Courted by the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 3)

Renata sat the napkins on the table and hugged him. “I wish you’d let that go, Fisher. It was an accident. You’re a big guy—”

“A big guy who almost killed his best friend.” Fisher shook his head. Vince wasn’t that much smaller than him, but remembering his friend unconscious on the mat—then hooked up to tubes in the hospital—still made him sick to his stomach.

“You were boxing,” Renata reminded him.

Fisher kissed his sister’s cheek and stepped away from her. “I know, I was there. It was my last fight.” It had been years, but sometimes it felt like yesterday. He went back to setting the table. “All I’m saying is I won’t hold her past against her. She’s been through a lot, but she’s still standing. I respect that.” If she’d give him a chance, he’d make sure she and Shawn were taken care of.

Renata blew out a deep breath. “You’re a good man, Fisher Boone.”

“I sure am,” he replied, teasing.

Fifteen minutes later the house was filling up. Meaning all of his brothers and their families were here. Hunter, his wife, Josie, and their son, Eli. Ryder, his very pregnant wife, Annabeth, and their son, Cody. Then there was Archer, their father, Teddy, Annabeth’s grandmother Florence, and cousin Tandy.

Plus Cutter, Shawn and Kylee. Seeing her here made his chest swell with pride. His brothers might argue with him, but he knew she was the prettiest girl here. Even if she did look lost and uncomfortable. Once the initial greetings were over, Fisher watched Eli pull Shawn and Cody aside, the three smiling and laughing in no time.

When everyone found a seat, Kylee sat stiffly on a large ottoman. Fisher sat beside her, wishing there was something he could do to ease her anxiety.

Teddy was all smiles for Kylee. “I hear you’ve moved from Las Vegas. The city that never sleeps to the city that shuts down tight at nine o’clock. Must be quite a change.” He paused. “Guess you can’t really consider Stonewall Crossing much of a city, either.”

Kylee smiled, her nerves obvious. “I don’t think so, sir. But I—we—like it here.”

“She’s taking to it like a fish takes to water,” Cutter added.

“Good. It’s a real nice place to raise a family.” Teddy went on, “A young man like Shawn will find lots to do that will keep him out of trouble.”

Fisher saw the love on her face when she looked at her brother. “I’m counting on it.”

“Renata says he’s going to camp next week?” Hunter asked. “Eli will be there, too. He looks forward to it all year.”

Kylee nodded. “He can’t wait.”

“Fisher told me Shawn’s quite the artist,” Josie spoke up.

“Always drawin’,” Cutter agreed.

“He is.” Kylee glanced at the old man with true affection. “He reads a lot of comic books and graphic novels. I think he’s good enough to illustrate one.”

“I’d really love to see his work,” Josie said.

“Josie writes and illustrates children’s books.” Fisher pointed at the large painting over the huge stone fireplace on the back wall. “That’s hers.”

Kylee stared at the painting, her eyes going round.

“Where are my manners?” Renata jumped up. “What can I get you to drink? Cutter? Flo? Kylee?”

“A beer sounds good to me.” Ryder said.

“Ryder,” Annabeth spoke up, laughing. “Your sister does not need to wait on you. You know your way around the kitchen just fine.”

“I had to try, princess.” Ryder kissed her cheek. “You want anything?”

“Um, to deliver these babies?” Annabeth said, making everyone laugh.

“I hope the sonogram is wrong and they’re both girls,” Renata said. “Though I’m not sure your husband could handle being the father to two girls. They’d never date.”

“One girl is more than enough.” Ryder dragged a hand over his face. “And I’m sure as hell not ready to talk about my daughter dating already.”

Fisher laughed, knowing Renata was right. After spending years as the ultimate heartbreaker, Ryder was going to have an extrahard time when his little girl, or girls, grew up.