She turned back to him, smiling. “Water hasn’t tasted that good in a long time.”
“Nothing better after fighting a fire.” He heard the whine of tires on asphalt. Maybe help was finally here.
“Somebody’s coming!” She pointed at the road toward Wildcat Bluff.
He turned to look. Sure enough. Must be a local. They were traveling like a bat out of hell.
A dark blue pickup with a Texas Firefighter license plate and a green wreath tied to its silver grille squealed to a stop behind Misty’s SUV. A tall man leaped out. He carried a large fire extinguisher as he ran up to them.
“Too little, too late,” Trey called. “But you’re still a sight for sore eyes.”
“Who’s she?”
“Misty Reynolds, I’d like you to meet my cousin, Kent Duval, second-best cowboy firefighter in the county.”
“Don’t believe a word of it.” Kent grinned, revealing dimples in both cheeks. “He’s the second-best, but the biggest liar, bar none.”
“No point listening to him,” Trey teased. “His mama dropped him on his head when he was a toddler.”
“At least she didn’t inflate my head to the burstin’ point.”
“Guess you two are related,” Misty said.
“Only when it suits.” Kent chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. He lifted his straw cowboy hat with a sprig of green mistletoe tucked in the rattlesnake band to reveal thick sable hair.
“Take it you got my message,” Trey said.
“Yep.” Kent frowned, settling his Stetson back in place. “Cuz, try not to do that again. I stopped by your barn to borrow the saddle we talked about. Took a year off my life when I saw your singed hat tied to Samson’s saddle horn.”
“Glad you were there.”
“And good thing I knew where you were mending fence today.”
Trey nodded as he gestured at the burned area of the pasture. “Caught the fire just in time. And Misty happened along with towels in her backseat.”
“In her backseat?” Kent made the words sound suggestive. “She had just what you needed when you needed it. What are the odds? You always were a lucky cuss.” Kent winked at Misty.
Trey knew his cousin only too well. He had a well-deserved reputation with the ladies. “Now you’re here, you can watch for hot spots. Misty’s taking me to town.” And he’d get that ride with her after all.
“You staying at Ruby’s place?” Kent asked.
“Twin Oaks B&B,” Misty said.
“How long?”
She rolled her eyes. “As if it’s anybody’s business.”
Kent chuckled. “You better believe you’re everybody’s business now you’re in Wildcat Bluff County.”
“We’ll see,” she said.
“How about we leave Trey out here to watch for flare-ups? I’ll follow you to the Bluff, see you get settled in okay, and show you around town. Christmas decorations aren’t to be missed.”
Trey moved in close to Misty and put a hand on her shoulder. He felt her stiffen, but she didn’t shrug him off. “We’re going to town. You’re staying here.”
Kent raised an eyebrow. “That the way of it?”
“You damn well better believe it.” Trey hadn’t felt so possessive of a woman in a coon’s age, or maybe never was a better word for it. She was his Christmas angel.
Kent raised his hands as if in self-defense and stepped back. “Got you.” He smiled at Misty. “Darlin’, this big galoot gives you any trouble, let me know. I’m at your service, day or night.”
“How kind,” Misty said. “But I’m used to taking care of myself.”
“Wouldn’t have our ladies any other way.” Kent tipped his hat. “I’ll check out the damage.” He gave Trey a nod before he walked toward the fence.
“I’ll stop by the station and report,” Trey called to his cousin’s retreating back.
Kent raised a hand in reply.
“Intense guy,” Misty said.
“You like him?” Trey turned toward her.
“He’s your cousin, not mine.” She shrugged. “No opinion one way or another.”
And it dawned on him. He was acting jealous as all get-out. Item #1 on his Christmas list was getting way out of hand. If he was as smart as the average bear, he’d be able to control his reaction. ’Course, he might already be up a tree and reaching for honey that was way out his of reach. That thought made him grumpy.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter 3
As Misty drove toward Wildcat Bluff, she wanted to ask Trey a million questions, business and personal. She might never have a better opportunity than with him in her passenger seat. However, Texans didn’t take kindly to questions, particularly ones from strangers. Invasive questions were considered rude, at the very least.