Free A Cowboy Firefighter For Christmas (Smokin' Hot Cowboys 1) by Kim Redford

up on the first ring. “Darlin’, tell me you’re safe in Wildcat Bluff.”
    “I’m here in my room at Twin Oaks. It’s a beautiful place.”
    “Good. Took you longer to get there than I expected. Is everything fine?”
    “Yes. But—” Misty dropped onto the comfortable settee. “Are you sitting down? Have you got a Dr Pepper in hand?”
    “Always. Now, give.”
    “I put out a fire.”
    “You what?” Cindi Lou’s shock rang out loud and clear. “Are you really okay?”
    “I faced my fear and used my towels to help this cowboy firefighter put out a grass fire on my way into town.” Misty felt proud to tell her friend how strong she’d been earlier.
    “Wait. Back up. Did you say cowboy firefighter?”
    Misty chuckled, knowing her BFF only too well. “You skipped over the important stuff and went straight to the guy, didn’t you?”
    “He’s hunky, isn’t he? I can tell by the sound of your voice. Does he have a brother, cousins, friends?”
    Misty laughed harder. “I met his cousin.”
    “And?”
    Misty sighed, thinking back to the two cowboys standing side by side and looking like the poster boys for hotness.
    “Oh, you’ve got it bad,” Cindi Lou chortled in her booming voice. “They’re that good, huh?”
    “I don’t have it bad,” Misty said in her best prim and proper voice. “But I admit they’re eye candy on steroids.”
    “Photos. Snap a selfie with the hunks and send it to me.”
    “I doubt they’re into selfies.”
    “Now that sets my mind ablaze. What are they into? Ropes? Spurs? Big long fire hoses?”
    Misty couldn’t keep from laughing at her friend’s wonderful outrageousness. “Maybe you’d better come up here and ask them.”
    “And leave the Hub? Sure as I did, a major crisis would descend out of the blue. But thanks for the thought.” Cindi Lou loudly slurped her drink.
    “Everybody so far has been really nice and friendly.”
    “The Texas way. You know that can mean little to nothing.”
    “Or everything. At least it makes life easier.”
    “Now, remember to take care.”
    “I’ll be careful.” Misty glanced around the room, calculating safety. She was on the top floor at the far end of the hall. In case of fire, she wasn’t in an optimal position to escape. That made her feel a little uneasy, but not enough to demand another room and chance calling attention to herself and endangering her investigation.
    Cindi Lou huffed into the phone. “You heard me, didn’t you?”
    “Yes. I was thinking. Tomorrow I’ll try to find a fire extinguisher and keep it in my room.”
    “Good idea. You can’t be too careful. Now, was that grass fire arson or simply natural from the heat and drought?”
    “Don’t know yet, but it allowed me to meet Trey, Kent, and Hedy, who are all Wildcat Bluff Fire-Rescue volunteers.”
    “That’s a good start on your investigation.”
    “Anything going on there I should know about?”
    “A few nibbles, nothing more. It’s mostly quiet during the holidays, so nothing to write home about.”
    “Good.” Misty didn’t want any other distractions.
    “Remember to stay in touch with your Texas Timber VP contact.”
    “I will. Audrey wants an update anytime, day or night, if there’s something new to report.”
    “So do I.” Cindi Lou’s voice changed to one of concern. “If you want out of this project, just say the word. I’m serious.”
    “And miss out on cowboy firefighter selfies?”
    Cindi Lou chuckled. “I admit that’s hard to pass up.”
    “Another thing. Christmas is this town’s favorite holiday.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Outrageous decorations, music, you name it, are all over the place.” She thought how Aunt Cami would love everything about Twin Oaks except the holiday decorations.
    Cindi Lou groaned. “Are you sure you don’t want to come home right this minute?”
    Misty snorted in disdain. “Surely you jest. I’m a professional troubleshooter. I live for fires and Christmas.”
    “I get