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“Gracie, I think it’s time for you to get bathed and ready for bed.”
She started to argue, then looked at Jenny. “Will you come and say goodnight?”
Jenny glanced at Evan. “Sure. I’ll help clean up here and be right up.”
“Okay.” The child stood and scurried out of the room.
Jenny looked at Evan’s father. “Dinner was delicious, Sean.”
“Then have another glass of wine, and savor it a little longer,” he insisted.
She shook her head. “Although it was wonderful, I have to drive back into town. Now, no argument, I am going to help you with the dishes.” She stood, stacked some plates and carried them into the kitchen.
Sean turned to Evan. “You’re coming, too. Because whether you believe it or not, you need to speak to Jenny about Gracie. And listen to her, son.” Sean headed out, and Evan followed. He hated that his father was right. Hated that he couldn’t seem to make Gracie happy.
In the kitchen Matt was already beside Jenny when they got there, but his father stepped in. “Lass, you get away from the sink. It’s Matt’s turn to clean up. Besides, most everything goes into the dishwasher.” He glanced at his eldest son. “Evan, why don’t you show Jenny around the vineyard?”
That was subtle.
Jenny looked stunned. “Oh, there’s no need, Sean. I’ll go up and see Gracie, then I should get back to town.”
“There’s plenty of daylight left. And I’ll keep my granddaughter occupied until you return.” He leaned toward her. “You wanted to talk to Evan, now’s your chance.” He motioned to the door and practically pushed them both outside.
Jenny could tell that Evan didn’t like the idea of them being thrown together any more than she did. That bothered her. Except for her stepbrothers, she wasn’t used to people not liking her. She worked hard to make friends.
“You don’t have to do this, Mr. Rafferty.”
“It’s Evan.” He tugged on his hat as he walked her toward a golf cart. “Jenny.”
She sat in the passenger seat as he walked around and climbed in. He drove off toward the hillside. “I usually walk, but this will be faster.”
“And you can get rid of me quicker.”
He shook his head, but didn’t say a word as they rode past the barn and took a trail up the bumpy hillside for about a half mile. The spring evening was nice. Quiet. Serene. Peaceful.
The cart stopped at the edge of the rise, he got out and she did the same, but had to hurry to keep up. The sun was just going down as they walked toward the rows of vines.
“The tour isn’t necessary, Evan. I only came out here to ask you a question about Gracie. I never planned to get invited to supper or involved in your life, your family.”
When he stopped suddenly, she nearly ran into him. He reached out and caught her, his touch burning through her skin; his grip tightened on her arms, but his strength didn’t hurt. Then their eyes locked and suddenly she couldn’t breathe. When she managed to suck in some air, she inhaled his scent of soap and sun-dried cotton. His gaze shifted to her mouth, then suddenly he blinked and released her.
With a curse, he turned away and looked out at the vineyard. Removing his hat, he raked his fingers through his hair as if gathering his thoughts.
He glanced back at her. “Look, I’m not social like the rest of my family. I prefer to be left alone.” His gaze met hers. “I have no excuse for my behavior the other day in the shop except I was worried when Gracie came up missing.”
Jenny could see the anguish on his face. “That’s understandable,” she agreed. “She shouldn’t have run off without telling you.”
“It seems she wants to spend less and less time with me.”
“She’s growing up.” Jenny saw the sadness in his eyes. “But there’s no mistaking that your little girl adores you.”
He straightened at her words. “I wouldn’t say that. We’re both having trouble finding our way around each other. Gracie and her mother were close.”
“It’s got to be hard for both of you.”
“I’ve been doing okay.”
They began walking through a row of vines.
“You’re lucky to have Sean and Matt helping out,” she said, wondering what it would be like to have family on your side.
Evan sent her a look. What did she think about Matt? He’d always been the more outgoing brother, especially when it came to the ladies. Was Jenny attracted to him? He stopped his thoughts. Why the hell did he care? He didn’t want a relationship. So far he’d been lousy at them.
They made their way to the hilltop and looked down the other side. He felt an ache in his chest as he saw the clearing where a large framed structure stood. Deserted. Incomplete. All construction had stopped two years ago, along with his future dreams.
Before he could steer Jenny back to the cart, she asked, “What’s that?”
“It was to be the winery.”
“Oh, you’re expanding?”
“Not any more,” he told her, then turned away.
She nodded, but didn’t stop. “How long have you had the vineyard?”
The long-time dream replayed in his mind. He continued to stare out at the vines. “The land belonged to my wife’s family, the Kerchers. As you know, a lot of Germans settled in this area. My in-laws planted the vines originally, then about six years ago when her parents passed away, Megan inherited the place and we expanded the acreage.”
“So you became an instant winemaker,” Jenny said.
“Actually Meg was already one when we met.” He’d give her the minimal information. “She’d gotten her degree at Cal Poly in California. I’m just your average, everyday cowboy.”
She studied him a moment. “I doubt, Evan Rafferty, that you do anything just average. My bet is you know every grape on this land.”
He ignored the funny sensation caused by her compliment and started back through another row of vines. “I thought you wanted to talk about Gracie.”
She nodded. “Of course. I want your daughter to come to my class.”
When he started to speak, she raised a hand. “I know it’s difficult for you to bring her into town every week. What if we find an alternative to help you out?” She hesitated. “She wants to finish the quilt her mother started for her.”
He’d hoped that he could put this off a while longer. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Is it not a good idea for her, or for you?”
He glared at her. “Doesn’t make any difference.”
Trying to remain calm, Jenny glanced around at the vines heavy with grapes. She’d dealt with obstinate parents before. “It does to Gracie. She’s going through a rough time and this focus on the quilt is how she’s dealing with her loss.”
Evan stopped. His sapphire-blue gaze locked on hers, causing her breath to grow labored. “And how is this class supposed to do this?” he asked.
The man was driving her crazy. “Remember, for the past year and a half your daughter has lived in a household of only men. It’s important for little girls to have other females to talk to,” she said, seeing by his blank look that she wasn’t getting through to him.
“Why are you such an expert?”
“Because your daughter picked me. Also, I had three stepbrothers who made my life miserable and a mother who was too busy for me.” Darn, she hadn’t meant to tell him that.
He frowned at her, but she wouldn’t let him ask any questions.
“Look, I don’t know you, Evan, but I know your daughter is reaching out. Don’t dismiss that.”
“That’s right, you don’t know me, or what my life’s been like trying to run this place and raise a child.”
“I apologize if I spoke out of turn.” She released a breath, hating that she still thought about her own rotten childhood, and especially about her youngest stepbrother, Todd. “We should go back. Gracie’s probably wondering where I am.”
She’d started toward the golf cart when Evan reached for her.
“Dammit, Jenny, I’m not the bastard you think I am.”
She shook her head. “I never said that.” She closed her eyes momentarily. “I never should have come here.” Once again she was getting involved in something that was none of her business.
“Too late now,” he murmured as they sat in the cart.
She was thankful that Evan didn’t comment anymore, but drove her back to the house. She didn’t need to get involved with this man or his family. She’d been there before. Cared about a man who couldn’t get past his first love. Not that she was looking for a relationship with Evan. Her hope was to help Gracie find closure.
They walked through the back door to find Sean and Matt still in the kitchen.
“Well, that didn’t take much time.”
“I need to get back to town.” She smiled at Sean. “Thank you so much for supper, it was wonderful.”
Evan’s father grinned. “Any time, lass.” He pulled her into a big bear hug. She couldn’t help but close her eyes and revel in the comfort of those big arms, then reluctantly step away, turning to his younger son.
“It was nice to meet you, too, Matt.”
“It was my pleasure.” He hugged her too. “Hey, don’t let this guy run you off.” He nodded toward Evan. “I’ll protect you from him.”
Evan wanted to slug his brother. Why did everyone think he was such a grouch? He caught his reflection in the mirror over the family-room mantel and saw his grim look. Damn.
Jenny started out of the room. “I’ll go and say goodnight to Gracie.”
Evan watched her leave, wanting to follow her, but knowing Gracie probably wouldn’t appreciate the intrusion.
His father came up next to him. “Don’t chase her off, son. At the very least Jenny Collins is willing to help with Gracie.”
Evan glared. He wasn’t ready for this. “Maybe I don’t want her help.”
Matt moved closer. “Oh, boy, I’d take her help in a second.”
“You stay away from her. She’s not your type.”
Matt exchanged a look with his father before he turned to Evan. “She’s pretty. So she’s my type.”
“She’s befriended Gracie, and I think that should come first, before you finding your girl of the month.”
From Matt’s earliest years, he’d had a well-known reputation with the ladies around town. He’d probably dated just about every girl in the county. Now, his eyes lit up. “Do I hear a little jealousy in your voice?” He slapped Evan on the shoulder. “Welcome back, bro.”
Jenny went upstairs to Gracie’s room. She wanted to make this quick, before she ran into Evan again.
She peeked in the door and smiled at the little girl sitting in bed, looking at a book. “Hey, sweetie.”
“Jenny.” Gracie motioned for her to come in. “Sit with me.”
She walked toward the bed and sat down. “For a little while.”
Gracie looked sad. “Did Daddy get mad at you ‘cause you want to help with Mommy’s quilts?”
Jenny quickly shook her head. It didn’t matter if he was.
“No.” She brushed back the girl’s bangs. “Your dad and I just talked awhile. How do feel when you look at your mother’s things?”
“A little sad, but mostly happy.” The girl glanced away. “I wish … I wish I could talk to her again.”
“I know, honey. That part is hard. But you can still talk to her.” Jenny glanced up at the ceiling. “She’s up there watching over you.”
“That’s what Papa Sean says.”
Jenny nodded. “She might not be able to answer you, but she’s listening. And if it makes you feel good to talk to her, then you should.”
This time Gracie nodded and looked upward. “Mom? Mom, I want to sew your quilt, but Daddy doesn’t want me to. He says I’m too little. I think he’s sad ‘cause you went away.”
Jenny forced a smile. “Now, tell her something that makes you happy.”
“I got an A on my spelling test.” The girl looked thoughtful. “And Carrie asked me to come to her house for a sleepover, but Daddy won’t let me go. He thinks I’m still a baby.” Gracie looked at Jenny. “Will you talk to him about that, too?”
Jenny was now catching on to this child’s plan. “Oh, Gracie, that’s between you and your dad.”
“But you asked him to let me come to your class.”
“And I’m still working on that.”
“But I hafta go to the sleepover. If I don’t everybody will call me a baby.” Tears flooded her eyes. “And I won’t have any friends.”
“Gracie, that’s not true. Real friends stick by you.” How could she convince a little girl to believe that when life had already thrown her the hardest knock of all? She glanced up and saw Evan walk into the room.
He must have heard Gracie crying. “What’s wrong?”
Gracie shook her head and buried her face against Jenny’s blouse. “Nothing.”
“It isn’t ‘nothing’ when it makes you cry.” He sent a look toward Jenny. “Tell me and maybe I can fix it.”
