“Bet you can hardly see with your eyes on fire.” Trey grasped her around the waist and led her toward the front door.
“Won’t Slade expect us to say good-bye?”
“I’ll let him know his chili made you sick as a dog and he’d better not make any more.”
“Don’t you dare!”
Trey opened the front door, causing the bells to jingle, and then hurried her outside. “He probably put extra jalape?os or worse yet habaneros in your chili just to test your stomach.”
“He wouldn’t.”
“Are you kidding me? That’s Slade we’re talking about. He rides bulls, or he used to ride them. What’s a little five-alarm chili to him?”
“I guess not much.” She inhaled deeply, feeling the burn lessen as chills replaced the heat.
“Anyway, he likes to test his own limits and everybody else’s limits, too.”
“Still, please don’t insult him. He makes excellent chili.”
Trey chuckled, tugging her closer. “I doubt anybody could insult him.”
“True enough.”
“Seriously, are you okay now?” He reached up and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks for lunch. And everything.”
“My pleasure.” He glanced at the street, then back at her. “Gotta go. You need anything else, let me know.”
“Will do.”
She watched as he got into his pickup and started the engine. What a hunk of a guy. She sighed, wanting so much more from him, knowing she shouldn’t want it, and yet wondering if she could resist. He was making no secret of his desire for her, but that knowledge simply added to her dilemma.
He lowered his window and held up a hand in good-bye as he drove away down Main Street.
She waved in response before she resolutely turned away. Now she must get back to the business at hand.
Chapter 18
Misty quickly pulled the keys out of her pocket as she walked to her SUV. She punched the red button on the opener and heard the familiar beep to signal she’d unlocked her car. She pulled open the driver’s side door, reached inside the console, and grabbed her handbag. She slung it over her shoulder and relocked her vehicle.
She stepped up on the boardwalk and glanced at Old Town. Country Christmas music filled the air, along with the delicious scent of kettle corn. Twinkling lights in blue and white outlined the edge of the portico. Shoppers thronged the boardwalk, hurrying in and out of stores. The holiday was in full swing.
Misty chuckled to think she’d once imagined avoiding much of Christmas in Wildcat Bluff. Not only was that idea way off the mark, but she was beginning to gain an ease with the season that she’d have thought impossible before arriving in town. She touched the Christmas angel around her neck. She’d even gotten used to wearing the lovely pendant. Not that she intended to wear it a lot, but the angel did have a certain charm.
With all the hustle and bustle in Old Town, Misty doubted now would be a good time to try and elicit information from harried shopkeepers. If Hedy wasn’t too busy, she’d be the best place to start anyway.
Morning’s Glory and Adelia’s Delights both had “OPEN” signs on their doors again. Misty assumed the house fire was completely under control, so volunteers had returned to their businesses. She couldn’t help but be impressed with the local fire-rescue. She was glad she’d had a small part in saving lives and property since she’d arrived in the county, but she hoped she wouldn’t be called upon to help again.
She opened the door to Adelia’s Delights, heard the door chime, and stepped inside. She smelled chocolate and coffee. The wonderful scents reminded her that she could use a cold drink of water, or even a Dr Pepper, right about now to soothe her throat after Slade’s chili. An icy beverage might cool her down after the heat outside and Trey’s teasing ways. Surely she could get a drink with lots of ice in the tearoom.
Hedy was at the cash register in back taking care of customers, so Misty walked over to the Bluebird of Happiness display. Rosie had somehow climbed up on a shelf and wrapped her long-haired, lithe body around the delicate bluebirds for a quiet nap. She opened an amber eye, flipped her long tail, gave Misty a considering look, then tucked her head down and went back to sleep.
Misty smiled at the contented cat. She wouldn’t mind a nap herself. It’d been quite a day so far. She picked up a bird and watched the blue glass capture the sparkle of sunlight that came in through the front window. Now that truly evoked happiness. She liked the idea. Maybe she’d buy a big one for Cindi Lou to set on her desk. Not a Christmas present, but a happiness gift. She set the small bird back in place on the display.
“Excuse me,” Misty said as she moved Rosie’s fluffy tail to one side so she could pick up the biggest bluebird.
Rosie replied with a big yawn, revealing sharp, white teeth, then she snapped her mouth shut, laid her head down, covered her pink nose with her tail, and went back to sleep.