A Texas Holiday Reunion. Shannon Taylor Vannatter

experience as a foreman at the largest ranch in Texas for the last two years. And he’s available.” His dad focused on Resa, probably pondering her panic.

      “Are you on medical leave?” Her gaze bounced back to Colson’s. “Because if that’s the case, we can’t put you to work here.”

      “No. Nothing like that.” The horse Felicity had died riding flashed through his mind. The one he’d supposedly broken. After the incident, memories of her death had caused him to be constantly distracted and that inattention had almost cost a ranch hand his life when Colson had underestimated a longhorn. “My boss thought I needed some personal time.” To get his head and heart together.

      “Oh.” Compassion was mirrored in the blue depths of her eyes. Clearly, she thought he was still grieving Felicity. More like wallowing in guilt.

      “But where will you stay?”

      “Since Mac and his wife, Annette, will be house-sitting while your folks are gone—” Juan stretched his leg, as if he couldn’t get comfortable “—Colson could stay with them.”

      Resa’s eyes went wide, empathy obviously forgotten.

      “I can get a room here at the dude ranch if you prefer.”

      “Nonsense.” Juan flexed his knee. “There’s plenty of room at the big house.”

      “Good thinking.” Dad tapped his chin. “Colson can help keep an eye on the place while I’m at the store.”

      “But I don’t need anyone to keep an eye on things,” Resa fisted her hands.

      “I won’t bother you or disturb your space.” It was the least he could do. Watch out for her.

      “All right. I guess.” Uncertainty hung in her words. “But once my parents return, Dad can handle the ranch while I see to the store. Can you stay and continue in the workshop until Juan’s return, Mac?”

      “Whatever you need me to do.”

      “Good.” She focused on Colson. “You’re only here for the next three weeks then.”

      “Give or take a few days.” The muscle in his jaw flexed. Obviously she didn’t want him here any longer than he had to be.

      “I need to go help take down decorations.” She stood.

      His dad rose to his feet, as did Juan and Colson.

      “You go home and rest that knee.” Resa pointed at Juan. “Don’t worry about a thing.”

      “Yes, Miss Resa.” He bobbed his head and hobbled out of the room.

      “I’m so glad you’re here, Mac.” Resa hugged the older man. She was so at ease with everyone—except Colson.

      “If anything goes awry while your folks are gone, we’ll figure it out together,” his dad said.

      “I’ll take you up on that.”

      He gave Colson a warm hug next, with lots of back clapping. “You be a blessing here, son.”

      “I will.” At least he’d try. If Resa would let him. “I’ll walk out with you.”

      “I remember where I parked. Help Resa with cleanup.” Dad exited.

      Resa shot from the room as if bloodhounds tailed her.

      Colson followed her to the great room. All the chairs, pillars and candles were gone. Boxes full of red roses and ribbons lined the area.

      There was a steady buzz of a vacuum, which Resa manhandled from another woman, taking over the chore.

      “Can you help me move the furniture back in?” A familiar-looking man gestured toward a side room.

      “Sure.”

      “Great. Follow me.” He stopped after a few paces, turned and offered his hand. “Sorry. Chase Donovan.”

      “As in Chasing Eden Dude Ranch. I remember you and your sister from high school. You were older than me and your sister was younger. Is she still around these parts, too?”

      His mouth tipped down. “Eden died a year and a half ago.”

      “Sorry to hear that.”

      “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