Misty refused to go down that dangerous road. “I’m just here for a peaceful getaway. I doubt those guys are what you might call peaceful.”
Ruby gave a big guffaw that filled the breezeway. “Just the opposite.”
Misty adjusted her shoulder bag, more than ready to end this conversation. She glanced down at her luggage.
“Here I am jawing while you’re wanting your room and a bath, aren’t you?”
“That’d be lovely. I’m afraid I’m a little smoky and smelly after the fire.”
“I can tell you right now the folks of Wildcat Bluff County appreciate you pitching in to stop that grass fire.”
“Glad to be of assistance.”
“Some people would’ve gone on by. You showed a big spirit, particularly a generous Christmas spirit.”
“You really like Christmas around here, don’t you?”
“Nothing better.” Ruby sighed, rubbing her forehead as if in pain. “But this year? It’s not easy getting in the right frame of mind, what with the heat and drought and fires.”
“Can’t last forever.”
Ruby cocked her head, giving Misty the once-over. “That’s the spirit. And there’s a pretty Christmas angel for some Christmas spirit in your suite.”
“Did Trey suggest it?”
“Trey?”
“He called me his Christmas angel for stopping to help.”
“Did he now?” Ruby’s eyes glinted with interest. “Guess he’s got Christmas on his mind.”
“Suppose so.” Misty reached down to pick up a bag.
“Let’s go upstairs.” As Ruby started to get Misty’s other piece of luggage, the front sliding doors snapped open.
At the sound, Misty turned around to look, expecting Trey or Kent. Instead, she saw a woman with platinum-blond hair and a big white smile to go with her tall, slim, well-maintained body. Right behind her was a man just as finely put together who obviously worked out to stay in shape. They looked to be in their forties. The woman wore a charcoal pencil skirt with a red silk blouse and black high heels. He wore creased jeans, a burgundy shirt, and brown leather boots.
“I’d like you to meet J.P. and Charlene Gladstone. They’re antique dealers.” Ruby gestured toward Misty. “And this is Misty Reynolds. She’s here on vacation.”
J.P. tipped his cowboy hat. “Pleased to meet you. You sure do brighten up the place.”
“Absolutely,” Charlene agreed. “And I’m happy to have another lady’s company.”
“Good to meet you both,” Misty said as she evaluated the couple. She bet J.P.’s expensive cowboy boots had never seen stirrups or muddy pastures and Charlene’s heels would never stand up to the challenge either. City folks, no doubt about it.
“Any luck finding antiques?” Ruby asked.
“We found a few things on our want list.” Charlene glanced east. “Sherman, Denison, and Bonham are always good places to look.”
“Sounds like a fun way to make a living.” Misty decided the two appeared to be successful and savvy businesspeople.
“Twenty years of fun,” Charlene agreed. “You just never know what nuggets of Texas history you’ll run across.”
J.P. chuckled. “And we’re always on the lookout for the latest popular kitsch.”
“Always,” Charlene said. “Right now we’re searching for antique Christmas angels.”
Angels again. Misty had to smile. “Perfect season for your hunt.”
Ruby’s gaze met Misty’s. “This time of year everybody seems to be looking for an angel.”
J.P. shrugged. “A greenback’s a greenback, no matter how you slice it. Angels or flying pigs. We’ll search it out.” J.P chuckled as he glanced down at Misty’s luggage. “But don’t let us keep you from settling into your room. Plenty of time to chat later.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Charlene patted her sleek, shiny hair.
Ruby grabbed Misty’s bag, then quickly opened the door into the house. “Right this way.”
Misty gave the couple a polite smile, picked up her luggage, and followed Ruby into a house that smelled of cedar and cinnamon.
Ruby closed the door behind them. “That’s my suite to the left. The other three suites are on the top floor. Glad Daddy had the idea of giving everybody their own bathroom. It saved me a lot of work when I decided to open a B&B.”
Misty passed the closed door to Ruby’s suite and entered a large living room. She caught her breath at the beauty. The ceiling soared to the roof in an A-line with a balcony behind them overlooking the area. To the right, a half-brick wall opened up to a bright, yellow kitchen that was reached by three brick steps. A redbrick fireplace cut across one corner and extended to the ceiling. Contemporary furniture with a geometric pattern on the upholstery completed the room. Yet everything was overshadowed by a huge Christmas tree that dominated the corner of the room opposite the fireplace.
A colorful peacock with spread tail feathers perched on top of the tree in place of an angel. Ornaments in the shape of peacocks, feathers, and glass balls in turquoise, lapis, hot pink, and gold festooned the tree. Aqua and pink bulbs glowed warmly against the green of the cedar tree.