A Texas Holiday Reunion by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Author:Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The bedroom door opened. Resa emerged looking fresh. Wearing long shorts, a royal blue T-shirt, light sweater and flip-flops, she walked toward them, causing Colson’s stomach to flip.

“Resa.” Cheyenne darted toward her, then stopped. After a furtive glance toward Colson, she closed the gap between them slowly and gave her a gentle hug.

At least she’d remembered his caution about Resa being weak.

“I won’t break. You can hug me better than that.”

“Daddy said you’re weak and itchy.”

“The shower helped the itchy, but I am kind of puny.”

“Can we go to the beach now?”

“Resa might not be up for that.” The instinct to cradle her in his arms, protect her, welled within Colson. “You hungry?”

“I’m starving.” Resa clasped a hand to her empty stomach.

“We could go back to Snoopy’s Pier, since we didn’t get to finish eating last night.” Cheyenne’s eyes widened and she clamped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, sweet pea. There’s still lots of other things I can eat.”

“We could have a picnic on the beach.” Cheyenne cast hopeful eyes on Resa.

“I can’t think of anything better. But my stomach may not be up to food just yet.”

“The water’s too cold, but we can pick up shells!” Cheyenne gave her usual little bounce.

“And then you can take a nap.”

“I’m not sure I can stay out that long, though. The sun might make me itchy.”

“But we have one of those huge umbrellas. It’s in our room.”

“We’ll see how it goes.”

“Come on.” Cheyenne grabbed Resa’s hand, jumped up and down.

“Don’t rush her, princess.”

“I’m fine.” Resa smiled. “Let’s go.”

She was obviously enamored with his child. With her niece.

Colson gathered the blanket and umbrella and they made their way to the elevator. Other travelers—a few businessmen, a couple and a boisterous family—surrounded them. Several smiles were sent their way, as if they were a cute family.

The long walk to the beach seemed to tire Resa. He spread the blanket well away from the damp sand and set up the umbrella.

“Everything okay with the trade show?”

“Fine. We made lots of sales, took a boatload of orders. Nina and the crew loaded all the leftovers in the truck.”

“Come wade with me, Resa.” Cheyenne wiggled her toes in the sand.

“Let me sit here a minute.” She sank to the blanket, in the shade of the umbrella.

“I think Resa might need to rest after all that walking.” Colson tugged his daughter toward the beach. “I’ll wade with you.”

“Okay.” She smiled up at him, as if he was still the center of her world.

“You sure you’re okay?” he called to Resa.

“It’s wonderful to be outside. Go on, I’ll be right here.”

He and Cheyenne ran toward the water, staying a few feet away from the wet sand. Her squeal as the tide rushed toward them warmed his heart. More squealing sounded as, hand in hand, they ran along the shore as the waves rolled in and out.

After several hundred yards, they turned around and went back the way they’d come. Cheyenne picked up a few shells, put them in the plastic bag he’d brought along.

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