Courted by the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 3)

Fisher nodded toward the bobcat’s back leg. “Got hit by a Jeep.”

Shawn winced.

Fisher nodded.

“How did it get here?” Kylee asked, her brow furrowing.

“The driver, the one who hit him, loaded him into her car while it was knocked out and drove him here.” Fisher shrugged, still amazed that the woman hadn’t stopped to think about what might happen once the bobcat woke up. A slew of stitches wasn’t good, but it could have been a lot worse.

Jake jumped in. “Then the bobcat woke up while she was still in the Jeep.”

Kylee’s mouth fell open. “Is she okay?”

“She will be. But she needs stitches,” Michelle answered, handing the chart to Fisher for review.

Kylee grabbed Shawn by the shoulders and pulled him back.

“He won’t be waking up anytime soon,” Fisher reassured them. “It’s safe, I promise.”

Shawn resumed stroking the bobcat, his black hair flopping forward onto his forehead. “He has spots.”

“Know why the bobcat is spotted?” Fisher asked, glancing over the notes Jake and Michelle had added to the chart.

“No,” Shawn shook his head.

Fisher handed the clipboard back to Michelle. “One Native American tribe, Shawnee I think, say the bobcat trapped a wily rabbit. Once he was caught, the rabbit told the bobcat he’d taste better grilled. So the bobcat built a fire. But the rabbit told the bobcat the best wood to use was damp wood. Know what happens when you burn damp wood?” he asked Shawn.

Shawn shook his head.

“The wood swells, pops and can be a real fire hazard,” he explained. “So when the wood burned, it popped and snapped, and the embers singed the cat’s fur, leaving spots.”

Kylee frowned. “Mean rabbit.”

“Smart rabbit.” Shawn laughed. “Bet he didn’t get eaten.”

Fisher chuckled. “I bet you’re right.” He glanced at Kylee to find her watching him.

“What will happen to him?” she asked.

He swallowed, unnerved by the intensity in her blue eyes. “We’ll fix him. If he can be fully rehabilitated, he’ll be released in the wild. If not, my brother Archer has a rehabilitation and refuge center. He’ll take in any animal that needs a safe place to live out their life.” He saw the slight crease between her brows. She looked like that a lot when they were together but he didn’t know why. He got the feeling she was waiting for him to do or say something else. He hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed to know that, with him, what you saw was what you got.

* * *

LISTENING TO FISHER’S folktale filled her with unexpected longing. She didn’t put much stock in being sentimental or dwelling on the past. Most of her memories were best forgotten. But she had a few of her mother that she cherished. Climbing into her mother’s lap with a book, the feel of her mother’s softness, her sweet scent engulfing her and the soft lilt of her voice. Kylee had felt safe and protected...two things she hadn’t felt in years, two things she’d almost forgotten were a part of her childhood.

“Dr. Archer on his way?” Fisher asked the students.

“Yes, sir,” the girl answered. “He said he’d meet us in the OR after X-rays were done.”

“I’m betting there’s a hip issue,” Fisher spoke, leaning over the bobcat. “See the displacement?” Both the students crowded beside him, peering at the slight bulge of bone along the cat’s hip. Kylee almost smiled at their eagerness. “Make sure you get clear images. Might want to have an ultrasound on standby, as well.”

Shawn was still stroking the bobcat, but even he’d bent closer to the animal. His eyes narrowed as he studied the area Fisher had pointed out. His nose scrunched up and he frowned as he realized what the lump might mean. “Will you have to do surgery on him?” Shawn asked.

Fisher smiled at her brother. “Looks like it. He’ll be up and around in no time.”

Kylee was surprised to realize she believed him. And, from the small smile on Shawn’s face, so did he.

“Since he’s in such capable hands, how about I show you around?” Fisher offered.