“Is there anything else we need to do?” Misty asked.
“Think we’ve got it covered for the moment. Last-minute foul-ups are bound to happen. If and when, you get to step up and solve problems.”
“I’ll be happy to do it,” Misty said. “Thanks for all the help.”
“Glad to assist our volunteer firefighters any way I can.” Ruby stood up. “May I get you something to drink or eat?”
“Thanks, but no,” Trey said. “I’m gonna run Misty up to her room and then go. Plenty to do tomorrow.”
Ruby winked at him. “You do just that.”
“Good night, everybody,” Misty said.
She quickly headed up the stairs with Trey right behind her. After she entered her suite, she set her boot bag on the desk, then turned to watch Trey shut the door. He took her in his arms and held her tight for a long moment.
“Want to try out the bed?” he asked.
“Not with folks downstairs.”
“Better let me check your room then.”
“I doubt anybody got in here.”
“Locks can be picked. No point taking chances.” He quickly looked in the bathroom, under the bed, and then opened the closet door.
She glanced over his shoulder. “That’s odd.”
“What?”
“That towel shouldn’t be on the floor. I used it to cover up a decoration.”
He walked into the closet, picked up the towel, then reached up and pulled down the angel. “You didn’t want to see this?”
“Too many memories.”
“What about now?”
She smiled warmly. “Let’s set her back on the desk. I’d like to share my room with a Christmas angel.”
“I’d like to do the same.” He grinned at her with a knowing glint in his eyes. He set the angel on the desk. He hit the button and played “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
“Beautiful.” She looked down at the angel in her white satin gown playing a golden harp. Only good memories came now. “I’m so glad I can enjoy Christmas. Thank you again.”
“Least I could do for my Christmas angel.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose, and then glanced around the room. “Would you look and see if anything else is disturbed? Maybe the towel fell when your room was cleaned today.”
“Ruby and I agreed no cleaning till I asked for it.” She walked back into her closet and reached behind her large suitcase for the small bag containing her laptop and handbag. She froze. The bag was there, but off to one side. She quickly pulled it out and set it on the bed to check the lock.
“What is it?” Trey walked over to her.
“Nothing, I guess. I put my laptop and purse in here and hid it behind my suitcase. This bag wasn’t exactly where I thought I’d left it. But maybe I’m mistaken.”
“Is it still locked?”
She quickly checked. “Yes.”
“That’s good. But I’d rest easier if you were with me.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m probably overthinking the situation.” She hesitated and looked up at him. “And if somebody is watching us, we don’t want to change our pattern.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “If anything odd happens, call me. Day or night.”
“Will do.” She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him, languidly and indulgently, stoking the fire between them.
He finally lifted his head, eyes dark with banked desire. “Best I go before I can’t go.”
She stepped back, feeling cold without his warmth.
“Do me a favor. Lock your door and wedge a chair under the knob.”
“I’ll do it.”
Then he was gone, taking all his energy, strength, and sensuality with him. And she felt lonely.
Yet she wouldn’t let herself feel down in the dumps, not after her amazing day. She knew the best cure. She pulled her phone out of her pocket, sat down on the settee, and hit speed dial for her BFF.
“Tell me you’ve got the big guy wearing nothing but his cowboy hat,” Cindi Lou said by way of greeting.
“I’m back at Twin Oaks and I just sent him on his way.”
“Bless your heart, you don’t know when you’ve got it good.”
“Oh yes I do.”
“Well now,” Cindi Lou lowered her voice suggestively. “How many fires did he put out in your bed tonight?”
“Let’s see—let me count the times and ways.”
“Oh lordy! That calls for a celebration. Hang on.” Cindi Lou set down her phone with a snap, then came back. “Found these adorable retro glass bottles with metal lids of the very best Dr Pepper. You know, it’s got real cane sugar. Tiny bottles, mind you, but supreme taste.”
“We ever get you up to Wildcat Bluff, maybe we’ll get you hooked on cowboys instead of Dr Pepper.”
“Doubt my heart could take it.” Cindi Lou smacked her lips. “Now if one of those darlings knew how to wrangle me up a Dr Pepper float with just the right touch of vanilla bean ice cream, then I might follow him anywhere.”
Misty chuckled. “To a rodeo?”
“Let’s not get too wild here. You know I’m a city gal through and through.” She made a loud slurp. “Your guy’s hot stuff, isn’t he?”
Misty felt a tingle all over. “I hate to say it, but you were right from the very first.”