by Kim Redford
“Something like that.”
“If it helps, it’s not personal. She’s a singer, so she’s a rolling stone.” Ivy took a closer look at him, feeling a sudden tightness in her chest. “I hope you aren’t one of the—”
“Not me. But there is a guy. Craig Thorne. Singing cowboy. They performed together on the Hall’s stage. He thought they had something special.”
“Guys always do, bless their hearts.” She glanced over as Slade leaned his elbows on the bar. “She must’ve liked this Craig more than a little if she picked up and ran that hard that fast.”
“I doubt he’d agree, but she did leave things in a muddle.”
“That’s where I come in.” Ivy turned toward him. “My parents named us well. I’m the ivy that holds everything together while she’s the fern that spreads up and out.”
He nodded, glanced around at the room, then back. “So, what do you plan to do here?”
“I’m considering my options.”
“Folks are wondering about Fern…about the sister who showed up to take her place…and about Wildcat Hall.”
“Fern ought to be back at some point.”
“Will she?”
“That’s the plan, but you never know about the timing. Right now she’s entertaining on a cruise ship.”
“We all thought she was dedicated to preserving and expanding Wildcat Hall.”
“Y’all aren’t the only ones. It’s always been her dream to own a venue where she could nurture country musicians.”
“Heard that. Plus, Bill and Ida Murphy hooked up with her on a genealogy website and discovered they were long lost cousins. The Hall always belonged to somebody in their family. Otherwise, they’d never have sold to an outsider. Lots of folks in our county would’ve stepped up for Wildcat Hall to preserve it because it’s been the center of community life here from the get-go.”
“Guess y’all were surprised when strangers took over. I’m half-owner since I helped finance her dream, but I’d intended to be a silent partner. Now—”
“I got it. But if you’re anything like your sister—”
“Not so much.”
He nodded again, considering her with watchful blue eyes.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d let folks know I’m here to take care of Wildcat Hall.”
“Will do.” He cleared his throat. “I came over because…well, it’d be good to generate more interest in the Hall.”
“I agree.” She smiled, cocking her head to let him know she was listening even as she decided he took up way too much physical space and created way too much heat for her to be easy in his presence. She didn’t need a too-hot cowboy disturbing her already disturbed thoughts. She needed to think straight so she could get a handle on what she was going to do with the honky-tonk.
“Good.” He rapped the top of the bar with his knuckles, glanced around, and refocused on her. “Place is still good but stale. Christmas is coming up. It’ll take more than a few prayers to put Wildcat Hall on the map again.”
“Maybe a sound marketing strategy?”
“That too.” He smiled with a teasing glint in his blue eyes. “If you’ll let me, I’ll be glad to help out. I have a few ideas.”
She returned his smile, feeling his magnetism tug at her, stoking fires she’d thought long gone. She could see how he’d be the perfect answer to a lonely lady’s prayers, but she needed something else from him. “Do tell.”
Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Feast
On sale October 2019
Acknowledgments
Once more I’d like to thank all the folks who generously shared their time, expertise, and encouragement.
George Gimarc, music and comedy radio programing guru, as well as founder of the Texas Musician’s Museum, contributed wonderful advice and knowledge about the intricacies of radio.
Darmond Gee deserves great credit for describing his own personal firefighter experience in the dozer scene as well as taking me on a research trip to Medicine Springs, the real-life basis for my Wildcat Spring.
C. Dean Andersson, horror and fantasy writer, gave great pacing feedback throughout this book.
Elisabeth Fairchild is a beloved historical fiction author who brought important details to my attention with her fine editorial eye.
John Wooley kept me toe-tapping with Swing on This (Public Radio Tulsa 89.5), where he has been celebrating western swing and cowboy jazz for more than fifteen years. He is the prolific author and editor of over forty books, and he was the first writer to be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
Ramona Reed Blair continues to inspire me with her wonderful singing and yodeling. She debuted on radio at KTMC, McAlester, Oklahoma, in 1949 when she was fifteen. She went on to star in the Grand Ole Opry, where she stood out in a line of all male performers. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame for her many contributions to western swing.
About the Author
Kim Redford is the bestselling author of western romance novels. She grew up in Texas with cowboys, cowgirls, horses, cattle, and rodeos. She divides her time between homes in Texas and Oklahoma, where she’s a rescue cat wrangler and horseback rider—when she takes a break from her keyboard. Visit her at kimredford.com.
Also by Kim Redford
SMOKIN’ HOT COWBOYS
A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas
Blazing Hot Cowboy
A Very Cowboy Christmas
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