This was wrong, this was bad. He had to stop talking. Or she needed to walk away. Something. Anything to make this...this hope go away. Because hoping and wanting was dangerous—she knew that. But she also knew she’d never wanted anything the way she wanted Fisher Boone. And that meant losing him would be the worst thing ever. She shook her head. “No.” She spoke clearly.
“No?” The corner of his mouth kicked up but there was no denying the surprise on his handsome face. “Just like that? So, you were fine when you thought I was kissing you to kiss Brook. But you won’t let me kiss you?”
She leaned forward. “Can you keep your voice down, please?”
He leaned forward, too, so close to her she could see the shades of gold and brown in his eyes. It was getting very hard to breathe—to think.
“You didn’t like kissing me, Kylee? Because I’ve thought about it every damn day since.” His eyes bored into hers, his voice low and soothing—setting off all sorts of alarming tingles and shivers. “I don’t know what you’ve been through but I know it was bad enough to make you cautious about things—”
“You’re right,” she hissed, desperate to stop him. Thinking about the past was hard enough. There was no way she’d talk to him about it. “You don’t know. And I’m glad. But I’m telling you right now, I’m not the right girl for you.”
He was frowning now. “Why? Why won’t you give me a chance?”
“I can’t.” She held up her hand, adding, “I can’t do...this. I... People like you don’t stay with people like me.” She swallowed. “Shawn and I are figuring things out—on our own. We need to be on our own.”
A memory of the Boones, of how close and supportive the family was, left her aching. Hope, doubt, happiness and grief—her emotions were all over the place. But one thing hadn’t changed. She needed to hold on to that.
“You’re a good guy, Fisher. Trust me when I say, you deserve better. My answer is no and that’s not going to change. I mean it. So, please, don’t ask again.” She grabbed a tray and hurried off to clear tables before she said something she’d really regret. Something like yes.
* * *
FISHER WATCHED HER busing the tables. She moved with short, jerky movements, a crease between her brows and her mouth pressed tight. Why was she angry? He hadn’t said anything that would get her riled up. Unless asking her on a date was offensive? He frowned.
“Good burgers,” Cutter mumbled around his mouthful.
Fisher nodded, his gaze never leaving Kylee. She could be mad. Hell, he was mad. Why had she dismissed him so quickly? He knew she’d felt what he felt. He knew that kiss had affected her as much as it had affected him. Or maybe he’d just wanted that to be the case.
“She’s tough,” Shawn said.
Fisher looked at the boy. Shawn was watching his sister, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“What do you mean, she’s tough?” Fisher asked.
“To figure out,” Shawn explained.
He and Cutter nodded in agreement.
“Good worker,” Cutter said. “Better sister than mine, that’s for damn sure. Millie was a pain in my backside until she up and married Virgil Taylor and moved out of state. Never did understand why she and Virgil moved to the big city. He was always a do-gooder. Why he picked some place so far away to settle down is beyond me. Guess he thought he could do more good there.”
“Miss her?” Shawn asked.
Cutter shrugged. “We talk on the phone. She sends me letters—still nagging me.”
“I’d miss Kylee,” Shawn murmured, popping several french fries into his mouth.
Fisher could understand that. He’d miss Renata if she ever left Stonewall Crossing. “You ever go visit her?” Fisher asked. He didn’t know much about Millie, except she’d helped Shawn and Kylee. That made him a fan.
“Me? In Las Vegas?” Cutter’s wheezing croak of a laugh spoke for itself.
“You and Miss Millie are a lot alike,” Shawn said. “If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t be here. If it wasn’t for you, we couldn’t stay in Stonewall Crossing.”
“You ever miss Las Vegas?” Fisher asked, curious. He and Shawn hadn’t spent much time talking about anything other than horses. The boy had a quick mind. Once he’d learned something new, he was on to something else. But he, like Kylee, seemed wary of his past. He didn’t want to push the boy, but he could sure use some insight into the woman he was falling for.
“Some of the people...maybe.” Sha
wn shrugged. “But I know it’s better here.”
“Course it is,” Cutter agreed.