Resa stood. “Ready when y’all are.”
“I’m taking Cheyenne to the barn,” Colson hollered into the house.
“Okay, I’ll come get her in a bit,” Annette called.
Cheyenne darted out, but Colson stopped on the porch, his face close to Resa’s. “You weren’t planning to take her without me, were you?”
“Of course not.” Not really. Sort of. Wishful thinking.
“I’ll decide if she steps a toe in the barn lot. Got it?”
She couldn’t explain that she’d only thought of going around him because she wanted to avoid him, because being near him made her long for the relationship they’d once had.
“What you say goes. You’re her father.”
His eyes dulled and he hurried down the steps. “Wait up, Cheyenne.”
Resa followed and caught up with them. Cheyenne’s little fingers sought hers again. Hand in hand, like a family, they headed to the barn, with Cheyenne skipping between the adults.
“Swing me.”
On the count of three, they swung her high in the air. Swinging and giggling punctuated the rest of their stroll.
At the barn, Cheyenne sobered with her first glimpse of Peaches, but a smile lit her face when she saw tiny Cream. “She’s so little.”
“She’s just a baby.” Colson picked Cheyenne up, leaned against the fence.
“Do you want to pet her?” Resa asked.
“Will her mommy mind?”
“Peaches is really gentle and proud of her little girl. She won’t mind at all.”
Cheyenne stretched her arms toward Resa. “Can you take me?”
Something in Colson’s eyes died.
“I think your daddy wants to do that.”
“It’s all right.” His tone grave, he handed Cheyenne to her. “Take her. I’ll go in first.”
He was obviously still worried Peaches might develop a protective streak as long as his own.
Cheyenne’s arms clamped around Resa’s neck, her knees around her hips, as Colson opened the gate to the barn lot for them.
“Hey, Peaches, Cheyenne wants to see your pretty little baby.” Resa strolled toward the mare and her foal.
“Her legs are so long.” Cheyenne chuckled. “She looks like a baby deer.”
“You’re right.” Resa patted Peaches’s shoulder as they reached her. Cream stretched her spindly legs when Resa knelt, and Cheyenne tentatively laid her hand on the baby’s back.
“She’s so soft.”
“Her coat’s all fresh and clean.”
Peaches nuzzled Cheyenne’s arm and the little girl sucked in a big breath, raised up and pressed her cheek against Resa’s shoulder.
“It’s okay. She just wants some attention, too. You know where her favorite place to be petted is?”
“Where?”
“Just between her nostrils.” Resa stroked Peaches’s snout. “You wanna try?”
With a slow nod, Cheyenne tentatively stuck her hand out.
Resa leaned until she could reach Peaches.
“It’s soft, too.” Cheyenne’s voice filled with wonder.
“Like velvet.”
“She’s so sweet.” Cheyenne giggled as Peaches nuzzled her hand.
“Maybe you can ride her some day.”
“Maybe.” But Cheyenne didn’t sound so sure.
Resa’s phone rang. “Sorry, sweet pea, but this is work.” She gave Peaches a final pat and turned toward the barn, digging her phone from her pocket. It was her floor manager. Colson got the gate for her, then took Cheyenne and set her down.
“Hey, Nina.”
“I tried to cancel the extra hotel room for tonight, but it’s too late. Either way, we have to pay for it. So I thought you might want to invite a friend.”
“Thanks for trying.”
“Other than that, everything’s taken care of. I confirmed our reservations. The hotel is right on the beach and twenty-eight minutes from the convention center.”
“What would I do without you?” Resa propped her foot on the fence railing, watched Peaches nuzzle Cream.
“Work more than you already do.” Nina chuckled. “Please promise me we’ll at least enjoy the beach while we’re there.”
“Feel free to enjoy the beach during our stay, but I’m pretty sure I won’t have time.”
“Make time. I’m fixing to head out, so I can oversee our display setup. And Ginger is handling the store.”
“Thanks. I’ll check in with you before I leave this afternoon.” She ended the call, tucked her phone back in her pocket.
“Are you going to the beach, Resa?” Cheyenne’s eyes were wide and dreamy.
“I have a trade show in Corpus Christi. It’s where furniture stores set up in a huge convention center and show off what we make.”
“Can I come, too?”
“Cheyenne,” Colson scolded. “We don’t invite ourselves along.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy.” Cheyenne pouted.
“You like the beach, sweet pea?” Resa asked.
“I love it. We used to go there a lot.”
“Kingsville is near Corpus.” Colson stroked Cheyenne’s braid. “We’ll go again soon.”
“I’d love to take her with me. Annette could come, too, so when I have to work, they could play on the beach. And we have an extra hotel room, since one of our salesmen had to cancel.”
“Can I, Daddy? Can I?”
“You’re not going anywhere without me, sweetheart.”
“Then you come, too, Daddy.”
Resa almost swallowed her tongue. “Sure, you both could come.” She wouldn’t mind Cheyenne and Annette coming along. But not Colson. Surely he wouldn’t agree. “But your daddy may not be able to get away from the ranch.”
“But Daddy bought all the cattle and Mr. Leon is here. Daddy just tells Mr. Leon what to do, so he could do that before he leaves.”
Colson gave a sheepish look. “I do a bit more than that.”
Resa laughed. “Sounds like Mr. Leon might need a raise.”
“Please, Daddy. It’s been forever since we’ve gone to the beach.”
“Only if Resa is okay with me leaving Leon in charge, and if she’ll let me pay for the room.”
“Please, Resa.”
She was out of excuses. “Leon can handle things here. But you don’t have to pay—the room is yours if you want it.” She held her breath.
“I insist on paying. We better pack your bags, princess.”
“Yay!” Cheyenne hugged his neck.
“Resa will be working, so we may not even see her during our stay.”
“But we can ride together all the way there. And all the way back home. Right?”
It just kept getting worse.
“Resa will need her car while she’s there.”
A reprieve.
“Oh.” Cheyenne frowned. “But whoever called is going, too. Right?”
“My floor manager, Nina, is leaving soon.” It really didn’t make sense for Colson and Resa to both make the drive this afternoon.
“You can ride with us, then with her for work stuff once you get there, right?” Cheyenne looked so hopeful.
At past trade shows, she and other employees had done exactly that.
“It’s settled then. What time do we need to leave?” Colson asked.
“About one, so we can miss rush hour. Be sure and tell Leon to keep a close watch on Peaches and Cream.”
“Will do.” He checked his watch. “We’ll be ready.”
Once they got there, they’d go their separate ways. Running into Cheyenne, borrowing her for some beach fun in the evenings, would be nice. But Resa would not spend the weekend with Colson.
>
* * *
“You sure you’ll be all right back there?” Colson caught Resa’s gaze in his rearview mirror.
“I’m fine.” She smiled toward Cheyenne, who was beside her. “I want to sit with this one.”
“You let me know if you start feeling bad.”
“Are you sick, Resa?”
“No, sweet pea. I just get carsick sometimes, especially if I sit in the back. But I took a pill that helps with it. So I should be fine.”
“Sometimes I get carsick, too. I’m not big enough to sit in the front yet. But Daddy says I will be someday soon.” Cheyenne chattered about everything from Disney princesses to her favorite nail polish for the next several miles, then fell silent.
“Did you decide to let Resa get a word in?”
No response.
“Cheyenne, are you okay?” A tinge of worry rang in Resa’s voice.
He adjusted his mirror so he could see her. His little girl was pale.
“Cheyenne? Are you all right?”
She met his gaze with a slight shake of her head.
“I’m pulling over at this gas station. Just hang on.”
Cheyenne didn’t say a word. Her eyes were huge, staring at Resa.
He pulled into the gas station. They’d barely stopped rolling when Resa bailed, zipped around the car and helped Cheyenne out.
His daughter lost it, just outside the car, then started to cry. “I made a mess.”
“It’s okay, sweet pea.” Resa knelt to comfort her, oblivious of the puddle. “You didn’t mean to.”
A gray-haired woman exited the store. “Oh my.”
Cheyenne pulled away from Resa, her cheeks going redder. “I got carsick.”
“Don’t you worry.” The older woman winked at Cheyenne. “Your mama will take good care of you.”
Resa gasped. “Oh no, I’m not her mom.”
“Really? Well, she’s the spitting image of you.”
A steel band closed around Colson’s chest. “Their coloring is similar, huh?”
“I want her to be my mommy.” Cheyenne sounded sad.
“Well, I hope you get your wish.” The woman climbed into her car, then waved as she backed up.
“Let’s go in the bathroom.” Resa stood. “We’ll wash your face and I always keep a spare toothbrush in my purse. That’ll make you feel better.”
“Okay.” Cheyenne clasped her hand.
Inside the store, they searched out the ladies’ room. Hand in hand, Resa and Cheyenne disappeared inside. For once, Colson was glad Resa was with them. He couldn’t have gone in with Cheyenne to help her clean up. And he hated taking her to the men’s room.
Cheyenne was right. She needed a mom. But Resa was her aunt. And he couldn’t let them discover the truth. Yet a complete stranger had seen it—a close call.
He strolled to the counter. “My daughter had a little accident in your parking lot.”
“I saw.” The kind-eyed man at the register winced. “Poor thing.”
“Carsick. Is there a water hose I could clean it up with?”
“Don’t worry. My son will take care of it. He broke curfew last night and I’ve been trying to come up with the perfect punishment.”
“You’re welcome?” Colson managed a smile.
Minutes later, the door opened. Cheyenne came out, looking not as pale or as sad.
“There we go.” Resa pressed a wet cloth to one cheek, then the other, then across her forehead.
“Oh, that feels good.”
“Maybe we should just sit outside for a bit. Fresh air usually helps.”
Colson opened the door for them, then took Cheyenne’s free hand and cut around the side of the store.
“We’ll just sit here until you feel okay.” Resa plopped down on the curb, pulled Cheyenne into her lap. “Take as long as you need.”
“I’m tired.”
“Maybe you can sleep the rest of the drive.”
“Come sit with us, Daddy.”
He settled beside Resa. Despite the good foot of space he kept between them, he could feel her nearness. Smell her perfume. He should have never let Cheyenne talk him into this trip. Once they arrived at Corpus, he and Cheyenne needed to avoid her. Not see each other again, until Sunday afternoon for the trip home.
“I’m sorry I didn’t realize she was feeling ill. I should have been watching her. But I was looking at the road so I wouldn’t get sick myself.”
“It’s not your fault. I should have fed her a lighter breakfast. I should know by now she doesn’t travel very far on a full stomach.”
“I think she’s asleep.”
Colson leaned forward to get a glimpse of Cheyenne’s face. “She is. Poor baby, she’ll probably sleep the rest of the way. Let me take her.”
“I’m fine, if you can help me up.” With her arm around Cheyenne, Resa reached her hand toward him.
“You won’t be able to get her high enough to reach her car seat in the truck.”
“I guess you’re right. I think she weighs twice as much when she’s asleep.”
“I know, trust me.” He stood, scooped Cheyenne into his arms. “I’ve got her.”
They strolled to the vehicle and Resa opened the door, then situated the belt on the car seat. Cheyenne barely stirred as he settled her in place and strapped her in. By the time he shut the door, Resa was buckling her seat belt beside Cheyenne in the back.
“Look. I’m sorry we crashed your trip,” he said as he climbed in. “I got excited because Cheyenne was raring to go the beach. It’s been a long time since she’s been enthusiastic about anything.”
“You didn’t crash my trip. She’s an absolute doll and I want her to have fun. In fact, I don’t know what I’ll do when y’all leave.”
His gaze collided with hers in the rearview mirror.
“I mean—I’ll miss Cheyenne.”
He started the engine. Resa and Cheyenne were getting way too close. Which meant she was getting way too close to discovering the truth. He could lose his little girl...the way he was losing his heart to Resa all over again.
Chapter Eleven
Her feet aching, her shoulders stiff and her back sore, Resa got in the elevator after a long day on the convention floor. As the door started to slide closed, she heard a pair of rushing feet.
“Hold, please.” It was Colson, carrying a droopy-eyed Cheyenne.
She stopped the door.
“Resa!” Cheyenne roused as her dad stepped in.
“Thanks. How’d it go today?” he asked.
“Lots of orders from the spring and summer lines.” She hadn’t seen them since they’d checked in yesterday afternoon, even though their room was right across the hall. “Somebody looks sleepy.”
“Will you tuck me in?”
Like a mother. The last thing she wanted to do. And yet the thing she wanted to do most. “If your daddy doesn’t mind.”
“Resa might be too tired.”
“I’m fine.” Why hadn’t she taken the out he offered?
The elevator stopped several times, more people getting on and off, and they fell into silence.
“I’m tired, Daddy.” Cheyenne yawned again.
“I know, princess. We’re almost there.”
The elevator stopped on their floor and they exited.
Maybe Cheyenne was already asleep, which would let her off the hook.
They reached their rooms and Cheyenne’s little head popped up. “You’re still tucking me in, right, Resa?”
“Of course.”
Colson unlocked the door and she followed him inside. The suite was much like hers.
“The bedroom’s through here.” He ushered her ahead of him.
&nb
sp; Two queen beds, as opposed to her single king.
He set Cheyenne on one of them. “Let me get your pajamas.” He dug in a pink suitcase.
“I can get her changed.”
“Okay.” Disappointment echoed clear in his voice. He handed over a pink flannel nightgown decorated with princesses, and stepped back into the living room, closing the door behind him.
Minutes later, Cheyenne was tucked in, already sound asleep. Resa eased the door open, closed it silently. Colson sat on the couch.
“She asleep already?”
“Pretty much fell asleep sitting up.”
“It was a big day for her. For you, too. Thanks for taking time to tuck her in, even though you’re dead on your feet.” He patted the cushion beside him. “Have a seat.”
“I enjoyed it.” She sank onto the couch, careful to keep a good two feet of space between them.
“You’re good with her. Felicity was always awkward around her. Didn’t spend much time with her daughter at all.”
Resa’s heart clenched. How could a mother be awkward around her child?
“It’s like they never bonded. I tried to make up for it by lavishing her with affection. But little girls need their mommies.”
“You’ve done a great job with her. Does she remember much about Felicity?”
“I don’t think so.” He leaned back, propped his feet on the coffee table. “Probably a good thing. We argued a lot.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too.” He leaned his head back, stared at the ceiling, as if he’d somehow find the answers there. “We never got along. Before Cheyenne, we’d fight, break up, get together again. I don’t know why we didn’t go our separate ways. I guess you figured out Cheyenne was the only reason I married her.”
“It didn’t get better after she was born?”
“She cheated on me. More than once.”
“I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were so miserable.” He’d done the right thing. Giving Cheyenne his name. Supporting them. Yet Felicity hadn’t appreciated his effort. Had she known about Resa? That he’d sacrificed their future to do right by Felicity?
“After Felicity and my mom, I’ve given up on trusting women.” He closed his eyes. “No offense. Cheyenne is the one bright spot. It was worth it, since I got her out of the relationship.”
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