Courted by the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 3)

Kylee looked at the shirt again. It was pretty—and affordable. It had a V neck and curlicue details...and didn’t look like it would swallow her up. Might be a nice change from the faded, solid-color men’s shirts she’d accrued over the years. She stood silently, watching Renata pull five more out for her inspection.

“These would all look great on you.” Renata held them up one at a time. Kylee reluctantly agreed to the black one, a pink one, and a long-sleeved red top with black patches on the elbows and a black pocket on the chest.

“Oh, and this one,” Tandy gushed, pulling a bright teal shirt covered in delicate lace and peacock-feather stitching.

“All this for five dollars?” Kylee asked.

Renata nodded. “They’re not new and they were donated for a good cause.”

Kylee looked at the shirts again. They looked new to her. Since her wardrobe consisted of oversize men’s clothing, this was a big departure from her norm.

“What about pants?” Tandy asked. “It’s hard to tell under that shirt, but I’m betting you’ve got a teeny-tiny waist.” She turned toward another rack with jeans—all shades and styles.

The total cost for a pair of boots, four shirts and two pairs of jeans was twenty-five dollars. It had been so long since she’d spent money on herself, she almost argued and gave it all back. She could make do with what she had for now. But Renata’s reminder that proceeds went to the women’s shelter changed her mind. It was the least she could do to support something so worthwhile.

She’d gone to the women’s shelter in Vegas one time. Jesse had disappeared, leaving them without food or shelter. By the time Kylee had found the shelter, they’d gone several days without eating. They’d stayed two nights before Jesse found them and brought them home to the hotel room he was currently living in. Jesse had been furious, pushing her around and yelling at her for taking such risks. He told her they’d separate her and Shawn—maybe even try to put him into foster care. She’d believed him, terrified and guilt-ridden about what could have been.

It was Cutter’s sister, Miss Millie, who had set her straight. Miss Millie wasn’t scared of Jesse the way most people were. She’d tried to take Kylee and Shawn back to the shelter when Jesse was abusive, assuring Kylee it was the safest place in the city for them. But by then Kylee knew they’d never be safe from Jesse. Not as long as they’d stayed in Las Vegas.

“Did Cutter mention dinner on Monday?” Renata asked, pulling Kylee from memories she wished she could erase. “Friends and family. We really hope you’ll come, too. Meet some people—we Boones know everyone.”

Family meant Fisher...and her heart thumped a little faster. His absence at the bar this week had been all too obvious. No teasing, easy smiles or intense green eyes following her—except in her dreams. It was for the best, him staying away. Accepting the dinner invitation wasn’t a good idea. Life might be easier now but, after everything she’d been through, she’d be a fool to let her guard down and start daydreaming about things that would never be.

Renata took the folded items from Tandy and placed them in a large plastic bag, still chattering away. “With Shawn, of course, Eli just loves him. They’re going to have lots of fun at camp.”

First the camp, now dinner? “I’m still not sure about camp,” Kylie spoke up then.

“I thought I was going,” Shawn’s voice drew all eyes. “I hoped... Never mind.” He stared at the ground, kicking a loose pebble with the toe of his worn shoe.

She was being ridiculous. Her resistance came from fear. Fear of losing control, of being reliant on someone else. But she didn’t want to live in fear anymore. Not for herself. Not for Shawn.

This wasn’t Las Vegas; this was Stonewall Crossing. There was nothing to fear here. That included the people and the Boones. Fisher—all of the Boones—had been nothing but nice to them both. Maybe people did nice things without expecting something in return. Miss Millie had. She’d sent them to Cutter and Stonewall Crossing to help them have a better life. A fresh start. And if she and Shawn were really starting over, she had to give things a chance—for Shawn. That included this amazing opportunity. It was hard to force the words out but she did. “I... I’m sorry, Shawn. You’re going. You’re going to camp and you’re going to have fun.”

“Really, Kylee?” Shawn looked at her with wide eyes. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, Shawn. This is all Miss Boone’s idea—”

“Thank you, Miss Boone,” Shawn said, shaking Renata’s hand. “I mean it. I’m really excited. I’ll behave. You won’t even know I’m there.”

Shawn’s words made her heartsick. It was time for Shawn to be a kid: loud, laughing and full of energy. No, it was long overdue. Things like this camp would help with that. She had to be more careful; Shawn was an intuitive kid. She didn’t want her deep-seated worries to rob him of enjoying things. She was truly thankful Renata Boone had given Shawn this opportunity. She needed to act like it.

Renata was looking at her little brother with a perplexed smile. “Oh, no, Shawn, we want to know you’re there,” Renata assured him. “You just concentrate on having a good time and making friends, okay?”

Shawn nodded, still grinning ear to ear.

“I hope you’ll think about dinner, too, Kylee.”

Tandy joined in then. “Monday night—should be lots of fun. Uncle Teddy’s going to make his famous slow-cooked brisket and you don’t want to miss that, trust me.”

“The bar is closed Mondays,” Shawn offered up, unknowingly removing the only excuse Kylee could have offered to avoid their invitation.

Renata smiled. “Eli will be thrilled.”

“He’s not the only one,” Tandy added, so softly that Kylee wondered if she’d imagined it.

“Can you tell Dr. Fisher I said hello?” Shawn asked.

“Of course.” Renata nodded. “He mentioned the three of you bowling soon. Ever bowled before?”