“Misty?”
“Nothing.” She kicked the water harder. “I mean, you’re right.”
“I heard therapists are busy during the holidays.”
She tossed him a strained smile. “But I bet not in Wildcat Bluff.”
“Maybe you’re right.” He felt as if he was missing something important about her and the holiday, but he didn’t know what.
She took a deep breath and quickly released it. “I’m not sure how to start planning the chili cook-off. But mostly I keep thinking about that kitten.”
“I called the vet and he’s doing okay so far.”
She chuckled. “I called, too.”
“But it’s still too early to know if he’ll make it.”
“He’s going to live. I just know it.” She stood up and walked over to the spring where it bubbled up and cascaded down to the pool. She held her fingers under the running water. “Now, we need to make plans.”
“Right.” With the white fairy lights twinkling in Misty’s blond hair and across her yellow dress, she looked like a golden goddess come to Earth. His Christmas angel.
“Date. Venue. Food.”
“Let’s see. We don’t have too many options.” He forced his mind back to business. “Christmas in the Country is this weekend. Christmas Eve is on Saturday this year. Best time to have the chili cook-off would be on Saturday before the hayride. I’m fairly confident we could work it into the schedule.”
“That’d be perfect.” She clapped her hands in delight. “Did you say a hayride?”
He chuckled at her excitement. “I’ll be driving. You want to ride with me?”
“Absolutely.” She flicked water toward him. “Venue? You know this town better than I do.”
“School cafeteria is the best place.”
“Is that possible?”
“As far as I know nobody else is using the space at that time, so I don’t see why not.”
“We could put the chili entries in a row, so folks could walk down the line or mix it up.” Misty mimed where she’d set up the entries.
“Good idea.”
“We might include extras like corn chips, shredded cheese, and chopped onion to go with the chili.”
“I like it.” And he liked her enthusiasm, too.
“Do we want to invite local folks who benefit from fire-rescue or open it up to the general public?”
“What do you think?”
“I’d go with everybody. The more the merrier.” She excitedly tossed a handful of water into the air. “How do we let people know about the chili cook-off?”
“We usually announce benefits by putting fliers in Old Town windows and in the newspaper. We can also put up an announcement on the town’s website. The Wildcat Bluff Sentinel comes out once a week.”
“Is there time to get information to the paper?”
“I’m pretty sure there is. I can write up a notice tonight and send it to Cuz Teddie for his weekly column.”
“But don’t we need approval for the date and venue?”
“Let’s assume it’s a go till we hear otherwise.”
“Okay—if that’s the way things are done around here.” She rubbed the tip of her nose as if in thought. “What will Teddie need for his column?”
“Pretty much the usual thing.” Trey considered it a moment. “Wildcat Bluff Chili Cook-Off. Saturday evening before the hayride. School cafeteria, unless otherwise notified. Benefit for Wildcat Bluff Volunteer Fire-Rescue animal oxygen mask kits. Something like that.”
“I like it.”
“News will spread fast by word of mouth.”
“Even better.”
He grinned at her. “Sounds like we’ve got a handle on your benefit.”
“Our benefit.” She walked over and looked at him. “We wouldn’t be this far along without your help.” She leaned down and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Thanks.”
“Is that all the thanks I get?”
“You want more?”
“Don’t I deserve it?”
“Guess you do.”
She sashayed over to a chaise lounge with plump aqua cushions. She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a compelling look before she sat down, stretched out her long legs, and leaned back. She beckoned him with her long fingers.
No words were necessary. He got up, stalked over, raised her long legs, and sat down. He gently set her ankles on his thighs and stroked her bare feet in widening circles. He massaged her soft, smooth skin—ever so slowly—up her ankles to her calves to her knees. He hesitated at the edge of her skirt before he continued upward with his strong fingers massaging the firm skin of her thighs that felt hotter with each touch of his hand. Soon he would reach the center of moist, hidden heat that beckoned him closer.
“Not fair,” she said in a husky voice as she slowly sat up. “I’m getting all the thanks, not you.”
“I’d have to disagree.” He pushed her skirt up higher.
She leaned toward him, thrust her fingers into his thick hair, and placed a heated kiss on his lips, licking and nibbling across his sensitive flesh.