A Texas Holiday Reunion

The right thing to say battled in Colson’s throat. “Sure you don’t wanna stay for supper, since you cooked it?”

“I appreciate the offer. But I’m good.”

“Thanks for the dumplings.” Relief ebbed through his stiff muscles. “My favorite.”

“Yeah, I remember.” She shrugged. “And most kids like them. I didn’t know what Mom left in the fridge or if Annette had a chance to go shopping. So I thought I’d help y’all get settled in.” She scurried for the door. “See you tomorrow.”

And the next day. And the one after that. He rolled over on his back.

“Daddy, you’re not finished.”

“I know, princess. Just resting my shoulder.” She wiggled over to him, buried her head in his chest.

He’d passed the test. Resa had seen Cheyenne up close and personal. And hadn’t figured out that Emmett was his daughter’s true father.

Chapter Four (#uf97e750b-66b2-5735-a2a5-a71411503cfc)

Christmas lights bordered the entire storefront, casting a glow on Jed. Rustick’s former furniture crafter had his head bent, intent on his work.

“Morning, Jed.” Resa neared the church pew that had sat outside her family’s store for as long as she could remember. The grizzled man seated there was as much of a fixture as the pew. Wood chips and curls surrounded his feet as he dug his knife into the stock of the cane, forming an intricate pattern.

He looked up from his work, gave her a wink. “Morning.”

“Got that cane about finished? I may have it sold.” She adjusted the blueprint tube under her arm.

“I’m working as fast as these hands will let me.” They were gnarled and twisted with arthritis, but that didn’t stop him.

“It’s starting to get cold. You know you’re always welcome in the workroom.”

“It’s still pleasant enough so far. Your folks’ ceremony sure was nice. How’s the cruise?”

“I’m worrying they may decide to never come home. They’ve been sending me pictures from the ship. I can’t believe this is only the second day they’ve been gone.”

“Heard about Juan.” Jed nodded, never looking up from his task. “And the Kincaid boy.”

“You probably remember Colson when he trained with Dad and Mac here. Before we expanded to San Antonio.” Her heart did a painful thud. Why was it still hard to say his name? “I better get inside. I’m meeting with a client.”

She entered the store. There was a massive tree by the door covered in rustic wooden star, cross and dove ornaments—each intricately carved by Jed long ago. Christmas lights surrounded cedar mirrors, barnwood-framed paintings and even an ash dining table.

“Morning, Nina. The decorations look nice.”

“Thank you.” Tall, with salt-and-pepper hair and always stylish from head to toe, Nina had been with the store since Resa’s teenage years.

There were no customers yet. “Everything running smoothly here?”

“Like a well-oiled machine. Heard from your folks?”

“Having the time of their lives. Show Mrs. Birmingham to the conference room when she arrives.”

“Of course.”

Resa continued to the back of the store, entered the conference room, removed the blueprints from the tube and arranged them on the long table. Nina had been here, too. A small fiber-optic tree lit a shelf in one corner of the room.

The phone at the end of the table buzzed. An in-house call.

She grabbed it. “Resa speaking.”

“Colson Kincaid would like to see you.” Nina’s tone was all business.

But the phone almost slid from Resa’s grasp. The soft, instrumental, Christian background music usually soothed her, but every nerve ending she possessed jangled.

Nina cleared her throat on the other end of the line.

“Give me a minute.” Resa sucked in a quivery breath. “And then send him in.” She hung up, pressed her hands on the glossy live edge cypress table. Counted to ten. Out loud.

A knock sounded at the door.

She straightened, raised her chin. “Come in.”

“Sorry to bother you, but the feed store won’t let me put anything on the ranch account.” Hat clasped to his chest, Colson cocked an eyebrow.

Why could she never get enough air when he was around? His mere presence drained all oxygen from the room.

“I’m sorry. I failed to let them know you were on staff.” She grabbed a paper clip from the corner of the table, straightening and bending it between her fingers. “I have a meeting with a client, but I’ll make the call as soon as we’re finished.”

“I thought maybe you’d decided to work here to avoid me.” He sank into one of the chairs at the long table, ignoring her subtle hint for him to go.

She swallowed hard. No. She wouldn’t fall under his spell. It had been six years since he’d broken her heart. And she hadn’t missed him. Not one iota.

Even though she understood why he’d left her, he should have been man enough to tell her the truth instead of pulling a disappearing act.

“I’m not hiding.” Her mouth went taut and she gestured to the blueprints. “I’m meeting with your mother-in-law, actually.” Or was it former mother-in-law, since Felicity’s death?

“Hyacinth is coming here?” He jumped up, clamped his hat on his head.

“Any minute. I was shocked when she placed the order. Her first one with us. Always struck me as the Queen Anne type, but apparently her husband bought a cabin.”

“I have to get out of here.” He strode to the door.

The phone buzzed. “That’s probably her.” Did they not get along?

“I haven’t told her we’re here yet.” Colson scanned the room as if looking for a place to bust through the wall. “It’s complicated—I wanted to get Cheyenne settled first.”

“I’ll hold her off if you want to slip out the back.” Resa picked up the phone. “Yes, Nina.”

“Mrs. Birmingham is here.”

“Give me a few minutes.” She hung up, gestured to the back of the building. “Turn right in the hall.”