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

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 was caught off guard when he pulled her into a big hug. “I’ve missed you.”

“That’s nice to know.”

He released her. “Do you still hate me?”

She blinked at his frankness. “Let’s not beat around the bush.”

He sobered. “It was never my intention to hurt you.”

They’d dated for a few months nearly two summers ago when she’d been working on Allison’s cable TV show. It had been pretty intense, but there had always been something missing between them. She had been the one with the forever fantasies. When the breakup came, it had been more pride than her heart being involved. She’d gone back to San Antonio and her teaching job.

“Don’t worry, Perkins, I got over you a long time ago. So get over yourself.”

He tossed her that grin she’d once been so crazy about, but it didn’t affect her the way it used to. Suddenly she realized what Brian had tried to tell her: they were headed in different directions. As a divorced father, he wanted time with his nearly grown kids, and she wanted to start a family.

“I’m wounded.” He clutched his chest dramatically. “Was I so easy to forget?”

She fought a smile. “I guess I was, too.”

“No way.” His gaze locked on her. “I just wasn’t the guy for you.” Brian reached out and touched her cheek. “There’s a lucky man who’s gonna win your heart.”

Before she could say anything, she heard her name. She turned around to see Gracie running toward her, followed by a stoic-looking Evan Rafferty.

“Hi, Gracie,” she said.

She hugged the girl as her father walked up. “Hello, Evan.” She glanced over her shoulder, suddenly feeling uneasy. “Brian Perkins, this is Evan Rafferty and his daughter, Gracie. Brian’s the ranch foreman and Alex’s partner in his cattle business.”

The two men exchanged handshakes. “Evan. It’s a good day for a ride.”

Evan gave a curt nod. “Yeah, it is.”

This wasn’t going well, Jenny thought, not knowing why. “Brian and Alex also breed quarter horses.” She filled in the silence as the two men stared at each other.

“Rafferty. Is that Rafferty’s Vineyard?”

Evan nodded.

Thank goodness, the Casalis were walking toward them, Cherry hurrying on ahead. Her limp was barely noticeable these days. How great was it that a kid could go from a wheelchair to walking in barely two years?

“Morning everyone,” Allison called.

“Hi, Mrs. C,” Gracie said.

Cherry grabbed the girl’s hand and led her toward Alex. “Dad, this is Gracie Rafferty. She’s my new friend.”

“Hi, Mr. C.,” Gracie said shyly. “Thank you for letting me ride with Cherry today.”

Smiling, Alex bent down to speak to the child. “It’s my pleasure, Gracie. Any friend of Cherry’s is always welcome here.” He went to the adults and hugged Jenny. “Jenny Collins, it’s been far too long between visits. The twins want to know when you’re coming to read them stories again.”