Shawn took a deep breath and continued, “This guy would help sometimes. When he needed something, he’d find us. A few times, he got us off the street and fed us—someplace. But he was real moody and had a bad temper. If Kylee or I did something wrong...” He broke off, shaking his head.
“He’s the reason you two were in the state you were in when you got here?” Cutter asked.
Shawn nodded. “Kylee stood up to him, said she wouldn’t do something. Jesse didn’t like it when people told him no.”
Fisher’s blood was boiling so loud the roar in his ear was almost deafening. He stared blindly around the room, fighting the urge to react. Not that there was anything he could do about it but...
His gaze met Cutter’s. The old man’s face was fiery red.
“He was real protective, especially of Kylee. She couldn’t talk to guys—unless he wanted her to.” Shawn shrugged. “He was pretty cool with me.”
Fisher sat back in his chair, digesting everything Shawn had shared. His hands itched, the urge to punch something overwhelming.
“She likes you, Fisher,” Shawn said. “She doesn’t talk nice about anyone except you and Cutter.” Shawn grinned at Cutter.
Fisher’s heart turned over. “Guess that’s a good start.”
Shawn nodded. “Jesse said it’s best not to get attached to something or someone because then you can get hurt.” His blue eyes searched Fisher’s. “Kylee’s been hurt a lot, Dr. Fisher. Just so you know.”
Those words twisted his heart, and his temper cooled until he felt cold—then numb. Kylee was keeping him at arm’s length because she didn’t want to get hurt again. How could he show her that was the last thing he wanted? If she couldn’t love him, he still wanted to be her friend. He wanted to be Shawn’s friend, too. From the sounds of it, the two of them had been facing the world on their own for a long time. It was time they had someone watching their backs.
“Sounds like she’s got good reason to be scared of you,” Cutter said to Fisher.
“Scared of me?” The words were a whisper, full of anguish. Was she really scared of him? He remembered the look on her face that night with George Carson. Maybe he did scare her. The idea made his stomach churn.
Shawn looked at his sister. “She doesn’t know what to think of you. But she does talk about you a lot.” He glanced at Fisher. “So, what are you going to do?”
Fisher frowned. “I’m not sure, Shawn. But I get the impression she might not want anything more than friendship.”
“You ask her out yet?” Cutter asked.
Fisher sighed, nodding.
“Turned you down flat?” Cutter asked, cackling.
Fisher nodded again. “You don’t have to sound so damned happy about it.”
“I’m not happy about it,” Cutter said, still grinning. “I might be a little tickled that you’re going to have to work at this. It builds character, workin’ for something.”
“I’ve been working my whole life, Cutter, and you know it,” Fisher cut in.
“Now, now, don’t get your tail feathers in a knot, son. I know you work hard, that’s not what I’m sayin’. But you’ve had it easy your whole life. You wanted something, you got it. I’m talking about workin’ hard till you’re bone tired and gettin’ nothin’ for it.” Cutter spoke around a mouthful of burger. “I’m thinking that’s what Shawn here’s been talking about?”
“Yes, sir,” Shawn agreed quietly.
“Makes sense Kylee might be a little shy about some big cowboy trying to court her. Especially after all they’ve been through.” Cutter nodded. “I’m not sure you or I can understand what it means to struggle like they have.”
Fisher sat there, bombarded by a wide range of emotions. Cutter was right. He couldn’t do a damn thing about their past, no matter how much he might want to. But he would do what he could to ensure their future was better.
From the corner of his eye he saw Shawn drop a french fry on the floor, drawing his attention to the boy instead of the old man. He watched Shawn pick up the french fry, blow it off and eat it without thought. Off the street and fed. Fisher didn’t really know what that was like—his life struggles had been few and far between.
He’d lost his mother when he was a teenager. It’d hurt like hell and put a wedge between his brother Ryder and their father that took years to heal. He remembered the long, heavy silences at the dinner table and his father’s haunted look. Her absence had left a gaping hole, one that had never been filled or forgotten. But Fisher had never lost the safety of his family—or worried about losing the roof over his head or having food in his belly.
The loss and heartache he’d experienced was real, but even when things were at their darkest he’d had the love and support of his family. They might drive him crazy from time to time but he knew he could always count on them. A good portion of Stonewall Crossing, too, if need be. His life, his safety, his survival had never been at risk.
He knew that wasn’t the case for Shawn and Kylee.
“I guess not,” Fisher agreed, the realization so crushing it hurt to breathe.
Kylee.
His anger cooled, replaced by the aching warmth that only thoughts of Kylee stirred.
She was a fierce protector, a loyal sister and a survivor. She’d done what needed to be done, no matter what. Life on the streets...caring for Shawn...
He swallowed, trying to wrap his mind around what that meant. What that was like. He admired her strength and determination. And ached for what they’d never know.
His gaze sought her out. She was an amazing woman, he’d never doubted that. But maybe she didn’t know that. If life had been as tough as he imagined for them, it was possible she’d never had the opportunity to be a woman—a woman in love, a woman given the love she so deserved.
Maybe it was time to change that.
Chapter Nine
Kylee sat behind the admissions desk, flipping through a stack of patient files. She’d made sure all the invoices and charts had been scanned into the database before putting them back into the manila files. If she had time, she’d file them before she went home for the day.
“Kylee?” Donna called her. “These are for you.”
Kylee stood, coming to a complete stop when she saw the deliveryman—and the very large arrangement of flowers he held. “For me?” she asked, completely confused. “No—”
“Kylee James?” the man asked.
She nodded, reaching for the small envelope he held out to her. Her name was printed boldly across it. She signed on the deliveryman’s clipboard, took the vase and set it on the counter, then opened the envelope.
“Who’s it from?” Donna asked. “Those are the prettiest flowers. Just look at the colors.”
Glenna was oohing over them, too. “Someone special we don’t know about?”
Kylee shook her head, staring at the card. Say yes.
“Say yes?” Donna read over her shoulder. “Ooh, say yes to what?”
“That’s all it says?” Glenna asked.
Tandy Boone’s voice joined in with all the others. “Who got the flowers?”
But all Kylee could do was stare at the card. A card that was shaking in her hand. She dropped the card on the counter and left the desk, walking as sedately as possible into the women’s locker room. All the students were on rounds, so she’d have some privacy—and there was a bathroom in the back where she could hide. And right now, she needed to hide.
By the time she reached the bathroom she was sniffling. She turned the handle but it didn’t budge. She knocked, but there was no answer. She turned the knob again, rattling the door. She pressed her forehead against it, trying to calm down. Her eyes burned, her throat felt tight and her lungs were starving for air. But she knew one deep breath would push her over the edge and make he
r fall apart. She tried the door again, desperate.
What was he doing? Why was he pushing this? Didn’t he understand? She wanted to say yes. But she couldn’t... didn’t he see the way things were?
“Kylee?” His voice was behind her. His wonderful voice, full of concern.
“Fisher...” She heard how high-pitched her voice sounded, how pathetic. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Women’s locker room,” she spoke, still facing the door. “You are not a woman.”
“No, I’m not.”
She almost smiled. Even now, with her eyes full of her tears and her heart torn, he could make her smile. “Go, please.”
“Kylee.” His hands clasped her shoulders. “Can you look at me?”
She shook her head, wishing his touch didn’t affect her. “Can you leave?”
“Not until you look at me,” he pleaded. “Please.”
He’d go, and she could pull herself together and hope walking out hadn’t cost her this job. She blinked several times, willing away the tears that made her vision blurred. She drew in a shaky breath, rubbed her nose with the back of her hand, straightened her shoulders and faced him. He was so...gorgeous.
“I’m sorry.” There was no denying the sincerity in his voice. “I never meant to upset you.” Standing there looking heartbroken, staring down at her with those big green eyes, she almost wanted to comfort him. She was making him feel this way? Act this way? It surprised her to see just how much her distress affected him.
She didn’t understand him...but she wanted to. “Why did you send me flowers?”
“They made me think of you.” He shook his head, his hands squeezing her shoulders.
She stared at him. Those beautiful vibrant flowers made him think of her? That made absolutely no sense. “I’m not playing hard to get, Fisher.”
“I know.” He frowned, stepping closer. “But, dammit Kylee, I’m not ready to give up on you—on us—yet.”
She shivered, his words easing the pain in her chest. Us. He meant it. This was Fisher. He said what he meant. And what he said suddenly seemed more important than the mile-long list of reasons she had for telling him no. She didn’t want to say no. She wanted him to pull her against him, she wanted his lips on hers. She didn’t want him to give up. “You’re not?”
He shook his head, pulling her—finally—into his arms. His eyes searched her face as his hand cupped her cheek and tilted her head back. But he didn’t kiss her. He hesitated, so close she could feel his breath upon her skin. He was waiting for her, she knew that. If she stepped back, if she shook her head or turned away, he’d let her go. This was her last chance to stop him. Her heart was at risk.
But she didn’t want him to let her go.
She closed the last inch between them, sliding her arms around his neck as his lips met hers.
His kiss was soft. And then it wasn’t. Not because he was impatient, but because she was. She’d never had someone ask for her permission. She’d never had someone say sweet things to her. Or want her for her. She’d never had someone look at her as a woman instead of as an asset or a tool.
Fisher made her feel things—good things.
His tongue slid into her mouth, knocking her feet out from under her. But he had her, his strong arms holding her tightly to the wall of muscle that was his chest. He was strong, so strong, but he was also gentle. Her fingers slid through his closely cropped hair, cradling the back of his neck, and she reveled in the heat of his skin beneath her palm.
He ended the kiss with a groan, though his hold didn’t ease. “Please go on a date with me, Kylee.”
She couldn’t think. Every cell was still sparking from the power of his kiss. She turned into him, her lips brushing his jaw. His scent reached her, making sure she was firmly caught up in one thing—Fisher.
“If you want, I’ll kiss you again.” His words were low and husky. His mouth met hers, his kiss lingering. “As much as you want.”
As much as you want...
Her hands slid from his neck, down his shoulders, to rest on his chest. His hold tightened, making her look at him. And what she saw made something inside of her shift. For the first time in her life she understood what it meant to want a man’s touch. She did. She wanted Fisher’s touch. But, more than that, she wanted Fisher.
And she had no idea what to do about it. She’d never been this excited and anxious before. She didn’t know how to act or what to say. What if she messed up? Did or said something wrong?
“I won’t hurt you.” His words rasped. “I will never hurt you.”
And just like that, her eyes were burning and her chest ached. Not from pain, but from happiness. “I know,” she whispered.
His fingers slipped through her hair. “I’m taking Shawn riding after work. Please come with us.”
She nodded.
“That’s not our date,” he said, rubbing his thumb along her jaw.
“It’s not?” she asked, surprisingly eager to get back to the kissing.
“Nope, it’s a beginning.” He pressed a kiss against her forehead. “I didn’t mean to keep you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I am sorry about the flowers.”
“Don’t be,” she answered. “I’ve never gotten flowers before.”
His eyes narrowed, the shake of his head sharp. “That’s a crime.”
She smiled, wishing they could stay like this—wrapped up, just the two of them. But there was a clock on the wall over his shoulder. And in about two minutes, thirty college students would be coming in to hang up their coats and change. “I need to get back to work.”
He nodded, but he didn’t move.
“I should go,” she tried again. But she wasn’t prepared for the flare of panic she felt when he let her go.
He caught her hand in his, leading her from the dressing room. “I’ll come get you around five thirty and we’ll go get Shawn, okay?” he asked, walking her back to the admissions desk.
She tried to pull her hand away, but he held tight. The more she pulled, the bigger she smiled. “Isn’t there some policy against dating coworkers?” she whispered.
He shook his head. “Nope. Only teachers dating students.”
He squeezed her hand and headed back down the surgical hallway, leaving her to face Tandy, Donna and Glenna. The three of them all stood at the counter, openly watching and enjoying Fisher’s little display of affection.
“Sorry about that,” Kylee said as she headed back to the files she’d been holding. She tried not to smile at the vase overflowing with flowers. But she couldn’t help it.
“No problem at all,” Donna answered. “We all need a break now and then.”
Kylee picked up the card and tucked it into her pocket.
“I’m guessing these are from my cousin?” Tandy asked, all smiles.
Kylee nodded, her cheeks going hot.
“Don’t tell the others but,” Tandy leaned closer, “Fisher was always my favorite cousin.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dr. Fisher smile like that before,” Donna added. “And I’ve been working here long enough to know.”
“Enough with the lovefest,” Glenna spoke up. “I swear, it’s all flowers and smiles in the beginning. But it’s going to be one awkward work environment after the breakup.”
“Glenna,” Donna scolded.
“Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?” Tandy asked.
Glenna shook her head. “Oh, come on.” She shook her head. “I’m going to file these. It’s getting a little too cutesy in here for me.”
As Glenna disappeared around the corner, Donna said, “You better get used to that reaction, Kylee. I can tell you there are more than a few young ladies who were hoping to catch Fisher Boone’s eye.”
She didn’t want t
he sweet happiness to fade. But Glenna’s comments were a little too hard to ignore—especially since they were things she was already worrying about. What had she been thinking—to hold his hand, say she’d date him...? Nothing had changed. She was still the same person she’d been before he’d sent her flowers. Before he’d said us.
Except...when he held her in his arms, she wasn’t thinking. Happiness took over. In his arms, that’s what she found. And hope. And...want. Everything about Fisher was new and unexpected. And even though she knew she should be careful and keep her guard up, she was pretty sure it was too late to protect her fragile heart.
* * *
NO MATTER HOW hard he tried to concentrate, Fisher couldn’t stop thinking about Kylee. He’d spent the better part of the morning worrying over the flowers. He’d wanted to court her, to show her he was a gentleman—with good intentions. After listening to Shawn, he knew he had to take care. Kylee deserved hearts and flowers, romance and poetry. And he wanted to be the one to give that to her.
He’d known when the flowers were going to be delivered but when he’d made his way to the admissions desk he’d caught sight of her on the run.
“What’s up?” he’d asked Tandy.
“These upset her.” Tandy had pointed at the flowers. “Maybe I should go—”
“I’ll go,” he’d said, not waiting for an answer. He’d wanted to make her smile. Instead he’d made her cry.
Seeing those blue eyes shimmering with tears had torn his heart out.
And her kiss...
He swallowed now, focusing on the chart in front of him. He had to clear this chart before he could leave. In order to do that, and do it right, it was a bad idea to be thinking of the way Kylee’s mouth tasted, of how her curves felt pressed against him or the sweet sound of her sigh.
He forced himself to check and recheck every line of the patient treatment care plan, then signed the bottom of the page. Another glance at the clock told him it had only been two minutes since the last time he’d checked.
Hunter had invited him to join his family at the bowling alley. If Kylee was interested and if Shawn got finished with his ride in time, it might be a good idea. Kylee might not want to spend too much time alone with him yet. He knew Shawn would want to go—he and Eli had hit it off.
Courted by the Cowboy Page 14