His Firefly Cowgirl by Beth Williamson Read Free Book Online Page B

structures are also old so the wood is drier and they burn faster. But I also know we had new insulation put in about fifteen years ago and a state of the art sprinkler system and fire alarm put in the restaurant.” He blew through a stop sign, counting on everyone in town knowing his vehicle and heeding the flashing lights on his truck.
    “Your receipts—“
    “Yes, the fucking receipts are in the file I gave you.” He was too worked up to worry about her feelings. Anger and frustration bubbled in his gut. He wished he’d had a chance to grab coffee because it would give him something to do besides snarl at Sophie.
    She remained silent as he drove like a madman, swerving around a few cars and one foolish dog. It took less than ten minutes but it felt more like an hour. Sphincter factor of ten.
    He stopped his truck on the seat and jumped out of the truck. The acrid stench of smoke filled his nose. He needed to get to the pumper, parked sideways in front of the newer jail and assess the situation.
    Flames flickered in the early-morning sky, angry red and orange against the blue. He grabbed his gear and started pulling it on, hoping his daybreak foolishness didn’t cost the town more of its soul.

 
    Chapter Five
     
    Sophie had never felt so small and unimportant. When she’d been with Dax years ago, he’d been an eager volunteer firefighter with very little experience and more energy than common sense.
    He was no longer that fresh-faced boy.
    This was a man who took charge, shouting orders and pulling on his turnout suit with practiced efficiency. The heat from the fire was intense even a hundred feet away. She should move farther back, but she couldn’t take her eyes from Dax.
    He had been serious about his family’s ranch and firm in his decision not to go to college. However, she’d judged him for that choice. He was so smart, and could have been anything other than a rancher and a volunteer firefighter. It was a waste.
    At least that’s what she’d thought at the age of eighteen. Ten years, and hard life experiences had taught her how foolish her opinions had been. Dax had not only kept his family’s ranch in the black, but he’d helped his sister run the restaurant and he’d become fire chief. He was successful. On his own.
    Without her.
    She was the one who’d made the choice to leave everything behind. Whether or not it had been a mistake, it was far too late to change it. Regretting her decision wouldn’t gain a thing except more heartache.
    Then why did her throat tighten as she watched Dax? He was ridiculously good-looking, intelligent and great in bed. Her body still hummed from the near-sex less than twenty minutes earlier.
    “You shouldn’t be this close to the fire.”
    She started at the sound of an unfamiliar male voice. Sophie turned to find Kyle Blackwood at her elbow. The oldest of the generation of cousins, Kyle was the most serious. It also appeared he was a deputy sheriff now. His curly brown hair was cut short against his skull, but a few random curls popped up. She decided not to mention them given the fierce scowl on his face.
    His deep-green eyes regarded her steadily. “I’m serious, Miss Evans. You need to move back to the other side of the street.”
    “Miss Evans?” She matched his scowl with one of her own. “I seem to remember we played in the mud together when we were barely out of diapers.”
    His jaw tightened. “That was twenty-five years ago. We’re grown adults. Responsible grown adults.” He pointed to the corner opposite them. “Now move, or I’ll move you.”
    She wasn’t sure if he was serious or not but he sure as hell looked serious. Especially considering he had a wicked-looking gun strapped to his hip. The uniform suited him, accentuated his broad chest and shoulders.
    “Dax’s truck is here. I came with him.” She waited to see what he’d say.
    “Dax is the fire chief. You’re a stranger and you need to move to a safer location.” Damn but