Cowboy Firefighter Heat

by Kim Redford

  “It is personal, but it’s already getting out there.”

  Morning Glory took a deep breath, then looked down, waiting for the blow to come.

  “Mac’s in town,” Hedy said.

  “I know.” Morning Glory didn’t raise her head.

  “He bought Wildflower Ranch.”

  “I know.” Morning Glory stayed in the same position.

  “He stopped by Adelia’s Delights looking for you.”

  “He found me.” Morning Glory glanced up, tears glistening in her eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” Hedy said. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “It’s okay. I’m a tough bird.”

  “You’re the biggest softy I know.” Hedy smiled fondly at her friend. “I showed him your store. He liked it…because it’s so you.”

  “He’s old news,” Morning Glory said. “I have a new life now.”

  “Hedy, you’re confusing everyone here.” Bert patted her shoulder. “You’d better back up and clear the air.”

  Hedy glanced around the group, then opened her mouth to speak.

  “It’s my business,” Morning Glory said. “And it’s old business.”

  “He’s part of the community now.” Bert Two stood with his elbows resting on the bar behind him. “He’ll be involved with all us ranchers. And he’ll be asking about you. What do you want us to say?”

  “Nothing.” Morning Glory looked exasperated with the discussion. “I told you, it’s my business.”

  “No. It’s the county’s business now,” Hedy said. “We’re looking out for you. We want to put your story out there first. Help us.”

  “After all this time, did he come looking for you?” Bert Two crossed one booted foot over the other. “If so, he sounds like a romantic to me. I can identify. I’m kind of a romantic myself. I wish him well, but sometimes romantics…” He shook his head and shut his mouth.

  “It’s just been a shock to her, I think.” Fern jumped in to try and cover up Bert Two’s obvious emotional regrets in life. How could any woman have ever let him go?

  “Okay.” Morning Glory stood up straighter. “All anybody in this county needs to know is that Mac and I have history. He bought a ranch because he wants to live here now. That’s fine with me. We’re still friends.”

  “That’s good,” Hedy said. “I agree. That’s all anyone needs to know, but they needed to know something. We’ll just put it to rest for now.”

  “Thanks.” Morning Glory took a swig of sarsaparilla, then glared around the group. “Now, can we get back to the business at hand?”

  “Suits me,” Bert said, smiling and nodding.

  Bert Two raised his bottle and saluted Morning Glory. “But I’m still romantic enough to wish our new cowboy gets his cowgirl.”

  Morning Glory laughed, shaking her head. “Bert Two, just don’t tell me you’re secretly writing poetry.”

  Bert Two looked away and took a quick drink as he eased his foot with the medical boot up on the foot rail.

  Fern leaped in again to turn the attention away from Bert Two. “MG, why don’t you let Craig take over since he’s been on top of our schedule?” She figured it was just a matter of time before Bert Two found a cowgirl who couldn’t resist a romantic, poetry-writing cowboy.

  Craig walked over to the bar, picked up a printout, and scanned it. “As far as I know, we’re on schedule. Out-of-town vendors will be pulling in tomorrow and setting up, so we’ll get Main Street closed off by the end of the workday.”

  “Bert Two, what about the new bandstand for the pocket park?” Fern asked.

  “I made it myself.” He tapped his fingernails on the bottle in his hands. “It’s not as good as I’d like, but I didn’t have much time. Plus, we won’t leave it up all the time. I added hinges, so it can be folded and stored till the next time we need it.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Morning Glory said.

  “Yeah,” Craig agreed. “Still, what if we left it up year-round or at least for the summer months? Sure-Shot is drawing their local community together with free weekend entertainment in their park.”

  “I like it.” Ivy glanced around the group. “I know I’m pretty new in these parts, but outdoor concerts are always a big attraction in Houston. Why couldn’t we do it here? That pocket park is the perfect place.”

  “It’d be fun for folks,” Slade added, “and it’d bring more traffic to the downtown stores. They might even stop in for barbeque or a piece of pie at the Chuckwagon.”

  “This is sounding better and better,” Morning Glory said. “Hedy, what do you think?”

  “I’m all in.” Hedy nodded in agreement. “Anything to make our community stronger on every level is a plus for each and every one of us.”

  “I don’t think I have time to take off the hinges,” Bert Two said. “Anyway, if it’s going to be permanent, I’ll build a new one bigger, stronger, and fancier.”

  “Do you have time?” Bert asked. “We’re so busy at the ranch.”

  “I’ll get to it after my foot’s completely healed,” Bert Two said.

  “Okay. That’s settled.” Craig glanced at Sydney. “This item is fairly new on my list. Fernando?”

  Sydney chuckled, shaking her head. “Storm says Fernando is all set to welcome his followers on Fernando the Wonder Bull, his personal website.”

  “How do you suppose Fernando really feels about it?” Slade joined her laughter.

  “If he gets his special feed, he probably doesn’t care one way or another,” Sydney said. “But then again, he’s probably all in.”

  “Any news about Daisy Sue?” Fern asked.

  “No.” Slade shook his head in disappointment. “We’re getting the runaround on all fronts. I don’t understand it, but we’ll settle down to pursue the matter after Wild West Days.”

  “Good luck,” Fern said.

  “How do you plan to handle Fernando’s appearance?” Craig asked. “And where would you put him? He’s no lightweight.”

  Slade gave a big sigh. “Tell me about it. It needs to be a secure enclosure and out of foot traffic.”

  “We’re looking at a section in the pocket park that would work for him,” Fern said.

  “Fernando has a large fan base, and he’s a draw to Wildcat Bluff,” Morning Glory said thoughtfully. “Let’s don’t lose this opportunity.”

  “Fans come to the ranch to see him, but they can’t get any farther than the entry, so this is a unique opportunity for them,” Sydney said.

  “Ivy, what do you think?” Slade asked. “You’re our social media and website guru now.”

  “Fernando is obviously a gift to our community marketing-wise,” Ivy said. “Even so, his health and well-being should be everyone’s primary concern.”

  “If you can keep him safe, we’d love to livestream over the Den.” Eden chuckled as she looked at the group. “I bet Wildcat Jack would be happy to interview him, or at least Storm. She’s popular, too.”

  “Let’s go ahead with our plans to include Fernando,” Craig said. “We can find a way to make it work.”

  “Okay,” Slade agreed. “I’m putting together an enclosure for him. Storm’s got stuff printed up. I don’t think we should disappoint either of them…or their fans.”

  “Good.” Craig set down his list. “Anything else?”

  “Is the dunking booth ready?” Hedy asked.

  “I rented it, and it’s at the ranch.” Sydney glanced around at the cowboy firefighters. “I didn’t trust anybody but me to make sure we had it ready to go.”

  “No wonder,” Slade said. “Are you sure the cowboys will show up for that event?”

  “They better.” Sydney gave them all a steely-eyed look. “Nathan is going to photograph them for our next cowboy firefighter calendar.”

  At that news, all the men groa
ned in unison.

  “It’s for a good cause, so don’t complain.” Sydney chuckled. “And if you’re not careful, there just might be a cosmetologist from the Sure-Shot Beauty Station in your future for that photo shoot.”

  They groaned even louder.

  Fern couldn’t keep from smiling at the cowboys’ reactions, but she could understand it, too.

  “We do appreciate your contribution to the fire station’s bottom line,” Hedy said. “You know we need the funds.”

  “Yeah,” Slade said, agreeing. “I just wish there was a better way to obtain them.”

  “You may as well get used to a cowboy firefighter calendar every year,” Sydney said. “It’s too popular to give up.”

  Silence met that announcement.

  “Well.” Fern jumped into the fray again. “If there aren’t any more questions or concerns, y’all might as well get on with your days.”

  “You know where to find us,” Craig said.

  “And you’ve got our cell numbers, so you can contact us anytime during Wild West Days.”

  “If you need extra help,” Bert Two said, “I’m available, if I’m not on my feet too long.”

  “Thanks.” Fern gave him a big smile, realizing just how lonely he must be to volunteer for anything else.

  “And no more talk about my love life.” Morning Glory gave each person in the room a hard stare. “My private life is just that—private.”

  “Right.” Hedy grinned with a wink. “And if you believe that one in a community like this, then you’ve been asleep at the wheel.”

  “Well, I had to try, didn’t I?” Morning Glory gave a big sigh, smiling all the while. “Bunch of busybodies, that’s what.”

  “It’s just that everybody loves you and wants you to be happy,” Bert said.

  “I am happy,” Morning Glory insisted. “And at this late date, I don’t need a man to make me happy.”

  Hedy glanced at Bert. “MG, there’s happy and there’s happy.”

  “Oh, go on, all of you. Just get out of my hair.” But she was laughing as she said it, revealing how much she appreciated their concern.

  As everyone made their way to the front door, Craig walked over, clasped Fern’s hand, and leaned down to whisper, “If there’s happy and there’s happy, how happy are you?”

  “On a scale of one to ten?”

  “Yeah.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Ten.”

  Chapter 30

  Fern couldn’t put her finger on quite how it happened or how quickly it happened, but Old Town in Wildcat Bluff went from a laid-back, tight-knit community to a bustling, arms-open community in the blink of an eye. At least so it seemed to her, even though she’d been planning Wild West Days almost from the moment she’d returned to the county.

  She stood on the boardwalk in front of the park early on the morning of the first day. Of course, it was no longer called the pocket park now that it had a definite function in the community. Bert Two, bless his generous heart, had not only built and gotten the bandstand installed, but he’d taken the time to create a sign. He’d burned the new name into a piece of cedar cut in a western motif and lacquered to a high sheen. Now it was attached to double posts embedded in the ground near the entrance to boldly announce OLD TOWN PARK.

  He’d carried the same Old West theme to the bandstand. He’d built a natural wood structure with western designs burned onto the pine in front. It was four feet high, with stairs that led to the top, where folding chairs had been set out to accommodate local musicians later in the day. A microphone on a stand and a sound system had also been set up, so music could be heard across town.

  She was proud of their new park and glad they’d come up with the idea to use it year round to draw folks together. She glanced down the length of the boardwalk, where red, white, and blue bunting festooned store windows and outlined the roof of the row of brick-and-stone buildings.

  On closed-off Main Street, colorful tents and white trailers also featured red, white, and blue from fluttering pennants to metallic streamers that would draw attention to each vendor. She could already smell barbeque and other delicious treats being cooked in anticipation of the big crowd to come.

  She’d dressed ahead of the heat, expected to hit in force that afternoon, by wearing Wranglers, a turquoise T-shirt with the Wild West Days logo emblazoned across the front, and dark blue athletic shoes. She’d hooked the strap of an aqua handbag over one shoulder and tucked inside a bottle of water, her new cell phone, and various other necessary items. She also carried a few copies of the event’s schedule printed in red, white, and blue by Nathan at Thingamajigs and available at all stores and vendor sites. To fit with the western theme and keep the sun off her face, she wore a turquoise cowgirl hat that was just perfect for the day.

  Craig had been called over to Steele Trap Ranch to consult on the best way to present Fernando. She was here to walk the area, check to make sure everything was in place, and answer any last-minute questions. She had promised him to stay in sight of someone at all times and call a deputy to escort her if she needed to go off the beaten track, even though they hadn’t heard from Simon and hoped he’d left the area.

  She paused in front of Morning’s Glory. MG saw her, hurried to the door, and opened it.

  “I’m just checking to see if you have any needs or concerns.” Fern smiled at her friend as she noticed MG was wearing heart earrings and necklaces. She wondered if Mac had anything to do with MG’s choice today. She hoped so.

  “Thanks. I’m all set…at least for the moment. I have the artist schedules taped to the front door and available inside. Demonstrations are on the hour every hour. I’m even throwing in a free macramé class for those who’d like to learn that almost-lost art we revived in the sixties.” She selected one of her long necklaces and held up a dangling brass heart.

  “Is that one special?”

  Morning Glory dropped it back in place. “It’s just an old one I made long ago.”

  “Maybe about the time you knew Mac?”

  Morning Glory rolled her eyes, looking a little bit guilty. “I have to admit it was one of his favorites.”

  “And you still have it?”

  “Don’t we always keep the things that are special to our hearts?”

  “Yes. For me, it’s musical instruments.”

  “Understandable.”

  “Is Mac coming by?”

  “No idea.” Morning Glory glanced outside, as if looking for him. “We haven’t been in touch.”

  “But don’t you think he’ll attend Wild West Days?”

  “He did say something about a dance.”

  “Craig and I will be playing at the Lone Star Saloon this evening. Why don’t you stop by and see us…maybe even dance?”

  Morning Glory smiled, looking mischievous. “Maybe I will. Somehow or other, I just feel like celebrating this year.”

  Fern smiled in return. “I think we all have lots to celebrate, so please come and join us.”

  Morning Glory nodded, then whirled around, holding out her full skirt so that it swung in a crimson arc around her. “It’s new. I made it last night. Do you like?”

  “Beautiful. Your style is always impeccable.”

  “Thanks. I’ve just always loved lots of movement in my clothes and jewelry.”

  “It certainly suits you.” She took a step back. “Guess I’d better be on my way. I want to check out the dunk booth.”

  “I’ll be happy to check it out, but not till our cowboy firefighters are in it.”

  Fern laughed, nodding in agreement.

  “Hedy is next door. Be sure to stop in and say hey.” Morning Glory hesitated, looking over Fern’s shoulder. “Where’s Craig?”

  “He was called out to Steele Trap. He’ll be back soon.”

  “Well, be careful now, and
stay in sight of someone at all times.”

  “Will do.” She started to leave, then stopped and turned back. “Do you know much about Sure-Shot?”

  “A little bit. Why?”

  “Did you ever hear of a one-room schoolhouse memorial grove near there?”

  “What?” Morning Glory appeared completely confused at the news. “Where did you hear that?”

  “Craig’s from there and—”

  “Oh, he’d know better than me. It’s sounds intriguing, but more like a country legend than real. I mean, we’d all have heard about it if it was real, wouldn’t we?”

  “I think I’ll ask around about it.”

  “Do that. And let me know if you learn anything, will you?”

  “Yeah. And thanks.”

  Fern started back down the boardwalk, thinking about MG’s words. Not common knowledge, then. Until she knew more, she was going to keep the grove a secret, just as it had remained for over a hundred years, because…well, you just never knew what was best left in the dark.

  Adelia’s Delights was next door, so she stepped inside, hearing the melodic door chime announce her presence. She smiled in delight, as she always did when she came here, because she felt as if she’d been transported back in time, particularly when she read ESTABLISHED 1883 on a sign on the wall. She admired the mellow oak floor, the high ceiling of pressed-tin tile in an intricate design, and the tall glass containers of old-fashioned hard candy on the checkout counter near the ancient black-and-gold cash register in back.

  She could easily understand why Hedy loved her store. Knickknacks in all shapes, sizes, colors, and prices filled deep shelves and glass cabinets. One section contained country pickles, jams, and other edible items in canning jars. A prominent display of the Bluebird of Happiness, sky-blue glass birds in all sizes made in Arkansas, gleamed in the front window. Rosie, a pretty tortoiseshell cat, lounged in between the blue glass, soaking up early morning rays as the sun slanted through the front windows. She was known as Queen of Adelia’s and everyone adored her.

  “Over here,” Hedy called from where she sat in the tearoom area.