The Lonesome Rancher / Finding Happily-Ever-After: The Lonesome Rancher

Louisa relented and made her way inside. Jenny led them through the store and into the connecting room where at a round table in the corner there were four women. “Ladies, look who’s here.”

With a squeal, the group of women got out of their chairs and hurried toward them. After several hugs and a few tears, Louisa composed herself, then introduced the group. “Jade, this is Beth, Liz, Lisa and Caitlin. The girls from the Quilters’ Corner. Jade is my nurse.”

They exchanged greetings with her, then someone asked, “Do you quilt, Jade?”

She shook her head. “I mostly watched my mother, and that was years ago.”

Another woman walked over. “Then we’ll have to get you involved with us.” She smiled at Jade. “Hi, I’m Millie, and I work here. I could get you started on something simple. Louisa can bring you in.”

Jade shook her head. “I think I’m staying pretty busy right now.”

“Yeah, Louisa is a handful, all right.”

Everyone laughed, including Louisa who said, “I can see how much you girls missed me.”

Beth stepped up. “You can’t believe how much. Dang, woman, I’m so glad you’re back.”

“I’m not back exactly. I still have a bum hand. I can’t make a stitch worth a darn.”

Jade could see how hard that was for her to admit.

“Come anyway, and sort fabrics, stamp blocks, use the cutter,” Millie said. “We just want your company.”

Jade could see that Louisa was touched. “You do need someone to keep you all working. How are the hospital baby quilts coming?”

“We’re a little behind. And there’s two babies due at the end of November.”

Louisa turned to Jade. “We make quilts for all the newborns born in the area.”

“Oh, my, how do you keep up?”

“We aren’t a big community,” the woman named Liz admitted. “But I have a feeling that Jenny and Evan aren’t going to wait too long before they add to our town’s population.”

With that said Jenny’s face reddened. “We’ve only been married a few months.”

Beth spoke up. “I see you eyeing those babies that come in here. You want one, and when a woman wants a baby, a man doesn’t stand a chance.”

Jenny blushed so badly that Jade felt sorry for her. “Just put in your order for the color so we can get started early.”

The bell over the door sounded and Jenny let out a breath. “Thank you, I need to go back to work. Nice to see you again, Jade. Hope you’ll come back so we can visit longer.”

“I’d like that,” she said, and discovered she wanted to get to know her.

Jenny made her escape as Louisa announced, “We were going to lunch. Who wants to go? My treat.”

“We all do,” Beth joked. “And I vote for Rory’s Bar and Grill. Sean Rafferty is working today. That’s Jenny’s good-looking father-in-law.” She raised an eyebrow. “As my granddaughter would say, he’s some ‘eye candy.’”

The women laughed and Jade wondered if she could keep up with these ladies. She’d soon find out.

With a wave, Jenny called out, “Behave. And enjoy yourselves.”

They headed down the street only about a block. Jade kept a close watch on Louisa, but she seemed to be doing fine. They crossed with the streetlight and filed into the restaurant.

The inside was dim and there were several patrons seated along the long oak bar. But the women took interest in the one male behind the bar, a tall man with thick white hair, an easy smile and a twinkle in his light eyes. He waved and the women giggled.

Beth directed them to a large circular booth toward the back. After they filed in, Jade situated Louisa on the end, then got a chair and sat down at the head of the table.

“Did you see him?” Liz said.

“Of course we did,” Louisa said. “Sean’s a big man.”

Everyone turned as the man in question walked over toward them. For his age of about sixty, Sean was handsome and kept himself in shape.

“Saints preserve us, I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Sean said. “What did I do to be blessed with you lovely lassies today?”

And charming, Jade thought.

“It’s just your lucky day, Sean Rafferty,” Louisa said.

“My, oh, my. The lovely Louisa.” Concern showed on his face. “It surely is good to see you out and about, and looking so well.”

Louisa nodded. “Living a good, clean life.”

He flashed a quick wink. “I’ll have to talk to the senator about that.”

That brought a hoot from the girls.

Jade found she was enjoying this. No wonder the women liked this man.

“And who is this lovely?” The big Irishman took her hand. “I’m Sean Rafferty, at your service.”

“Jade Hamilton.”

“She’s just arrived in town,” Louisa said. “She’s staying with me out at the ranch.”

“A pretty name for a pretty woman. I believe I have someone who would be interested in meeting you.” He glanced toward the bar and motioned to a guy. As the younger man strolled toward the group. Jade saw the resemblance right away. The difference was in the younger cowboy’s coloring. He had dark hair and killer bedroom eyes. Oh, and a wicked grin.

“Jade, this is my son, Matthew. Matt, Jade Hamilton, she’s just arrived in town. And you know all the other ladies.”

Matt was polite, and greeted the older women first, then turned his attention to her. “Jade. It’s definitely a pleasure to meet you. I hope you enjoy Kerry Springs enough to stay around for a while.”

“From what I’ve seen, I do like it here.”

“That’s wonderful news. And if you need anyone to show you around, I’m definitely available.”

“Thank you, Matt.” She was nervous with everyone watching her. “I’m going to be pretty busy for the next few weeks.”

“Yes, she’ll be working,” a familiar voice answered. Everyone turned to see Sloan.