A Cowboy's Christmas Reunion (The Boones of Texas 1)

“You don’t think he deserves the truth?” Lola asked.

Josie nodded again. “But it’s Eli’s truth to tell. I can’t be the one to ruin everything. And to Eli, telling the truth would ruin everything.” She started shoving things into her bag. “I won’t come between Hunter and his son.”

“Josie, damn it, this is ridiculous. What I wouldn’t give to smack Eli Boone on the butt,” Annabeth said with a scowl.

“I don’t necessarily agree with you leaving.” Lola sighed. “But I respect your decision about Eli.”

“What?” Annabeth shook her head. “Why?”

“He already hates me...obviously more than I understood.” Josie continued packing.

“He’s a child. Children think about one thing—themselves.” Lola started picking up the clothing Josie had thrown in the suitcase, folding each item neatly before stacking it back inside. “Somehow Amy has convinced that boy Josie is the reason for all the bad in his world—”

“From his parents’ divorce to global warming,” Annabeth interjected.

“If she comes in there, barrels blazing, and calls him out, she’s only confirming his deepest fear.” Lola tucked a pair of Josie’s shoes into the side of the suitcase.

“Which is?” Annabeth asked.

“He’ll lose his father,” Josie answered.

“That’s ridiculous,” Annabeth countered.

“No, it’s not. I understand Eli. I was Eli. I was never enough for my mother. Now I’m just like her, no roots, no commitments. His father is what matters most—he can’t lose him, too... Especially not to the enemy.” Josie scanned the room, finding one red sock under the edge of her bed.

Annabeth sighed, frowning deeply. “It’s not fair, though. Hunter loves you. You love him. Eli—”

“Is a good boy. I want him to be happy,” Josie cut her off. “I need him to be happy. Honestly, it’ll make all of this drama worth it if he and his father come out stronger on the other side of this.”

Annabeth snorted.

Lola clicked her tongue. “One thing, Josie, hear me out. You’re nothing like your mother, honey. You try, you really do, hopping from place to place. But your heart is loyal. Why else would you still love Hunter? Why else would you still be inspired and happy in this place? If you ask me, sweetie, you’re true-blue. Just like your father.”

Lola’s words left Josie conflicted. If only that were true. Her father was a stick-till-the-end-through-thick-and-thin type. Everything she wanted to be. But if that was true, why was she shoving everything she owned back into her battered suitcase?

* * *

HUNTER FLIPPED THROUGH the Great Dane’s chart. Maximus was still pretty sedated, but his vitals were regular. He listened to the dog’s abdomen with his stethoscope, noting healthy sounds of active intestinal motility and gas movement.

“Let me know if anything changes,” he said to Jarvis, one of the veterinary techs who worked in the operating and recovery rooms.

“You okay, Dr. Boone?” Jarvis asked. “You look a little worse for wear.”

Hunter nodded. “I feel it, too.”

“Isn’t Dr. Archer on tonight? For Christmas Eve and all?” Jarvis asked.

Hunter nodded. “Had a few things I wanted to clear up before I left.” The truth was a little different. He wasn’t up for seeing anyone. Work was a great way to distract him from the pain in his heart and the engagement ring in his desk drawer. Tonight wasn’t going to be the Christmas Eve he’d planned on.

He walked along the deserted halls. Except for emergencies, the clinic was closed for the next two days. He stopped in to check on the animals in residence. Mars had left this morning, on all four paws, with her pups. But the other doctors had patients in-house, so he flipped through their files before moving on.

There was a ray of light from under the medicine closet, which was unusual. The hospital had a huge pharmacy, so the door was kept locked at all times. Only a few clinicians had a key, so he was surprised to see the door was ajar.

Amy was inside, loading her bag with bottles of pain medicine and steroids.

“Amy?”

She froze, spinning around.