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

front of the house, a white cat jumped down from Big John’s lower limb and headed at a trot toward him. No doubt Temple could smell the meat, but Trey liked to think the cat liked him and felt safe around him. Cats, dogs, and horses tended to like him. They knew he was a critter-friendly guy. He set the paper bags down on a corner of the brick flower bed, opened one sack, and selected a sliver of beef. Temple leaped up on the brick, blue eyes bright with impatience.
    “Don’t ever tell me I didn’t give you a Christmas present.” He set down the meat and picked up the bags.
    Temple meowed before he delicately began to eat, particularly meticulous about keeping his bright white fur clean.
    “You’re welcome.” Trey patted the cat on his head, received a loud purr in response, and then stepped inside the garden room. “Hey folks, supper’s on!”
    When there was no reply, he moved into the living room. Ruby stood with two strangers near the peacock tree. No Misty. He felt a stab of annoyance. Had Kent gone behind his back and taken his Christmas angel out for dinner? If he had, there’d be hell to pay.
    Ruby glanced over. “Hey, Trey. Smells good. Come on in. Meet my guests, J.P. and Charlene Gladstone. They’re scouting around for antiques.” She motioned in his direction. “Trey Duval is a local rancher.”
    “Pleased to meet you.” He held up the sacks. “Anybody interested in the best piping-hot barbeque in town with curly fries and jack-cheese-stuffed jalapeños? I even got some peach turnover fried pies.”
    Ruby rubbed her tummy. “Took you long enough. Is that Lula Mae’s?”
    “Yep. Chuckwagon Café at its finest.”
    “I saw that quaint little place in Old Town and wanted to try it,” Charlene said.
    “Now’s your chance.”
    “Good food. Good company. Nothing better.” J.P. shook Trey’s hand. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse and chase the rider.”
    Trey joined the laughter at the old joke as he eyed the newcomers. Good-looking, put-together city folks. Not quite comfortable here. Charlene was giving him the once-over like she wasn’t real committed to her marriage. Sure raised his hackles. He ought to keep an eye on them since they were sharing the upper floor with Misty and living in Ruby’s home.
    He took the three steps up to the kitchen and plopped the sacks on the countertop.
    Ruby joined him. “Barbeque still hot?”
    “You bet.” He glanced upstairs. “Misty in her room?”
    “Nope.”
    He frowned as the irritation surged back. “Kent didn’t—”
    “Simmer down.” She tugged containers out of the sacks and took a deep breath. “Kent brought my truck by and left.”
    “Slade?” He pulled the sack containing two rib dinners toward him.
    “Left too.”
    “Good.” He couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. “That’s real good.”
    “’Course, Dudley—”
    “Dudley! He can’t corral his cats, much less a woman.”
    Ruby shook her head. “I was funning you just to see how the wind blew.”
    “Blows hot.”
    “Want a cold beer to cool off?”
    “Yep.”
    “Want the location of my newest guest?”
    “Yep.”
    Ruby leaned in close. “Now take it easy on her. She may not be used to alpha males.”
    “What do you mean?”
    She rolled her eyes. “If the gal’s here on vacation, she’s tired, stressed, and looking for relaxation.”
    He grinned, feeling a rush of heat in his belly. “I can handle all that. Easy as peach turnover pie.”
    “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” She pulled open a drawer and set out flatware.
    “No need to run the dishwasher. I picked up those little packages of plastic forks and napkins.”
    “Don’t even go there. I have pretty poinsettia Christmas plates for my guests and holiday napkins.”
    He held up his hands. “Just trying to help.”
    “That’s what I mean.” She leaned closer to whisper. “You can come on strong and not know it.”
    He put a hand over his heart. “Ruby, you wound