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.”
She liked Alex, especially since he treated his wife like a princess. “I figured since you were outnumbered by women as it was, you didn’t need another one giving you trouble.”
Alex laughed. “I like that kind of trouble.” He looked at Evan. “It’s good to see you again, Evan.”
“Alex. I appreciate you inviting us. My daughter has been looking forward to this.” So was he. The A Bar A Ranch was an incredible operation.
Evan glanced at Jenny beside the foreman, recalling how cozy they’d been earlier. So what? It didn’t bother him who her friends were.
“Come on, girls,” Alex called. “Let’s get our horses.”
The giggling twosome held hands all the way into the corral. Allison and Alex hurried after the girls and Jenny fell into step beside Evan. “Do you ride much?” she asked.
“Don’t worry, I’ll manage to keep up,” he told her.
“I only meant that since you work the vineyard, you probably don’t have time to ride.”
“I’ve done my share of cowboying over the years.” He nodded toward Perkins. “Is your boyfriend going with us?”
Without so much as a glance in his direction, Jenny kept walking. “Probably not.” Then she hurried on to catch up with the group.
Evan cursed. Why did it matter if Jenny Collins had a boyfriend? He had no time to care about what she did. Too bad she’d managed to get into his head anyway. How the hell did that happen?
CHAPTER FIVE
EVAN headed for the corral and spotted the line of horses saddled and ready to ride. Today was about spending the afternoon with his daughter.
“That’s
