When a Cowboy Loves a Woman (Creedence Horse Rescue #2) - Jennie Marts Page 0,3

of heat talking about his body—and thinking of the things that could happen to it—sent through her. Dang. Where had that come from? She hadn’t felt that kind of warmth in a long time. The fire must have melted her brain. Or thawed her frozen libido.

“She said the guest room is already made up and to tell you there’s no discussion. I’ve known that girl since we were kids, and there’s no use arguing with her.”

Although it was fairly new, she was thankful for the bond of friendship she’d already developed with Bryn. “I’m learning that myself.”

Brody grinned. “It doesn’t take long.” His expression sobered as he peered down at her. “All kidding aside, I think it’s a good idea. Then you won’t be alone. This is a lot to deal with.”

Watching my husband die in front of me, that’s a lot to deal with. Her kitchen catching on fire, that was nothing.

Chapter 2

Staying with Bryn would be nice. Elle had been volunteering at her friend’s horse rescue ranch for the past month, so at least she’d be close to work when she woke up. And the tipping point was the five puppies they’d recently rescued who were tumbling around Bryn’s living room. There wasn’t a lot that a lapful of puppies couldn’t make better.

“Thanks again,” she said, not knowing what else to say. She felt like a dork standing there clutching her purse while wearing just her pj’s, a pair of sandals, and a hot-pink faux-fur jacket.

Brody nodded. “I’ll check back with you in a bit. I’m gonna go see if there’s anything I can do to help. I’ll keep you posted if I find out anything else.”

It took another hour and a half for the fire to be ruled completely out and for Elle to talk to the fire chief.

“There’s nothing else to be done right now,” the fire chief said. “We caught it before it moved to the rest of the house, but there’s always smoke and water damage in a situation like this. You’ll want to contact your insurance agency, and we can put you in touch with some companies who do cleanup after this sort of thing. You’ll need someplace else to stay for a bit.” He gave her his card and a few more instructions.

Brody stood next to the chief, looking down at her with concern. Elle had seen him helping one of the volunteer fireman haul a hose back to the truck, and his clothes were smudged with dirt and debris. He’d taken off his Stetson, and his light brown hair stood up in damp tufts. He had a little soot on his cheek and a light scruff of whiskers lay across his chiseled jaw, but he still looked hotter than the flames in her kitchen.

“Thank you,” Elle said softly, her body suddenly too weary to move. But oddly enough, not too wiped out to notice the beard of the hunky cowboy. She must be exhausted.

Sassy had stuck by her side, offering her water and more food and dragging out a couple of dented lawn chairs to use while they waited. She wrapped an arm around Elle’s shoulders. “You look ready to drop on your feet, honey. I think it’s time to get you out of here. You can come back tomorrow to get your things.” She nodded to Brody, who cupped his hand lightly under Elle’s elbow and led her toward his truck.

He opened the door, then swore at the collection of items filling the seat. He pulled open the back door of the club cab, pushed a kid’s scooter to the side, then moved a bag of horse feed, a roll of baling wire, and his toolbox into the back. “Sorry, about that. I’ve been meaning to get this thing cleaned out.” He shoved a pink sweatshirt and a stack of books to the center, then tossed a crumpled fast-food bag over the seat. “Should be good enough now, but I can’t guarantee you won’t still find a Cheeto in the seat.”

She shrugged. “I love Cheetos.”

“Then if you find one, it’s all yours.” He grinned, then wiped his hand down the front of his shirt in an effort to brush away the soot and grime.

“Sorry you got so messed up.”

He peered down at his front. “This is nothing. In my job, I’m always getting dirty. I’ve learned to carry a stack of spares.” He jerked a thumb toward the vet box on the back of the truck. “Give me a second