Courted by the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 3)

Fine. If it would make him shut up and leave her alone...

She smiled at him, before resuming her normal blank expression. Over the years, she’d learned the best way to handle flirty guys was with as little reaction as possible. He seemed harmless enough, just oblivious.

“That’s a start,” the man said. “How about a little more...enthusiasm?”

She shrugged. “That’s about as enthusiastic or hospitable as I get.”

“Can I get a couple of pitchers?” a woman’s voice interrupted.

“Enjoy your night,” Kylee murmured before heading down the bar to the woman waiting. Kylee had seen her before—with Fisher. The woman had to be a Boone—she looked too much like Fisher not to be. “Two pitchers?” Kylee asked.

The woman just smiled at her. “Hi. I’m Renata Boone,” the woman said, holding out her hand. “Fisher’s my twin. Fraternal, of course. It’s really nice to meet you.”

“You, too.” Kylee shook hands with the woman. “Kylee James. Two pitchers?”

“No rush. I was mostly trying to get rid of Mr. Belt Buckle over there. I was worried he was going to go for your boobs any second there, the way he was staring at them,” Renata said, sliding onto the bar stool.

Kylee couldn’t stop her laugh, she was too surprised. “Mr. Belt Buckle?” she asked when she’d recovered.

“Think he’s overcompensating?” Renata nodded at the table where the cowboys sat. “Look at the size of that thing.”

“Um, I’d rather not. Don’t want him to get the wrong impression.” Kylee wrinkled her nose.

“Oh, right, good call. Then he’d start the boob staring again,” Renata agreed. “So, what do you think of Stonewall Crossing?”

Kylee glanced at Fisher’s twin; she could see a lot of similarities. The green eyes, the easy smile, the lively conversation. She liked Renata instantly. “It’s a nice town.”

“Isn’t it?” Renata smiled. “Fisher said you’re from Las Vegas so this must be a change.”

“He did?” Fisher had mentioned her? How did he know she and Shawn had come from Las Vegas? She was careful who she shared private details with.

“Not too small for you? Or too quiet?” Renata asked, watching her closely.

“I like the small and the quiet.” Kylee shrugged, her gaze sweeping the room before she admitted, “Honestly, there are times I do feel a little out of place.”

“We need to fix that.” Renata shook her head. “I hope you got the scholarship letter for Shawn’s camp tuition. I hear he loves horses and that’s what camp is all about. Learning how to take care of them, ride them and a little bit of everyday, hands-on know-how.”

“He wants to go,” Kylee said. “I was worried there might be more to it? A fee or deposit?”

Renata shook her head. “Nope. He just has to get there and home, we’ll take care of the rest.”

Renata’s words made Kylee uneasy, but she didn’t have too long to dwell on things because Fisher arrived. She didn’t turn her head or acknowledge his presence, but she knew he was there—just out of her peripheral vision.

Fisher’s voice washed over her, warm and oddly comforting. “Hey bartender-lady,” he called out. “Is this woman harassing you?”

She bit back a smile as she turned to face him. “Doc.”

“I am not harassing her,” Renata argued. “Since no one introduced me, I decided it was high time to meet the girl you keep talking about.”

Keep talking about? She looked at Fisher, but he was leaning against the bar without a care in the world. “Can I get a bottle, please?” He glanced her way, smiling. “And thank you.”

She popped the top of his beer of choice and placed it on the counter. But his attention had shifted to the table where Mr. Belt Buckle and his friends sat. Everything about him changed. His posture was tense, his expression was hard, his jaw rigid and eyes intent. She followed his gaze, shaking her head when Mr. Belt Buckle and his friends raised their glasses of beer at her. “Friend of yours?” she asked.

“No.” He turned back to her, his gaze a little too intent. “Busy night?”

She nodded.

“It’s like two full-time jobs,” Renata jumped in. ?