“Slade?” He pulled the sack containing two rib dinners toward him.
“Left too.”
“Good.” He couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. “That’s real good.”
“’Course, Dudley—”
“Dudley! He can’t corral his cats, much less a woman.”
Ruby shook her head. “I was funning you just to see how the wind blew.”
“Blows hot.”
“Want a cold beer to cool off?”
“Yep.”
“Want the location of my newest guest?”
“Yep.”
Ruby leaned in close. “Now take it easy on her. She may not be used to alpha males.”
“What do you mean?”
She rolled her eyes. “If the gal’s here on vacation, she’s tired, stressed, and looking for relaxation.”
He grinned, feeling a rush of heat in his belly. “I can handle all that. Easy as peach turnover pie.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” She pulled open a drawer and set out flatware.
“No need to run the dishwasher. I picked up those little packages of plastic forks and napkins.”
“Don’t even go there. I have pretty poinsettia Christmas plates for my guests and holiday napkins.”
He held up his hands. “Just trying to help.”
“That’s what I mean.” She leaned closer to whisper. “You can come on strong and not know it.”
He put a hand over his heart. “Ruby, you wound me. I’ve been with a woman or two in my life. They didn’t tell me I stank in that department.”
“I’m sure you don’t.”
“Okay. If you think a city gal prefers roses to barbeque and beer, I’ll run out and get a couple dozen. Anyway, I owe her for all the help today.”
Ruby sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Get beer out of the fridge, pick up your barbeque, and get those plastic utensils out of my sight.”
“No roses?”
“She’s relaxing out by the spring. Take her food and she’ll probably follow you anywhere.”
“So, you’re saying that like a man, the way to a woman’s—”
“Heart?”
He grinned. “I wasn’t thinking ‘heart,’ but guess it’ll do.”
She shook her head. “Not another word. Get your grub and go.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He quickly snagged four beers, rolled off a handful of paper towels, and stuck them in the sack with two rib dinners and plastic forks. As he headed down the steps, he nodded at the Gladstone couple.
“Won’t you be joining us for dinner?” Charlene asked in a suggestive tone, smiling with rosy red lips.
“Not tonight.”
“Another time?”
“Could be.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
He nodded again, wondering at her persistence. He had more important matters on his mind. Misty made a guy want to rush back to her. He stretched out his long legs and was out the door and into the garden room.
He didn’t know why, but it seemed like some women had a way of complicating the simplest things. Come to think of it, maybe all women had that trait.
Chapter 8
Misty sat on the edge of a terra-cotta-tiled pool in the shadow of an open-air gazebo, amazingly and beautifully built of red brick in a Roman bath style. She wished she could have met the man who had designed Twin Oaks, so she could have thanked him for creating such beauty.
She listened to water bubble up from the natural spring and flow into the lower pool where it swirled around her calves. The water’s warm temperature felt perfect to ease tension and relax muscles. She stretched her toes, feeling the pull of muscles in her calves that had been tested by her firefighting that morning. She’d thought about changing into a bathing suit, but she’d opted instead to simply wear a change of capris and knit top with another pair of flip-flops because she didn’t really want to swim.
As she relaxed in the peaceful setting, she listened to the sound of trickling water and wind in the pines. Even the heat of the day had cooled to a comfortable level that evening. She sighed in contentment.
Dramatic arches enclosed a large gathering area along with the spring and pool. Black wrought-iron outdoor furniture sported plush aqua cushions for comfort. An open fire pit nestled between two luxurious lounge chairs. The black barrel smoker looked big enough to handle food for a large group. She could easily imagine enjoying a party out here, smelling hamburgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill and listening to the splashes and giggles of kids in the pool.
She glanced upward. White fairy lights illuminated the gazebo ceiling above, adding a soothing touch to the twilight. A gentle breeze carried the scent of pine from the rows of green trees not far away. An owl hooted, an eerie sound followed by the whoosh of wings as the bird flew deeper into the pine forest. After such a surprisingly strenuous day, Misty relaxed deeper into the serenity of the moment, letting her cares melt away.