“This one says it’s from Resa, Daddy.”
“You got me something, too?” His chest went all soft inside despite the tension between them.
“It was last-minute.”
Cheyenne handed him a brightly wrapped shirt box.
He ripped the nativity scene paper away, removed the lid, to find an official-looking document inside. Had Emmett changed his mind? Was it an order to turn Cheyenne over to him? Colson’s heart stopped and his hands shook as he scanned the legal jargon. But it wasn’t that. He saw Emmett’s signature at the bottom—signing his parental rights over to him.
“What is it, Daddy?”
“Nothing, princess.” Everything. He clasped the document to his chest. “Just some papers.”
Cheyenne frowned at him. “That’s a weird gift.”
Laughter clogged in his throat. “It’s exactly what I wanted. Thank you, Resa.” He sought her gaze. If she was all for Emmett raising Cheyenne, why would she give him the papers?
“It’s just a copy.” She gave a stiff shrug, looked away. “Did William Abbott get in touch with you?”
“My cell phone belonged to King’s Ranch, so I had to turn it in. Cheyenne and I went for a horseback ride this morning, got back in time to change clothes and come here.”
“He said to call him. He’ll probably be willing to meet you tonight, even though it’s Christmas Eve.”
She’d given him the thing he wanted most, even after engineering the meeting between Emmett and Cheyenne. Though Colson was starting to rethink that. This wasn’t the kind of thing a woman with an agenda would do. “I have something for y’all, too.” He picked up the three gift bags he’d brought in with him. “Can you pass them out, princess?”
Cheyenne bounded over to him, grabbed the bags, handed one to Resa and one to Maryann.
Both women dug through tissue paper Cheyenne had carefully placed in the bags.
“Oh my.” Resa clasped a hand to her mouth.
Maryann had much the same reaction.
“They’re memory books, with lots and lots of pictures of me to fill the pages with.”
“I thought Cheyenne could help y’all put the pictures in.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Maryann’s voice caught.
“I figure since y’all missed a lot of years, this might help.” He gestured to a third bag by his feet. “I got one for Hyacinth, too, with copies of all the pictures for her.”
“That’s so thoughtful.” Resa’s eyes were damp. “Thank you. I’m sure Hyacinth will love it.”
“Can I invite Gramps Nigel to Christmas here?” Cheyenne piped up. “And I guess...Mimi, too?”
Colson’s nerves went into overdrive. “Mind your manners, princess. We don’t invite extra guests to someone else’s house.” And Emmett’s presence would be enough to deal with. The Birminghams could not come. Not unless he told them the truth first.
“Actually, that’s a very nice idea.” Maryann shifted Cheyenne’s weight. “I’ll call and invite them.”
Resa’s eyes widened, caught his gaze. “I’m not sure we’ll have enough food, Mom.”
“Oh, of course we will. The café always has those huge trays.” Maryann gave Cheyenne a squeeze. “Next year, I’ll let you help me bake a turkey. But this year, since we just got home, we’re having our Christmas dinner catered by the dude ranch next door.”
But Colson couldn’t even think about food. He couldn’t risk the Birminghams hearing about Cheyenne’s connection to the McCalls at the Christmas gathering. And he couldn’t ask everyone involved to lie.
There was no choice. He’d have to come clean. Tonight.
“Can we talk?” Resa whispered.
Duncan and Maryann were so focused on Cheyenne, they didn’t know anyone else existed.
“Sure.” Even though it wasn’t on his wish list.
“Outside.” She ushered him into the hall, grabbed their jackets.
They stepped out without the others noticing.
“Before you start yelling.” She settled on the porch swing. “I didn’t think to tell them Hyacinth and Nigel don’t know about Emmett.”
“I’m done with yelling. And with secrets.” Colson chose a chair to her right.
“I think we’ve had enough of both.” Her words came out clipped.
He looked up into the sky, layered with puffy white clouds. “Did Emmett tell you he had to have a paternity test before he could sign her over to me?”
“No. But I guess it makes sense.”
“The lawyer asked if it was possible for me to be her father. I’d never considered that after Felicity’s confession. But for a moment, I allowed myself to dream. It was a good dream.” He closed his eyes.
“It doesn’t matter now. She’s yours,” Resa said.
“She is. And I’m grateful. But I’m still so scared of losing her. What if Hyacinth decides to cause trouble.”
The porch swing creaked. “Want me to go with you to tell them?”
Could he trust her motives? “I’ll handle it.”
“Look, I’m not excited about spending time with you, either, but since we’re both part of Cheyenne’s life, we need to get used to it. And I don’t want Hyacinth getting any ideas about custody.”
What agenda could she have, other than trying to help? Hyacinth and Nigel might have even more legal right to Cheyenne than Duncan and Maryann, since they were her maternal grandparents. Maybe he did need backup.
“Okay.”
Resa’s jaw dropped. “I’ll go tell them we’re running an errand. Cheyenne will be fine here.” She stopped the swing. Stood.
“What time will Emmett get back?”
“Not until at least seven or eight.”
“You’re certain?” He studied her face, searching for the tiniest hint of duplicity.
“I promise.”
“I’ll go in with you, let her know I’ll be gone for a little while.” But she wouldn’t miss him.
As more people crowded into Cheyenne’s life, Colson couldn’t help feeling as if he was losing her. He’d been the center of her universe until now. Even if no one challenged him for custody, the people in her world were multiplying faster than his wary heart could keep up with.
Adding to his unease was Resa. He’d bawled her out yesterday and today, she was still helping him. Despite his misgivings, his heart was shifting back in her favor.
Chapter Eighteen
“I can’t believe you kept this from us.” Hyacinth dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
This wasn’t going well. Nerves tingling, caught up in someone else’s drama, Resa was at a loss on how to help.
“First you kill our daughter. And then you fail to tell us you have no biological ties to our granddaughter.”
“Stop it, Hyacinth.” Nigel’s tone held warning. “You saw the report on Felicity’s blood alcohol level. She had no business getting on a horse.”
“But he didn’t stop her.” Hyacinth jabbed a finger at Colson.
“Did you ever try to stop Felicity from doing whatever she set her mind on? Not an easy task, especially when she was drunk. And I suspect Colson was trying to take care of Cheyenne that day. Felicity certainly never paid her any mind.”
“She didn’t get drunk very often. He drove her to it.”
“Stop pretending. You know our daughter was out of control.”
Hyacinth’s fuchsia-tinted lips opened, closed, as if she realized her argument was only revealing family secrets.
“Felicity is gone.” Nigel’s eyes were glossy. “The point is, we know the truth now. It’s how we handle things from this moment forward that matters.”
“We’ll file for custody. As soon as Christmas is over.” Hyacinth’s jaw set with determination.
Resa’s heart dipped. “Surely you don’t want to disrupt Cheyenne’s life like that. Colson’s been the only constant in her world. He’s moving here so that all of us can be near her. And Emmett signed custody over to Colson. Can’t we just leave Cheyenne’s living arrangements as they are?”
“We certainly can.” Nigel folded shaky hands in his lap. “And we will.”
“We most certainly won’t,” Hyacinth snapped. “She’s our granddaughter. And he stole her from us.”
“No more histrionics, Hyacinth. You don’t want to raise Cheyenne. You only want to add her to your collection of pretty possessions, to be raised by a nanny. The child will stay with Colson. Period.”
“How dare you speak to me this way?” His wife clasped a hand to her heart.
“It should have been done years ago. If you so much as glance at a lawyer regarding Cheyenne’s custody, I’ll cut off your monthly stipend.”
Hyacinth’s mouth clamped shut. She stood, stalked from the room.
“I’m sorry.” Colson ducked his head. “I know this is hard. I should have told y’all long ago.”
“You didn’t because you were afraid she’d sue for custody. That I’d sit on my hands and let her. But I’m tired of letting her run over me. Cheyenne will stay with you. And that’s final.”
“Thank you.”
“I only want what’s best for my granddaughter. And this household isn’t it.”
“Cheyenne wants you—and Hyacinth—to come to my parents’ for our Christmas meal. At one tomorrow,” Resa said.
Nigel’s eyes went soft. “I’d like that. If I can cool Hyacinth down by then, make sure she’ll behave, we’ll be there. If not, I might just show up alone.”
“Sorry to disrupt your evening.” Colson stood.
“I’m sorry for the things Hyacinth said to you. Her father spoiled her terribly. I’m afraid I carried on the tradition rather than face her wrath. But no more.”
“Please come tomorrow.” Resa slipped into her jacket. “Cheyenne really likes you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“There is one more thing.” Resa chose her words carefully. “Cheyenne knows I’m her aunt, that my parents are her grandparents, but she doesn’t know how we’re related. She assumed Emmett is her uncle and we let her. For now.”
“There’s no reason to foist such complicated matters on a five-year-old. If we come, I’ll make sure Hyacinth holds her tongue.” Nigel offered Colson his hand. “Thank you for taking such good care of our granddaughter.”
“I love her.”
The two men clasped hands.
Outside, Resa strode toward the truck. “I’m glad Nigel found his backbone. He’s a nice man.”
“I’m glad he’s on our side.” Colson cleared his throat. “Are we on the same side?”
She turned to face him. “I told you, I’m with you on this. Whatever’s best for Cheyenne. And I’m convinced you’re it.”
“No hidden agendas? No getting close to her, then calling a lawyer? No trying to convince Emmett he should take responsibility for her?”
“She belongs with you.” Tears pricked Resa’s eyes. “I don’t know why you can’t believe me.”
“The same reason you don’t believe I kissed you in Dallas because I wanted to.” He held his hands up in surrender. “With no agenda.”
Her heart squeezed at the memory. “Because we’ve both been hurt in the past.”
“Maybe it’s time to stop letting past hurts color our future. I’m sorry about yesterday. I jumped to conclusions when I realized Emmett was here and overreacted.”
“Yes you did.” She skewered him with a look. But deep inside, she wanted to trust him. And he wanted to trust her. How could she build a relationship with a man who assumed she’d betray him and harbored issues as big as her own? “We better get back and check on Cheyenne.”
“I’m supposed to meet William at his office to sign the papers, anyway.”
“And you need to make sure she’s out of range when Emmett arrives. I think Daddy’s going to explode on him.” She turned away, opened the truck door, climbed inside.
With no answers about their future. For either of them.
* * *
Raised voices came from Daddy’s office. Resa cringed as she paced the great room.
“Do you think we should intervene?” Her mom was perched on the sofa and Resa saw her wince. “It sounds bad in there.”
“They’ll work it out.” Hopefully. “They always do. It’s been a very eventful Christmas Eve. At least Colson and Cheyenne escaped long before Emmett arrived.”
“Yes.” Mom wrung her hands. “Your father’s always been so hard on that boy. And I’ve always been too soft.”
Resa plopped down beside her. “I think he’s really trying to grow up. He’s starting a video game business.”
“That’s grown-up?”
“The business part of it is.” She sighed. “I’m just as disappointed as y’all are, but we need to support him, instead of questioning everything he does. And bashing him for everything he doesn’t do.”
“You’re right.”
The door to Dad’s office swung open and Emmett stepped out. “Sorry, Mom, guess I’m not staying for Christmas, after all.” He bolted for the front of the house.
“Wait!” Resa shot after him.
But he could always outrun her. She didn’t catch up with him until he’d already climbed into his Ferrari. She planted herself in front of it, crossed her arms over her chest.
“Come on, get out of the way!” he shouted.
Resa shook her head. “You can’t leave. Tomorrow is Christmas.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t take another Christmas as the black sheep.”
“Just talk to me.”
He stared her down, but a click sounded as he unlocked the doors. “Get in.”
She ducked into the passenger seat, shut the door, leaned against it. “Mom needs you to stay.”
“Dad made it obvious he wants me to go.”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s just—”
“Disappointed. I’ve always been a disappointment to him. Especially compared to the golden child. I could never live up to your standard. Or his.”
“I’m not the golden child.”
“Trust me, you are.”
“You wanna know the reason I think you and Daddy have issues?”
“Enlighten me.”
“You’re too much alike. Both stubborn and bullheaded, intent on your own way. While Mom and I run around trying to smooth everything over.”
“You may be onto something, oh golden one.”
She punched him in the shoulder. “Families are supposed to be together this time of year.”
“I don’t know. With Cheyenne and Colson coming, this might be the perfect Christmas for me to skip.”
“But you can’t.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Not after I’ve used up all my smoothing ideas. Colson thinks I arranged for you to come meet Cheyenne, so you’d change your mind and want to raise her yourself.”
“Whoa. So your love life is as trashed as mine at the moment?”
“I don’t have a love life. Never have.”
“You love him.”
“Even if I did, he doesn’t trust me. And the feeling’s pretty mutual.”
Her brother leaned back against the headrest. “I’m sorry I’ve made such a mess of things.”
“I’d believe that, if you’d stay.”
“You’re relentless in your smoothing.”
“Please. I’ll help you with Daddy.”
“All right. But this might be too big a job for even you.”
He might be right.
“Since you’re
staying, I’ll give you a heads-up. Nigel is probably coming tomorrow, and possibly Hyacinth, too.”
“This just keeps getting better and better.” Sarcasm rolled off his words. “Do they know about me?”
“Colson told them last night.”
“So Nigel’s bringing his shotgun?”
“He actually took it quite well. I think he was angrier at Hyacinth’s reaction than at you.”
“I sure wish I’d done things differently.” Emmett closed his eyes in turn. “I never dreamed my recklessness would still cause reverberations over five years later.”
“Lapses in judgment come with consequences.” She drew in a deep breath. “But Cheyenne is a blessing. God can take our worst moments and let something good come from them.”
“All the same, I know you have this dream Christmas vision.” He squeezed the steering wheel until his knuckles went white. “But I’m not sure I should be part of it. Maybe I need to get out of Dodge, steer clear until things settle down.”
“You can’t duck out and leave us to face your reverberations. That’s cowardly.”
“You always know how to hit a guy where it hurts. So Hyacinth is livid?”
“Pretty much. But Nigel handled her, surprisingly well.”
“You don’t think they’ll try to take Cheyenne away from Colson, do you?”
She scoffed. “Hyacinth raise a child?”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Her brother rested his hand on the gearshift, as if still wishing for escape. “But if it comes to that, I’d testify on behalf of Colson.”
Resa’s insides warmed. Maybe Emmett was growing up. Though he didn’t feel up to the task of raising a child, he obviously wanted the best for Cheyenne. And was smart enough to see that Colson was the right choice.
* * *
Even after being neighbors and friends with the Donovans her entire life, Resa still felt odd just walking in the Chasing Eden Dude Ranch back door without knocking. Completely furnished with Rusticks furniture and decor, the place had proved to be a great advertisement for the store.
In the large kitchen, staff scurried, serving guests in the dining room and filling catering orders.
“Your order is ready, Resa.” Landry picked up a stack of three pans. “I’ll help you carry it out.”
A Texas Holiday Reunion Page 19