A Cowboy Firefighter For Christmas (Smokin' Hot Cowboys 1) (22 page)

“You don’t need to sing yet.” Trey opened the gate into the pasture near the barn. He’d stuffed leather gloves in a back pocket of his jeans. He carried a bucket by a handle. It was half full of pressed oat pellets with wire cutters and a length of rolled wire set on top. He always kept a few ranch items like those handy in the house.

“I’m getting in practice in case your little darlings have mad cow disease and go berserk when they see a stranger.”

He chuckled at her humor. “They don’t have mad cow disease. I think you’ll like them, if you give them a chance.”

She stopped, grinned, and tossed her hair. “Not necessary. I need them to like me, so I don’t get eaten or something.”

“You’ve been watching too many zombie movies.” He laughed as he checked a metal fence post. He had to hand it to Misty. She was cleverly turning his whole tease-a-greenhorn banter on its head. “Let’s rework your agenda and put cowgirl at the top.”

“You’re the one with cows in your swimming pool. Maybe you need to add cowboy-refresher-course to your agenda.”

He laughed even harder.

She put her hands on her hips, grinning. “I don’t think you’re taking this cow situation seriously enough. Shouldn’t we have some sort of defense mechanism in our hands just in case of a stampede?”

“I’ve been at this rodeo a time or two before. But okay.” He glanced around, walked over to an old oak tree, set down the bucket, and picked up a fallen branch. He stripped it down to a switch about three to four feet in length. He held it out to her.

“What’s that?”

“Cow defense.”

“You are so not taking me seriously.”

“Want the switch or not?”

She winked at him as she grabbed the branch. “Between singing and switching, I’m a lethal force. Army Ranger recruiters will be pounding on my door at any moment.”

He tried not to laugh, so he ended up snorting like a bull instead. He wished Kent and Slade were here. They’d be laughing so hard they’d be rolling on the ground. He’d had no idea Misty could be so funny. He needed to add that to her list of attributes.

“Go ahead and laugh. I can see you want to do it. Won’t hurt my feelings in the least. I’m immune to your silly cow antics.”

He took several deep breaths to control his laughter. “Let’s just check the fence.”

“Suits me fine.” She set off at a quick pace, running her switch up and down the barbwire as she hummed “Here Comes Santa Claus.”

He just stood there and watched her. He could do it all day. He didn’t know how moving a few head of cattle back into their pasture had turned into so much fun. But that was Misty’s doing. He chuckled as he watched her sassy sway. In bed or out of it, she was making his life so much better.

Still, his teasing and her antics brought home the fact that they stood on opposite sides of a fence. He’d been seeing her as the cowgirl next door. Not true. She’d been seeing him as a cowboy firefighter. Not completely true. They were both complex, with hopes and dreams, loves and hates, pasts and presents. He didn’t know how the hell they would get the barbwire down from between them, but he was willing to give it a good shot.

He turned serious as he stepped back to look down the line of fence. He wanted to sort out what didn’t fit in the picture. Didn’t take him long to see the problem. In one section, barbwire strands curled outward and a post leaned out, too. Culprits had tried to take out a post. That was serious stuff. They must have given it up as too much work or too much time.

What concerned him more than anything else was the boldness. Like he’d been thinking all along, he figured more than one person had to be involved in the sabotage. This time they’d chosen to do their dirty work up close to the main house. That put them near the barn and horse stables, which were all vulnerable to fire. They must want to make a statement: “We can get you where you live. We can cut your fence. We can set your house on fire.”

Trey felt chilled to the bone. The culprits targeting Wildcat Ranch had to know his parents were out of town and he was distracted with Christmas festivities. Work by the ranch hands was cut back, too. Some were gone visiting kinfolks. Others were working shorter hours. From a saboteur’s point of view, this had to be the perfect opportunity, so the attack’s place and time wasn’t an accident.

He hated to think it, but the culprits were somehow keeping tabs on him. That meant Misty was vulnerable, too. He needed to have a heart-to-heart talk with her real soon. First, he had to get his head out of the clouds and focus on safety. He would set up a watch with his ranch hands. He wanted somebody making the rounds at the house, barn, and stables at all times, day and night. The sabotage had cut way too close to the bone, and he had to take a strong defensive position.

“Misty, I see the break up ahead.” He walked past her and pointed at the fence. “But don’t come any closer. I want to examine the ground for prints.”

“Good idea.” She stopped beside him. “I’ll help.”

He checked the area, but he was disappointed when he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “Ground’s too churned up by the cattle to tell much.”

“That’s too bad.” She made a wide circle around him before she walked out toward the road.

He stayed near the cut fence. “I doubt there’s much to see out there.”

She stopped and pointed at the ground. “Look here.”

He walked over, still looking for anything that’d give them a clue as to the saboteurs. “Dirt’s too dry to take much of a print.”

She knelt and used the tip of her forefinger to indicate a spot. “Maybe I’m wrong, but couldn’t that be the print of a high heel that sunk into the ground?”

He knelt beside her and looked closer. “Good work. I’d never have noticed it. See how the grass is crushed in front of the indentation? Looks like a shoe print to me. And it’s not from Mom’s shoes. She’d never be so foolish to walk around in the pasture wearing high heels.”

“Someone else might have thought the ground was hard enough to hold up under heels.”

“Ground’s hard, but you can still punch into it.”

Misty slipped her phone out of her pocket. “Just in case this is important, I think we ought to get photos.”

“Can’t hurt.” He pulled out his cell phone, too. “As hard and dry as the ground is right now, those holes aren’t going anyplace.”

“Maybe we’ll get rain.” She snapped several shots from different angles.

“Where’d you ever get an outlandish idea like that?”

She laughed at his response. “I know. Seems like it’s been forever since we got rain in North Texas.”

“I keep hoping for snow.” He took photographs, too. He snapped her feet near the holes to indicate size and long shots near the fence for position.

“Now you’re really living in a dream world. At least I only suggested rain might fall.”

“Afraid you’re right.” He glanced up at the sky. Not even a wispy cloud in sight. But the sun was lowering in the west. They’d better get a move on. Night came on early in the winter and he wanted the cows back in their pasture before it got too dark to see what he was doing.

Misty stood up, took a few more photos, and put her phone back in her pocket. She walked back along the fence, pointing at the ground. “I’m following the holes. They’re evenly spaced, but by somebody with shorter legs than me.”

He stuck his phone in his pocket, moved out around her, and returned to the cut fence. “Where do the holes end?”

She took short steps as she followed the trail back to him. “They’re lost in the cow tracks.”

“That’d make sense, wouldn’t it?”

“Right. Tracks end where the cattle cross.”

He glanced back down the fence line, reconsidering their quick speculation about the holes in the ground. “Best not get ahead of ourselves. Those holes could’ve been made by critters. We’ve got snakes, spiders, possums, and armadillos out here. You name it, and it’s living in the pasture or nearby.”

“But holes in a long row along the fence line?”

“I know. Doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen before. But you’ve got to admit a critter makes more sense than a woman in high heels walking across my pasture to cut fence.”

“True.” Misty sighed as she pushed back her hair. “I probably got excited over nothing.”

“Not nothing. I just don’t want to jump to conclusions without more proof. We’ll keep it in mind.”

“Sounds good.” She pointed at the swimming pool. “Guess I can’t put off singing to the cows any longer.”

“Guess not.” He chuckled as he glanced at her. “Come along, lil dogie.”

“Lil dogie?” She laughed, shaking her head. “Just what I always yearned to be called.”

“It’s something like sweetheart.”

“Sure it is.”

He joined her laughter as he stepped through the open fence line. He made sure the strands couldn’t cut the cattle on their way back.

Misty followed him to the other side of the fence and held up her switch. “I’m ready to give those cows what for.”

“Got no doubt by the time you’re done they’ll know never to stray out of their pasture again.”

“And never—and I mean never ever—turn into mutant, zombie, flesh-eating, ninja cows.”

“That’d be good, too.” But he almost didn’t get the words out because he was laughing so hard his eyes were stinging with tears.

He walked side by side with Misty into the courtyard. The eight cows had been busy. They’d finished their illicit drinks, taken out a row of tasty petunias, and artistically decorated the flagstone with several greenish cow pies. They were now contentedly chewing their cuds in the shade of the gazebo.

“Whatever you do, don’t step in one of those cow patties.”

“I wasn’t born yesterday.” She gave a cow pie a closer look. “Doesn’t some Texas company guild the dry ones in gold and sell them for big bucks?”

“Yeah, I heard about that. Not sure if they’re still doing it.”

“Texas chic.” She gave him a mischievous glance. “Maybe you’re missing out on a lucrative secondary market.”

“Could be, but I think I’ll pass on it.”

“Faint of heart?”

“Faint of nose.”

She laughed as she carefully avoided a particularly large greenish splat on the cement.

“Guess we better get this show on the road.” He walked toward the peaceful cows giving him thoughtful looks with their big brown eyes.

Misty edged behind him. “I suppose that placid attitude and gentle appearance is simply a precursor to cows going all ninja on us with red glowing eyes. I bet pretty quick they’ll stand up on their back legs and give us the ole one-two with vicious hooves.”

“Might be a little active for them, but maybe not for your overactive imagination.” He tried not to laugh too loudly. He really didn’t want to spook the cattle.

“Hah! Don’t let their innocent appearance fool you.” She held out her switch and whipped it back and forth in front of her. “I’m ready for them.”

“Ladies,” Trey called. “Time to go home.” He raised the bucket of oats and shook it till the feed rattled inside.

Eight heads abruptly turned toward him. One cow stretched out her neck and lowed deep in her throat. She started a slow amble in his direction. The others followed her.

“That’s Bessie.” He shook the bucket again to make the enticing rattling sound that no cow could resist. “She’s the lead cow.”

“They’re picking up speed and heading right for us.”

“Sure they are. I’ve got the oats.” He walked across the patio toward the cut fence with Misty as his shadow.

“I’m keeping a look behind us. I’ll let you know if they start to stampede so we can get out of their way.”

He walked back into the pasture, turned toward the cattle, and shook the bucket again. Bessie picked up speed, from slow to fast amble, with the others right behind her.

“Look!” Misty pointed with her switch. “I think Bessie’s eyes are turning red.”

“Sun’s in her face.”

“Maybe. Then again, she’s a ninja cow and she may be building up steam to put on the afterburners.”

Trey laughed again. Misty was too adorable for words. Not that he’d ever tell her that to her face. He just couldn’t resist her any longer. To hell with the cows. He stepped in close, put an arm around her shoulders, and kissed her with all the heat and passion that’d been building up since they’d left his bed. She responded with as much fire and urgency as he could possibly want from the woman who was making all his dreams come true.

And then a loud moo sounded directly in his ear. Misty jumped back with a little shriek and held up her switch.

“Bessie, mind your manners.” He put a hand on the cow’s jaw and pushed her large head away. She licked her soft nose with her big tongue while she looked at him imploringly with brown eyes.

“Okay. I got it. You’re hungry.”

He looked around for a good place to spread the oats. He walked over to the oak tree, cleaned off a wide area of ground with the sole of his boot, and then dumped a row of oats in a long line.

“Ladies, come and get it.” He walked back over to Misty, who watched as Bessie started toward the tree in a trot.

“We’d better get out of here,” Misty said in a low voice. “Looks like they’re about to break into a killer run.”

“Yep. Those oats don’t stand a chance,” he agreed, chuckling. “Now is a good time to fix the fence.”

“This is delicious.” Misty cut a piece of flaky catfish with her fork. She hadn’t felt this lighthearted in ages. She’d been making mischief just to see Trey’s eyes light up with humor. “I’m not convinced Bessie doesn’t have superpowers. You saw the way the other cows hid behind her.”

“They weren’t hiding behind Bessie.” Trey set down his salad fork and smiled at her. “They were walking single file behind their leader in their pecking order.”

“You may think that’s normal, but it sounds more like Wonder Woman to me.”

“If so, why didn’t she load ’em up in her invisible plane and fly them back to their pasture?’”

Misty smiled mischievously. “No doubt she’s working undercover as Bessie the Ninja Cow.”

“And that explains why we’re not eating bison steak.”

“Exactly. No red meat while she’s lurking about. She might be a little sensitive on the subject.”

Trey chuckled as he forked up another bite of salad.

“Here’s a thought.” Misty couldn’t resist expanding on her premise. “If those shoe prints turn out to be a clue to our culprits, we’ll have Bessie to thank. She’s the one who called our attention to them.”

“I wish Mom was home. She would totally get into this scenario with you. She’s a huge Wonder Woman fan. She’s got a big collection that takes up one wall in her office.”

“Really?” Misty grinned in delight. “I can’t wait to see it. We gals must stick together.”

“That include Bessie?”

“She’s the leader, isn’t she?”

“True.”

“And now that I’ve proved my absolute devotion to your adorable cows, you won’t breathe a word to your cousins or friends about my first introduction to the big beasts.” She could just imagine Slade’s reaction, or maybe he’d get into it and suggest Superman and Batman be given roles in the cattle herds. Morning Glory would probably offer really good suggestions. She might like Spider-Woman or the Huntress.

“My lips are sealed.” He squeezed them shut as if to prove his point.

“Cross your heart and hope to die?”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“I knew it! You’re gonna blab the first minute you see them.”

“You’ve got to admit, it’s a pretty good story.”

“Bessie’s eyes did look red in the sunlight. And she was wearing a black ninja suit. I rest my case.” Misty forked another bite of catfish into her mouth.

“She’s a black Angus. That’s her natural color.”

“Not if she’s undercover.” Misty set down her fork and leaned forward. “I bet Morning Glory would recognize Bessie for who she truly is.”

“No doubt.” Trey chuckled, coughed, and took a quick sip of tea. “I’m not sure you’ve earned your cowgirl spurs yet.”

“What makes you think I want them?”

“You’ve got the boots.”

“I do like the boots.” She gave that idea a little thought. “Fortunately, they’re red, not black.”

“There are red Angus in another pasture.” He chuckled as he speared a bite of salad.

She mock pouted at him. “You’re just determined to ruin my dinner.”

“Not after I went to so much trouble to change the menu.”

“Bessie and I do appreciate the thoughtfulness.” She drummed her fingertips on the tabletop. “Maybe I’d better go back to Twin Oaks, where there are no judgmental cowboys.”

“I wouldn’t count on that being a cowboy-free space.”

“Dallas then.”

“Not before Christmas.” He gave her a quelling look. “We’ve got too much to do.”

“Guess I’m stuck.” She smiled at him, watching him watch her with that light in his eyes. “Thanks again. This is tasty catfish. Great hush puppies, too.”

“Least I could do for the cowgirl who helped me herd cattle.”

She laughed. “As it turns out, there wasn’t much to it—if you know what you’re doing.”

“I’ve had a little experience.”

“Who knew oats were the way to a cow’s heart?”

“You want dessert?” He grinned as he set down his fork.

“Is that a bribe?”

“If it’ll get you back upstairs.”

“Yum. Dessert in bed.” She felt heat spiral through her at just the thought of his big bed. And Trey would be the most delicious, most sinful, most decadent dessert she could possibly imagine. Yes, he was definitely her tasty Texas Millionaire candy.

“Later,” he promised with a hot gleam in his eyes. “Right now we’d better put our cards on the table.”

She nodded in understanding. “The sabotage is escalating, isn’t it?”

“They’re hitting me where it hurts. I’m going to set up 24/7 guards, and I’ll update the sheriff on the situation here.”

“It’s terrible. What can I do to help?”

“Tell me Texas Timber isn’t involved.”

She felt a sense of relief that he’d believe her about the company. “They’re not. And I’ll tell you why. They sent me here to find out who is sabotaging their tree farms and by extension causing you problems.”

“That’s it? What about buying my timber?”

“Far as I know, that’s a genuine offer. These fires have nothing to do with your ranch.”

She pushed back her plate and leaned forward. “Trey, I’m here to help. I was warned not to trust anybody. The culprits are operating here, so Texas Timber figures the arsonists must be local.”

“That’s why you were leery of me at first?”

“Yes. But I wanted to trust you.”

He nodded. “I felt the same about you.”

She experienced that deep connection with him pull at her, as it had from the first. “So here we are. A tissue. Heel prints. Not much to go on and probably not even connected to the case.”

“Even if we haven’t caught the arsonists, we’ve saved lives and property.” He took a long drink of tea. “But one of these times we’re not going to be so lucky.”

“That’s why we’ve got to catch him, her, or them. And soon.”

“I’m concerned they’ll take advantage of Christmas in the Country. Everybody will be busy, including law enforcement and fire-rescue. Can you think of a better time to burn down another Christmas tree farm?”

“I hate to say it, but no.” She rested her chin on her fist a moment, thinking. “Any ideas about who it might be?”

“I’ve racked my brain trying to pin the fires, the cut fence, the trouble on somebody, but I can’t do it.”

“What about Bert and his son?”

“Maybe,” Trey agreed. “But I don’t see how the tree fires and the cut fence have anything to do with them.”

“I admit it’s a stretch.”

Misty rubbed her hand up and down the condensation on her tea glass, hoping something—anything—helpful would come to mind.

“Guess we might as well table it for tonight.”

She nodded in agreement. “I’m glad you’re going to post guards here. I can’t stand the idea of more trouble. There’re these beautiful homes. And your wonderful cattle.”

“You like the cows?”

She glanced up at his face, warming to his expectant expression. “You know I couldn’t resist kidding you. Bessie and the Bessiettes are the greatest.”

He threw back his head and laughed long and hard. “Now you’ve turned them into a rock band.”

“I bet they could do it.”

“Not another word about the cows. I can’t take it.” He stood up, still chuckling at her words. “Let’s carry Slade’s wine to the sofa. We can watch night fall over the ranch.”

“Perfect.” She looked up at Trey, drinking in every little thing about him. “Why don’t I put the dishes in the dishwasher while you pour our wine?”

“Deal.”

A little later, she heard soft Christmas music as he turned on his surround-sound system. She dried her hands and swiveled to look. Only the Christmas tree lights illuminated the room in soft colors. He’d set two wineglasses on the coffee table. Now he stood thoughtfully gazing out the windows, a long, tall Texan surveying his expansive domain.

She felt her breath catch in her throat. When had he come to mean so much to her? How could it have happened so fast? She hardly dared think “love.” And yet, that’s where her heart was leading her.

Trey had everything he needed in life. What would he want with a city gal who knew nothing about cattle or horses or ranches? She had a pair of red cowgirl boots as her one claim to that life. Yes, they could enjoy a fling, but he was teaching her to want so much more than she’d ever dared to hope for in life. And now she wanted him. Forever and always.

She felt like she was wishing on a star. Sadness washed over her. She wasn’t in Wildcat Bluff to find love. She was here to do a job—one that had turned out to be more important to the locals than she could have imagined when she’d arrived in town. She needed to keep her mind on business. Yet Trey beckoned to her with wine and so much more.

“Penny for your thoughts.” He glanced back at her as the last rays of the fading sun turned him into a dark silhouette.

She tried to plaster a smile on her face, but she wasn’t sure how far she succeeded in looking happy again.

“Come over here.” He held out a hand to her. “I’m lonely.”

She didn’t say it, but she was lonely for him before he was even gone from her life. They’d been born too far apart in too many ways to ever bridge the gap. Yet he’d made her giddy with happiness and she wanted to keep that feeling forever.

She walked over to him and he wrapped a warm arm around her waist, snuggling her against the length of him. He smelled of cinnamon, citrus, and his own unique compelling scent.

She laid her head against his broad shoulder and watched the sunset, savoring the specialness of the fleeting moment. Magenta, crimson, and orange streaked across the deep blue sky. Longing burned so brightly in her that she felt tears sting her eyes.

“Do you think you could be happy in a place like this? I mean, outside the city.” He stroked her waist with long fingers.

She caught her breath. How could he tantalize her with fabulous sex, endearing family, fascinating friends, and a beautiful home? After Christmas, he’d snatch it all away. She’d be left with what would now seem like a lonely life in an uncaring city teeming with millions of strangers. Of course, she had plenty of friends and acquaintances in Dallas. Cindi Lou was there. Her business was there. Memories were there. But Trey wouldn’t be there and that now made all the difference in the world.

“You don’t have to answer. I know what you’re going to say.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah. You’d be bored here in five minutes flat.”

She swallowed against the lump in her throat. “You’re so wrong.”

“Am I?”

“You’re here.”

“And?”

She hesitated—and took a chance on love. “What more could I possibly want?”