A Cowboy Firefighter For Christmas (Smokin' Hot Cowboys 1) (27 page)

“We don’t know anything about that,” J.P. said. “We saw a fire and were trying to put it out. Weren’t we, my dear?”

“Yes, that’s exactly right,” Charlene agreed.

“Hope somebody is paying you a lot, ’cause you’re in serious hot water.” Misty put her hands on her hips and looked down at them.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” J.P. said. “We were just taking a little drive after the chili cook-off.”

“And helping out the community by trying to put out that fire,” Charlene added.

“Guess the authorities will find a lot of collectibles in your van,” Misty said. “Then again, maybe they’ll find something a lot more incriminating.”

“Look, we’re all professionals here,” J.P. said in a voice that had taken on a wheedling tone. “Texas Timber has its goals, as you well know. Other folks have other goals. Why don’t you untie us, send us on our way, and that’s it. No harm. No foul.”

“And there might even be a nice, fat bonus in it for both of you,” Charlene added.

“Not gonna happen,” Trey said in disgust.

“And I hope you broke all your fake, red nails,” Misty bit out. “Petty of me, maybe, but there it is.”

“Would a sprained ankle satisfy you?” Charlene asked in a snide tone.

“You’ll answer to the law,” Trey said. “Now, what did you do to Jeremy? And you’d better hope he’s okay.”

“Who?” J.P. asked.

“Wildcat Bluff Police.”

“I can answer that.” A shadow loomed up out of the darkness as a tall, lanky shape in a Wildcat Bluff Police uniform walked up to them.

“Jeremy!” Trey said in relief. “What happened to you?”

“I got out of my vehicle to help a lady in distress—namely that one on the ground,” Jeremy said. “And I got bushwhacked by her partner. Knocked me out cold. I just came to. I’ve got a knot on the back of my head the size of an egg.”

“I suppose we’re going to have to go through all the legal formalities,” J.P. said. “For the record, we want to file a complaint against these two vigilantes. We were innocently trying to put out a fire when they attacked us. And who knows what they might have put in our unlocked van to make us look guilty.”

“News flash,” Jeremy said. “You’re in Wildcat Bluff County and we don’t cotton to strangers trying to burn us down.”

“No idea what you’re talking about,” J.P. said. “But if you don’t get us untied soon, your city and county are going to be looking at a big lawsuit.”

“Why didn’t you gag them why you were trussing them up?” Jeremy complained.

“Didn’t have my bandannas handy.” Trey was shaking his head at the Gladstones’ audacity when he heard sirens out on Wildcat Road. “You call in the cavalry?”

“Yep,” Jeremy agreed. “Heard good news while I was at it. Fires all over the county were caught in time and put out. Thanks to our volunteers and friends in nearby counties.”

“That’s a relief,” Misty said.

“Good,” J.P. said. “Maybe we can deal with rational human beings, not Barney Fife here.”

“And we want our lawyer now,” Charlene added.

Trey glanced up when he saw several sets of blinking lights turn off Wildcat Road and drive up the asphalt road and stop across from their position. Soon Harry, with a trooper and a sheriff’s deputy, tromped up to the Gladstones. They looked down and started laughing at the sight.

Harry glanced at Trey. “New rodeo event I didn’t know about?”

“Got to keep in practice,” Trey said.

“We demand to be released and to see our attorney,” J.P. said.

“All in good time.” Harry looked around the area. “Fire’s out?”

“Misty took care of that.” Trey pointed toward the dirt road. “The Gladstones’ van is back there. Figure you’ll find plenty of evidence in it.”

Harry rubbed his chin. “We sent that tissue to forensics. Might be something interesting there, too.” He looked at J.P. and Charlene. “You two ready to cool your heels in my fine jail?”

“Dinner and shower would be good,” Charlene said, suddenly sounding pleasant. “I’m sure you’ll see this is all a big misunderstanding.”

Harry turned to Trey. “Thanks. All’s well that ends well.”

Trey nodded and put an arm around Misty’s shoulders. “Figure you’ll want a report, but we’d like to go home first.”

“Later’s fine.” Harry tipped his cowboy hat to Misty. “Thanks. We’ve got this under control. It’s Christmas Eve. Time for you to celebrate.”

“Will you please contact Texas Timber and give them an official statement?” Misty asked.

“Sure will. We’ve been in touch with them since the first fire burned down their Christmas tree farm.”

“Thanks.” Misty smiled at the law officers. “And Merry Christmas to all of you.”

They nodded and touched the brims of their hats.

Trey walked Misty back to his ATV, settled her inside, and joined her. He gave her a warm smile, then revved the engine and took off for home.

Misty awoke early Christmas morning with a smile on her lips. She stretched in the soft cocoon of Trey’s big bed. She felt completely content and satisfied with life. She’d talked with Audrey and Cindi Lou last night. Audrey had praised her work and promised a bonus. Cindi Lou had suggested she lasso Trey when she’d heard their story. One thing Misty knew for sure. She’d never have completed the Texas Timber job without Trey’s help. They made a good team—in bed and out of it.

She smelled the tantalizing aroma of fresh-brewed coffee wafting upstairs from the kitchen. She doubted Trey knew her favorite coffee was Texas Pecan, but any dark rich brew would be good right about now. And she figured he knew exactly how to make it since he did everything so well.

When she heard his footsteps on the staircase, she just knew he was greeting her with a mug of delicious coffee first thing on Christmas. She loved the idea, particularly because he’d be holding the mug in his big strong hand and looking better than any fancy wrapped package.

She tried to hide her disappointment when he arrived in the bedroom carrying only a yellow sticky note.

“Merry Christmas.” He wore nothing but a big grin on his face, an expanse of bronze, muscular chest, and reindeer sleep pants slung low on his narrow hips.

“Merry Christmas to you, too.” She forgot all about the coffee. He looked good enough to be a luscious, satisfying breakfast all by his own self. She licked her lower lip in anticipation and patted the crimson sheet beside her. “Why don’t you come back to bed?”

“Plenty of time for that later.”

Again, he surprised her. Maybe he needed more enticement. She gave him a hot look and a suggestive smile.

He sat down on the edge of the bed with a mischievous grin. He shook the yellow sticky note as if to get her attention, then held the piece of paper out to her. “I want you to see my Christmas list.”

“Okay.” She took the note from him, deciding they could make up for lost time in bed soon. For now he wanted to share something with her and she was happy to do it. “Only two items?”

“That’s right. But they’re all I wanted for Christmas.”

She set up to take a better look, wearing only his soft, cotton T-shirt in a rich lapis color. “Brrrr.” She shivered. “Did you turn up the AC?”

He grinned even bigger. “Why don’t you look at my list?”

“Number One,” she read aloud. “Misty Reynolds.”

“Notice that wish is checked off.”

She cocked her head, trying to decide whether to laugh at his audacity or not. “When did you add my name?”

“First day I met you.”

She did laugh then. “Cocky cowboy.”

“Hopeful, that was it.”

“I’m glad you got your wish.”

He gave her a searing look with his hazel eyes, then glanced at the yellow note. “Notice I checked off my second wish, too.”

“But Trey, you wrote down ‘snow.’ Did you decide to fudge this morning just so you could check off both items?”

“Fudge on a Christmas list?” He sounded horrified at the sacrilege. He walked over to the windows and snapped open the thick drapes.

Misty gasped, dropped the note, jumped off the bed, and rushed over to the sliding glass door. “Snow!” She slid open the door and stepped outside onto the cold, white, fluffy stuff. “I can hardly believe it.” Bright sunlight sparkling across a blanket of snow had turned the ranch into a winter wonderland.

He followed her outside. “Blue Norther came through last night.”

“And we didn’t hear it?”

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against the furnace of his body. “We were making plenty of noise of our own.”

“I wouldn’t have noticed anything but you.” She snuggled back against him, enjoying the cold on one side of her body and the heat on the other. “Crazy Blue Northers. Sleet first. Then snow. If the temperature stays cold, no telling how long it’ll take that snow to melt.”

“Could be we’re snowed in all day. Good thing Greg already volunteered to make sure the herds had food and water.”

“Generous of him.”

“He might’ve thought I’d be a tad distracted today.”

Misty chuckled. “Can’t imagine why.” She snuggled her bottom against Trey and felt a satisfying hardness in response.

He wrapped his hands around her stomach, cradling her against him. “No telling what kind of fun we can get up to in the snow.”

She spun around and thrust her hands into his thick hair. “Why don’t we find out right now?”

He gave her a quick, hot kiss. “I’ve got a better surprise downstairs.”

“Better?” She didn’t know that could be possible, but Trey’s surprises were usually wonderful.

“Yep. And this one won’t wait.”

He grasped her hand, led her back inside, and closed the door behind them. He rummaged around in a drawer and pulled out a pair of cotton sweatpants. “These are too big, but I don’t want you catching cold.”

“Thanks.” She pulled them up under the big T-shirt and rolled them around her waist. She loved being wrapped in his clothes and his scent.

“Don’t forget this.” He picked up the macramé necklace from the nightstand and held it out to her.

“You’re right.” She slipped the necklace over her head and centered the angel pendant near her heart.

“Looks perfect.” He grinned at her, excitement shining in his eyes like a little kid on Christmas morning. “Let’s go.”

She led the way downstairs, a little excited, a little apprehensive. At the bottom of the stairs, she turned around to look at him. “If you got me a Christmas gift, I didn’t get you one. I’m sorry.”

“Misty, you’re all the gift I could ever want.”

“But—”

“Come on.” And he walked with a determined stride toward the Christmas tree.

She hesitated as she took in the wonderful scene. Colorful lights glowed in the deep green of the fragrant cedar. A roaring fire of red-orange flames danced in the fireplace and sent out delicious warmth. The Bluebird of Happiness gleamed on the coffee table. A pristine white landscape stretched to the Red River on the outside of the windows. But nothing was as fine as Trey Duval.

As she walked over, she saw that he’d knelt in front of the Christmas tree. He pulled a cardboard box with holes in its sides from under the tree. He reached inside, murmured something, and looked up at her.

“What have you got there?” She leaned down to get a closer look.

He raised a small bundle of black and white fur up to her. “Merry Christmas.”

“Oh, Trey!” She sat down beside him, took the kitten into her hands, and nestled the little one in the crook of her arm. She kissed the top of the kitty’s head and he gave a soft, contented meow in response. “Slim decided I could raise this kitten?”

“Yes. Sue Ann told Slim about your request. He’s more than happy for you to enjoy the kitten you saved.”

“You saved this little one, too.”

Trey nodded. “We’ll need to bottle-feed him since he was separated from his mother too early. Sue Ann will know what to do, so we can ask her about it.”

“I’ll be happy to do whatever is necessary to help this kitty.”

“Me too. Now, what are you going to name him?”

“That’s a big responsibility. But there’s really only one name that suits this kitten.
Noel
.”

“That’s just right.” Trey hesitated, as if not quite sure. “Misty, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I’ve got no doubt. Will you look at Noel’s collar?”

Puzzled, she stroked the green-and-white Christmas collar. “Pretty.”

“There’s something on it.”

She looked closer and tugged loose a beautiful ring. Sparkling diamonds surrounded a large oval emerald set in rose gold. She glanced up at his face in confusion—but also hope.

“Will you marry me? I’m totally in love with you.”

She gasped, feeling her heart race with excitement.

“That’s my great-grandmother’s wedding ring.” His hazel eyes—ringed with gold, brown, and green—grew dark with concern. “If you don’t like it, we can get something new.”

“Not like it?” She felt tears of happiness fill her eyes. “I love it.” She quickly set Noel gently on her lap, where he snuggled into the soft fabric. Then she threw her arms around Trey’s neck. “I love you. Yes, oh yes, I’ll marry you.”

He pressed fervent kisses across her face, lingering on her lips, before he looked deep into her eyes. “We’ll figure out your job, my ranch, everything later. So long as we’re together, we can work out the rest.”

She smiled as she held out the ring to him, wanting him to be the one to first place her engagement ring on her finger.

He solemnly slipped the ring onto the third finger of her left hand, and then he gave her a tender kiss.

She cupped his beloved face with her palm, watching her wonderful ring sparkle in the light of the Christmas tree. “I’m happy to make any plans you like—just so long as we have a cowboy wedding.”

Support, encouragement, advice, and laughter got me on down the road in writing
A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas
, so thanks go to C. Dean Andersson, Elaine English, Elisabeth Fairchild, and Deb Werksman for always being there.

A very special shout-out goes to the Clayton Volunteer Fire Department for saving the real Twin Oaks from a wind-whipped wildfire.

Kim Redford draws her inspiration from a Texas lifestyle of cowboys, cowgirls, horses, cattle, rodeos, and small towns to create her bestselling novels. When she’s not writing steamy romances, she’s a rescue cat wrangler and a horseback rider. She divides her time between Texas and Oklahoma.
A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas
is first in her Smokin’ Hot Cowboys series with
Blazing Hot Cowboy
coming soon. Visit her at
www.kimredford.com
.