Texas Wildfire (Texas Heroes Book 1) Read Free Page B

area of Texas known as the Devil’s Backbone. The Backbone was a rugged portion of the Texas Hill Country known for its rolling hills and sweeping valleys dotted with oak, juniper and cactus, where the Balcones Fault reared up dramatically separating the Blanco and Guadalupe river basins. As Titan drove his black Dodge Ram across the serpentine edge of the Backbone, he couldn’t help but note his surroundings. The caravan passed several vineyards, one owned by a friend of his. They also passed his ranch.
    He fought the urge to put on his blinker and bow out of the festivities, leaving the group of his fellow firefighters to go indulge without him. There was always work to be done at home. He had several knives forged to finish in his blacksmith shop and when he got time, he had some horses to shoe. But not tonight, tonight he’d go out with his friends. There was a chance he’d get to share a few words with Makenna and that would make it all worthwhile.
    When they pulled into the rugged tavern, he knew the place would be full of regulars throwing back beers and telling lies. Bikers. Ranchers. Working men. They were all his friends. As soon as he opened the door, he could hear the live music of a local band. Todd Snider used to play the Backbone Tavern, but he hadn’t been there but a few times since he’d made it big.
    Once inside, he was greeted by Miss Velma, a spry octogenarian who worked the bar. “What you drinking, Titan? Whatever it is, it’s on the house.”
    “Thanks, ma’am. Everybody else drinks on me tonight,” was his response as the waitress set up a table for them all. The Devil’s Backbone Tavern didn’t carry his drink of choice. Titan was a wine connoisseur, information he didn’t openly share with his beer-drinking friends. “I think there’s a dozen of us at least, maybe more.” Titan gestured to his buddies as they filed in. Ronan, the youngest member of their group, was with a petite blonde from Marble Falls by the name of Chastity. Titan smiled, thinking she was with the wrong guy if chastity was a virtue she valued. Dallas was with his regular lady, and Maverick living up to his name was alone. Blaze entered with a war whoop. He had a temper as hot as the fires he fought. He’d just broken up with his fiancée, so tonight he was palling around with Montana, the guy who drove their big rig. Both men surveyed the room, they were on the prowl. Hotshot came in next with his arm around a curvy little ginger from San Marcos. Titan hadn’t learned her name yet. And lastly came their fierce leader with his arm around…someone else other than Makenna. He was whispering in the brunette’s ear, who turned to smile at him broadly. Titan’s blood pressure spiked. What the fuck? The slinky vixen winked at Damien and headed toward the restrooms. Behind them, still in the doorway stood Makenna, looking a bit lost. Damien didn’t turn back for her, he just raised his hand in greeting to several at another table and let her make her way in alone.
    That would never do. Titan threw caution to the wind and moved to go to her rescue. “Come on in, Makenna, what’s your pleasure?” Titan held her chair. If she belonged to him, he would carry her around on a feather pillow if she so desired.
    “A coke will be fine. Thank you, Titan.” She smiled hesitantly. When he looked at her questioningly, she further explained. “Alcohol makes me drowsy.”
    “That’s right, Makenna needs to stay away from drinking. Mixing alcohol with medication is never wise.” This came from Damien as he came back to the table to drain his own glass. She didn’t argue, she just looked embarrassed.
    “Okay,” he assured her, “one cola coming up.” Now, he was worried. Was she sick? What kind of medication was she taking? He’d ask if he got a chance. As far as he was concerned, there wasn’t anything wrong with Makenna that a divorce wouldn’t remedy. As he made his way to the bar, he realized he was playing