a staircase with ornate spindles was a dining room with a long table and half a dozen chairs lining either side.
“The Raffertys are an informal bunch. The kitchen is where our hearts are. Around food.”
Jenny followed Sean on into the big open room. Miles of cabinets lined the walls, and a solid counter displayed many appliances. There was a natural-stone backsplash that highlighted the area. But it was the wonderful aroma that hit her that made her feel this was truly a home.
“Please, have a seat,” Sean told her as he went to the refrigerator. “Would you prefer hot or cold tea?”
“Whatever is easiest for you,” she said as she eyed the connected family room with oversized furniture and a television.
“You have a lovely home, Mr. Rafferty.”
He set a glass of iced tea in front of her. “First of all, please, call me Sean.”
“Only if you call me Jenny.”
He nodded and continued. “And secondly, this house belongs to my son Evan and his daughter. My other son Matt and I moved in about a year ago to help out after Evan’s wife, Megan, passed away.”
She immediately saw his sadness. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
He nodded. “Thank you. It’s been a rough time for my son and the little one.” He looked thoughtful, then finally went on to say, “Anyway, the three of us worked out a partnership.” He grinned. “I’m not a rancher, that’s Evan’s livelihood and it’s now Matt’s too.”
“Is the vineyard yours?”
He shook his head, smiling easily. “It’s Evan’s, too. I’m just the cook and bottle-washer around here.”
Jenny liked this man. Had Evan been this way before his wife’s death? “Don’t diminish your contribution to the family, Sean. I have a feeling you do more than you’re saying.”
He leaned against the counter and arched an eyebrow. “I like you, Jenny Collins. So how long have you lived in Kerry Springs?”
“I worked here for a summer two years ago and was here again last summer for a visit, but I returned recently and took over running the Blind Stitch quilt shop.”
“I’ve seen the store. It’s across the street from Rory’s Bar and Grill. I tend bar there on the weekends.”
“Really. I haven’t been there.”
“It’s a nice neighborhood bar. A few friendly games of billiards and darts and a little dancing on weekends. You should stop by sometime.” He cocked his head. “But I am curious. What does my son have to do with a quilt shop?”
“It’s Gracie. She came into the shop interested in my class.”
“Did she now,” Sean commented. “Why does that not surprise me? She’s been talking about her mother’s quilts.”
“I’m here to see if there’s a way to help her get enrolled.”
Sean frowned for the first time. “Good luck with that.”
“Daddy,” Gracie called. “Can I go to Carrie’s house?”
Evan turned the truck off the highway and glanced in the rearview mirror at his daughter in the backseat. “Not on a school night.”
“It’s not tonight. It’s a party. A sleepover.” She hesitated. “All my friends are going to be there and I want to be with them.”
Evan wasn’t ready to let her go on her own. “If you want, your friends can come to the house and play.”
Evan looked at his brother, Matt, in the passenger seat. Usually Matt had never been shy about speaking his mind. Yet, since his return from overseas, he’d pretty much kept to himself, working the cattle operation and taking up residence in the foreman’s house.
His dad, on the other hand, had voiced his opinion many times about him isolating Gracie.
“Daddy,” Gracie called again. “She’s having a sleepover. And her older sister is going to put makeup on us and paint our toes and fingernails with any color we want.”
He tensed. She was too young for all that stuff. “I’ll think about it.”
Matt didn’t stay quiet this time. “It wouldn’t hurt to let her go. Give her that girl experience.”
Evan kept his voice low and controlled. “I don’t think Gracie will be deprived if she doesn’t get her toes painted.”
“How do you know that? You’re not a little girl. We got to do boy things when we were growing up.”
They’d had a rough childhood, especially after their mother had taken off, leaving her husband and sons. They’d been left unsupervised more than they should have been. It might not have been the typical home life, but they’d always got plenty of love from their dad.
“And look how much trouble we got into,” Evan told his brother.
A smile kicked at the corners of Matt’s mouth. “We survived, Evan. Kids need to learn how to deal with things.”
“Gracie has had to deal with enough already. So can we let it go for now?”
“Why? So you don’t have to deal with it? Gracie doesn’t have a problem. It’s you, bro. You’re the one who hasn’t moved on.”
Evan turned his attention toward the house and saw a strange car parked out front. He parked in his usual spot at the back and they walked into the house through the kitchen door. He heard laughter, then his breath caught when he saw Jenny Collins sitting on the bar stool talking with his father.
She was dressed in a pair of dark jeans with black boots and a red blouse under a short black jacket. Her blond hair hung past her shoulders in thick waves. He was suddenly irritated at the feelings she stirred up, feelings he’d thought were long gone.
“Man, oh, man,” Matt murmured as he removed his cowboy hat and placed it on the hook. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
His father finally noticed them. “Well, you’re home.”
Gracie came in behind them. “Jenny,” she cried and went to her. “You came to my house.”
“Yes, I did.” Jenny glanced at Evan. “I hope that’s not a problem.”
Not happy with the surprise, Evan hung up his hat, then crossed the family room. “Gracie, go put your books away and change into your play clothes.”
She started to argue, but then did as her father asked. “Don’t go away, Jenny,” she called. “I’ll be right back. I want to show you something.”
Jenny sent a challenge to Evan. “I promise I’ll be here when you get back.”
Everyone watched as Gracie walked out. But before Evan could speak, his father began, “Jenny
