Fisher had a choice to make. It was clear the man knew he was in the wrong. But pride was going to stop him from saying as much. Fisher could either stay pissed that Carson lost control or he could do his best to act like it never happened. And damn if he didn’t know what holding on to anger could do to a man’s soul. He drew in a deep breath and nodded at the man. “Carson.”
“Boone.” Carson returned the nod and headed to the counter.
“Morning, George.” Lola chatted away, taking the other man’s order.
Fisher made his way to one of the two tables that were empty, nodding and saying good morning to the rest of the bakery patrons as he went. He’d just taken his seat when the bell over the door rang and his brother Archer arrived.
“Shit,” Fisher muttered, shooting a quick glance at Carson.
Luckily, Archer saw Fisher first and headed his way. Archer sat without saying a word, pulling out the newspaper he’d tucked into his bag and spreading it open on the table.
“Good morning to you, too,” Fisher murmured. He loved his brother, but a man needed his space. Archer didn’t seem to get that. Or, if he did, he didn’t care. But then Archer had always been the sort to do what he wanted, when he wanted, regardless of who else might have an opinion or say-so.
He saw Kylee and Shawn before they came in. Shawn was staring at Waylon, tugging on Kylee’s arm until she stopped. Neither one of them made a move to touch his horse, but they both took their time looking the horse over. Shawn pulled his sketch pad from the worn backpack he always carried, but Kylee tugged him toward the door. Shawn followed reluctantly.
The bell rang again as they came in. It didn’t matter that she wore a T-shirt two sizes too big or that her jeans were so faded one knee was threadbare and in need of patching. Her neck arched as she listened to Shawn, her long black ponytail swinging with each step. She gave Shawn one of her sweet smiles and lovingly squeezed her brother’s shoulder. Everything about her mesmerized Fisher.
He swallowed, turning his focus on a safer target—Shawn. The boy kept looking at Waylon, visible through the huge picture windows that lined the front of the bakery. He was pleased to see the letter he’d left with Cutter moments before sticking out of Shawn’s back pocket.
Would Shawn want to go? He knew the boy liked horses. He remembered Shawn’s sketches, and his reaction to Waylon spoke volumes. Would Kylee let him? He hoped so; it would be good for both of them. Chances were she was going to need some convincing. Her gaze swept the room—making sure it was safe? When her eyes met his, she paused, wavering. Interesting.
He smiled at her, wishing he knew what was going on inside that pretty little head of hers. “Whatever I say,” Fisher mumbled to his brother, “I need you to go along with it.”
Archer frowned, looking up from his newspaper. “What?”
“Just do it, Archer,” Fisher growled as Shawn pulled Kylee toward them. “Morning.”
Kylee’s smile was small, but it was a start. “Morning.”
“Hey, Dr. Boone and Dr. Boone.” Shawn shook his head. “That’s weird.”
“You’re tellin’ me. How about I’m just Fisher and he’s Dr. Archer?” Fisher laughed. “Join us?”
“Oh, I—” Kylee’s gaze bounced b
ack and forth between them.
Archer frowned. It took everything Fisher had not to kick his brother under the table.
Kylee started to back away. “No, we can’t—”
“Sure, you can.” Fisher nodded, nudging Archer’s foot under the table.
“Yes,” Archer said. “Sit. Please.”
Fisher sighed. “You’ll have to excuse my brother. He’s much better with animals.”
Kylee smiled, he saw it—and it warmed him through.
Shawn sat, pulling the letter from his pocket and placing it on the table.
Fisher gratefully accepted the cup of coffee Lola set on the table in front of him. “Needed this, thank you, Lola.”
“I don’t know if someone’s told you, and I hesitated to mention it before, but you’ve got a black eye, Fisher.” Lola patted him on the shoulder, causing everyone at the table to laugh.
“I do?” Fisher feigned surprise. “No wonder it’s sore.”
“You should have seen it a week ago,” Shawn chimed in.