“Misty, do you want to start the meeting?” Hedy asked.
Trey blinked in surprise as he swiveled to take a good look at Misty. Like him, she’d had a chance to shower and change clothes. Unlike him, she’d opted to dress up a bit. He wore forgettable jeans and a T-shirt. She was unforgettable in a yellow sundress with spaghetti straps and a full skirt that ended above her knees. She also wore yellow sandals on her high-arched feet with pink painted toenails. She gave him a knowing little smile.
Misty held up her mug. “Drink?”
Oh yeah, she was a long, cool drink of water on a hot day. He nodded, about all he could do since his mouth had gone dry.
“Care for gingerbread?” Ruby asked. “I made it fresh today.”
“Yum!” Storm patted her tummy as she grinned at Trey.
“We’ve already served ourselves,” Ruby added. “Misty, you’re up. Will you bring some for Trey?”
“Sure will.” Misty busied herself in the kitchen, then walked over and set a full, red mug adorned with a Santa Claus face and a red matching plate with a slice of gingerbread on it in front of him. “Forks and napkins are already in the center of the table.”
“Thanks.” He took a sip of the tart cider. “Now, what’s this meeting all about?”
“Ball’s in your court.” Hedy gestured at Misty.
Misty sat down on the other side of Storm. She wrapped her hands around her own Santa Claus mug on the table. “I just can’t rest easy till the fire-rescue volunteers have animal oxygen kits.”
Trey nodded in agreement and encouragement. He picked up a fork and took a bite of delicious gingerbread.
“I talked with Hedy this afternoon about a benefit to raise funds for the project,” Misty added.
“Good idea,” Trey said. “We’ve done benefits before. We can sure do another one. Are you thinking about sometime in the spring?”
Misty shook her head and glanced at Hedy. “I hate to wait that long. What do all of you think about a benefit during Christmas in the Country?”
“I like it,” Hedy quickly agreed.
“Good. With all the fires in the area, I don’t see how we can wait.” Misty gestured around the table.
Slowly but surely, everyone began nodding in agreement.
Trey sat back in surprise as he looked at the others. “But wait, that’s so soon. We’re extra busy during the holidays. I don’t know how we can fit in another event.”
“I totally understand your concern.” Misty tapped her fingertip against the metal tabletop. “I told Hedy I’d spearhead the event since everybody else is so busy.”
“That’s real generous,” Ruby said. “Plus, what happened at the fire today with the kittens tells us all we need to know. We can’t wait.”
“I gave the benefit some thought this afternoon.” Misty smiled at Slade. “I had chili for lunch at the Chuckwagon Café and got inspired.”
“I’m not a bit surprised to hear that news.” Slade grinned at her.
“On the other hand,” Ruby joked, “if you didn’t get heartburn, you were lucky.”
Everybody at the table laughed as they turned to look at Slade.
“No need to malign my cooking just ’cause you’re jealous of my culinary skills.” Slade stood and took a small bow before he sat down again.
“That’s exactly right!” Misty gestured around the table.
“Right?” Trey looked at her in confusion.
“What do you think about the Wildcat Bluff Chili Cook-Off?” Misty glanced hopefully at the group as they all went quiet in thought.
“Yeah!” Storm broke the silence. “Can we have giant trophies and everything?”
“The Wildcat Bluff Chili Cook-Off Benefit,” Hedy said as she rolled the sound around in her mouth as if tasting it.
“I like it.” Kent smiled at Misty. “Clever idea.”
“I’ll win.” Storm thrust out her chest. “I want another trophy.”
“Youth Division,” Sydney said. “Moms will love it. The more inclusive, the more people will enter.”
“We can sell tickets for all you can eat. That’ll bring ’em in, too.” Slade took a big sip from his Santa Claus mug.
Trey felt as if they’d steamrolled right over him. What with all the problems they were having in the county, plus Christmas in the Country, he didn’t see how they could handle another event. “I don’t mean to be a spoilsport, but how can we find the time to put on a chili cook-off?”
“Misty’s our secret weapon,” Hedy said. “She volunteered to head up the event or we couldn’t do it.”
Trey looked at Misty in concern. “It’s not your problem, and I thought you were here to rest.”
“I can’t stop thinking about that little kitten struggling for his life right this very moment.”
Trey smiled, admiring her commitment to animals. “I can’t argue with that. Guess we’ll find some way to do it.”
“Just think,” Ruby said. “Christmas in the Country is the perfect time for the Wildcat Bluff Chili Cook-Off ’cause so many folks will be in town. And they’ll be feeling generous.”
“Good point,” Kent agreed. “And we’ve had those kits on our buy list from the start.”