A Texas Holiday Reunion. Shannon Vannatter Taylor

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      “You’re Colson Kincaid, right? Your dad’s a business partner of the McCalls?”

      “Right. I’m filling in as ranch foreman while Juan has knee surgery.”

      “Nice. Need a place to stay?”

      “I’m staying at the McCalls’.”

      The man’s eyebrow lifted.

      “Not with Resa. At her folks’ house. My dad and stepmom are house-sitting while they’re gone.”

      He noticed Chase visibly relax at that explanation. “You’ll have to forgive me. Resa and Eden were friends, so I’m a bit protective of her. Good to know she won’t be rambling around alone over there. Your dad’s a stand-up guy.”

      “Is Emmett not staying?” Colson held his breath.

      “Headed back to Dallas as we speak.”

      He let out a lungful of air. If Emmett had stayed, there would’ve been no way Colson could have.

      “I’m not sure why her mom thought he’d stay. But I guess moms only see the good in their children.”

      Not his mom. She hadn’t seen anything in him worth staying for.

      Colson surveyed the feminine room stuffed with wall-to-wall furnishings. “What needs to be moved?”

      “Everything frilly stays. My grandmother decorated this room. And my wife insists it stay this way. Grandpa did the rest. Everything rustic goes back into the great room.”

      “So which lady is your wife?”

      “The strawberry blonde in the green dress is Landry.”

      “Did she go to our school?”

      “No, but she, Eden and Resa were college friends. Not from around here. Didn’t you get married?”

      “To Felicity Birmingham. But she...” Guilt jabbed him in the gut, the way it always did when he was forced to talk about her.

      “That’s right. Sorry to hear it.” Chase lifted one end of the sofa as Colson grabbed the other and backed into the great room.

      Leaving Colson to ponder what Chase had heard about Felicity’s death, exactly.

      They deposited the bulky cowhide piece against one wall and Landry directed them on placement. Chase’s smile turned sappy at his wife’s nearness.

      Oh, brother. How long would their bliss last?

      A dozen more trips and the great room was put back together.

      “Thanks for all your help.” Landry flashed him a grin.

      “No problem.” Colson glanced at Resa. “If we’re done here, I’ll head to the house.”

      She ignored him.

      “Um, I’m not sure if that’s where Dad went.” And Annette had mentioned taking Cheyenne out for ice cream. “I might need a key.”

      “Oh, of course.” Resa grabbed her purse from a small closet, dug around in it and handed him the key.

      Their fingers grazed. His pulse kicked up a notch. And just for a moment, he wished she’d look at him the way Landry did Chase. But Colson had ruined that possibility six years ago and he didn’t need to fix it, because women couldn’t be trusted. Even if a few stuck around, it wasn’t worth taking the chance. Especially with his daughter in the equation.

      For the next three weeks, he had to help Resa with the ranch. Buy livestock, stay on top of upkeep and make sure everything ran smoothly. But that was all. He couldn’t let himself get involved with her on a personal level. His heart was reserved for Cheyenne. And after what he’d done to Felicity, he had no right to anything more.

      * * *

      As the door shut behind Colson, Resa relaxed.

      “Do tell.” Landry was on to her.

      Resa shrugged. “There’s nothing to tell.”

      “You might as well spill.” Devree sealed the last box of silk flowers with a screech from the strapping tape dispenser. “My sister won’t leave you alone until you do.”

      “She’s right.” Chase pecked his wife on the cheek. “I’m off to do something manly to make up for all this wedding fluff.”

      “You know you love it.” Landry shot him a wink.

      “No. But I love you.” He blew her a kiss and exited.

      Maybe Landry would go all to mush and forget about Colson.

      “So?”

      Wishful thinking. “His dad is my parents’ business partner. We went to school together. He was a year ahead of me.”

      “Is he the friend you mentioned once?”

      Why did Landry have to have such a good memory? “We were friends once.”

      “More than friends?”

      “I thought we were. But it turned out he wasn’t who I thought he was.”

      “Really? He seemed so nice.”

      “Yeah. I thought so, too. But I learned my lesson.” After he left third-degree burns on her heart.

      “Hmm.” Landry huffed. “I take it back. I don’t like him at all. But you’ll have to tell me why I don’t like him someday.”

      “Trust me. Not everyone is destined for happily-ever-after.” Devree rolled her eyes.

      “Says the hardened wedding planner.” Landry tsked as if there was no hope for her sister.

      “I can’t change the facts.” Devree dragged the tape across a box of twinkle lights with another screech. “I bet out of all the weddings I’ve done, only a dozen couples, maybe less, are still married.”

      “That doesn’t mean you should give up.”

      “It means why bother?” Resa held her hand up for a high five and Devree slapped it.

      “Well, while you two spend your lonely evening bemoaning the state of happily-ever-afters, I have a wonderful husband to cuddle up to.” Landry smirked.

      The very thing Resa had once dreamed of. But her dream had died. A slow, painful, tormented death. And now she was stuck with Mr. Dream Killer himself.

      “That’s it.” Landry stashed the last of the boxes in the closet.

      “The ceremony was perfect and I never could have done it without you, Devree.” Resa hugged Landry, then crossed the foyer. “I’ll see you soon.”

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