Plain Jane & The Hotshot by Meagan McKinney Read Free Book Online

the other firefighters acted as if Nick had dibs on her. They had formed little groups around all of them, with Kayla the biggest draw of all.
    But Kayla only toyed with her admirers, flitting from male to male like a bee sampling different nectars, her eyes ever fixed on Nick. Jo steeled herself when Kayla, making a show of brushing leaves off the taut seat of her blue jeans, crossed to join her and Nick.
    â€œJo’s momma was Miss Montana, you know that, Nick?” Kayla greeted them.
    Her tone, Jo thought, was saying, Can you believe that? How could a kennel-registered breed produce such a common mutt?
    â€œWell, then, the odds are good her mother’s not a blonde,” Nick said, not a hint of malice in his tone.
    â€œHuh?” Kayla, thrown off her game, was suddenly wary.
    Nick shrugged, looking at Jo and not Kayla. “What I mean is, society gives blondes all the publicity, they have more fun, all that. But I’ve read that it’s brunettes who actually win most beauty pageants.”
    â€œAll right. They might win the pageants, but we have all the fun,” Kayla conceded, fluffing her hair.
    Nick laughed. “Just the facts, ma’am, just the facts.”
    â€œHow ’bout you?” Kayla pressed the issue. “Personal preference, I mean. Blondes or brunettes?”
    â€œDefinitely brunettes,” he replied, which left Kayla deflated but not defeated.
    It startled Jo, too.
    She had steeled herself for more unfair comparisons with her mother. But Nick’s surprise comment had thrown Kayla over a fence.
    It doesn’t mean Nick’s taking my side, Jo mused. He’s just getting a dig in at Kayla. He didn’t seem nearly as captivated by her as some of his crew did. Maybe I’ve sold him a little short.
    Unless, warned a cautious, protective inner voice, he’s simply an accomplished master at seduction. Perhaps he’s like a stalking lion, crafty by instinct. Perhaps he’s learned that playing hard to get works with some women and he’s just using you to ignite Kayla. After all, Kayla appeared unfazed by his ungallant remarks just now. In fact, she seemed all the more determined.
    Kayla was on the verge of trying another tack when Hazel, observant as a circling hawk, joined them.
    â€œKayla, dear, you’re ignoring our other guests,” the cattle queen said diplomatically. “After all, you’re one of the main reasons they’re here. And who could blame them, you little Texas bombshell? Now don’tdisappoint your admirers. Mingle, mingle, disperse your considerable charms so all may enjoy.”
    Hazel’s blandishments worked. Kayla smiled at the flattery and left, and Hazel turned to the taciturn couple.
    â€œThere’s one more bottle of wine cooling in the brook. Would you mind going to fetch it, Jo?”
    â€œI’ll go, Hazel,” Nick said quickly, rising lithely to his feet.
    â€œNo, you’re our guest,” Jo said. “I’ll go.”
    He extended a hand to help her up.
    Jo knew Hazel watched them, her eyes narrowing with pleasure.
    A tactful refusal was needed, but Jo couldn’t think of one. So she took his hand, marveling at his easy strength as he tugged her effortlessly up.
    â€œIt’s in that little clutch of boulders right past the pump,” Hazel added. “Same place you go to get the drinking water, Jo.”
    Jo could’ve sworn that a look passed between Hazel and Nick, and that a smile flitted over his lips but didn’t quite land.
    Don’t be ridiculous, she chided herself as Nick adjusted his long-legged pace to hers along the looping, descending path. Even if Hazel was playing Cupid, she certainly wasn’t conspiring with Nick. How could she be? But the delusion was understandable viewed through the lens of Ned Wilson’s dishonesty and the damage it caused her.
    â€œLike it up here?” Nick asked, his tone friendly and easy.
    â€œIt’s