A Texas Holiday Reunion

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “I think we’ve got a lot of good ideas here, Cheyenne. But what do you say instead of working, we go up to the loft and meet my cat and her kittens?”

  “There’s kittens up there?” Cheyenne gave her characteristic bounce.

  “Half a Stache, Pinocchio and their mom, Moonpie.”

  “Those are weird names!” Cheyenne giggled.

  “You’ll understand once you see them. Come on.”

  She tugged her coat on, helped Cheyenne with hers, and hand in hand, they stepped out of the office, into the wide galley between the stalls and over to the ladder.

  “Can you climb up okay?”

  “I love to climb.”

  Resa waited until Cheyenne was halfway up, then followed to make sure she got up into the loft safely. “Careful. Hold on to the railing.”

  The sweet scent of hay and fresh crisp air greeted them as they stepped up onto the planked flooring.

  “Sit here.” They settled on a hay bale side by side. “Kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty,” Resa called in a singsong voice.

  A kitten popped over a hay bale. “That’s Pinocchio. He has a black nose, so it looks like it’s really big.” Resa picked up the furry little animal and handed him to Cheyenne.

  “It does!” she exclaimed.

  Another kitten and the mama cat darted from the rafters.

  “Half a Stache has a black smudge on his nose that looks like half of a mustache. And Moonpie is their mama.”

  “They’re so cute. How long have you had them?”

  “Moonpie is three and the kittens are six weeks old. They’ve just gotten to where you can cuddle them good.”

  “I love them.”

  “Have you ever had any pets?”

  “There were cats and dogs at the other ranch. But they weren’t mine.”

  “Well, these cats like living in the barn. But if your daddy says it’s okay, maybe one of the kittens can be yours.”

  “Maybe both of them.”

  “And you can visit them whenever you want. As long as you get an adult to come with you.”

  “I’m so glad we’re staying here instead of going back to Kingsville.” Cheyenne snuggled Half a Stache close.

  “Me, too, sweet pea.” Resa didn’t know what she’d do without this child. If only Cheyenne wasn’t a package deal. She could definitely do without Colson in her life.

  “Hello?” a familiar male voice called from below. Emmett!

  “What are you doing here?” Resa’s insides went cold.

  “Mom and Dad are coming home tomorrow. Remember I said I’d be here, go to the airport with you?”

  “Is that Uncle Emmett?” Cheyenne scampered to the loft window.

  “Um, just go on to the house. I’ll be there in a minute.” She had to keep Cheyenne out of his sight. If he actually saw her up close and personal, would he change his mind about relinquishing his parental rights?

  Was it really fair to ask him to sign over custody when he’d gotten only a glimpse of her? But it should be Colson’s call on when and if Emmett got near Cheyenne.

  “I want to meet him,” Cheyenne whined.

  “There’s plenty of time for that. I’ll just run you over to Annette, since I need to discuss some things with my brother.”

  But she knew it was too late when she heard scuffling on the ladder and Emmett’s head popped up through the hole in the loft floor.

  “Hi, Uncle Emmett.” Cheyenne waved.

  Emmett went still, his gaze fastened on her. Then he lost his grip and bobbed around.

  Resa gasped. “Careful.”

  Regaining his hold, he steadied himself. “Hey, kid.”

  “I said go on to the house and I’d meet you there.”

  “I’m already up.” His eyes never left Cheyenne. “I’m Emmett.”

  “I’m Cheyenne. I never had an uncle before.”

  His sad gaze met Resa’s. “I’ve never been an uncle before.”

  “Come see the kittens.”

  Emmett climbed the rest of the ladder and stepped into the loft.

  Cheyenne gave him a hug. “I’m glad to meet you.”

  “Me, too.” He awkwardly patted her on the head.

  He was playing it cool, like he always did. But Resa knew deep down he was on edge. The pain in his eyes and tautness of his jaw proved it.

  “The kittens are named Pinocchio and Half a Stache.” Cheyenne grabbed his hand, tugged him toward the hay bale where they’d been sitting. “Have you seen them before?”

  “No.” Emmett settled on a bale. “I’m not really a cat person.”

  “Here.” Cheyenne gently picked up the kitten and held it toward him. “Half a Stache likes to cuddle.”

  Emmett reluctantly took the little black-and-white ball of fur from her. It was more than Resa had ever managed to get him to do.

  “My daddy used to not be a cat person, but then he held one.”

  Was that regret that flashed in his eyes? Did he regret not being Cheyenne’s dad? He couldn’t change his mind about giving her up. This could be bad.

  “This one’s Pinocchio.” Cheyenne leaned her head against Emmett’s shoulder.

  That flash of something in his eyes again... He cleared his throat. “So do you have some papers for me to sign?”

  “Not yet.” She could’ve cried with relief. Started breathing again. “So are you staying for Christmas?”

  “Probably.”

  “You should stay. I can’t wait to meet my new grandparents.”

  “So what do you want for Christmas, kid?”

  “A pony.”

  “Really?” Resa’s eyes watered up.

  Emmett caught her reaction. “What’s the big deal about that?”

  “Cheyenne used to be afraid of horses.”

  “Until I rode one on a carousel with Daddy and Aunt Resa. And then Aunt Resa took me to pet Cream. That’s Peaches’s baby. And then we rode Peaches together.” Her little face grew animated as she spoke. “And then I rode with Daddy. It was so much fun. I wanna do it again.”

  Emmett’s gaze shifted back and forth between them, as if he craved the bond they shared.

  “Cheyenne? Resa?” It was Colson’s voice, coming from below.

  Her breathing skittered to a complete halt.

  “Daddy. Up here. In the loft.”

  The cat and kittens scattered.

  “Cheyenne, hurry down, so your daddy doesn’t have to climb up.” So he won’t see your real daddy here.

  “But I want Daddy to see the kittens.”

  “They won’t come out with all the hollering. He’ll have to see them another time.”

  Resa shot Emmett a desperate, silent plea—Stay up here.

  He splayed his hands, kept sitting there, as if her world wasn’t on the verge of going off-kilter.

  She escorted Cheyenne to the ladder, started down, then helped her to follow, ready to catch her if she fell.

  “Daddy.” Cheyenne ran to him as soon as she reached the ground.

  He picked her up, swung her around and around as she giggled.

  “Now I’m dizzy.” When he set her down, she wobbled.

  He knelt, held her steady with a hug. “I missed you, princess.”

  “I missed you, Daddy.”

  “If you’d stayed gone any longer, I think I’d have had to bring her to you.” Resa smiled, trying to act natural.

  “Thanks for keeping her.” His jaw set, he looked up at the loft ladder.

  “Anytime.” Suspicious. Had he heard Emmett’s voice?

  “Did you bring my Barbie house, Daddy?”

  “I did. It’s in your room. Waiting.”

  “Thanks for keeping me, Aunt Resa.
I had big fun.” She gave Resa a quick hug, then tugged Colson toward the house.

  “Bye, sweet pea.” Resa kept a smile pasted on her face until they rounded the barn, out of sight.

  Emmett climbed down the ladder. “I’m guessing you didn’t want him to know I’m here.”

  She covered her face with her hands. “I’m toast.”

  “Why?”

  “If he finds out you’re here, he’ll think I set up this meeting between you and Cheyenne.”

  “Didn’t you? Trying to force fatherhood on me? It won’t work. I’m signing the papers.”

  She frowned up at him. “I had no idea you were coming.”

  “We planned this before Mom and Dad left.”

  Oh yeah. She’d forgotten all about that plan. “That was a lifetime ago.”

  “You’re telling me her being here for my arrival was an accident? No hidden agenda?”

  “Hidden agendas aren’t my MO.”

  “Touché.” His Adam’s apple knotted up. “You really forgot?”

  “My brain’s pretty much been out to lunch since I learned the truth about her.”

  “I don’t want to complicate things.”

  “You won’t. Just don’t do an about-face on the custody papers.”

  “I won’t.” Emmett stared off into the distance. “But she’s a pretty cool kid. As far as kids go.”

  “He’s done a great job with her. You need to let him continue.”

  “I will.” Her brother turned away.

  “You’re not leaving, are you?”

  “Isn’t that what you want?”

  “No.” Yet part of her wanted him to. For Colson’s peace of mind. For Cheyenne’s sake. But Emmett couldn’t just stay away permanently. Not without hurting their parents. “I want you to be here for Mom and Dad’s return tomorrow. Like we planned.”

  “But what about Colson?”

  “I just need to smooth things over, ease into it gently that you’re here, that it has nothing to do with Cheyenne.”

  “If he gives you any trouble, you let me know.”

  “He won’t.”

  “I’ll be at your house. Or should I get a room?”

  “My house is fine.”

  He disappeared around the side of the barn.

  Judging by his reaction to meeting Cheyenne, Colson didn’t have a thing to worry about. Yes, Emmett had been tense, and she’d seen flashes of regret in his eyes, but he was much too focused on himself to raise a child. And if it came to it, she’d testify to that in court.

  Cheyenne belonged with Colson. A man who’d given up his life dream to raise a little girl, who wasn’t even his.

  The Bonanza theme started up and she dug her phone from her pocket. William Abbott. “Hello?”

  “Resa, I have papers for Emmett to sign and I can’t get in touch with him. He listed you as a contact.”

  “Emmett is here at the ranch. He probably forgot to charge his cell.”

  “If he can come by my office, he can sign them today.”

  “Thank you, William. He’ll be there. Have you called Colson yet?”

  “I’ll contact him once Emmett signs the document. Once both have signed the original, I’ll file the order and take it from there. Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas.” She slid her phone back in her pocket. The perfect Christmas gift for Colson.

  If they were going to share Cheyenne, they needed to at least get along.

  * * *

  Was there a new man in Resa’s life? Colson strolled back to the house with Cheyenne’s hand safely in his. He’d definitely heard a man’s voice in the loft. And she hadn’t wanted him to come up.

  “So what were you and Resa doing in the loft, princess?”

  “Seeing the kittens.”

  “What else did y’all do while I was gone?”

  “Yesterday we colored, sorted shells again and went to church last night. Today I helped her design a new toy box. And then the kittens. And then Uncle Emmett came and I got to meet him.”

  Emmett? Colson’s blood boiled. “What was he doing here?”

  “I guess he just came to visit. He came up in the loft, but the kittens ran when I hollered at you from up there.”

  And Resa hurried Cheyenne down and tried to hide him.

  They reached the house. “I need to go back and check on something I forgot to ask Resa. You go on inside and I’ll be back soon.”

  “Okay, Daddy.” She hugged him tight. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “Me, too.” He kissed her soft cheek, drew in her scent, then set her down and watched until she scampered safely inside.

  As he stalked back to the barn, a red Ferrari roared out of Resa’s garage. The personalized plate caught his attention: 4U2 NV. For you to envy. Very fitting for Emmett.

  Without knocking, Colson jerked her office door open, rattling it with his force, and skewered her with a glare.

  She was sitting at her desk. Her mouth opened, then closed. “What?”

  “Busted.”

  “I totally forgot he was coming.” She closed her eyes, shook her head.

  “More like you weren’t expecting me back so soon.” He closed the gap between them in two jerky strides, leaned toward her. “You have the nerve to accuse me of playing you, then as soon as I turn my back you arrange for Emmett to see Cheyenne, hoping he’ll change his mind and want her.”

  “That’s not what happened.”

  “Why then? Why is he here?” His gut twisted. “Did it work? Is he challenging me for custody now?”

  “He’s here because Mom and Dad get back tomorrow. We planned it before they ever left. I just forgot.”

  “You forgot?”

  “My parents are coming home. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We’re having a big family gathering the next day. They’re about to learn Cheyenne is their granddaughter, that they missed out on five years of her life, because Emmett wasn’t man enough to step up and be her father. Then or now.”

  Colson’s hands shook. “He doesn’t want her, now that he’s seen her?”

  “William Abbott called a few minutes ago. The papers are ready and Emmett just went to sign them. And this will all be over with.”

  Why hadn’t the lawyer called Colson? That must mean the test proved that Emmett was the biological father.

  “Why can’t you believe that I’m on your side on this?” Resa asked him. “I truly believe Cheyenne is better off with you.”

  She was good at bluffing. But he wasn’t falling for it. Even if Resa hadn’t invited Emmett here, she’d hoped he’d fall in love with Cheyenne and raise her. But it hadn’t worked. Her brother was colder than she realized. Thankfully.

  Colson’s silence had her fidgeting.

  “All I want is for Mom and Dad to be happy and for Cheyenne to be part of our lives.”

  “Despite your recklessness with my daughter, it looks like you got your wish.”

  “She’s my niece. I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

  “She’s my daughter!” he roared.

  She jumped.

  “In every way that matters,” Colson went on. “And I’ll do everything in my power to protect her. You can be part of her life, but Emmett gets near her only when I say so. Are we clear?”

  “Abundantly.” A tear slid down her cheek.

  He was immune. Or pretended to be, anyway. “We’ll be all cleared out by the time your folks arrive.”

  “Will you bring her for Christmas?”

  “I’ll think about it.” He stalked to the door and stormed out. But he was all bluff, too. He’d take Cheyenne to her new grandparents for Christmas. He’d cave whenever Resa wanted to spend time with her.

  Beca
use even though she couldn’t fully be on his side against her brother, her tears bored a hole straight through his heart. Especially when he caused them.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Emmett pulled his Ferrari into the circle drive with a roar and stopped at the front door of Mom and Dad’s house. Resa let go of the breath she’d been holding and managed to extract herself from the back seat, while Dad helped Mom out.

  While they’d gone to the airport, Mac and Annette along with Colson and Cheyenne had checked into Landry and Chase’s dude ranch next door.

  “You really should get a more sensible car, son.” Dad shook his head.

  “Guess I should have let Resa drive hers to pick y’all up.” Emmett didn’t kill the engine after he popped the trunk.

  “You’re staying, aren’t you?” Resa ducked to get a glimpse of him.

  “I have a few errands to run. I’ll be back.”

  “We should have stopped at the grocery store.” Mom started for the house, then paused. “Will you pick up a few things?”

  “Annette left the fridge stocked and cooked soup for us before they left. I put it in a pot on the stove, ready to warm up,” Resa assured her.

  “Oh, good.” Mom clasped a hand to her chest. “That’s so sweet.”

  Dad shut the passenger door, went around to dig out the luggage. Hands full, he headed to the house. Mom took a rolling case from him.

  “Let me help.” Resa grabbed the carry-on.

  “Hey, Resa.” Emmett revved the engine.

  She stepped back to the Ferrari, ducked to see him through the open window. “What?”

  “Can you tell them? About Cheyenne.”

  Her insides quaked. “Shouldn’t you do that?”

  “You said you would.”

  “But that’s when I forgot you planned to be here.”

  “I can’t face the disappointment in their eyes. And you have such a way of...smoothing things.”

  She closed her eyes. “I guess. But you’re coming back, right?”

  “I’ll be back tonight. I promise.” His tinted window slid up and he roared out of the drive.

  Inside, it felt like home again, with Mom already warming the soup. Dad stashed the suitcases in the foyer and sat at the breakfast bar, while Resa made coffee.

  “I brought these for you.” She slid the financial reports from the store and the ranch over to him.