A Texas Holiday Reunion

“I’ll make you a deal, young’un.” Jed shot her another wink. “You get married and I’ll make you one.” His scrutiny shifted to Colson.

Colson shoved the last bite of pie in his mouth, took a swig of coffee. “It’s getting late. We best be on our way.”

“Look what you’ve done with all your teasing, Jed.” Marilyn clucked her tongue. “You’ve run them off.”

Running scared. The last thing Colson needed to ponder on was marrying Resa. Because even though he didn’t trust women, and had vowed to never remarry, after a mere four days Resa was starting to look good to him all over again. In a permanent sort of way.

She pushed her plate away. “It’s probably getting close to Cheyenne’s bedtime and I’ve got an early morning trip to San Antonio tomorrow.”

“Do we have to go, Daddy?” Cheyenne yawned, despite sleeping through church.

“You can come back anytime.” Marilyn patted her hand.

But not with Resa. From now on Colson had to avoid her at all costs. Only work-related contact. Period. And unfortunately, there would be a lot of that over the next three weeks.

“Thanks for the pie, Marilyn.” Colson stood, pulled out Cheyenne’s chair and took her tiny hand in his.

“Maybe I’ll see you in my class next week.” Marilyn patted the little girl’s shoulder.

“Maybe.” Cheyenne blushed.

Resa hugged their hosts and Colson opened the door for her.

Thousands of stars and an almost full moon lit the sky as they stepped outside.

“What time is Juan’s surgery?”

Her eyes widened. “Eight. You remembered.”

“The reason I’m here.” How could he not remember? He’d come prepared to stay until Juan’s return. If her dad didn’t let him off the hook, his six-week calendar officially started ticking tomorrow. “I met a breeder from San Antonio at the sale barn yesterday. I have an appointment with him tomorrow to check out a bull, so I thought I’d see about Juan while I was there.”

“I get to go, too.” Cheyenne yawned again. “You should ride with us, Resa.”

“Oh. I don’t know.”

So much for avoiding her. “I guess it really doesn’t make much sense for both of us to make the drive. We could drop you at the hospital, then go meet the breeder, check on Juan, pick you up and head home.”

“But I want to stay until he’s out of surgery.”

“Not a problem. Cheyenne is always up for killing time at the zoo.”

“Please, Resa.”

He watched the softening of her eyes as Cheyenne melted her resistance.

“Okay. I guess I’ll see y’all in the morning.”

“Six thirty-ish? In case traffic is bad.”

“Sounds like a plan.” She got in her vehicle as he settled Cheyenne in her car seat in the back of his truck.

By the time he got on the road, she was asleep.

An hour’s drive with Resa in the morning. And another back home. At least he wouldn’t be hanging out at the hospital with her all day. He needed to figure out a way to teach Cheyenne not to invite her along in the future. Even though he’d taught her to be kind. He still had three weeks of navigating around Resa. And the time couldn’t pass fast enough.

* * *

How had he ended up at the zoo with Cheyenne—and Resa?

“I can’t believe they haven’t gotten Juan into surgery yet.” She checked her watch again. “It’s almost ten.”

“Must have been a serious emergency for the hospital to get off schedule so badly. I can take you back. You didn’t have to come with us.”

“Yes, I most certainly did.” She smiled down at Cheyenne between them, her hands in each of theirs, fascinated by the alligators and crocodiles. “She asked me. But what about the bull?”

“If I buy him, I have no desire to keep a bull kicking around in the trailer for any longer than I have to. I told Mr. Mendez I’d call him once Juan went into surgery. That way, by the time he gets out, I’ll be back to get you. Bull or no bull.”