“Twin Oaks B&B.” Misty wasn’t surprised by the question anymore. He could easily find out, so she didn’t hesitate to tell him.
“Good choice. You get lonely or bored, just give me a call.” Bert Two whipped a business card out of his pocket and held it out to her. “I’m always ready to squire a pretty lady like you about town.”
“You might want to ask Trey about that first,” Hedy interrupted.
Bert Two frowned. “Trey? What does that cowboy have to do with the price of milk?”
“He’s taking me to Christmas in the Country,” Misty said, noticing the pride in her voice.
“That so?” Bert Two looked surprised, then he shrugged. “If that doesn’t happen to work out, I’d be happy to take you. We’d have a good time.”
“Thank you. But I doubt my plans will change.” She accepted his business card. He might be a helpful contact later.
“Just so you know, I’m a sensitive guy and I know how to treat a lady right,” Bert Two said.
“Darn tootin’,” Bert agreed. “We’re that kind of men.”
“Maybe you two had better head home before it gets any deeper in here,” Hedy said, chuckling.
“Now, Hedy.” Bert gave her a dazzling smile. “If you weren’t so hardheaded, you’d have found out long ago how well I treat a lady.”
“Bert, I’m pulling on my waders.” She chuckled as she pointed toward the front door. “You best get back to business and let me do the same.”
“I’m going, but you know my offer’s always open,” Bert said as he took a step away from the counter.
“Nice meeting you both.” Misty smiled politely.
“Don’t wait too long to call me,” Bert Two said. “I’ll be cooking up a big pot of chili soon.”
Misty’s stomach clenched at the thought, but she gave a little wave good-bye as the two men turned and sauntered toward the door. She didn’t breathe a sigh of relief till the front door shut behind them.
“Don’t know about you,” Hedy said, “but they tend to wear on my last nerve.”
Misty flipped Bert Two’s business card on the counter. “Better drop that in the bag with my bluebird. I might get a hankering for chili.”
“Guess it’s not nice to make light of their trouble, but those two are a magnet for it.” Hedy touched the bluebird. “Pretty thing, isn’t it? I’ll carefully wrap your bird in tissue so there’s no chance it’ll break.”
“Thanks. If you’ve got it, I’d also love a cold drink with lots of ice. I just ate a bowl of Slade’s five-alarm chili.”
Hedy laughed long and hard. “That Bert Two, he’s got a way of steppin’ in it that just won’t quit.”
Misty shared her laughter. “If you have time to chat, I’d like to help figure out how to put on a benefit to raise funds so all the fire-rescue volunteers have animal oxygen mask kits with them in case of an emergency.”
“I heard about the kitten. You’re observant, aren’t you?”
“I just hope the kitty makes it.”
“He’s getting the best care.” Hedy cocked her head as she looked closely at Misty. “No doubt we need the kits. You really want to help with this problem, don’t you?”
“Sure I do.”
“Tell you what, let’s get a couple drinks and take a load off.” Hedy pointed at a table in the tearoom. “You grab a seat while I get the drinks.”
“First, let me pay for the bluebird and the drinks.” Misty pulled her billfold out of her handbag and plunked down a credit card on the countertop.
“Thanks.” Hedy picked up the credit card. “But the drinks are on the house. Least you deserve for saving that kitten.”
“Trey takes all the credit for that feat.”
Hedy quickly swiped the card. “Don’t sell yourself short. Your sharp eye and quick action helped save the day.” She set the receipt and credit card on the countertop.
As Misty signed the receipt, Hedy quickly wrapped the bluebird in red tissue paper, tucked it into a green paper bag, and set it on top of the counter. Misty picked up all her items and placed them in her purse. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” Hedy motioned toward the tearoom. “Go on now. I’ll join you in a minute.”
“Let me help get the drinks.”
“Not a bit of it. I’ve got a system all worked out.”
When Hedy zoomed into the back room, Misty walked into the tearoom and moved a chair out of the way at a table to make space for Hedy’s wheelchair. She sat down, leaned back, and relaxed, feeling the tension drain out of her. It felt really good to let go for a bit.
“Here you are.” Hedy motored up to the table with two red plastic iced tea glasses that she set on the tabletop. “That’s pineapple hibiscus tea over ice. Hope you like it.”
Misty took a sip. “Oh, that’s delicious.”
“Glad you appreciate the taste. I’m right partial to the fruit and floral teas when it’s hot outside.”
“And it’s certainly hot.”
“Long day.” Hedy sipped her tea and moaned in pleasure. “Just what the doctor ordered. But I guess we’d better talk quick before the next shoppers find their way through my front door.”
“Odd about the fire.” Misty hoped Hedy might open up and tell her more about the county’s problems.