Courted by the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 3)

“I’ve been watching YouTube videos for this.” Brook watched them, wide-eyed. “Try me.”

By the time the music was over, Fisher was limping.

“I’m so sorry,” Brook said, laughing. “It’s harder than it looks.”

“Are you wearing steel-toed boots?” he asked.

She burst out laughing again.

“It’s his fault, not yours,” Toben interrupted. “He never could lead worth a damn.” He held his hand out to Brook.

Fisher looked back and forth between them, inwardly groaning. Brook had wanted to see some of Stonewall Crossing and meet the locals. Toben would definitely give her a warm welcome.

“You’re telling me you can do better?” Brook asked, inspecting his cousin.

“Why don’t you see for yourself, darlin’?” Toben tipped his hat back.

Fisher shook his head. “I’m getting a beer.” He headed toward the bar—to find Kylee staring at him. Her blue eyes looked huge in her pale face and her black hair fell over one shoulder down to her waist...a waist that was visible since she was wearing clothes that actually fitted her.

And, damn, the curves of her body made him ache. She looked so pretty his chest hurt, pressing in on him until he felt light-headed. She might make his body stand up and take notice, but it was more than physical attraction. When she smiled, he smiled. When she laughed, he wanted to hear her do it again. He wanted to sit beside her, to see her and take care of her.

She had a smile on her face when he sat on a bar stool—a smile that made it hard to say, “Hi,” without sounding like an idiot.

“Doc.” She nodded as Devon slid a tub of clean beer tumblers and glasses in front of her. “Beer?” Kylie asked, barely glancing at him.

“Yes, please.” He accepted the bottle she slid his way. “Looks like a quiet night.”

She nodded, wiping out a tumbler before putting it away. Her gaze swept the room, one of her habits he was beginning to recognize.

“How was your week?” he asked.

“Fine.” But she didn’t look at him. She started unloading the tub, sliding glasses into the overhead slots and stacking the tumblers on the shelf behind her.

“Mine was long, thanks for asking. Got myself a dog—he’s a real handful. Some crazy woman saved him from being eaten by two big dogs.” He watched her reaction. She had the sweetest smile he’d ever seen. “Chance has more energy than three dogs combined. Archer’s not exactly thrilled but...” He shrugged. “And I spent a couple of nights working at Archer’s place—”

“To get your house back?” she asked, glancing at him.

He nodded. “I like to think I’m helping my brother gain his independence.” He grinned. “And I have a new surgical resident. Which means training.” He nodded his head at the dance floor where Brook and Toben were spinning like crazy. “If there was a surgery or an emergency this week, I think we worked it.”

“She’s a veterinarian?” Kylee asked, looking at the couple.

He nodded. “Really good, too, as far as I can tell. She’s smart and gets along with everyone—even Archer, so far. That says a lot. Part of my job is to show her the ropes.” Was it his imagination or did Kylee’s mouth tighten? “Though it looks like Toben wants to take over.”

Kylee glanced at him then. “You sure that’s a good idea?”

He laughed. “She’s a big girl. What she does with her free time is her business.”

Kylee’s gaze met his.

“You’re up,” Devon called, holding a large tray of pints high.

“Got it.” Kylee’s gaze left his as she headed down the bar to a waiting customer.

He watched her move, the way her new jeans hugged her hips and thighs when she bent and stretched. Her long hair swayed with every step, slipping over her shoulder to shield her face. He wanted to tuck it back, to run his fingers through its silky strands. He clenched his fists, hoping to redirect his focus. But then she bent forward, her shirt clinging to her chest and driving him to the edge. His grip on his beer bottle grew dangerously tight as he took a long swig.

“That’s her?” Brook asked, coming to sit beside him at the bar. “She’s gorgeous.”

He nodded, never taking his eyes off Kylee. Hell, he could stare at her all night.