A Cowboy Firefighter For Christmas (Smokin' Hot Cowboys 1) (5 page)

“Twin Oaks Bed & Breakfast is up on Cougar Knoll.” Trey gestured down Cougar Lane. “Just keep going and you’ll get there.”

“I see what you mean about the houses.” Misty drove slowly to take in the view. Most of the large homes were set back from the road on an acre or perhaps two. She admired a Spanish hacienda with a red-tile roof, a pink brick single-story ranch with a silver metal roof, a white antebellum with wide columns soaring from the portico up to the second story, and a multicolored pastel Victorian. All were beautiful. They also had Christmas decorations prominently displayed so people driving by could enjoy the designs from country-style painted wood to city-bright plastic and neon. She couldn’t help but think how much Aunt Cami would have enjoyed seeing these houses.

“Twin Oaks is special,” Trey said. “Nobody much wanted to deal with those ten acres on the outskirts of town. Rocky ground with little natural beauty except for two ancient oak trees. The natural spring was there, but it had been boarded over and people had mostly forgotten about it.”

“I liked the look of the hotel in town.”

“You won’t be disappointed in Twin Oaks, not now.”

“Why’s that?” Misty didn’t say it, but she couldn’t be disappointed at the moment. All she had to do was glance Trey’s way and see the twinkle in his eyes as he held back the details of what she was going to experience. She tried not to smile too much or he’d get the idea she was much more interested in him than she should be on such short acquaintance. Yet she wondered if she had already given herself away.

“Jake Jobson is why. He moved here and married Gladys Sundown of a local clan. Jake had been a Seabee—U.S. Navy Construction Battalion—in the Pacific Theater in World War II. He was crazy about designing and building stuff. In the eighties and nineties, he spent his retirement years creating Twin Oaks for Gladys, the love of his life.”

“Will I get to meet Jake and Gladys?”

“It’s a shame, but no. They passed on a few years ago. I don’t know what they’d think about Ruby—that’s their daughter—turning the place into a B&B. They were private folks. But everybody is sure glad she did. It’s a great setting for weddings, reunions, getaways.”

“Now I can’t wait to see it.”

At every turn, Misty kept being surprised. She also felt a little embarrassed at her earlier attitude. She’d arrived without much expectation for the area and the people. She should’ve known better. Texas was big enough that there was a huge variety of terrain and residents. Cindi Lou was right. She needed to get out of the city more and start living life to its fullest. She glanced at Trey again. She bet he lived his life to the fullest every single day. Maybe she could learn from him.

“We’re coming up on the property. Wait till you see what Jake did with all those pesky rocks.”

She gasped in surprise. “That fence is a work of art.” She drove past an amazing rock fence scalloped from rock post to rock post with a rope of twinkling blue lights strung along the top.

“Jake washed and sized every one of those rocks before he cemented them together.”

“Beautiful. Did he plant all those trees, too?” Misty pointed at the neat, orderly rows of green pine trees on the property.

“Sure did. He told me he liked the peace. He built a brick-and-wood bench beside the pond just so he could sit and listen to the wind whisper through the pines.”

“He sounds like a romantic.”

Trey chuckled. “Maybe he was. He was tough, but he had a soft side, too. He always called Twin Oaks his little love nest.”

Misty laughed in delight. “What a great guy.”

As she drove up to the B&B’s entrance, she saw an arched black metal sign overhead that read “Twin Oaks” entwined with the silhouettes of two oak trees. Another long rope of twinkling blue lights highlighted the sign. She turned in past twin rock buttresses that curved outward from the fence on either side of the entry and drove onto the estate.

“Plenty to do here in season. Basketball. Tennis. Swimming. Golf.” Trey pointed ahead. “You can park by the white board fence that encloses the horse pasture behind that red barn.”

She drove across dry grass, pulled up to the fence, and stopped her SUV. She sat still for a long moment as she listened to the wind whisper through the trees. She gazed at the imposing house that rose in planes, angles, and sharp roof lines. Red brick. Green trim. Slate-gray shingles. Three-car garage. Extra parking for guests by the tennis court. Beautiful in its stark simplicity and welcoming ambiance.

“Looks like Jake built a multilevel Midcentury Modern house in the eighties.” She turned to look at Trey in astonishment.

“Sure did. He was a young man based in California during World War II when he first saw that style. Remained his favorite architecture.”

“I can’t wait to see inside.”

“Not disappointed?”

She glanced into his bright hazel eyes. “Impossible. You’re right. This is a special place. I’m glad I’m staying here.”

“Good. Come on. Let’s get you settled in.”

She got out, picked up her laptop in its case from the backseat, and slid the strap of her large handbag over her shoulder as she walked to the rear of her SUV. Trey was already there waiting for her. When she opened the back and started to pick up her bags, he grabbed the heaviest right out from under her hands.

“Let me do like my mama taught me and act the gentleman.” Trey easily lifted her two cases. “It’s enough for you to handle your laptop and whatever else is in that giant bag.”

“Thanks. Always the question for men, isn’t it? What do women put in their handbags?”

“Scary thought. Don’t want to know.”

She joined his laughter and locked her SUV. They were some distance from the house. She walked beside him across dry grass to a two-story pergola outlined by twinkling blue lights with a green picnic table on each level. The redbrick pergola appeared to be the viewing stand for the tennis court enclosed by a high chain-link fence.

“Jake really was a visionary, wasn’t he?” She gestured around as she walked across the cement court.

“And he did the work himself. Bit by bit.”

“Even more impressive.”

At the front of the house, she noticed sliding glass doors under a covered entry porch. A silver-and-blue wreath hung on each door. White poinsettias with green leaves brightened a redbrick planter. A huge oak tree, with the trunk wrapped in silver and blue tinsel and lights, cast the area in shadow.

Misty heard a meow and glanced up. Bright blue eyes in a white face with a black mark across the nose stared down at her. She smiled at the cat on the roof. Another beauty. She might as well start taking lots of cats in Wildcat Bluff for granted like everybody else.

Trey walked over, patted the oak’s trunk, and looked up. “Meet Big John. Big Bertha is on the other side of the house. Jake built between them so if lightning struck, it’d hit the trees.”

She followed his gaze upward. High above, the center trunk was gray, lightning blasted, but the tree was a survivor. New branches had grown tall and strong around the storm damage.

In Wildcat Bluff, everything appeared intensely alive, even in winter. Creativity, happiness, and love of life were obviously nurtured here. Misty felt a little like Big John, damaged by life’s storms but still strong—and still growing—just like Aunt Cami had always wanted for her.

“Welcome to Twin Oaks Bed & Breakfast!” The sliding glass doors snapped open. A lithe woman in jeans, a red top, and black cowboy boots stepped outside. She wore her dark hair straight and blunt-cut at her shoulders. She’d tucked a white poinsettia bloom behind one ear.

“Hey, Ruby.” Trey patted the tree again. “Just introduced your new guest to your favorite guy.”

“Did you now?” Ruby said in a husky, alto voice. “All I ask is that you don’t whisper sweet nothings to Big John so he runs off and leaves me lonely.”

Misty laughed. “I’ll do my best not to lure him away.”

“Thanks.” She held out a sun-browned hand. “Ruby Jobson, chief cook and bottle washer. You must be Misty Reynolds.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Misty shook Ruby’s firm hand. She knew right away that Ruby was Country Texas by her brisk walk, humorous talk, and strong handshake. She might meet a few women like her in Dallas, but here in the countryside, most of the women would be like Ruby. Straight talkers. Hard workers. Salt of the Earth. They had a generosity of spirit that never turned anyone hungry away from the table. Misty knew she couldn’t be in better hands.

“Heard Trey’s had you busy,” Ruby said in a typical Texas understatement.

“All in a day’s work. Put out a fire with a towel. Drive to Wildcat Bluff with a half-naked man who has my vehicle smelling like a campfire. Meet a six-toed cat. And listen to the seductive whispers of Big John.”

Ruby guffawed. “Sounds like you’re my kind of gal.”

Misty appreciated the compliment. She wasn’t usually so clever with words. Wildcat Bluff was apparently having a positive impact on her. She felt more alive than she had in a long time.

“Come on inside and make yourself at home. Trey, you too.”

Misty stepped onto the terra-cotta tile of an enclosed breezeway. Pots of red poinsettia plants added vibrant color. The garden room extended across the house to another wall of glass with sliding doors. She could see a brick gazebo with one side built around the trunk of an ancient oak. Big Bertha. Now she could see how Twin Oaks got its name.

In typical Midcentury Modern fashion, organic outdoors moved indoors with red brick halfway up the walls to meet bright white above and green plants in terra-cotta pots below. A ceiling fan circulated air across a colorful poster of a woman on horseback framed in gray barn wood that read, “National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Fort Worth, Texas.”

“Wildcat Bluff cowgirls make quite a showing there,” Ruby said, sounding quietly boastful.

“I’ve never been to the cowgirl museum.”

“Ought to go.” Ruby swiveled toward Trey. “Got to bring this gal up to speed. You up for a trip to Fort Worth?”

“Ask the cows.” He set down Misty’s luggage.

“Hah! Ornery critters. They keep you hog-tied. You got to bust loose every now and again.”

“Thought I’d bring barbeque over tonight with a mess of curly fries and fried jalapeños,” Trey said in a dry tone. “Wild enough for you?”

“Take my pickup and go home, mouthy cuss.”

“Need me to bring anything back from town?” Trey gave Ruby an aw-shucks look as if he were completely innocent.

Misty wanted to laugh out loud, but instead she just shook her head at their friendly banter.

“Thanks, but I’m all set.” Ruby put her hands on her narrow hips. “Only two other folks are staying here. Real nice couple from Houston. They own a string of antique stores in Texas, so they’re scouting around for merchandise.”

“Nobody’s asking about water rights? Gas? Coal? Timber?” Trey asked.

“So far, all’s quiet on that front.”

Misty cringed. She’d met nothing but nice people in Wildcat Bluff. She wished she wasn’t with them on false pretenses. Still, she’d been warned not to trust anybody, so she wouldn’t. Besides, nice and polite could cover up a lot of sins. She’d just have to make sure they never learned about her association with Texas Timber, or at least not till after she’d completed her investigation.

“Misty, glad you could join us,” Ruby said. “Vacationers are always good company.”

“I’ll try not to get in your way.”

“Not a word of it. You’re my guest and I want you to enjoy the place. Daddy built it for fun, so see if you can get stodgy Trey to let loose.”

“I’ve been called a lot of things, but never stodgy.” Trey put his large hand across his heart as if hurt. “Just for that crack, I’m only bringing tasty barbeque for two.”

“At least you like to live dangerously.” Ruby snorted, obviously trying to hold in her laughter.

Trey glanced at Misty, something hot glimmering in his eyes, then quickly snapped the sliding doors shut behind him.

“Wonder who put a burr under his saddle?” Ruby cocked her head at Misty. “Doubt it was me.”

Misty took a deep breath as she watched Trey walk away. With a backside like that, he hardly needed anything else going for him. Instead, he had plenty of everything that could set a gal ablaze.

When he reached the dark green pickup with TOB&B painted in white on its side, he turned and started back.

Misty opened the sliding door, wondering what he wanted to say.

Ruby leaned out. “Keys are on the driver’s side floorboard!”

“Thanks. I’ll get them,” he said when he reached the open door. “Now, ladies, don’t go starting fires—of any kind—without me.” He mischievously winked. “Misty, your half-naked firefighter will be back with grub real soon.”

“What about me?” Ruby asked, humor bubbling in her voice.

“What do naughty gals get?” He tried to look stern, but his eyes were twinkling too much for it to be effective.

“Naughty guys, I hope. And a rack of ribs.”

Trey laughed hard, shook his head, then sauntered back to the truck, got inside, and drove away.

“Hot, ain’t he?” Ruby said in her raspy voice. “That Duval clan and their cousins, the Steele family, are notorious for attracting more fire than they can put out.”

“No opinion, one way or the other.” Misty tried to sound businesslike, or at least prim and proper.

“Hah!” Ruby pointed at the tail end of the pickup as it sped down the road. “No point fooling yourself right off the bat. Love ’em or hate ’em, there’s not a woman ever lived who didn’t have an opinion on the Duval and Steele males.”

“I met his cousin Kent.”

“Now there’s a heartbreaker if ever there was one.”

“Do any of them actually get married?”

“Guess you mean, why settle for one cow when you can milk the herd?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“’Course it is.” Ruby leaned near and lowered her voice. “Truth is, when those guys fall, they fall hard. It takes a real special woman to bring them to their knees with a diamond ring in their hands.”

Misty sighed as she closed the door, realizing she’d appeared too interested in the local cowboys.

“Kent and Trey haven’t been roped and hog-tied.”

Misty chuckled at the image. “Maybe they ought to be.”

“If you held the rope, I doubt they’d complain.”

Misty refused to go down that dangerous road. “I’m just here for a peaceful getaway. I doubt those guys are what you might call peaceful.”

Ruby gave a big guffaw that filled the breezeway. “Just the opposite.”

Misty adjusted her shoulder bag, more than ready to end this conversation. She glanced down at her luggage.

“Here I am jawing while you’re wanting your room and a bath, aren’t you?”

“That’d be lovely. I’m afraid I’m a little smoky and smelly after the fire.”

“I can tell you right now the folks of Wildcat Bluff County appreciate you pitching in to stop that grass fire.”

“Glad to be of assistance.”

“Some people would’ve gone on by. You showed a big spirit, particularly a generous Christmas spirit.”

“You really like Christmas around here, don’t you?”

“Nothing better.” Ruby sighed, rubbing her forehead as if in pain. “But this year? It’s not easy getting in the right frame of mind, what with the heat and drought and fires.”

“Can’t last forever.”

Ruby cocked her head, giving Misty the once-over. “That’s the spirit. And there’s a pretty Christmas angel for some Christmas spirit in your suite.”

“Did Trey suggest it?”

“Trey?”

“He called me his Christmas angel for stopping to help.”

“Did he now?” Ruby’s eyes glinted with interest. “Guess he’s got Christmas on his mind.”

“Suppose so.” Misty reached down to pick up a bag.

“Let’s go upstairs.” As Ruby started to get Misty’s other piece of luggage, the front sliding doors snapped open.

At the sound, Misty turned around to look, expecting Trey or Kent. Instead, she saw a woman with platinum-blond hair and a big white smile to go with her tall, slim, well-maintained body. Right behind her was a man just as finely put together who obviously worked out to stay in shape. They looked to be in their forties. The woman wore a charcoal pencil skirt with a red silk blouse and black high heels. He wore creased jeans, a burgundy shirt, and brown leather boots.

“I’d like you to meet J.P. and Charlene Gladstone. They’re antique dealers.” Ruby gestured toward Misty. “And this is Misty Reynolds. She’s here on vacation.”

J.P. tipped his cowboy hat. “Pleased to meet you. You sure do brighten up the place.”

“Absolutely,” Charlene agreed. “And I’m happy to have another lady’s company.”

“Good to meet you both,” Misty said as she evaluated the couple. She bet J.P.’s expensive cowboy boots had never seen stirrups or muddy pastures and Charlene’s heels would never stand up to the challenge either. City folks, no doubt about it.

“Any luck finding antiques?” Ruby asked.

“We found a few things on our want list.” Charlene glanced east. “Sherman, Denison, and Bonham are always good places to look.”

“Sounds like a fun way to make a living.” Misty decided the two appeared to be successful and savvy businesspeople.

“Twenty years of fun,” Charlene agreed. “You just never know what nuggets of Texas history you’ll run across.”

J.P. chuckled. “And we’re always on the lookout for the latest popular kitsch.”

“Always,” Charlene said. “Right now we’re searching for antique Christmas angels.”

Angels again. Misty had to smile. “Perfect season for your hunt.”

Ruby’s gaze met Misty’s. “This time of year everybody seems to be looking for an angel.”

J.P. shrugged. “A greenback’s a greenback, no matter how you slice it. Angels or flying pigs. We’ll search it out.” J.P chuckled as he glanced down at Misty’s luggage. “But don’t let us keep you from settling into your room. Plenty of time to chat later.”

“I’ll look forward to it.” Charlene patted her sleek, shiny hair.

Ruby grabbed Misty’s bag, then quickly opened the door into the house. “Right this way.”

Misty gave the couple a polite smile, picked up her luggage, and followed Ruby into a house that smelled of cedar and cinnamon.

Ruby closed the door behind them. “That’s my suite to the left. The other three suites are on the top floor. Glad Daddy had the idea of giving everybody their own bathroom. It saved me a lot of work when I decided to open a B&B.”

Misty passed the closed door to Ruby’s suite and entered a large living room. She caught her breath at the beauty. The ceiling soared to the roof in an A-line with a balcony behind them overlooking the area. To the right, a half-brick wall opened up to a bright, yellow kitchen that was reached by three brick steps. A redbrick fireplace cut across one corner and extended to the ceiling. Contemporary furniture with a geometric pattern on the upholstery completed the room. Yet everything was overshadowed by a huge Christmas tree that dominated the corner of the room opposite the fireplace.

A colorful peacock with spread tail feathers perched on top of the tree in place of an angel. Ornaments in the shape of peacocks, feathers, and glass balls in turquoise, lapis, hot pink, and gold festooned the tree. Aqua and pink bulbs glowed warmly against the green of the cedar tree.

“That’s stunning!” Misty walked over to get a closer look. Brightly wrapped packages and colorful sacks were tucked around the tree’s base.

“Glad you like my creation. I’m right proud. First year for it. We’re doing weddings and birthdays in the peacock theme, so why not a Christmas tree?”

“Gorgeous.” And best of all, it didn’t remind her of traditional Christmas decorations, so Misty could enjoy it.

“Not everybody agrees. Some folks like classic red and green. And angels.” Ruby chuckled as she waved a hand toward the mantel, where a green garland draped down the length with colorful peacocks tucked here and there.

“Did you decorate all this yourself?”

“When I’ve got big, brawny cowboy firefighters to come in here and help? Not likely!”

“Looks neatly done.”

Ruby laughed. “Not that it didn’t require a little repositioning after I shooed them out the door, but they did the hard part.”

“I have to admit I’m having a little trouble imagining Trey and Kent hanging Christmas tree ornaments.”

“Big tree to get in here and get set up. I needed the muscle.” Ruby adjusted a peacock ornament. “And don’t let anybody kid you. Those guys can be gentle with their hands when the occasion calls for it.”

“Hmmm.” Misty’s mind wandered as she imagined gentle hands in all the right places.

“You’ll see. They’re good guys. You should see them handle horses.” Ruby winked at her. “Now, let’s get you upstairs and into your room.”

Misty followed Ruby up the steps to the expansive kitchen with light wood cabinets, white laminate countertops, and a vintage dining table and matching chairs that fit perfectly with the Mid-Century Modern architecture. She hurried to catch up as Ruby ascended a short flight of stairs to the top level.

“I put you in the Sun Suite.” Ruby opened a door and threw it wide. “Hope you like it.”

Misty stepped into a room with peach walls and white trim. Sunlight streamed in through two windows to cast a warm glow over everything. A bright orange spread covered the queen bed, with purple and green throw pillows added for more color. Minimalist furniture with straight lines in cherrywood made up the headboard, dresser, desk, chair, and settee. A blond-haired angel dressed in a long, white satin gown with a harp in her hands was positioned prominently on top of the desk.

Ruby walked over and punched a button on the base of the Christmas angel. The angel’s arms moved up and down as if strumming the harp to a tinny rendition of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Misty felt dizzy, as if all the air in the room had suddenly been sucked out. She set down her luggage, laptop, and handbag. She quickly walked over to the settee and sat down, feeling as if she might cry. She put her hand to her mouth to stop the tears, the memories. She hadn’t been this overcome in a long time. She absolutely could not let a Christmas song thrust her back in time to the moment when her life had been turned upside down. She overrode the song in her mind with her safe words, “Be here now. Safe and sound. Be here now.”

Ruby smiled fondly at the Christmas angel. “That song was written in 1739, if you can believe it. Now that’s the power and endurance of Christmas.” Ruby turned away from the angel. “Honey, what’s the matter?” She hurried over to Misty and put a hand on her shoulder.

“Tired. I just need a shower—to rest.”

“No wonder. And here I am prattling on to beat the band.” Ruby backed up. “Your closet’s behind that door. Bathroom’s behind the other. Key’s on the desk. You need anything, just holler.”

“Thanks.” Misty glanced up in time to see Ruby shut the door behind her.

As the song came to a blessed end, she let out a sigh of relief. There was simply too much Christmas at Twin Oaks, but she didn’t have to put up with it in her own room.

She hurried into the bathroom and picked up a large white towel. She stalked over to the angel, grabbed the square base, and hauled the offending object to the closet. She shoved the angel into a back corner of the top shelf and carefully covered it with the towel, not leaving a bit to be seen.

She closed the closet door with a snap and glanced around the room. No more Christmas in sight. Perfect.

What a crazy day. She’d unpack, get a bath, and maybe take a nap. But first, she’d check in with Cindi Lou. She needed a heavy dose of the reality of her real day-to-day life in Dallas.

Cindi Lou picked up on the first ring. “Darlin’, tell me you’re safe in Wildcat Bluff.”

“I’m here in my room at Twin Oaks. It’s a beautiful place.”

“Good. Took you longer to get there than I expected. Is everything fine?”

“Yes. But—” Misty dropped onto the comfortable settee. “Are you sitting down? Have you got a Dr Pepper in hand?”

“Always. Now, give.”

“I put out a fire.”

“You what?” Cindi Lou’s shock rang out loud and clear. “Are you really okay?”

“I faced my fear and used my towels to help this cowboy firefighter put out a grass fire on my way into town.” Misty felt proud to tell her friend how strong she’d been earlier.

“Wait. Back up. Did you say cowboy firefighter?”

Misty chuckled, knowing her BFF only too well. “You skipped over the important stuff and went straight to the guy, didn’t you?”

“He’s hunky, isn’t he? I can tell by the sound of your voice. Does he have a brother, cousins, friends?”

Misty laughed harder. “I met his cousin.”

“And?”

Misty sighed, thinking back to the two cowboys standing side by side and looking like the poster boys for hotness.

“Oh, you’ve got it bad,” Cindi Lou chortled in her booming voice. “They’re that good, huh?”

“I don’t have it bad,” Misty said in her best prim and proper voice. “But I admit they’re eye candy on steroids.”

“Photos. Snap a selfie with the hunks and send it to me.”

“I doubt they’re into selfies.”

“Now that sets my mind ablaze. What are they into? Ropes? Spurs? Big long fire hoses?”

Misty couldn’t keep from laughing at her friend’s wonderful outrageousness. “Maybe you’d better come up here and ask them.”

“And leave the Hub? Sure as I did, a major crisis would descend out of the blue. But thanks for the thought.” Cindi Lou loudly slurped her drink.

“Everybody so far has been really nice and friendly.”

“The Texas way. You know that can mean little to nothing.”

“Or everything. At least it makes life easier.”

“Now, remember to take care.”

“I’ll be careful.” Misty glanced around the room, calculating safety. She was on the top floor at the far end of the hall. In case of fire, she wasn’t in an optimal position to escape. That made her feel a little uneasy, but not enough to demand another room and chance calling attention to herself and endangering her investigation.

Cindi Lou huffed into the phone. “You heard me, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I was thinking. Tomorrow I’ll try to find a fire extinguisher and keep it in my room.”