Little Cowgirl Needs a Mom (15 page)

Children. Evan's children. This dream was getting better and better. “I love Gracie, too. And I love you, and your dad and your brother. Your entire family.”

He worked up a frown. “Not as much as me, right?” he teased.

She looped her hands around his neck. “Never as much as you.” She pressed her mouth against his and began to
convince him of her words. It wasn't until they heard the sound of loud whistles that they broke apart.

He rested his forehead against hers. “Are you sure you can handle this much family?”

“As long as I have you, Rafferty.”

“Always.”

“Then bring 'em on.”

Evan raised his arm and everyone came running toward them. Jenny was suddenly surrounded by kisses and hugs.

No, she could never have too much love and family.

T
HE
past few months at the Blind Stitch had been busy, but happy times for Jenny. And today, Saturday, was her last day. She'd already started her new teaching position at the elementary school, and with the wedding next weekend, she had so much to finish.

It didn't mean she wasn't going to miss coming to the shop every day, seeing the customers. Jenny looked toward the table in the Quilters' Corner to see the familiar group. The ladies—Beth, Louisa, Liz and Millie, of course—had helped her through the past few rough months. She not only had a loving soon-to-be-husband and his family, but so many good friends in this town.

Since her own mother had learned that she would be testifying against Todd, she'd declared that she wanted nothing to do with her only daughter. That had hurt Jenny, but it had been Sean who'd wrapped her in a loving embrace and told her she was his daughter now. Also, the citizens of Kerry Springs had banded together to support her, welcoming her into their community. She finally had a place where she fitted in.

And the shop was a special place for her. She went to the window where her class's quilt was draped over the stand on display. Each student had worked hard to finish
her family blocks, and the end product had turned out to be very colorful.

Below it was the winning family essay, which had been won by Cherry Cole Casali. No one could compete with all the Casali family history, going back to Italy and England. Gracie was a little disappointed, but was happy for her friend. Jenny told her there was always next year.

Jenny turned away from the window and discovered the ladies smiling at her. Then she heard voices and glanced toward the back of the shop as Allison, carrying a large cake box, walked in followed by Cherry, Gracie and Alex and Evan.

Not that she didn't want to see her husband-to-be, but he usually didn't come into town these days. She realized they had planned some kind of party. She went and hugged Evan. “Okay, what's going on?”

“We just thought we'd stop by, seeing as it's your last day and all.”

“Yeah, Jenny,” Gracie said with a giggle. “We thought you'd be sad today so we came by to cheer you up.”

Jenny turned back to the table, where suddenly a large wrapped box had appeared on top.

She was embarrassed. “What's this?”

“It's a gift for the two of you,” Beth said.

Jenny had trouble accepting presents. She glanced down at her square-cut diamond ring that Evan had slipped on her finger only weeks ago. He'd spent far too much on it, but she loved it. She glanced up at Evan then back at her friends.

“But you all had a bridal shower for me last month. You didn't need to get me another present.”

“Okay, so it's your first wedding gift,” Liz Parker said.
“We wanted to give it to you here at the shop.” She slid the box toward her. “It's something for you and that handsome bridegroom of yours.”

“Open it, Jenny,” Gracie coaxed her.

Caught up in the excitement, she tore at the wrapping, then lifted the lid to reveal her gift.

She covered her mouth to quiet her gasp as she stared down at the beautiful quilt, folded perfectly to show off the interlocking circles with the date of the approaching wedding embroidered in the center. The pattern was similar to the Twisted Rope design, but different. The pastel shades of blue, rose pink, spring green and cream were stunning together.

“Oh, my. Oh, my. This is absolutely gorgeous.”

Allison stepped closer. “I hope we got your colors right.”

Jenny took the large blanket from the box and the ladies helped spread it out. She turned to her friend. “This is one of your designs, isn't it?”

Her best friend shrugged as she leaned back against her husband. “I came out of retirement for a few months.”

“We all helped,” Gracie volunteered. “We even got some of your and daddy's material.” She pointed to a familiar fabric. “See. This is Daddy's shirt.” Jenny remembered the soft blue denim shirt.

“I donated your bathrobe,” he whispered against her ear. “But I'll never forget how you looked in it.”

Jenny blushed at the memory.

Allison nodded to the group of women. “I also had these talented ladies who refused to quit until the project was completed. They wanted it finished before the wedding.”

“I love it.”

“Can't wait for those cold nights,” Evan added.

Jenny's blush grew worse. “We thank you all so much.” She hugged her friend, feeling the sting of tears. She went around to everyone. “I've never had anything so beautiful.”

“I learned a long time ago,” Allison began, “that the best quilts aren't about fancy patterns. They're the ones that are made with love by the caring hands of friends. Ones that tell a story. Millie, Liz, Beth, Louisa, Lisa and Cherry and Gracie all wanted to make sure that you and Evan had your new beginning. The beginning to your family, for future generations of Raffertys.

“Starting with…” Allison pointed to the block where Gracie's name was stitched in one of the circles on a pink heart-print fabric. “She chose this material and she worked very hard at sewing her name.”

“I practiced a lot,” the child said.

“I bet you did.” Jenny hugged her little girl, knowing she was getting a daughter along with a brother and a father with this marriage, which was more than she could ever have hoped for. She ran her fingers over the next circle with her and Evan's upcoming wedding date, then over the cream print stashing where each woman's initials were stitched.

Millie walked in carrying the cake. “You'll notice there's plenty of room for baby names,” she said. “And the ladies of the Quilters' Corner will add them at no extra charge.”

Jenny felt a warming in her heart. Evan and she had talked about babies. They both wanted children. Soon. “I'll treasure it always.” She stole a look at the group's smiling faces. “Thank you. This is so special to me.”

“You're special to us, too.” Allison hugged her. “We wanted to make sure you knew that this town is your family, too.”

“We do baby quilts, as well,” Beth Staley said, and everyone laughed.

Jenny felt Evan's arms tighten around her, holding her close. “First, we're going to produce next year's vintage, then we'll have you working on those quilts.”

Gracie added her request. “Daddy, can we have two, like Cherry's mom?”

Everyone laughed again as Evan drew his daughter into their embrace. “Maybe Jenny and I need to talk about it first.” Evan winked at Gracie and gave her a smile. “But I'll do my best to convince her.”

 

A week later, just after grape-harvest time in the Texas hill country, Evan knew he had so much more to be thankful for than just the bountiful harvest.

This was his wedding day. The beginning of his and Jenny's life together.

Standing on the rise, he looked over the vineyard at the rows of vines that lined the hillside. In a few short hours he would have Jenny to share all this with. Since the day she'd agreed to be his wife and mother to Gracie, everything had only gotten better for them.

“Hey, Rafferty. Are you having second thoughts?”

He turned around and saw his bride. His breath caught and his throat closed up. She was dressed in a long ivory gown of lace that draped over her slender body like a dream. She held up the dress's train as she made her way toward him. A white orchid was pinned in wheat-colored hair that had been pulled back from her pretty face.

He'd sent her a message that he wanted to see her alone before the ceremony, just an hour away. And she was here.

He couldn't find enough oxygen. “You're breathtaking.”

She smiled. “That was the look I was going for.”

Jenny was nervous and giddy at the same time. She gave her husband-to-be a long look. He was handsome in his Western-cut tux that emphasized his broad shoulders. He'd added shiny black boots that were the perfect touch.

“You don't clean up so bad yourself, Rafferty.”

He took her hand in his. She loved the roughness of his palms as he walked her to the edge of the rise, then he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. Soon she'd forgotten about destroying her makeup, or that two hundred people were to arrive at the ranch in about an hour.

She pulled back. “What is so important that we're breaking tradition and you're seeing your bride before the wedding?”

He grinned mischievously and her heart tightened. She loved this man so much.

“I want to give you something before everything gets crazy today.”

She sobered. “We didn't have to do a big wedding.”

He shook his head. “No, we'll start this marriage out with good memories. I want everyone to see how much I love you and want us to have a life together.”

“Oh, Evan, you don't have to prove anything to me.” She looked up at him. “I know you love me.” She took a breath. “We've all been so busy. So much has happened to us.”

Evan's partnership with Alex Casali was the beginning of their future. Alex was building the winery on adjoining property he'd purchased a few months ago. Evan had already started interviewing vintners to handle the operation.

They looked down at the now-finished structure that at one time was to be a winery he'd planned with Meg. Now it was going to be the Rafferty Family Vineyard's
new tasting room. That way, when their label, Rafferty's Legacy, came out, it would be at home. The first vintage would be bottled in a few years at the Casali and Rafferty Winery.

She went on. “It's like a dream. You'll get to work at what you love, growing your grapes and now you have your label.”

“It's
our
label, Jenny.” He gripped both her hands as his blue eyes gazed into hers. “None of this matters unless you're with me.”

Evan realized there were no truer words. He couldn't imagine his life without her in it. They each had their second chance.

“You're everything to me, Jenny.” He shut his eyes. “In only a few short months, you've changed my life. My daughter's life.”

“
Our
daughter's life,” Jenny corrected. “I love her as if she were my own.”

His heart tightened with emotion. He'd never known he could feel like this. “In a short time we'll be married right here in front of family and friends, but first, I needed to be with you, alone.” He gripped her hand. “I want to give you something.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a platinum necklace with a heart covered with tiny diamonds and a sapphire in the center. “Oh, Evan.”

“I know it's not the one you lost, but I wanted you to know that you'll always have my love, my devotion and my heart.”

She fought tears. “It's beautiful.”

He fastened it around her neck and kissed her.

She touched the heart lovingly. “Perfect.”

He took her hand. “It's time to begin our life together.”

Jenny knew she'd never been so happy. Together they
walked down the hill to greet their guests. She'd found her place with this man. She'd always known she could stand alone, but now she knew this was where she was meant to be. With Evan. Forever.