A Cowboy Firefighter For Christmas (Smokin' Hot Cowboys 1) (7 page)

What was it about Misty that brought out Trey’s protective instincts? He held her gently when he wanted to crush her against his chest. He’d seen her savvy, sassy self. Now he’d glimpsed her vulnerable, inner self. Simply made him like her all the more. Panic attack. Over fire? There was a story there. He’d like to ask her, but it’d be rude and invasive and she’d probably resist sharing it. Maybe she’d tell him in time. She’d obviously overcome a lot of fear to fight that fire with him. It made her strong in his book. It gave him a bit of a mystery to solve. And it made her more delectable than ever.

He didn’t want to like and admire somebody who’d be leaving in a week or two. She might reel him in like a fish on a line before she tossed him back for being too country, too cowboy. He wasn’t used to being tossed back. And he didn’t figure he was going to get used to it, not now or ever. He’d take what he could get while he could get it. Dallas wasn’t all that far away. Bottom line, he’d find a way to keep her in Wildcat Bluff till Christmas. Sure was the right thing to do, her being his Christmas angel and all.

For now, he had her in his arms, and that was exactly where he wanted her. He could feel the sleek, soft wetness of her hair against his chin. Even wet as she was, he caught the scent of cinnamon and spice that reminded him of Christmas. Shampoo, perfume, or clothes, he didn’t know or care. Suited her fine. Just like her body fit him to a T. He’d known she’d be perfect for him from the first and now he’d proved it.

He still had a niggling doubt in the back of his mind about why she was in Wildcat Bluff. But he didn’t want to go there, so he thrust that thought into the cellar and slammed the door shut. He’d deal with her possible deception later, when the stars weren’t bright in the sky and she wasn’t warm in his arms.

He stroked down her back and felt the smallness of her waist as he pulled her closer. He heard her sigh, a soft escape of breath. He understood. He had the same feeling of rightness. When she clasped his shoulders to hold him tighter, he felt her damp, plump breasts warm against the solid muscles of his chest. Wet fabric didn’t leave much to the imagination. Now he wanted a hell of a lot more than a hug from her.

They might as well be naked. Warm water swirled around them, plastering their clothes to their bodies from the waist down. She was all delicious curves and valleys. He was getting hotter and harder by the moment. If he didn’t move away, he was going to reveal exactly how much he wanted her. Yet he couldn’t resist placing a kiss against her temple, a promise to keep when he wouldn’t feel like a heel for taking advantage.

She leaned back and touched a fingertip to her lips before pressing her kiss to his mouth as she mimicked his earlier touch. He kissed her fingertip, gentle when he wanted to be savage. Yet he understood the necessity of leashing physical needs to address emotional ones.

“Thank you.” She stepped back. “You came to my rescue.”

“Turnabout’s fair play. You came to my rescue earlier.”

“I’m not usually so needy.”

“It can happen.” He gestured toward the sack on the table. “That’s why I brought food for us.”

“It’s cold now.”

“Won’t matter.”

“True.”

“Want to eat at the table?” He gestured toward the round picnic table with comfortable chairs around it.

“We’re wet.”

“The night’s warm.”

He stepped out of the pool, dripping water from his jeans, and held out his hand. She hesitated before clasping his fingers and allowing him to help her out of the water. Her slight hesitation alerted him that she didn’t quite trust him. Not too surprising since she hadn’t known him long, but he wanted to change that fact. He wanted her to completely trust him.

She tried to shake out her capris, but they clung to her like a second skin. She glanced up at him. “Now that you’ve landed me, you aren’t going to toss me back as too scrawny, are you?”

Funny how she’d had the same thought he’d had earlier. “If you’re hooked, good and proper, I know how to reel you in.” He’d meant to be glib, but his words had come out with a ring of truth. “I have barbeque as bait.” He grinned to make light of his words, but still felt the seriousness underneath them.

She gave him an inquiring look and chuckled to ease the sudden tension. “Better be wary of what you hook. Might be more than you bargained for.”

“Bet I can handle it.”

“I wouldn’t bet against a cowboy firefighter EMT.” She motioned toward the sack. “But right now, I’m going for your bait.”

“That I can deliver.” He grinned, feeling his world slide back into place.

“You’d better,” she said with a lilting tease in her voice.

“I might even do you one better. I bet Ruby’s got some towels stashed around here.”

“I wouldn’t mind getting some of the water out of my hair.”

He walked over to a cabinet where he knew Ruby kept paper towels, napkins, and other such kitchen stuff. He opened a door, found kitchen towels, shook his head in disappointment, then tried another door and hit pay dirt. He pulled out three white bath towels and headed back to Misty where she stood by the table, dripping water down the length of her.

“Want me to dry you?” he asked with a suggestive tone in his voice.

“No thanks.” She chuckled as she held out her hands. “I believe I still know how to do it.”

“But where’s the fun in that?” He couldn’t resist teasing her, but his words held a kernel of truth, too.

She simply shook her head at him as she accepted two towels. She blotted her face, smearing her makeup a bit, before she wrapped a towel around her hair. She quickly patted down her body before she folded the towel, set it on a chair, sat down, and sighed in contentment.

He dropped his folded towel on the seat next to her. He wasn’t about to try and sluice off his jeans. Wouldn’t help much and he’d look like a wimp. Besides, they’d both air-dry pretty quick in the dry heat. He sat down, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Long, hard day followed by tasty barbeque and fine companionship made life right. He ripped open the food sack, pulled out beers, set them out, and then placed a white, square container of food in front of each of them. Last, he tossed her a bag with a fork and napkin.

“Don’t say a word about the utensils.” He grinned. “Ruby already raked me over the coals for improper table settings.”

“Reminds me, where are the tablecloth and candles?”

“Don’t even go there.”

She chuckled as she pulled the towel from her head, set it in a crumpled heap on the table, and fluffed out her damp hair. She tore open the cellophane package and took out her fork and napkin. “I doubt this flimsy napkin will be enough. I like my barbeque messy.”

“That’s why I brought the paper towels.”

“Good thing.” She grabbed a handful and slid the rest toward him.

He flipped open the plastic lid to his barbeque.

“Smells wonderful.” She opened her container, too. “You brought ribs?”

“Don’t you like them?” He glanced at her in surprise.

“You brought a lady the messiest food you could order.”

“Can’t fool me. That’s just the way you like it.”

“Right.” She pointed a rib at him. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse—”

“And chase the rider.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Already heard that one today.”

“Aren’t we sensitive?”

“What I am is hungry.” And he started in on his ribs, a tender, tasty treat if ever there was one.

As they scarfed up curly fries, jalapeños, potato salad, coleslaw, ribs, and beer, they were silently intent on their food.

Trey heard nothing except the trickling of the spring until a coyote howled an eerie cry in the distance. Soon the animal was joined by a chorus of other coyotes.

Misty tossed down her rib bone. “What is that noise?”

“Coyote pack.”

“Sounds dangerous. Are they allowed to roam free?”

“How are you going to stop them? They were here first. Besides, they’re good rodent hunters, so they help balance the ecosystem.”

“I’ve heard they go after small dogs in towns.”

“Only if their territory has been overrun and they’re starving with no place to go. It’s a shame for coyotes and dogs.”

“I guess Dallas spreading out onto farms and pastures could do it.”

“Yep.”

“But we’re safe?”

“Coyotes are basically shy creatures.” He gave her a mischievous glance, raising one eyebrow. “But if you’d like to sit on my lap, I’d be happy to protect you from any dangerous critters that might happen by. Warm you up, too, since you must be chilled, wet and all.”

She tossed a rib bone at him. “You’re just looking for trouble.”

“If you’d like to give me some, I wouldn’t complain.”

“I’m dripping-dry just fine without your lap.”

“Shame about that.” He shook his head in disappointment.

She laughed. “You’re just bad.”

“And that’s good?”

She tossed another rib bone at him, laughing harder.

“Hey, I’m going to be wearing more barbeque sauce than I’m eating if you keep that up.”

“But that’s good, isn’t it?”

“Now you’re the one who’s looking for trouble.”

“Think I’ve found it?”

He leaned toward her and wiped barbeque sauce from the corner of her mouth with his fingertip. He put his finger to the tip of his tongue. “Sweetest sauce I ever tasted.”

“Hah! What’s good for the gander is good for the goose.” She leaned in close to him and quickly licked the corner of his mouth. She sat back, looking quite pleased, obviously expecting him to go on teasing her.

But he felt her touch like a punch to the gut. If that was a sample of what she could do to him, he wanted her tongue all over him, licking and stroking and tormenting until he returned the favor. She was playing with fire and didn’t know it. Pretty quick, he wasn’t going to be able to control the inferno she was building in him.

“Trey?” She raised her eyebrows in obvious concern. “Was I out of line?”

“Hell no!”

He leaned over, grasped the back of her neck, and planted his lips on hers. She tasted like beer, barbeque, and a sweetness that could only be her own. He felt a growl lock in his throat as something feral threatened to bust loose. Yet he remained gentle, not about to spook her, as he nibbled from one corner of her mouth to the other, then probed slightly with his tongue.

When she parted her lips, his groan broke free as he pushed into her soft, warm depths. He heard her sigh, a soft, husky sound, as she returned his kiss, grasping his shoulders and pulling him closer.

“Howdy out there! Where are you two?” a woman’s voice called, breaking the stillness of the night.

Misty gasped and jerked back. “Is that the Gladstones?”

“If it is, I’m going to sic the coyotes on them.”

He heard footsteps on the brick walkway that led to the spring. He cursed under his breath at the lousy timing. He couldn’t even get up, not in his wet jeans, or he’d reveal exactly what they’d been up to out here.

Misty put a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with surprise and wonder, as she stared at him. “I guess that kinda got out of control. But we’ve been under a lot of stress.”

“Not out of control at all.” He tugged her hand toward him and kissed her soft palm. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first moment I saw you.”

She gently cradled his face with her hand. “We’ve been a little busy for you to follow up on that plan till now.”

“I didn’t know if you’d be so inclined.”

“Guess I am, or was, but we’d better leave it here.”

“You sure?” If he had time, he’d change her mind, but the footsteps were drawing close.

She nodded as she pulled her hand away and placed it in her lap.

“There you are!” Charlene stepped into the gazebo.

“We brought more to drink.” J.P. followed her, holding a tray of beers.

Trey leaned close to Misty. “You’re my Christmas angel.”

She shook her head in denial.

“Won’t let you forget it.”

J.P. set the tray on the table, seated Charlene beside Misty, and eased down in a chair. “Pretty place, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Misty agreed.

Charlene winked at Trey. “So, what have you two been doing?” She patted Misty’s hand, her fingers sporting red-tipped nails and sparkling rings. “Sugar, your hair is all wet, and your makeup’s a mess. Maybe you ought to check a mirror.”

Misty pulled her hand away, surprised at Charlene’s rudeness. Maybe she’d been struck by the green-eyed-jealousy monster despite being married to a nice-looking man like J.P. and didn’t want another gal hanging out with Trey. Whatever the case, Misty knew her makeup wasn’t in the best shape, but she didn’t much care. And Trey didn’t appear to either.

But she’d learned something important about Charlene for her file. The perfectly put-together antique hunter liked to think she was the only woman on-site who could turn a man’s head.

Misty caught Trey’s glance, but all he did was shrug and appear amused at Charlene’s comment.

“That’ll happen when you take a spontaneous dip in the spring,” Misty said, throwing Charlene’s words back at her. “Feels wonderful. You ought to give it a try while you’re here. Washes away all your troubles.”

Charlene clicked her long nails together as she smiled with crimson-tinted lips. “Skinny-dipping? Naughty girl.”

J.P. sat up straighter and gave Misty a closer look.

“Not at all.” Trey jumped into the conversation. “Clothes and all. Looked like so much fun I had to join her. We’re sitting here letting our clothes dry, enjoying the night and shooting the breeze.”

“He’s been telling me about his work as an EMT.” Misty decided to get the discussion away from her wet clothes and messy makeup.

“You’re an emergency medical technician?” Charlene’s big eyes widened in surprise and interest.

“Let me answer that.” Ruby stepped into the gazebo, carrying two battery-powered hurricane lanterns. She set them on the table before she took a seat across from Misty.

“Cozy.” Misty liked the soft illumination, but she hoped it didn’t reveal more makeup smears or too much about what she and Trey had been doing alone. She touched her lips, felt the puffiness, and wondered if they were swollen. If so, maybe nobody would notice. When she heard Trey’s soft chuckle, she knew he knew what was on her mind.

“Trey is one of our volunteer firefighters,” Ruby explained. “They also assist our community as paramedics.”

“We noticed your fire station.” J.P. popped the top of a beer as he gave Ruby a sidelong glance. “Place looks new.”

“It is,” Ruby agreed with enthusiasm. “The Wildcat Bluff County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Station is our pride and joy. Everybody pitched in, and we held benefits to raise funds for the new building. We’re all working hard to be able to afford to update and upgrade our old station, as well as get training for our volunteers.”

“Our town and county need the services, so we make the extra effort,” Trey said. “The big cities have the money to pay full-time employees, but we’re all-volunteer. Folks from every walk of life in our county help when there’s trouble. There’s a lot of hometown spirit here. Our young men and women volunteer right out of high school and keep right on helping others all through their lives.”

“That’s impressive,” Charlene said with a smile.

“When a local home or business or ranch catches fire, we take it personally because it’s one of our neighbors,” Ruby explained. “And make no mistake, our fire station and apparatus would be nothing without the folks who serve faithfully whenever called to duty. They’re our greatest asset.”

“We all just do what needs to be done,” Trey said as he glanced around the table.

“Hogwash!” Ruby pointed at him. “Without you, Kent, Slade, Sydney, and all the other volunteers, we’d be up a creek without a paddle.”

“You’re fairly near bigger towns like Sherman with far greater resources, so why don’t you rely on them?” Charlene asked.

“Sherman and Denison are good for hospitals or other services, but they’re too far away for emergencies,” Trey explained. “Our folks live here in the Bluff or out on farms and ranches. If there’s a fire or medical emergency, they need help right away. In town, we try to arrive in less than three minutes. Farther out in the county, we get there as fast as we can make it.”

Charlene nodded. “Do you get many fires?”

“Lately, we’ve been getting more than our share,” Ruby said.

“Guess that’s on account of the heat and drought.” J.P. took a swig of beer.

“It’s on account of something.” Trey finished his beer and set it down with a sharp snap.

“Misty helped him put out a grass fire on her way to the Bluff,” Ruby added with warmth in her voice.

“Without her, we wouldn’t be sitting here tonight.” Trey gave Misty a warm look. “She’s our Christmas angel.”

“Is that so?” J.P said. “Guess we all owe her something for her involvement.”

Misty caught a look that passed between J.P. and Charlene. They must think she expected something. “Oh no, I’m not owed anything. I was happy to help out.”

“Do you often help strangers?” Charlene clicked her nails against the top of the table.

“I was just in the right place at the right time.” Misty avoided answering Charlene’s odd question, not wanting to make any reference to her business.

“I’m thinking you might want to be more cautious in the future.” Charlene cocked her head to one side. “This appears to be a safe community, but life can be dangerous.”

“Now, Charlene, don’t be putting your own worries on to somebody else.” J.P. spread his arms wide to include those at the table. “My dearest tends to be a little worrywart.”

“She’s right to be cautious,” Trey said. “But in this case, Misty saved the day.”

“She certainly did,” Ruby agreed.

Charlene turned to Trey with a big smile. “Now that you’ve impressed us with talk of your big new fire station, I hope I’ll get a tour.”

“That’d be a real pleasure to see,” J.P. agreed.

“Do you have time while you’re looking for collectibles?” Ruby asked.

“For something this interesting, we’ll make time.” Charlene glanced at J.P. “Won’t we, dear?”

“Anything you want, my little buttercup.”

Misty blinked at the endearments. They seemed out of place. But perhaps not. If Trey kissed her again, maybe she’d be calling him “buttercup,” too. Somehow she didn’t think so. Cindi Lou had warned her not to trust locals in conducting an investigation, and that advice had served her well in other cases. Now she was adding out-of-towners to that list of those not to trust, even if they did appear perfectly innocent.

She glanced at Trey. He raised an eyebrow. So he didn’t get the “buttercup” endearment either. He also hadn’t invited the Gladstones for a tour of the station. She shrugged in response. Shockingly, she realized they were communicating without words. That couldn’t possibly be a good sign for noninvolvement, but it did sort of tickle her fancy.

“Trey, thanks again for bringing barbeque tonight,” Ruby said.

“You’re welcome.”

“Yes, we do thank you,” Charlene added. “When we head home, I’m going to stop by the Chuckwagon Café and get barbeque to go.”

“I enjoyed it, too. Thanks.” Misty smiled at Trey, remembering the spicy taste when she’d licked the barbeque sauce from his lips. From his pleased expression, he remembered, too.

As Ruby started to pick up their trash and leftovers, a white streak of a cat leaped up on the table, grabbed a rib, and disappeared into the darkness.

“Temple!” Ruby scolded.

Trey laughed. “You know the best food is stolen food.”

Ruby joined his laughter. “You’re right. And don’t try to tell a cat any different.”

“If he gets sauce on his fur, he’ll be a red and white cat tomorrow.” Misty chuckled at the thought of that sight.

“Oh no, you’d never see a messy Temple,” Ruby said, “He wouldn’t allow his dignity to take such a blow in public.”

“Smart guy,” Trey said.

As everybody laughed, Misty looked out into the night for bright white fur, but she saw only darkness. She liked the idea of Temple enjoying his stolen treat. She glanced at Trey. Was he a stolen treat, one she couldn’t resist snatching for her own? She shook her head, knowing she had to get control of her thoughts and actions. She was here to do a job—an important job that paid her well and came first—that might mean putting off certain temptations, at least till the job was complete.

Ruby piled the remains of the barbeque dinners on the tray and added the empty beer cans. “Folks, I’ve got big doings tomorrow, so I’m headed to bed. Don’t let me spoil your fun if you want to stay out here.”

Trey stood and picked up the lanterns. “I need to go, too. Early morning. I’ve still got fence to fix.”

“I’m done, too.” Misty checked to make sure nothing had fallen under the table, picked up her wet towels, and then got to her feet.

“We’re ready to pack it in as well,” J.P. said. “We’re shopping tomorrow to see if we can find a cache of vintage owls.”

“They’re popular again, so collectors are asking for them,” Charlene explained.

“What type?” Misty asked.

“Anything. Everything. Ceramic. Plastic. Macramé.”

“Macramé?” Misty wondered out loud, finding it hard to imagine.

“Don’t ask.” Charlene shivered. “It was a seventies phenomenon. Back to the Earth type of thing. Everybody must have been making it. Necklaces. Bracelets. Wall hangings.”

“Beautiful work, for the most part,” J.P. said.

“If you like that kind of thing,” Charlene added.

“We found a windup owl about six inches tall yesterday. Late sixties. Its eyes go round and round in a psychedelic pattern.” J.P. laughed. “You’ve got to say ‘groovy’ when you look at it.”

Misty laughed as she accepted the wet towel Trey handed her. She was in a mellow mood as she walked with everyone back to the house. Out of the darkness, Temple leaped onto the walkway and led them with his tail held high.

When they entered the garden room, she started to follow the others and Temple inside the house. She felt a hand on her arm holding her back. Trey gestured with his head toward the front sliding doors.

“Good night,” he called.

Ruby picked up Temple and glanced back, smiling. “Now be good and don’t keep my guest up late. And Misty, just put those wet towels down on the tile. I’ll get them later.”

“Thanks,” she said as she set down the towels. “I’ll be right up.”

“See you tomorrow.” Charlene fluttered a hand at Misty. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

J.P. laughed as he put an arm around his wife’s waist. “Come on, honey, time’s a-wastin’.”

Misty waited till the others were inside and the door shut behind them before she turned to Trey with a shiver that had less to do with her damp clothes and more to do with the cowboy. “Don’t you have to be up early milking cows or something?”

He chuckled. “Feeding and watering steers. Mucking out horse stalls. Want to help?”

“Sounds like loads of fun, but I believe I’ll pass.”

“Over here.” He pointed at the wooden swing that hung on metal chains from the ceiling across from a softly glowing floor lamp between two plush chairs.

She sat down on a soft white cushion and looked up at him in inquiry. He eased down beside her, so close their thighs brushed together. They were both still damp. She felt the coolness of her capris contrast with the heat of his thigh against hers. He smelled like barbeque and the great outdoors, fresh, clean, and woodsy. The fabric of his jeans stretched taut across the muscles of his legs. She could see the veins on the backs of his hands and his thick, muscular wrists from handling animals. She swallowed hard. Every single thing about him put her nerve endings on alert.

He set the swing to moving back and forth. “I’ve always liked to swing. My grandparents had one on their front porch. For spooning, my grandpa used to say.”

“I like to swing, too.” And her wayward thoughts led her down the path to a naked Trey pleasuring her as the swing swayed and squeaked to his lusty thrusts.
Oh my
. If he knew her thoughts, he’d definitely think his Christmas angel was naughty, not nice.

He picked up her hand and cradled it in his bigger, stronger one. He stroked back and forth across her palm with his rough thumb. “I want to make sure you’re okay before I leave.”

“I’m fine.” She shivered at his touch, despite the way he made her temperature rise.

“For now. But when I’m gone?”

“I’ll still be fine.”

“Maybe I won’t.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

He raised her hand to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss to her palm before he traced a pattern across her soft flesh with his tongue.

She caught her breath at the tingling burn his touch created in her. How could one man make her feel so intensely needy with so little effort? Her clothes were cool and damp, but heat blossomed and blazed in the deepest, most sensitive part of her.

“I want you to think about me tonight when you’re in bed.”

“No. I’ll be asleep.”

He pressed a kiss to each of her fingertips. “Even if you know I’ll be thinking of you?”

“No. You’ll be asleep, too, after a day like today, putting out fires, doing ranch chores.”

He kissed the pulse point of her wrist. “Are you calling me a fibber or should I question your truth?”

She knew her fast heart rate was giving her away. She snatched back her hand and leaped to her feet.

He lazily stood up. “Seriously, I’m concerned about you. You might wake up with something worrying at you, something you need, another panic attack.”

“I told you I won’t.”

“I’m going out to my truck to get my phone. When I get back, let’s program your number into my cell.” He grinned at her before he walked to the sliding doors.

She didn’t know how he’d done it, but he’d made getting her phone number sound like a sensual act. Maybe he had phone sex on his mind. Maybe he thought they could share selfies. She abruptly stopped those thoughts before she went farther down that dangerous path.

He slid open the door, then stepped back. “Wait right here. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

“And if I refuse?” She decided to put up some resistance to his dominant stance for her own moral rectitude, if nothing else. “I hardly know you.”

“I aim to change that.” He grinned again, revealing strong, white teeth. “After all, I’m your personal paramedic. Doctor’s orders.”

When he stepped outside and shut the doors behind him, she watched his long legs eat up the ground. His silhouette was familiar to her already and every bit of it was easy on the eyes. Did he really expect her to obey him? He acted like they were already a done deal. She felt a little frisson of excitement. Maybe it’d depend on the deal. Or was he just a flirt who felt some concern about her health? She was the one who’d let her thoughts stray, or stampede, down a forbidden path.

She wrenched her mind back to business. He was the insider here. She was the outsider. He was a firefighter, so he knew about fires in the area. She couldn’t access those records or that knowledge without sending up red flags about her true intentions.