by Kim Redford
“It’d have to be soon. And I’ve never done anything like that before.”
“We’re all overextended during Christmas in the Country, so we need somebody like you to ramrod it through.”
“I’ll be happy to try.”
“Get Trey to be your partner. He knows the ropes around here.”
“I’ll ask him.”
Hedy chuckled. “Don’t ask. Tell. That’s the only way to get a guy in line on a project.”
Misty joined her laughter. “Okay, I’ll give that a try, too.”
“Trust me, it’s a winner.” Hedy glanced up at the sound of the chimes as a woman opened the front door, stepped inside, and glanced around with a look of delight on her face. “Appears our time’s up. Tell you what, let me make some phone calls and set up a meeting of fire-rescue volunteers at Twin Oaks. Christmas in the Country would be the perfect time for a fund-raiser if we can squeeze in another event.”
“When?”
“Tonight.” Hedy set down her glass. “About eight suit you?”
“Sounds great.”
“Got to take care of business.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
Misty watched Hedy zoom away, feeling good about their conversation. She was making progress. She reached into her handbag and pulled out her cell phone. Cindi Lou had left several texts asking if Misty was okay. She quickly texted her BFF back to let her know all was well. She’d call later to bring her up to date, and she might even mention a cowboy firefighter named Trey.
Chapter 19
Trey drove under the Twin Oaks sign about eight that evening. Hedy had texted him earlier to come to a fire-rescue meeting. They usually met at the B&B, but he hadn’t figured they’d get together again till after Christmas in the Country. Something important must’ve come up.
He parked beside Kent’s dinged-up blue pickup. Slade’s shiny black Jeep was there. And Sydney’s fancy yellow truck with the red and orange flames streaking down the sides stood out like a ray of sunshine. Hedy was most likely parked in front of the house so she could use the ramp up to the kitchen. He was glad to see Misty’s SUV in place, so he might get a chance to talk with her later. Somehow or the other, she always left him wanting more.
When he got out, he put his cell phone in his back pocket and looked around the place under the mercury vapor light attached to a tall, creosote-painted pole like most people in the country used to cut back the night. Nothing out of the ordinary jumped out at him, so he walked past the Gladstones’ van. He stopped and looked again. The van appeared dustier and dingier than ever. Were they driving to hell and gone? He guessed locating collectibles was tougher and harder work than he could imagine. Still, for his money, the van in no way suited the couple’s impeccable image. Only thing he could figure was that they must leave their fancy vehicles at home when they were out hunting for stuff.
As he walked across the tennis court, he ran a hand through his still damp hair. It felt good to be clean. After the chores were done, he’d finally had a chance to shower, shave, and change into fresh clothes. It’d been another long day and another vicious fire. At least they’d saved a kitten. He’d called the vet earlier and the kitty was still holding his own.
Good thing the temperature was easing up now that dusk had set in. He couldn’t help but wonder if the heat wave would ever break. He’d underlined “snow” on his Christmas list before he’d plopped the snowman magnet back in place on his refrigerator. So far, one and two on his Christmas list stayed out of reach, but he lived in hope of snow for Christmas and to snuggle, or more, with his Christmas angel.
When Trey reached the sliding glass doors in front of the house, Temple slipped out of the darkness. He looked up and meowed, obviously requesting more tender beef.
“Sorry, boy. I’m fresh out of your favorite food tonight.” He reached down and stroked the soft white fur.
Temple yowled in displeasure as he walked up to the doors, sat down, and waited for entry.
“Maybe next time.” Trey was well aware that cats never forgot something they liked to eat. For that matter, they never forgot any of their favorite things. Guess he didn’t either.
He slid open the doors and Temple walked inside first, tail held high. He followed the cat and stopped when he saw J.P. and Charlene sitting in the swing. Temple did no such thing. He tiptoed over, sniffed their shoes, shook his head in displeasure, and walked over to the front door to be let inside the house.
Trey chuckled at Temple’s response to the couple. “Guess he didn’t like where you’ve been.”
“What does a cat know,” Charlene said with disdain as she patted her perfect coiffure.
“I’d never bet against the olfactory abilities of a cat or dog.” Trey had meant his first words as a joke, but he felt a need to defend Temple in light of Charlene’s response.
“Trey’s right, dearest,” J.P. said as he stroked Charlene’s red-nailed, long-fingered hand. “Our abilities in that area are puny in comparison to cats and dogs.”
“At least they can’t talk.” She looked pleased with that idea.
“Mostly they don’t need words to make their opinions clear.” Trey didn’t know how he’d gotten into this conversation. He just wanted to get inside to the meeting. He glanced over at Temple waiting by the door. It was never a bad idea to defend a four-legged friend.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Charlene quickly agreed, batting her long false eyelashes as she tapped the pointed toe of a red-and-black high-heel shoe. “How was your day?”
“Busy.” Trey wasn’t going to get into a serious discussion with them.
“Heard a house burned down,” J.P. said. “Sad business.”
“Yep,” Trey agreed. “Derelict, so not much loss.”
“That’s good.” Charlene smiled as she patted the spot beside her. “Why don’t you join us?”
“Thanks, but I’ve got a meeting inside.” He started toward the door and stopped, remembering his manners. “You have a good day?”
“Oh, yes. We’re quite pleased with our work. Aren’t we, snookum?” Charlene squeezed J.P.’s hand.
“That’s true,” J.P. agreed.
“Great. Talk with y’all later.” Trey quickly crossed the room to the inside front door.
“Anytime,” Charlene called.
Trey opened the door for Temple, followed the cat inside, and shut the door behind him. He watched as Temple made a beeline for the peacock Christmas tree, carefully stepped in between packages, selected a soft spot, turned around several times, and settled down for a long nap.
“Up here,” Ruby greeted Trey. “We’re gathered around the table.”
Trey took the three steps up to the large kitchen and dining area, smelling the rich aroma of hot apple cider. And stopped cold. Misty stood in the kitchen holding a mug and looking pretty as you please. She also looked as if she belonged exactly there. He felt his heart speed up at the sight of her. Hard to believe, but she’d only been in town a couple of days. And here she was at a fire-rescue meeting with his closest friends and kinfolks, if you didn’t count his absentee parents, who’d decided to take a much wanted and even more needed Caribbean cruise for the holidays.
“Hey, Cuz.” Kent chuckled from where he sat at the table. “Meeting’s over here. Not in the kitchen.”
Trey jerked around to look in that direction, not wanting to be considered smitten by the new gal in town. Hedy sat at one end of Ruby’s 1940s enameled, tin-top pie table once used by women to roll pie dough upon the smooth surface with a rolling pin. This one had a Western-design top attached to a wood Art Deco–design base painted in faded yellow and orange. Ruby sat at the other end of the table. Kent, Slade, and Sydney sat on one side. Three chairs were left empty on the side facing him.
“Uncle Trey!” A pint-size urchin with wild ginger hair and big hazel eyes ra
n toward him. She wore a rhinestone-studded T-shirt in bright aqua with pressed jeans and turquoise cowgirl boots.
“Hey, Storm.” He knelt down in time to catch her as she flung her small, wiry body into his arms.
“I won Little Wranglers All-Around Champion!”
“Gotta love youth rodeo in Texas.” He looked with pleasure at her animated face.
“And I won a saddle, too.”
“Good for you. Stiff competition?”
“Hah! You jest. Never for me.”
“You sound like your mama.” He glanced up at Sydney, who appeared like the proud mother hen she was since she’d brought Storm into the world five years ago.
“Glad you could make it.” Sydney gave him a lazy smile that belied her high energy level and knockout appearance.
“What’s up?” Trey hugged Storm, got to his feet, pulled out a chair, and sat down at the table.
“We got important bidness.” Storm wiggled into the chair beside him.
“Misty, do you want to start the meeting?” Hedy asked.
Trey blinked in surprise as he swiveled to take a good look at Misty. Like him, she’d had a chance to shower and change clothes. Unlike him, she’d opted to dress up a bit. He wore forgettable jeans and a T-shirt. She was unforgettable in a yellow sundress with spaghetti straps and a full skirt that ended above her knees. She also wore yellow sandals on her high-arched feet with pink painted toenails. She gave him a knowing little smile.
Misty held up her mug. “Drink?”
Oh yeah, she was a long, cool drink of water on a hot day. He nodded, about all he could do since his mouth had gone dry.
“Care for gingerbread?” Ruby asked. “I made it fresh today.”
“Yum!” Storm patted her tummy as she grinned at Trey.
“We’ve already served ourselves,” Ruby added. “Misty, you’re up. Will you bring some for Trey?”
“Sure will.” Misty busied herself in the kitchen, then walked over and set a full, red mug adorned with a Santa Claus face and a red matching plate with a slice of gingerbread on it in front of him. “Forks and napkins are already in the center of the table.”
“Thanks.” He took a sip of the tart cider. “Now, what’s this meeting all about?”
“Ball’s in your court.” Hedy gestured at Misty.
Misty sat down on the other side of Storm. She wrapped her hands around her own Santa Claus mug on the table. “I just can’t rest easy till the fire-rescue volunteers have animal oxygen kits.”
Trey nodded in agreement and encouragement. He picked up a fork and took a bite of delicious gingerbread.
“I talked with Hedy this afternoon about a benefit to raise funds for the project,” Misty added.
“Good idea,” Trey said. “We’ve done benefits before. We can sure do another one. Are you thinking about sometime in the spring?”
Misty shook her head and glanced at Hedy. “I hate to wait that long. What do all of you think about a benefit during Christmas in the Country?”
“I like it,” Hedy quickly agreed.
“Good. With all the fires in the area, I don’t see how we can wait.” Misty gestured around the table.
Slowly but surely, everyone began nodding in agreement.
Trey sat back in surprise as he looked at the others. “But wait, that’s so soon. We’re extra busy during the holidays. I don’t know how we can fit in another event.”
“I totally understand your concern.” Misty tapped her fingertip against the metal tabletop. “I told Hedy I’d spearhead the event since everybody else is so busy.”
“That’s real generous,” Ruby said. “Plus, what happened at the fire today with the kittens tells us all we need to know. We can’t wait.”
“I gave the benefit some thought this afternoon.” Misty smiled at Slade. “I had chili for lunch at the Chuckwagon Café and got inspired.”
“I’m not a bit surprised to hear that news.” Slade grinned at her.
“On the other hand,” Ruby joked, “if you didn’t get heartburn, you were lucky.”
Everybody at the table laughed as they turned to look at Slade.
“No need to malign my cooking just ’cause you’re jealous of my culinary skills.” Slade stood and took a small bow before he sat down again.
“That’s exactly right!” Misty gestured around the table.
“Right?” Trey looked at her in confusion.
“What do you think about the Wildcat Bluff Chili Cook-Off?” Misty glanced hopefully at the group as they all went quiet in thought.
“Yeah!” Storm broke the silence. “Can we have giant trophies and everything?”
“The Wildcat Bluff Chili Cook-Off Benefit,” Hedy said as she rolled the sound around in her mouth as if tasting it.
“I like it.” Kent smiled at Misty. “Clever idea.”
“I’ll win.” Storm thrust out her chest. “I want another trophy.”
“Youth Division,” Sydney said. “Moms will love it. The more inclusive, the more people will enter.”
“We can sell tickets for all you can eat. That’ll bring ’em in, too.” Slade took a big sip from his Santa Claus mug.
Trey felt as if they’d steamrolled right over him. What with all the problems they were having in the county, plus Christmas in the Country, he didn’t see how they could handle another event. “I don’t mean to be a spoilsport, but how can we find the time to put on a chili cook-off?”
“Misty’s our secret weapon,” Hedy said. “She volunteered to head up the event or we couldn’t do it.”
Trey looked at Misty in concern. “It’s not your problem, and I thought you were here to rest.”
“I can’t stop thinking about that little kitten struggling for his life right this very moment.”
Trey smiled, admiring her commitment to animals. “I can’t argue with that. Guess we’ll find some way to do it.”
“Just think,” Ruby said. “Christmas in the Country is the perfect time for the Wildcat Bluff Chili Cook-Off ’cause so many folks will be in town. And they’ll be feeling generous.”
“Good point,” Kent agreed. “And we’ve had those kits on our buy list from the start.”
“I’ll need help.” Misty looked at Trey. “I don’t know many folks around here.”
“You’ve got me to help.” Trey heard the words fall out of his mouth. What was he doing? He didn’t have extra time. But he knew why he’d said it. He’d get to spend more time with Misty. And even more important, animals would benefit.
“I appreciate it.” Misty gave him a warm smile.
“Perfect,” Hedy said.
“Y’all work out the details.” Sydney reached across the table and patted Misty’s hand. “We’re here for you. Just let us know whatever you need whenever you need it.”
“Thanks.” Misty smiled in reply. “I’m sure I’ll be calling on all of you.”
“Now that’s settled, anybody need more cider?” Ruby asked.
“Not me.” Storm pushed out her chair and stood up. “I need to practice.”
“For what?” Trey swiveled to look at her.
Storm tugged on his chair, but it didn’t move. “I need you to turn your chair out from the table.”
Trey followed her instructions, enjoying watching her as he always did, particularly since he didn’t know what she’d be up to next.
“Okay.” Storm glanced around the group. “Now, I expect constructive criticism.”
“What for?” Hedy asked.
“Mommy’s taking me to Fort Worth to see Santa Claus.”
“And so?” Ruby leaned forward to give Storm her complete attention.
“I’ve got a super Christmas wish to put to Santa Claus. I want to get it just right.”
“And you need to practice?” Trey patted his lap.
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“You got it.” She plopped down on his lap, leaned her head against his chest, and looked up at him with sincere hazel eyes.
“What do you want for Christmas, little girl?” he asked, keeping a solemn expression on his face as he played Santa Claus.
“I want a goat-roping dummy.”
Everyone around the table exploded in laughter.
Storm frowned at them. “This is serious business.”
Trey bit his tongue to keep the laughter at bay.
“I don’t need a goat-roping dummy this year. I’m too little.” She put her hands on her hips. “But I’m growing fast. For sure, I’ll need it next year.”
“Wouldn’t you want to wait till next year to get your dummy?” Trey gently squeezed her small shoulder.
“No! I want it in place. You just never know when you may need a goat-roping dummy.”
“You’ve got a good point there,” Trey solemnly agreed as he looked into her determined eyes. She always spread so much joy. He’d wished for a little girl of his own for some time. He glanced over Storm’s head at Misty. For the first time, he could imagine a tiny girl with ginger hair and pale green eyes.
Misty smiled, reached out, and squeezed Storm’s small hand. “You did just great. I’m sure Santa Claus will make sure you get your goat-roping dummy.”
“You think so?”
“How could he not?”
Storm cocked her head. “You know, he’s a grown-up. And they can turn foolish as fast as I can run barrels.”
“Wish we could all be a smart little girl like you,” Misty said.
“Tell you what.” Storm reached up and patted Misty’s cheek. “You stick with me and I’ll see you get those oxygen kits for Christmas.”
“Thanks.”
Trey hugged Storm close and smelled the strawberry shampoo in her long, soft hair. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then wiggled out of his lap and danced away.
Maybe he ought to add to his Christmas list.
Chapter 20
