“Where are you staying?”
Misty hesitated, but Trey really did seem like a good guy. Besides, he’d learn it soon enough from the locals. She decided to trust the instinct that was telling her to trust him.
“Twin Oaks B&B. No website, but I caught a couple of good reviews online.”
“Ruby’s got more customers than she can shake a stick at. No need to promote. That natural spring draws folks.”
“Guess a lot of business is the best promotion.”
He nodded. “It’s usually pretty quiet in Wildcat Bluff. But we’ll get plenty of folks out here for our Christmas in the Country festivities.”
“I’m not here for anything Christmas. I’ve been working hard and need a quiet place to get away.” She didn’t like the sound of festivities. They could complicate her investigation. Still, she doubted a few candles in windows and plastic lighted displays in front yards would draw much of a crowd.
“I’d imagine fighting a wild fire isn’t the best way to start your vacation.”
“True. But how do you think it got started?” Now that the blaze was out, her mind kicked into gear. Did this fire connect with her investigation? It’d be quite a coincidence if it did, but she couldn’t rule out natural causes from the heat and drought. Still, she’d checked topographical maps before she’d arrived in the county. If she remembered correctly, the flames were burning a path straight toward a Texas Timber Christmas tree farm. On the other hand, the blaze had started on a ranch, so maybe it had nothing to do with Texas Timber. Plenty to ponder here.
“Good question.” He squeezed the burned towels between his fists. “I’ll be following up on it.”
“If I can be of help, let me know.”
“Think on it. Maybe you saw something.”
“Or somebody?” she prodded, sensing his implication.
He nodded as he glanced with narrowed eyes around the area.
“Arson?”
“Possibility.”
“I didn’t notice anything unusual, but maybe something will come to me.” She pushed sweat-dampened hair back from her forehead, shelving her questions for the moment. “You must be thirsty. I’ve got bottles of water in the car.” She wished she’d had enough water to help fight the fire, but at least she had enough to ease their dry throats.
“Thanks. I owe you a big, thick, sizzling steak.”
“I thought it was a pair of boots,” she teased before she realized she was flirting with him. She pressed her lips together to stop any other wayward words from escaping her mouth.
He smiled as his eyes crinkled invitingly at the corners. “That too.”
“I’m glad I was able to help.” She spoke as primly as possible.
He held up the towels. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep these.”
She handed over her scorched towel. “Keep mine, too.”
“Guess I owe you three towels.”
“Not at all. Like I said—”
“You don’t need anything from me.” He cocked his head. “But if you’d like dinner, I can grill a mean steak.” Another killer grin.
“I bet you can.” Misty wondered if he meant a date. She felt excited at the idea. She stepped back. If she didn’t get farther away from him, she felt as if she might spontaneously combust.
He took her cue and changed the subject. “Would you mind giving me a ride?”
“A ride?” No excuse for it, but her mind skittered sideways to an image of his big empty bed. So much for changing the subject.
He took a step toward her. “To Wildcat Bluff.”
She couldn’t help but notice his voice held a huskiness that hadn’t been there before. “I see. You need a ride to town.”
“I sent off my horse.”
“You ride horses?”
“That’s what cowboys do.”
“You’re a cowboy firefighter?”
He tipped an imaginary hat.
Chapter 2
Trey evaluated the blackened section of the pasture. Might still be hot spots, but for now, he’d been damn lucky. He glanced at his luck. He’d crossed paths with a hot gal on a hot day. What were the odds? He wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but too many coincidences always made him uneasy. Still, she’d been a trouper. He couldn’t ask for more.
“I’m parched,” Misty said. “Bet you are, too.”
“You offered water, didn’t you?”
She grinned, revealing pretty teeth that’d make any orthodontist proud. “I haven’t got just any old water. I’ve got bottles of East Texas Ozarka on ice in a cooler.”
“Be still my heart.” He joined her tinkling laughter as he placed a hand over his heart. And realized he wasn’t wearing a shirt. Where the hell was it? He glanced around as he thought back. Oh yeah, he’d thrown it down on the road. He wasn’t just shirtless. He was dirty and sweaty, too, meaning he was about as far off a gal’s radar as he could get. Guess bad luck had to balance out good luck. But it hardly seemed fair.
No walking this one back. He might as well play the hand he’d been dealt. All he could do was try a distraction. “We’ve done all we can here. You ready for that drink?”