Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kiss

by Kim Redford

  “That’s smart,” Fern said. “Craig and I…well, we had lots of plans. I’m happy you’re going forward with them.”

  “He’s a terrific guy. I’m surprised—”

  “Did he ask about me?”

  “Yes. He hopes you’re doing okay. He wishes you’d answer his texts.”

  “No new cowgirl in his life?”

  “He’s hung up on you—surely you know that.”

  “No. I don’t know anything.” Fern coughed harder. “Got to go. Duty calls.” And she was gone.

  Ivy sat there a moment, feeling a little concerned at the abrupt disconnection from her sister. Something had happened…something that made her sister run. If she had to guess, she’d think it had to do with Craig. Maybe when Fern came back, if she ever came back, she’d put the pieces of Craig’s heart back together. But Ivy wouldn’t count on it, not yet. She just hoped Fern was truly okay.

  For now, she was expecting Slade at any moment. While she’d waited for him, she’d taken a shower and slipped into a comfortable green yoga set and flip-flops, so she was all set to welcome him. He’d called to update her, but he hadn’t said much about his day. She knew he wouldn’t have had time to cook, and she thought he’d want comfort food, so she’d picked up a quart of chicken noodle soup and fresh rolls at the Chuckwagon. Plus two pieces of buttermilk pie. She hoped she’d chosen well. When she had time, she was going to cook for him…not that she was in his class, but she wasn’t bad at it either. But that was for another time, when there was the leisure to relax and catch her breath.

  She’d moved her laptop to the coffee table, so she could set the table. Now there was nothing to do but wait. She paced from the kitchen to the living area and back again. She stopped, picked up the Fernando flier she’d gotten in town, where they’d been available everywhere. She chuckled again at the way the legend of Fernando had captured everyone’s imagination. Wildcat Jack was pushing the sightings, along with Storm and the Ranch Radio Rowdies. Folks were calling in with outrageous stories of Fernando’s determination to get home for Christmas. People were posting about him and following him on Instagram. It was turning out to be fun for the holidays. She just hoped the bull was truly okay. Maybe Slade would have news when he got there. She set the flier back down so he would see it when he arrived, since she doubted he’d had a chance to get one.

  She opened the front door and looked out again, hoping she’d see him walking up the path. She’d know him by his size alone, but if he was tired, she’d also know him by his slight limp. Everything about him had become so dear to her that she couldn’t imagine how she’d lived without him. Sometime soon she’d have to make some hard decisions about her former life, but for now, she didn’t want to think about it. She particularly didn’t want to think about Peter having the Park on the market, so she shoved that thought away. No news was good news on that front. She just wanted to continue her amazing discovery of living in the country…with her very own personal cowboy firefighter.

  She gave up, shut the door, and paced again. What if something had happened to Slade? No, she wouldn’t think it. Anyway, surely someone in the Steele family would let her know if there’d been an accident, or… No, she wasn’t going there. But it did make her realize that she had no claim as part of his life, at least none that was official. And he was in the same position with her. She felt uneasy at the idea. When it came to Fern, there was no question she’d be notified if something untoward happened to her. With Slade… No, she still wasn’t going there. Everything between them was too new, too fresh, too unsettled to follow that line of thought. He was okay. He’d be with her soon.

  She turned on the radio to fill the silence, wondering if there was updated news about Fernando.

  “Remember…we’re here for you at KWCB,” Wildcat Jack growled over the airwaves. “We’re rooting for you to be the next one to call in with a Fernando sighting. Never doubt he’s on the move, making his way home in time for Christmas. And tune in to the five o’clock news on…pick your TV channel. Fernando is definitely making his mark.”

  Ivy just shook her head, wondering how that little bit of an idea at the dance hall had turned into such a major event. She wished Fern were here, because she’d love the drama of it all and totally get involved in it. And now, how had Fernando’s story become mega news? She’d definitely watch the news at five.

  “And don’t forget,” Jack said, lowering his voice to a confidential tone, “to enter the contest that benefits Wildcat Bluff Fire-Rescue. Pay your bucks, guess the correct time to the closest second that Fernando gets home, and you’ll win gift certificates from Old Town stores while helping our volunteer firefighters take care of us for another year. It’s a win-win.”

  She switched off the radio as she felt her breath catch in her throat, a strong surge of emotion enveloping her. What an amazingly wonderful idea. Fernando was no longer just entertainment. Now he was helping support the county with donations in his honor. Her growing admiration for country folks ratcheted up another notch.

  Maybe she should enter the contest. In fact, she would enter it. She’d be supporting not only the fire department, but also backing the idea that Fernando really was coming home. She wanted to believe in the big bull, even though she knew the possibility was slim for him ever coming back.

  But for now, she just wanted Slade home, just like everybody was rooting for Fernando to come home. Tonight, for some reason, their lives were running parallel in her mind. Maybe Slade had learned something to give them hope.

  She walked back to the front door and flung it open, needing Slade in her arms, needing to know he was safe, needing to comfort him. And there he was, walking with a slight limp up the path toward her. He was obviously tired, but he also walked with a little bounce in his step, as if he’d gotten good news, not bad. She didn’t understand it, but she didn’t care. He was home—that was all that mattered to her. She quickly stepped onto the porch, hurried down the stairs, and rushed toward him.

  When he saw her, a big grin split his face, and he held out his arms.

  She flung herself against him, holding him tight as he picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Miss me?”

  “I thought you’d never get home.”

  “Worried?”

  “Yes. Anything could’ve happened…and how would I have known? Who would have told me?”

  “Good.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He walked up the stairs with her wrapped around him, slammed the door shut behind them, and walked straight into the bedroom. He gently deposited her on top of the bed, then glanced around the room. “Looks fine. I like the colors.”

  “What did you mean?” Had she given away too much of how she felt about him with those few words? If so, did it matter anymore?

  “I really like the bed. It’s high enough I don’t have to practically get down on my knees to sit on it.”

  “Slade, you’re avoiding my question.”

  “Never.” He sat down beside her and clasped her hand. “It’s about time, you know.”

  “No, I don’t know.”

  He stroked her wrist, raised her hand, and kissed her palm.

  She shivered, feeling as if something had changed in the past few minutes. Was she ready for it? Could she ever be ready for the intensity of her feelings for him? Did he truly feel the same about her?

  “If something happened to you, would Fern know to call me so I could take care of you?”

  She felt dizzy, as if the room reeled around her. “But she’s there and—”

  “If you weren’t here and something happened, how would I know? Would anybody contact me?”

  “No, I guess not.” He’d made his point, and it was a valid one.

  “This is bigger than us,” he said quietly. “We’ve been in our own little world, keeping everybody els
e out…except for a bit with my family.”

  She took a deep breath, realizing what she’d started with that question. “I’m sure your family would let me know.”

  “Yeah. But hospitals and—”

  “Please, don’t go there.”

  “I work a ranch. I fight fires. Accidents happen. If so, I’d want you with me…and I’d want you to walk into my room with the legal right to be there.”

  She flushed all over—rights came with responsibilities and permanency.

  “Are you ready to go there?” He placed her palm against his cheek.

  She felt the roughness of his beard after a long day.

  “Are you?”

  She set her hand down in her lap, withdrawing as she suddenly felt protective of herself.

  “No?” He sighed as he glanced over at her. “I’m beginning to think Fern isn’t the only one in your family with commitment issues.”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Isn’t it?”

  “It’s just been so fast.” She tried to defend her position, but she suspected he might very well be correct.

  “When it’s right, it’s right.”

  “I know. It’s just—”

  “Look, I didn’t mean to go here tonight. It’s been a long day. Your question threw me. I thought… I hoped… Let’s table this discussion for another time.”

  “Thank you.” She just couldn’t go there yet. “I really wanted to ask you if there was any news about Fernando.”

  He grinned, nodding his head. “Absolutely.”

  “Well, what? Don’t hold out on me.” She leaned toward him, wanting to know what was making him so happy.

  “Come fall calving, there are going to be Little Fernandos running around a ranch near Honey Grove. At least, that’s the story.”

  “You’re kidding me.” She stood up abruptly, unable to contain her energy.

  “Jack had this rancher on the radio, describing Fernando’s amorous attentions to several of his cows.”

  “How could he know it was Fernando?”

  “He’d seen photos and heard the stories. Plus, he had a scanner.”

  “That’s great news. When is he bringing Fernando home?”

  “He’s not. Fernando took off, so he’s in the wind.”

  “Oh no. But at least we know he escaped the rustlers.”

  “I’m pretty sure of it now. And that’s not the only reason.” He pulled a flier out of his pocket, unfolded it, showed it to her, then put it back.

  “I wondered if you’d seen Nathan’s flier.”

  “I found it wadded up and thrown down at the new cattle heist.”

  “That’s odd.” She sat down again, needing to be closer to him.

  “Not if somebody got mad about losing Fernando.”

  “The barn… Revenge?”

  “Maybe so.”

  “This escalation makes me uneasy.”

  “I’ll keep you safe.” He hugged her close.

  “Thanks. But I’m concerned about more than me.”

  “I know. But we’re all on higher alert now.”

  “Good. That reminds me. Jack said there’s going to be a news report about Fernando on TV. It’s almost five. Let’s check a Dallas station on my laptop.”

  “Okay. It’s probably about that Honey Grove rancher.”

  “But still…this Fernando story just keeps getting bigger.”

  “I never expected this kind of attention.”

  She stood up, clasping his hand. “Come on.” She led him into the living room, where they sat down, side by side, on the sofa. She quickly pulled up a Dallas station on her laptop and leaned the screen back, so they could both watch.

  “I know you’ve all been breathlessly waiting for a Fernando the bull update. And just how do I know that?” Jennifer Sales, the beloved news reporter with big hair and big smile, fluttered her eyelashes at the camera. “We’re being overwhelmed here with your questions and comments about Fernando.”

  Ivy gasped, squeezing Slade’s hand. “I had no idea.”

  “Me either.”

  “Today, horses broke loose in Fannin County west of Bonham,” Jennifer said with a smile. “We’re lucky a cowboy caught this shot of Fernando and sent it to us.”

  Ivy watched in amazement as a blurry video appeared on her screen of downed fences, fifty or more mustangs running loose, cowboys riding down on them, and out ahead of the mayhem a big, black bull trotted west, trailing a red rope and tail switching as he went as if it was all in a day’s work of freeing other critters, and disappeared into a thick stand of cedar trees.

  Slade laughed, pointing at the screen. “If that’s Fernando, he’s a lot smarter than I ever gave him credit for.”

  “What’s he doing?”

  “Fence probably got in his way. Looks like he’s treating the countryside as if it’s open range. And with his size and strength, he can do it.”

  “But won’t the cowboys catch him?”

  “I doubt they broke off corralling their horses for one lone bull. Besides, they know it’s dangerous to take on a bull his size.”

  “Why is that?”

  “If he’s mad, he can put his head under a horse and toss the horse and rider into the air. There’d be serious damage.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “Most folks don’t. But cowboys do.”

  “How will all those looking for him catch him?”

  “It’d take a team of ropers working together with a portable pen and transport nearby. He’d be safer if he was caught.”

  “I don’t want him hurt.”

  “So far he’s doing fine on his own. Hopefully, that reward will keep him safe, if nothing else.”

  “Good.” She closed her laptop, turning to Slade and taking his hand.

  He smiled at her, nodding as if in answer to her unspoken question.

  “I’m glad you’re home.”

  “You can’t imagine how glad I am to be here…and to know you were here waiting for me.”

  “Dinner’s ready. I got chicken noodle soup from the Chuckwagon.”

  “Thanks. But I don’t want soup.”

  “You’re not hungry?”

  “I’m starving…but only for you.”

  She just melted, leaning into him, feeling his arm go around her shoulders, knowing she was so lucky to have him in her life.

  “I’ve been waiting all day to try out the bed.” He slipped the green ponytail holder off her hair, letting the long strands fall free, and slipped the elastic onto his wrist. “Are you going to make me wait any longer?”

  “I’ve been waiting for you all day long, too.” She said it with a breathiness that belied every roadblock she’d ever thrown between them.

  He smiled, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as he leaned forward and kissed her earlobe, then slowly traced the whorls of her ear with the tip of his tongue. He pressed kisses with slow intent all the way to her mouth, where he licked and nibbled, tasting her as if she were the finest of sweet ingredients. When she moaned, returning his kiss as she felt hot embers build between them, he thrust deep with his tongue…and set her on fire.

  She shuddered from head to toe at this sensual sensation, feeling heat roil through her till it centered between her legs and made her burn with need for him. He kissed down the side of her neck until he reached the base of her throat, where he lingered, toying with the indentation as he slipped his hands under her top, lowered her bra, and cupped her breasts, massaging until he created taut tips, while he built—layer upon layer—a tower of blazing passion.

  He led her into the bedroom, giving her hot looks with his blue eyes. “You ready to make the bed our own?”

  She just gave him a smile before she grasped the front of his shirt and jerked, snapping op
en the buttons all the way down to his belt buckle.

  “I guess that’s a yes.”

  She chuckled as she pressed her palms flat against his chest, felt his nipples harden under her touch, and slowly moved upward, feeling the soft hair, the smooth skin, the rapid beat of his heart.

  “Keep that up and the bed will get a fast initiation.”

  “Fast is good,” she said in a voice gone husky with desire.

  He stood up, jerked his shirttail out, tossed his shirt on the floor, and reached for his belt buckle.

  She smiled in satisfaction at the sight and rose to her feet. She quickly set the throw pillows in the rocker, then pulled back the quilt to reveal smooth, pink sheets. She liked the color, partly because it’d be such a contrast to Slade’s masculinity.

  She let her gaze linger on him stripping down before she couldn’t wait any longer and kicked off her flip-flops. She started to pull her top off, but he was naked before her and came to her side. He didn’t say a word as he slipped the top up and over her head, then unhooked her bra, drew it down her arms, and tossed it aside. He cupped her breasts, tracing patterns over them till she was covered in goose bumps. He lowered her yoga pants, then slipped down her thong until she stood naked, shivering from his touch, his intent…her need.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He clasped her hand and led her over to the bed.

  She sat down and leaned back, letting her head rest against the new, plump pillow.

  “Perfect.” He opened a drawer of the nightstand, extracted a foil packet, and put on protection.

  “Yes, perfect.” She felt such a cascade of emotions that she didn’t know where one ended and another began…until a powerful tapestry of all the ways to love and be loved merged into a single image—Slade Steele. And she knew she’d fallen hard.

  When he leaned over her, she opened her arms, her legs, and pulled him down to her. She needed to be joined with him, burned to be completed by him…wanted it more than anything she’d ever wanted in her life. She trembled when he slipped inside her, and she clutched him with her legs, riding him as he thrust deeper and harder and faster. She cried out, gripping his shoulders as she spiraled higher and higher…and then she heard him groan in pleasure as they reached ecstasy and hung in midair for a long, exultant moment together.