Plain Jane & The Hotshot Read Online Free PDF Page B

not surprisingly, seemed their primary focus.
    â€œY’all been puttin’ out fires like big, brave heroes?” the blonde asked, waving at them.
    â€œWith our bare hands, sugar!” one of them assured her.
    â€œWe’re off duty now,” Nick explained. “We spent the night burning out some cheatgrass pockets—that’swhy we’re smudged. No fires in Crying Horse Canyon. Now we’re just hiking back to our camp.”
    With twelve men and six women, neither Hazel nor Nick attempted any introductions. But no name tags were required—his men weren’t bashful about breaking off into little groups to flirt with the women a bit before they left.
    Jo wasn’t in the mood for socializing.
    She waded partway into the river and tried to look intently busy baiting her hook.
    But Nick made a point of walking over to her.
    â€œI’m glad I’m not that worm,” he joked as she poked one with her hook. “I mean—you know, the symbolism and all.”
    She didn’t like the way he seemed to crowd her. The river water was ice-cold and she dared not go farther out.
    Her noncommittal glance only seemed to amuse him.
    He tried another tact. “Look, I’m sorry if I came off a bit flip or smart-ass or whatever yesterday. That crack I made about you baptizing everybody—well, that was out of line.”
    â€œI see.”
    He shrugged one shoulder. When he replied, his tone wasn’t quite so friendly. “No need to get all gushy with forgiveness.”
    Her cheeks heated. “Look, don’t worry about it, Mr. Kramer—”
    â€œI only came over to make conversation—”
    â€œActually,” she challenged, leveling him a cool stare, “I don’t think you’re interested in conversation.”
    â€œI give as good as I get,” he defended himself, his tone taking on a scalpel edge. “I s’pose you’re a scrubbed angel?”
    â€œMore scrubbed than you,” she returned, giving his soot-smudged face a once-over.
    He stopped. Then as if suddenly finding the humor in her words, he tipped back his head and laughed. White, even teeth sparkled.
    She found herself wanting to laugh, also, or at least smile. But instinct told her it would only lead her down the path to attraction, and then, destruction.
    â€œLook, apology accepted, Mr. Kramer,” she finished, dismissing him.
    â€œYou give every man that go-to-hell look?”
    She glanced at him and must have given him another one, judging from the sneer on his face.
    â€œSorry I’m not some sober-suited, country-club accountant who never gets his hands dirty. I admit I haven’t shaved in a while. I sleep in a tent and bathe in rivers, but it’s hard work fighting a fire. And I didn’t expect to meet some woman—”
    She finally turned around and faced him.
    His mouth formed a tight defensive line. His eyes were wary.
    â€œPlease don’t think I don’t appreciate your sacrifice,” she said. “Many would be unable to fulfill even your smallest of tasks to fight a wildfire. However,Mr. Kramer, this is a fishing hole, not a watering hole. If I wanted to meet a big strong man like you, I’d have gone to a bar, not gone camping.”
    He stared at her, anger simmering in his face. “Know what? You need some serious couch time, lady.”
    â€œHere we go again with your ‘clever’ double meanings. Your couch, I suppose?” She lifted an eyebrow.
    â€œI don’t have one in my tent. But maybe you should see a shrink to deal with this man-hating thing of yours.”
    A bubble of anger swelled within her. “Oh, I get it, sure. Any woman who fails to breathe heavy when the Hotshot comes around must not be a real woman, right? Well, I’ll have you know that despite what you’ve been fed, a real woman’s fantasy isn’t to be picked up and carried off into the sunset. We’ve