William Mann, Jessie and Monica’s real father, married her mother after she found out she was pregnant. The marriage lasted through Monica’s first birthday. Jessie was three the last time she saw her dad. She held no memories of the man. Only a few scattered pictures shed any light on the person who fathered her.

Damn if Jessie hadn’t fallen into the same path as her mother. As much as she hated to admit it, Renee and she were a lot alike.

Jessie’s high school boyfriend, Rory, stuck around long enough to take her to her senior prom. When Jessie confirmed she was pregnant, she actually wanted Rory to step up and take responsibility.

What a waste of a dream that turned out to be. Rory bolted the day after he earned his high school diploma and never looked back. Some days Jessie hated him for it; others, she was glad he didn’t stick around to screw up Danny’s life. A part-time dad who didn’t care was worse than none at all. A couple years after Danny was born, Jessie met loser number two. Jessie’s last boyfriend, Mathew, had convinced her to let him move in with her to “help out” with the expenses and then left with her full month’s rent in his pocket after two months. Jessie swore then she’d only date guys who had their shit together.

“Pat’s gone for good,” Monica told her while she put on a pair of stud earrings.

“How can you be sure?”

“Mom said his friend came over to her house and took all his things. I’m guessing that means he’s not coming back.”

Jessie toed off her shoes and sat on the edge of the bed. “That’s too bad. I actually liked this one.”

“I did, too. Oh well. You know Mom; she’ll have another guy by Christmas…New Year’s at the latest.”

“No doubt she will. Listen, Danny asked if he would see Grandpa Pat on Thanksgiving.”

“Oh no.”

“Yeah. I told him that Pat wasn’t his grandpa but just a friend of Grandma’s and that Pat was visiting some of his family for the holidays.” Monica was sharp.

“I knew this would eventually happen with all the men Mom has in her life. I guess I need to be more careful with who I allow her to bring into his life.” Jessie hated to have to avoid seeing her mother when she had a new man in her life, but in order to save Danny’s long-term feelings, Jessie didn’t have a choice.

Once Danny had started school, he’d asked about dads and grandfathers. Neither of which he had.

“Mom?” Danny called from the kitchen.

Dragging her tired limbs off the bed, Jessie walked into the other room to see what Danny needed.

“What’s up?”

“Do you remember about the party at school tomorrow?”

Jessie laughed. There were two flyers littered with pilgrims and pumpkins hung on her refrigerator about the party. Danny was superexcited about it. “Of course I do.”

“Good. The teacher asked if some of the moms could bring treats. Can you make those pumpkin cookies again like you did for Halloween?”

Jessie ruffled her son’s light brown hair with a smile. “Of course I can.” She’d just have to cut an hour out of her sleep and make it to the store to gather the ingredients and make said cookies before her next shift.

She would also have to skip sleeping on the day of the school party until after Danny returned home from school. With one day off between then and Thanksgiving, Jessie figured she’d manage only a handful of hours of sleep combined.

“Let’s get you dressed so Auntie can take you to school.”

More awake, Danny skipped to his bedroom and started pulling clothes from his dresser. Within ten minutes, the two of them had left and Jessie fell into bed.

“Oh boy, what is he doing here…again?” Jessie asked Leanne the minute the bell on the door leading into the diner rang and Jack sauntered in from the cold. He caught her eyes, smiled, and tipped his hat in greeting.

“I told him you were working,” Leanne said.

“Why did you go and do that? Don’t encourage him.”

“I think he’s cute. And so do you, don’t even try and deny it.” Leanne pulled a hot plate from the window and left Jessie’s side.

“Hey, darlin’,” Jack said while sliding into the swiveling seat at the counter.

“What are you doing here, Jack?” Jessie folded her arms over her chest and ignored the beat of her rising pulse.

“Checking on you.”

“I thought I made myself clear last night. Not interested.”

Not offended in the least, Jack grinned and offered a glimpse of the dimples that framed his lips. “Why, I’d love some coffee, Miss Jessie, thanks for offering.”

Jessie grumbled while twisting to retrieve a cup and the coffee.

She served him quickly before rushing off to take care of an order. The diner was busy this early in the evening with the late dinner crowd. Hopefully she could ignore the cowboy at the counter enough so he’d just go away.

Didn’t happen. Even after she ignored him for nearly an hour, Jack just smiled and waited until she couldn’t disregard him any longer. “I would love a piece of pecan pie to go with this coffee.”

“Do you want that à la mode?”

“Now you’re talking my language.”

Jessie went about preparing his pie, feeling the weight of his stare on her back the entire time.

When she set it in front of him, he rubbed his hands like a kid. “I love pecan pie, don’t you?”