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“We just moved in a few months ago. When the city council learned the BBQ Fest was coming here, they suddenly scraped up a bunch of money to build us a new house. Actually, I think they got a sizeable donation from the Michaels family. They own one of the BBQ restaurants in town and they’ve run the fest for the past few years. The winner of the cookoff gets money as well as a chance to work in their restaurant that year, honing their craft. Pretty sweet deal.”

“I would say so. Well, however you got the money, you got a new house. That means you can save more lives.”

“Agreed,” he smiled at her. “It also allowed me to hire some new people. And we’re going to use every one of them this weekend,” he laughed, shaking his head. “You can’t imagine the people that will be coming to this.”

Olivia could, but she didn’t want to.

After a few minutes, Connor turned into a convenience store. “Can I get you anything?”

Olivia shook her head. Now that they’d retrieved her bag from the Highlander, she had everything she needed for a long span of time. “If they have any stray rental cars hiding in a corner, you can grab one for me.”

Connor gave her a chiding look. “I think you know you’re going to be here a few days. Why don’t you accept it with grace and let us take care of you for that time?”

Without waiting for an answer, he turned and headed into the store, reaching into the back pocket of his uniform pants for his wallet. Oh, man. She kinda loved his butt.

What the hell was wrong with her? She’d been fine for years, living alone and not having to worry about another person’s wants or needs. But she hit Lockhart, Texas and suddenly her libido was kindling to life.

Must be a fire fighter holding a match…

CHAPTER 6

Connor was never prouder of his guys than when they pulled up to the pavilion again, and they immediately welcomed Olivia into their midst. She grinned and gave a little wave, before gingerly settling into the chair someone had vacated. Her ribs seemed to be aching her the worst, but he’d watched her take pain pills at breakfast. Not the prescription stuff he knew she’d been given but plain, over-the-counter stuff.

The morning was a little cool, and she was only wearing a t-shirt, so he made sure to sit beside her to block the wind.

“So, what’s going on?” he asked Taylor, who seemed to be in charge of the smoker.

“Manu is taking a nap and I’m guarding the meat. I swore I would defend it with my life if he would go chill out for a while. He’s been standing here for two days, babying these briskets, and he’s barely taken a nap.”

“Yeah, that’s no good. His class isn’t until later this afternoon, so he’s got time.”

Taylor nodded. Looked like he’d gotten a shower this morning already, and Connor knew he’d worked out. The big guy’s veins were pumped, and there was a look in his eyes as he watched Olivia. Like he was ready for a second workout.

Taylor grinned at the small woman, but she didn’t even seem to register his look. Connor would have laughed, but he wouldn’t hurt Taylor’s feelings that way. The guy was big and brash, but a little too concerned with his own looks to be with a beautiful woman who would take his spotlight.

Clint Daly motioned for Connor to come over to one of the trucks. If it had been any of the other men, Connor would have bristled, but Clint had been a firefighter longer than he’d been alive. Scars traced down the man’s reddened neck, the result of a careless mistake he would carry forever. He was also one of the smallest men in the department, but he could outwork any of the muscled youngsters. Connor had seen him lift people almost double his size. And when he spoke, he shared the wisdom he’d earned over the past thirty years in the fire service. The entire department looked up to him.

So, when he motioned to a jumping gauge on Pumper 13, he knew he needed to get it worked on. “I know. I thought Ace tweaked it. How long has it been doing that?”

“A few hours, but now it’s doing it while idling. We need to get it replaced.”

Connor sighed. It meant taking the truck to Austin to get worked on. “Damn. Okay. I’ll call Arnold.”

Clint nodded, wiping his hands on a rag. He took care of these trucks like they were his babies. Which they kind of were. Clint had been married a long time ago, but the wife hadn’t been able to handle the danger, so she’d left, with their small daughter in tow. Clint had never married again, instead devoting his life to the firehouse.

Clint wasn’t a leader, though. He’d never wanted to be. When the position had opened for Chief, Clint had pushed Connor to apply, and he’d gotten it. Connor was sure it was because of Clint’s support. The entire city valued the man’s opinion.

“It’ll make it through today, but we’d better get it fixed tomorrow.”

“I’m on it.”

“I was wondering if you’d bring her back, today,” Clint said, jerking his chin toward Olivia. “Still stranded?”

Connor nodded, leaning against the corner of the truck. “I figure once the festival starts to wrap up, something will become available.”

“You like her.”

One corner of Connor’s mouth twitched up. “Yeah, I do. She has a lot of heart.”