It had been a long time since she’d felt even a hint of interest in a man. Jesse was it. He’d been this handsome, charismatic guy offering to protect and care for her and Shawn. It was less than a year before Jesse let her know she was his property—to do with as he pleased. She believed she deserved the abuse he rained down on her. And as long as Shawn was okay, she could endure it. In the end, she’d been patched and stitched up in almost every urgent care clinic and hospital in Las Vegas. If Miss Millie hadn’t stepped in she’d probably be dead, and who knew what would have happened to Shawn.
Fisher wasn’t Jesse. He was different. The effect he had on her was different. Fisher made her feel like a person, a person worthy of time and attention. He’d become her friend. Shawn’s, too. She might think him handsome. She might worry over him. But she could never, ever, allow herself to form an attachment to this man.
“He’s doing great,” Shawn said, rubbing Chance behind his stubby ear. “You’re the best, Dr. Fisher.”
“I don’t know about that, Shawn. If it wasn’t for your sister, Chance wouldn’t be here,” he argued.
She glanced at Fisher then. It had never made sense to think in terms of what if or I wish, but right then Kylee wished with all her heart things were different. Yes, Fisher was her friend and she was thankful to have him. But there was a part of her, the what-if-I-wish part of her that wanted to let go and love Fisher with all her heart.
Chapter Eight
Kylee checked the neon illuminated clock over the bar for the tenth time in an hour.
Brook was here with Toben. And, from the way they were brushing up against each other and exchanging all-too-obvious looks, they were getting pretty close.
But Fisher and Shawn were still at the Boone Ranch.
She chewed the end of her pencil, trying to pay attention to the operations manual she’d brought home to study.
“What are you reading?” Cutter asked.
“Hey.” She held up the thick black binder.
“You’ll get the hang of it, Kylee. You’ve been there, what, two days?” Cutter smiled.
She shrugged, the sound of Brook’s husky laughter drawing her attention. She frowned.
“What’s up?” Cutter asked, peering around Kylee. “Who’s that and why are you scowlin’ at one of our customers?”
Kylee shook her head. “She’s a surgical resident at the vet hospital.” She didn’t answer the second question. Cutter didn’t need to know she was frowning because she was worrying about Fisher. She was frowning because he could walk in here any second and find Brook hanging on his cousin—and have his heart broken.
“She a bitch?” Cutter asked.
Kylee grinned at Cutter’s directness. “No. She’s nice.”
“Uh-huh.” Cutter nodded. “So this has something to do with Fisher Boone.”
Kylee almost dropped her binder. “What?”
“I saw them in here a few nights back, cuttin’ a rug and that redhead makin’ eyes at Doc Fisher.” Cutter crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her, waiting. “Course, I have cataracts so I could’ve been seein’ things.”
Kylee laughed. “I don’t know what makin’ eyes means, but yes, she and Fisher were here together last week.” She shook her head. “I was hoping she and Fisher might get together.”
Cutter made a dismissive noise. “And now she’s here with Toben?” he asked. “Boy’s got an eye for the ladies.”
There was no disagreeing with that. “Maybe she doesn’t know Fisher’s interested?”
Cutter made the sound again. “Maybe?” He clicked his tongue. “Course she wasn’t invited to the Boones for supper the other night, now, was she? Let me see...” He paused, scratching his chin. “No, I remember clearly it being me and Shawn and all the Boones...and you.”
Kylee shot Cutter a look. “I know he likes her, Cutter.”
“Oh, you do? He said as much?” Cutter waited, his brows arching in question.
He had. She sifted through their conversations...hadn’t he?
“Uh-huh. Now, who’d he take on a tour of the Lodge? And whose little brother is he teaching to ride a horse?” Cutter poked Kylee in the shoulder with his finger.
Kylee stood there, listening to Cutter.