A Cowboy Firefighter For Christmas (Smokin' Hot Cowboys 1) by Kim Redford Page B

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