Little Cowgirl Needs a Mom by Patricia Thayer Page A

were.
    â€œCome 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.
    â€œDon’t worry, I’ll manage to keep up,” he told her.
    â€œI only meant that since you work the vineyard, you probably don’t have time to ride.”
    â€œI’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
    E VAN headed for the corral and spotted the line of horses saddled and ready to ride. Today was about spending the afternoon with his daughter.
    â€œThat’s Cinnamon,” Cherry said, pointing at a little chestnut filly. “She’s my horse. And there’s Speckles for you.” Gracie’s horse was a small black-and-white paint.
    â€œOh, she’s pretty.” Gracie looked back at Evan. “Daddy, is it okay to ride her?”
    Evan knew his daughter was far from an expert rider. Brian came up beside the horse. “She’s real gentle. I saddle-broke her myself.”
    â€œThat’s reassuring, but I’ll be close by to make sure everything will be okay,” Evan said.
    Brian smiled. “I would do the same if Gracie were mine. Your horse is Diego.” He nodded toward a large black gelding. “He’ll give you speed if you want, but he’s also good on the trail.”
    â€œDid you break this one, too?” Evan asked, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
    â€œI’ve worked pretty much every horse on this place.”
    After Evan checked his horse, he found the foreman watching him.
    â€œSince you’re wondering,” Brian began, “Yes, Jenny and I dated a while back. We’re still friends and I careabout what happens to her.” His gaze locked with Evan. “I wouldn’t want to see her hurt. Her family has done enough taking advantage of her, so her friends look out for her.”
    The meaning was clear and Evan nodded. “Too bad you blew your chance.”
    After a long stare, the man walked off to help the other riders. Evan let out a breath. Where had that come from? He walked around the animal and checked the cinch. “Hell, I don’t have the time or energy to care,” he muttered.
    Hearing laughter, he glanced at the pretty blonde on her horse. His body stirred as Jenny turned to him and smiled.
    â€œGet moving, Rafferty,” she called. “We have places to go.” He suddenly realized that everyone was waiting for him.
    Gracie waved him on. “Yeah, Daddy, hurry up.”
    He mounted the horse and moved up with the group. “Okay, what are we waiting for?”
    Gracie grinned at him. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
    He felt his chest tighten, realizing his daughter hadn’t had much to smile about for a long time. He glanced at Jenny. Maybe he needed some help with that, after all.
    Â 
    About 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 gonethrough to get to a