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

twenty minutes later, they arrived at a creek. The sound of rushing water took them to an ancient oak tree arched over the water’s edge, forming a natural canopy. Large rocks and boulders were piled on either side along the winding stream.

      Jenny had only been here once before, but she’d never forgotten it. She also knew that this was a special place for Alex and Allison. She glanced at the couple who were whispering between themselves.

      She got the funny feeling that she was intruding, remembering all the stumbling blocks that the two had gone through to get to a happy ending. And they were obviously happy.

      Would it ever be that way for her? She glanced at Evan. He was helping the girls down, but he caught her gaze. There was definitely something there. Did he feel it, too? No! This was not the man for her. Besides, it was too soon for him, and definitely not the time or place for her.

      “Come on, Jenny,” Gracie called. “We’re going to eat.”

      She climbed down and walked to the clearing where Allison had spread out a blanket on the ground. Alex brought over two cloth bags that had been tied to his saddle.

      “I wonder what Tilda packed for us,” he said.

      Tilda Emerson had been adopted into the Casali family years ago. The one-time housekeeper and bookkeeper was now Alex’s partner in Cherry’s Camp for disabled children. Best of all, she was a great cook.

      Gracie and Cherry sat down on the blanket. Alex handed a bag to each girl. They found chicken salad and peanut butter sandwiches along with chips, fruit and soft drinks.

      Everyone chose a shady spot among the rocks. Jenny watched as they all paired off, leaving her with Evan.

      “Relax,” Evan said. “I won’t bite.”

      Jenny wasn’t sure about that as she took the spot next to him. It was quiet while everyone concentrated on food. The girls giggled over silly things, Alex and Evan talked, trying to skirt any business topics but not doing too well.

      “I hear you’re still running a cow/calf operation,” Alex said.

      Evan shrugged. “My plans changed when my brother came back from the army. We’re partners for now. He’s started a cattle-transport business, too. My main focus is still the vineyard.”

      “Are you ever going to produce your own label?”

      Evan nodded. “Someday.”

      Jenny could hear the pride in his voice.

      Finally Allison stepped in. “Whoa, guys. There’s no business, remember?”

      Soon the girls finished their sandwiches, then asked permission to go and walk along the edge of the creek.

      “Just keep in eyeshot, Cherry,” her father said.

      Once the girls took off, Alex removed his hat and laid his head on his wife’s lap. “This is the life,” he sighed.

      Listening to the soothing sound of the water, Jenny thought she wouldn’t mind a nap, too. She stole a glance at Evan. He wasn’t relaxed at all. She wanted to reach out and help ease the tension from his back.

      He turned to her. “What’s wrong?”

      “Nothing.”

      Soon Alex stood up and reached for his wife’s hand. “I think we’ll go for a walk.” He nodded toward the girls. “We’ll be close by.”

      The couple walked off, but Jenny wanted to call them back. She had a feeling that her friends had planned their departure so she’d be alone with Evan.

      “How do you like the view?” she asked.

      Evan finally looked at her. “It’s nice. Everything about the A Bar A is nice. Of course, when you have money you can have a showplace.”

      She laughed.

      “What’s so funny?”

      “If you only knew where Alex came from.”

      “I hear he has family in Italy.”

      “His mother was American, but she wasn’t around much for her twin sons, Alex and Angelo. They pretty much lived on the streets. Alex has gone hungry enough to appreciate the good life. And now he has Allison and the kids.”

      Evan glanced out at the stream. “Hard work is easy when you have someone to share it with.”

      Jenny hugged her knees to her chest, hearing the distant tone in Evan’s voice. Was he thinking about Megan? Of course he was. They’d loved each other. “It has to be hard to move on after losing the one you shared your dreams with.”

      He glanced toward the creek. “Sometimes sharing is overrated.” He glanced at her. “How serious were you and Perkins?”

      Jenny was caught off guard. “Brian? We dated a while back.” She knew now that she’d tried to make it more, but Brian had been right, they made better friends. “It ended when I returned to San Antonio.”

      He looked at her with those deep blue eyes. “You’re a teacher.”

      She nodded. “High-school English.”

      He grimaced. “Not my favorite class.”

      “I bet I could have helped change your mind.”

      His gaze grew intense. “If you’d been my teacher I would have tried harder.”

      The tremor in his voice caused her to shiver, and she had to look away.

      “Why aren’t you still in San Antonio?”

      “I’m on a leave of absence, but I hope to go back.”

      “What happened?”

      She wasn’t ashamed about what had happened. “I felt that one of my students was unfairly expelled and lost a chance for a scholarship. I tangled with the principal, and we both decided I needed some time to regroup.”

      She felt his heated gaze. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

      “What? That I’m in trouble?”

      His mouth quirked at one corner. “No, that you put a kid first.”

      She shrugged. “It’s my job, Evan. Someone has to be on their side.”

      He touched her hand, his broad fingers moving over the backs of hers. “Who’s on your side, Jenny Collins?”

      Between his voice and his touch, she had trouble putting together a thought. “My friends, Allison for one.”

      “So there’s never been anyone special, except Perkins?”

      She fought a shiver. “No one worth mentioning. And Brian is still a friend.”

      Another hint of a smile. “They’re all blind then. You’re a beautiful woman and distracting as hell.”

      She laughed trying to keep it light. “You have such a way with words, Rafferty.”

      “I’ve never had a way with words.”

      She doubted that. She also knew she couldn’t give this man anything. That didn’t mean she didn’t want to, but he was too dangerous. “Are you flirting with me?”

      Suddenly, he pulled back. Any hint of playfulness was gone. “Just making conversation.”

      The sound of the girls caused them to turn. Cherry and Gracie came running toward them, followed by Alex and Allison.

      Gracie dropped to the blanket. “Daddy, Cherry asked if I can spend the night at her house.” The girl took a breath. “We don’t have school tomorrow and her mom and dad said I could if it’s okay with you.” Her blue eyes widened in anticipation. “Please, Daddy.”

      Jenny could see Evan fighting with an answer. “Are you sure it’s okay with