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

“I’d like to do the same, but I don’t have a job. Maybe you can set me up in a job with your fancy friends?”

How did he know? Her mother. She’d probably mentioned her job with the Casalis in letters. “I wouldn’t ask any of my friends to hire you. You’re unreliable. Shouldn’t your parole officer help you find something?”

“I don’t particularly want to be a dishwasher or a janitor.”

“Why not? It’s honest work.”

“I think you can do better for me.”

“No. I told you years ago, I want you to leave me alone.” She felt the familiar panic as she recalled high school and Todd and his creepy friends. That had been the main reason she’d told the police on him. It had gotten him his stay in juvenile hall.

“That’s too bad, sis,” he told her in a voice that made her shiver. “You owe me, and you’re my best bet these days. What’s the big deal about helping out a family member?”

“You’re not my family. So stay away from me, Todd. I won’t help you.” Her hands were shaking as she ended the call. No, she wouldn’t let him get to her again. The three Newsome brothers had been trouble since day one, but Todd was the worst. She hadn’t been surprised that he’d gone to prison.

She turned around and saw Evan watching her. She put on a smile as he walked to her.

“Is everything okay?”

“Of course,” she said just as the bell over the shop door chimed and Gracie and Cherry returned, followed by Allison.

“Daddy.” Gracie ran to her father. “We need to go home because I have to find some material for the class.”

“You have a week before the next class.”

The girls didn’t like to wait for anything.

“But all the other girls have their moms to help them pick out their material. And grandpa’s fixing spaghetti and he said we need to bring Jenny and some bread home. Please, Daddy.”

He turned to Jenny. “Looks as if we’re outnumbered. Would you like to come to dinner at the Rafferty house?”

It wasn’t a good idea. She looked at Gracie and began to lose her resolve. The little girl would be disappointed if she didn’t go. “Sure, I’d love to.”

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