?” She glanced at his father. “Hi, Sean.”

“Hello, young ones,” he greeted as he eyed all the girls. “Looks as if I have several customers here.” He leaned on the counter. “What can I get for all of you? Pizza? Chips? Ice cream? Hamburgers?”

After the girls placed their orders, the group got up and headed upstairs. Gracie stayed back and said to her father, “Don’t come in, because it’s for girls only.”

Evan nodded. “Okay. We’ll knock on the door, then leave the food in the hall.”

She kissed him. “Thanks, Daddy.” She took off to find the others. The music started up again along with a thumping sound. Evan glanced at the clock to see it was only nine o’clock. Just twelve more hours and they’d all go home. That included Jenny.

It was midnight and the girls showed no signs of slowing down, but Jenny was running out of ideas for things to do. They didn’t want to watch any more videos, or eat any more food. They were too far out in the country for a scavenger hunt. Maybe some scary stories.

She got the girls’ attention and started telling tales she remembered from school when something hit against the window.

The girls jumped and gasped. “What was that?” one of them asked.

Jenny got up, pulled the curtains back and looked out the second-story window. Down below a flash of white caught her eyes. “What the …” she began, when she saw the figure standing in the yard. It was Sean. She opened the window and the girls came to see what was going on.

“Sean? Is something wrong?”

“Sorry to disturb you, but I’m looking for some little ones who’d be interested in roasting some marshmallows by the campfire. Maybe tell a few stories.”

“We are,” the chorus of girls cheered.

“I’m too scared,” Carrie said, looking out into the darkness.

“Come on,” Cherry said. “Mr. Sean won’t let anything happen to us.”

“How about if we all go together?” Jenny suggested. “It’ll be fun.”

“We’ll be right down,” she called to Sean.

“Good.” He smiled. “Bring Evan, too. He’s taking a nap before the next shift.”

Already dressed in their pajamas, the girls all put on sweatshirts and shoes, then headed down.

Jenny was bringing up the rear when she stopped by the master bedroom. She knocked softly and pushed open the partly closed door to find Evan lying on the bed fully dressed, minus his boots. The lamp beside the bed was on and she could see he was asleep.

“Evan,” she whispered, but when he didn’t answer, she walked in and stood next to the bed. She stared down at the man lying on the bed. He looked so peaceful, so unlike the Evan who was usually frowning.

She heard the girls at the foot of the stairs and reached out and touched his arm. The warmth of his skin caused her to bite back a gasp.

His eyes shot open, and he quickly sat up. “What happened?”

“Nothing yet. We’re going down to roast marshmallows. Your dad said to wake you up.”

Her hand was still on his arm. “Sorry, I was catching a few hours sleep.” He rubbed his eyes. “What are the munchkins up to now?”

She tried but couldn’t seem to move away. “Sean’s going to tell stories out by a campfire.”

Evan stood up, and she started to back away, but he pulled her closer.

“Rafferty … this isn’t a good idea,” she warned.

“You’re damn right it isn’t.” He started to lower his head when off in the distance she heard her name.

She quickly broke away, but Evan refused to release her as he held her head against his shoulder. “Kids can be a pain sometimes. This is definitely one of those times.”