Courted by the Cowboy

by Sasha Summers

  His heart hurt—for her, for Shawn. At the mention of Jesse, something hot and hard settled in the pit of his stomach. He wasn’t a vengeful man, but he suspected he’d get great satisfaction from punching the man senseless. “I wish I could make it better.”

  She looked up at him. “It’s getting better. I just hope one day Shawn doesn’t wake up and realize I’m the reason his life was so messed up.”

  “You’re not. What alternative did you have? Leave him?” Fisher frowned. “He loves you, Kylee. I think you’re his hero.” He smoothed her hair back. “He’s a kid. They bounce back. And the Shawn I know is happy.”

  “That’s all I want—for him to be happy.”

  “What about what you want?” he asked. She’d spent so long worrying over Shawn’s well-being, their very survival. Did she know what she wanted? Did she know there was nothing holding her back now?

  “I don’t want anything.”

  “Nothing?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

  She studied him again. “All I ever wanted was love—maybe for Shawn and me to be part of a family.” She looked at him, hesitant. “Over time, I knew that wasn’t going to happen.”

  He sat up, gripping her shoulders. “Kylee—”

  She placed a hand over his mouth. “Then I met you.” She drew in a shaky breath. “After everything I’ve been through, I should know better than to hope. I should know better than to listen to my heart. But you say things, do things, that...that make me hope again.”

  Her words gutted him. “You’ve got a second chance in Stonewall Crossing, Kylee. You and Shawn. I want to be a part of that, a big part of that, if you’ll let me. But, whatever you want, I’ll help you get it.”

  She shook her head, her long hair rippling around her shoulders.

  “What?” he asked, pulling her closer.

  “Why me?” she whispered.

  “Why not you?” he asked, tilting her head back to peer into her blue eyes. “I love you because of who you are. Considerate, protective, fierce, cautious.” He stroked her cheek. “Patient, smart, loyal.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Gorgeous, kind and sexy.”

  She laughed. “You’re only saying that because I’m naked.”

  He shook his head. “No, I’m saying it because it’s the truth. Though I admit I do appreciate your nakedness.”

  “No one’s ever talked to me like you do. Or cared what I thought or felt. Or looked at me—with that look right there.” She tugged her sheet up.

  “I like looking at you,” he said with a grin.

  “No one’s ever seen me naked,” she added. “No one’s ever touched me the way you have. Or loved me enough to show me sex shouldn’t be an obligation or a cold act. With you...” She swallowed. “You make my body respond...lose control...and fall apart.”

  He swallowed. She’d never had a man worship her body, never known what pleasure was...never had the love of a man. “It’s because I love you. I want to touch you, to kiss you, to make you fall apart in my arms—so I can catch you and love you all over again.”

  “I want to fall apart with you,” she murmured as she reached for him. Her lips met his and she let the sheet drop, wrapping her arms around him and holding him close. How he’d managed to gain this woman’s love, he didn’t know. But he’d make damn sure he did everything he could to keep it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kylee opened her eyes to the sun streaming in the window. Fisher lay at her side, his arm and leg draped across her and holding her in place. She smiled, too happy to move. She’d spent the night but there hadn’t been much sleeping.

  “You awake?” His voice was muffled against her shoulder.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “Are you?”

  He chuckled. “I’m not sure. I’m pretty comfortable.”

  She hugged the arm he had wrapped around her.

  “But I smell pancakes,” he said. “And bacon.”

  She froze. “You do?”

  He nodded against her shoulder. “Probably Archer.”

  “Archer?” she repeated.

  He looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head.

  He grinned. “You embarrassed?”

  She grinned back. “No...maybe... I don’t know.” Her stomach growled. “But I am hungry.”

  “You were the one that kept saying you weren’t hungry,” he argued.

  “I wasn’t last night. But I’m starving now.”

  He stretched, shifting his weight off her. “Let’s go eat.”

  She rolled onto her stomach to watch him. She’d been amazed at how quickly her inhibitions had gone out the window. She was just as fascinated by his body as he was with hers. Every ridge and crease of his abdomen, the taper of his hips, the broad expanse of his chest...she liked looking at him—and the effect looking at him had upon her.

  She headed for the shower, trying not to giggle or squeal when he climbed in beside her. He washed her hair, scrubbed her back and had a little too much fun with the washcloth. He tossed her one of his shirts and a pair of drawstring shorts. They were both too big, but they were clean.

  He showed her around. The stairs led into a large room lined with books and family photos as well as a large stone fireplace and desk. Fisher referred to it as his office. On the other side of the room were two more bedrooms and another guest bath.

  The best part of the space was the open wall. It gave the office the look and feel of a loft, and allowed them to peer down into the living room below.

  She followed Fisher down the stairs and slammed into his back.

  “Morning, everyone.”

  Everyone? Should she run back upstairs? There was no way she’d get there undiscovered.

  “Morning,” Archer said. “I made breakfast.”

  “You picked a hell of a day to sleep in,” another voice joined in. “I’d like to get this over with. I don’t like leaving Annabeth alone all that long.”

  Annabeth. Kylee remembered her. Sweet, pretty, very pregnant. Chances were this was Ryder.

  “She’s probably grateful for the break,” another voice said. Probably Hunter.

  She sucked in a deep breath. Looked like she was going to be having breakfast with the whole Boone family.

  “Would have been nice if someone let me know what was happening,” Fisher said.

  “I did,” Archer argued. “I sent you a text.”

  Fisher sighed.

  “Eat,” Archer continued. “The water pipe isn’t going to fix itself.”

  “Coffee’s in the kitchen,” someone said.

  Fisher turned, giving his head the slightest shake before he asked her, “You want some coffee?”

  She nodded.

  “Kitchen’s this way,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her after him.

  “You’re out of creamer,” Renata said as Fisher came into the kitchen. And then she saw Kylee. “Well, good morning.” She was all smiles. “I’m guessing you didn’t get Archer’s text?”

  Kylee accepted the mug Fisher offered her. She knew Fisher’s brothers were staring at her, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it. Except be absolutely delighted that finding a woman with Fisher was an uncommon occurrence.

  There was a skillet of eggs, a tower of tortillas, another skillet with potatoes, and a mountain of bacon and sausage on a plate. Her stomach grumbled again. When was the last time she’d eaten?

  “Can I do anything?” Kylee asked.

  “No,” Archer answered. “There might be enough for you, if you’re hungry.”

  Fisher smacked him on the back of the head. “She’s my guest, Archer, so try to be nice.” He handed her a plate. “Help yourself, Kylee.”

  She took it, warming at the affection on his face
. “Thank you.”

  He winked at her.

  “You two are a little too chipper this morning,” Ryder said. “I need more coffee.”

  Kylee made her plate, went around to the other side of the bar and sat on the last bar stool. She watched the brothers serve themselves, shoving and pushing and acting like kids.

  “I don’t think they ever grow up.” Renata sat beside her. “Nice to see you.”

  Kylee smiled.

  “Shawn had a good time last night,” Hunter said, eating his breakfast taco while he leaned against the counter. “He taught Eli how to play poker.”

  Kylee’s smile dimmed. “He did? He shouldn’t—”

  “We played for gummy bears and he won.” Hunter smiled. “The gummy bears were Jo’s idea so don’t blame me if his stomach hurts. I’m pretty sure he and Eli ate them all.”

  She laughed, knowing her little brother was a card shark. “Thank you,” Kylee said.

  “He’s a good kid.” Hunter nodded. “He said you raised him so you get the credit for that. Jo can bring him home around eleven if you want.”

  “Thanks.” She felt Fisher at her back and glanced up at him.

  “Get enough?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Sounds like you’ve got some work to do. I should go anyway. It’s laundry day.” She regretted it as soon as the words were out of her mouth. She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to go home. She wanted to stay here, with Fisher...

  “Might want to change first,” Fisher said in her ear. “Take my truck. When you come back we could take Shawn for a ride, explore the ranch a little?”

  She nodded. “I’d like that.”

  Ten minutes later the kitchen was clean and the Boones were filing out his front door, waving their goodbyes. Fisher waited until they were alone before he wrapped his arms around her. She stepped closer, slid her arms around his waist and her hands beneath his shirt. “I’m sorry I have to run out on you this morning.”

  “Me, too,” she admitted.

  He kissed her, then again, his lips lingering until she opened for him. He groaned, crushing her against him. He pressed his keys into her hand as he broke away from her. “I’ll make you and Shawn dinner tonight,” he promised.

  She smiled. “Okay.”

  He paused just inside the door. “I’m glad I’m coming home to you.” And then he was gone.

  Kylee stared at the door, smiling. His words warmed her from the inside. And even though he’d just left, she couldn’t wait for them to be together again.

  She poked around, exploring the house while she enjoyed a second cup of coffee. There was another room downstairs. It looked like an office, but there was a pullout bed in the couch that was in use. Probably where Archer was sleeping.

  She headed back upstairs and made the bed, smoothing the blankets and fluffing the pillows. His was soft, holding his scent. She buried her nose, breathing him in deeply. When the pillow was back in its place, she folded up her clothes and headed out to Fisher’s truck. It was a big truck, so she drove carefully down the winding gravel road toward the main entrance of the ranch.

  She’d never felt this way—hopeful, happy, looking forward to the future. In the last few months her life had been turned upside down. And it was good. The town, the apartment, the jobs at the bar and the vet school, and the people. And, of course, Fisher.

  She loved him.

  It was a risk, she knew that. But it was a risk she was willing to take. When they were together, she believed everything was going to be okay. Maybe she was fooling herself, but she was going to see this through to the end.

  She stopped at the grocery store, picking up a few odds and ends before heading home.

  She parked Fisher’s truck behind Shots and went into the apartment. She changed, hugging Fisher’s shirt close and breathing in his scent again. He’d want it back...but she wasn’t going to give it to him until he asked. Instead, she tucked it into a drawer in the dresser.

  It was Saturday—laundry day. After Shawn got home, they could go to the Laundromat. She stripped the sheets off the bed, using one of the pillowcases as the laundry bag. Once she’d tossed her clothes inside, she pulled open the closet. As small as it was, she was surprised at the mess inside. She knelt, pulling all the clothes out and tossing them onto the couch. She didn’t know what was clean and what was dirty. But as she threw a pair of jeans onto the couch, something slid from the pocket and hit the floor.

  She picked it up, turning over the oblong metal case. She lifted the lid. It was some sort of video game. She didn’t remember seeing it before. She tucked it aside and pulled the sheets off Shawn’s cot. A gold bracelet, two watches and a wallet fell onto the floor.

  She knelt, picking up the jewelry. She shouldn’t panic, not yet. She pulled everything out of the closet, searched every pair of pants and every pocket, anyplace he might have stashed something. She found a wad of cash in one sock. On the shelf in the closet were his comic books and a sketch pad...and something else.

  She carried the cell phone from the closet and sat on the couch. She didn’t know which was worse, her disappointment or her anger. She was angry at him, yes, but she was also angry with herself. She should have been paying closer attention to him, watching out for this. He’d been programmed for this. Jesse had taught him that a big score made him a real man.

  And no matter how many times she’d tried to undo the damage Jesse had done, she couldn’t. Jesse was the cool one, the one everyone liked, the one everyone wanted to be. At least, in their old world. Shawn might like Fisher and the Boones and Stonewall Crossing, but they hadn’t been in Stonewall Crossing long enough for those habits to just go away. If she was being honest with herself, she needed to accept that they might not go away without help.

  She stared at the phone, touching the screen to see if it was locked. Maybe she could return it to the owner.

  But the call list on the phone popped up and she almost dropped the phone.

  Shawn had called Jesse? Not once, but several times?

  She froze, all too familiar with the cold that seeped into her bones. She was still sitting there when Shawn walked through the door.

  “What’s wrong?” Shawn asked.

  She looked at him, holding up the phone.

  He frowned. “That’s mine.”

  “It is?” she asked. “You bought this? You’re paying for service?”

  “I found it,” he said.

  “Where?”

  “In the men’s restroom,” he answered.

  “Which men’s restroom?”

  “Why does it matter? If they wanted the phone, they shouldn’t have left it lying around.” She’d heard those words before—from Jesse.

  “And the jewelry? The money?” she asked. “The video game?”

  “Eli gave the video game to me,” he said. “You can call and ask him.”

  “I will,” she assured him. “What about the jewelry and the money? Shawn, you know this stuff isn’t yours. You know it’s wrong, it’s illegal to take things that don’t belong to you.”

  He shrugged. “You never got worked up about it before.”

  “I didn’t, you’re right.” She shook her head. “And you know why. We didn’t have a choice then. And I let you do things I should never, ever have let you do. I was scared, I guess. He hurt me, Shawn, he tried to hurt you, too. Don’t you remember that?” She paused, swallowing the panic that threatened to choke her. “Why would you call him? Do you miss it?”

  He stared at her, his face set.

  “You’ve got to talk to me, Shawn,” she pleaded. “I thought you were happy here. What about the horses and camp? Fisher and Eli and Cutter?”

  “I am.” Shawn shrugged. “But it feels wrong. I feel lazy not helping you get money—like you are doing al
l the work. You work so hard but you don’t make much, you know? I wanted to help.” There was anger on his face. “Jesse always gave me things to do, to help out.”

  “Jesse gave you things to do to make him money.” She stood. “You’re twelve. You have every right to enjoy being a kid. I want you to. That’s what you’re supposed to do. Not this.” She held up the phone. “This has to stop.” She swallowed, the fear creeping in on her. “Did you tell him where we are?”

  Shawn’s expression fell then. He nodded.

  She sat on the couch, covering her face with her hands. No. No. This couldn’t be happening. If he was coming to Stonewall Crossing, they had no choice. She couldn’t go back. And she couldn’t bear to have Jesse here—to have everything good and special about Stonewall Crossing tainted. “Get your things together,” she murmured.

  “Kylee, no,” he argued. “I don’t want to go.”

  “I don’t, either, Shawn. But I don’t want Jesse to hurt anyone here—to get even with me.” Too many awful images filled her mind. She’d let herself care about people here. And put them in danger.

  “He just wants us back,” Shawn said. “I told him we weren’t coming back.”

  She glanced at Shawn then. “What did he say?”

  Shawn shook his head.

  “Shawn?”

  “He said he’d find us when he wanted to.”

  She stood. “We’re taking all these things back, Shawn. All of them. Including Eli’s game.”

  He nodded. “Are you mad?”

  She stared at her little brother. “I’m sad, Shawn. I understand why you did this but...but I can’t get you out of trouble with the law or protect you when you break the law. Do you understand? The way we lived was bad, Shawn. You know that, don’t you?” She waited for his nod. “If it hadn’t been for Jesse...” She shook her head. “I wish I’d gotten you out of there earlier. I wish you didn’t know and do and see all of...that. I’m sorry, Shawn, for putting you through that. But you have to know, after being here, that what we did was wrong?”