Courted by the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 3)

“We have a late appointment today,” Donna said, sighing heavily. “Goliath is a mess, I’ll tell you that up front. We have to book him late because he doesn’t get along well with others. The dog is big and mean and hates Dr. Fisher with every bone in his body.”

“Fisher?” How could anyone or anything hate Fisher Boone? No matter how hard she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t. Fisher Boone was just as good and kind as he seemed.

And that kiss...

Her cheeks felt warm. That kiss had been for Brook. It was an amazing kiss. One that made her hate Brook Marcus a little bit. And envy her. Fisher certainly didn’t need any pointers from her.

Between her time at the hospital and her shifts at the bar, she had had plenty of time to see Fisher in action. Even when she no longer needed confirmation that he was a good guy, she found herself searching him out. He was tireless, doing little things without thought. He wasn’t seeking acknowledgment, he was just doing. Dancing with the widows’ group. Helping a fourth year student deal with an angry pet owner when it wasn’t his student or his patient. Giving his brother Ryder a pep talk on the phone when he finally got a five-minute break. Or making coffee in the waiting room because the desk was too slammed to do it. Things that made her stop and stare in wonder at the man.

Damn, that kiss...

Every single time she thought about it, she was left trembling. Who knew a kiss could do that to a person? Who could feel like they’re on fire and want it more than anything? She’d done her best to act casual, like she wasn’t aching on the inside. But every once in a while she’d catch him watching her and wonder at it.

“I know.” Donna leaned closer. “It’s a good thing Glenna left early today, she and Mrs. Schwartz don’t get along. We’re not supposed to speak badly of our patients, but that dog is evil.”

“What did he do?” Kylee asked. “Why is he a patient?”

“He was protecting his property. And by protecting, I mean he went headfirst through a plateglass sliding door to get at the poor pool man cleaning out Goliath’s pool.”

Kylee stared at Donna. “Are you kidding me?”

Donna shook her head. “Luckily, the pool man got up a tree.”

“Wait.” Kylee followed Donna to the other end of the counter. “The dog was still moving after it went through a plateglass window?”

“He’s a big dog. A mastiff-rottweiler mix. With a big temper.” Donna pulled a large file from the rack and handed it to her. “He had dozens of stitches and they had to put pins in his back leg.”

Kylee shuddered, imagining an animal that would break its leg and still be willing to attack. “So Goliath hates Dr. Fisher because—”

“He sees me as the source of his pain.” Fisher took the file from Donna. “I was the one who operated on him. Every time he sees me, he gets poked or prodded. He d

oesn’t like it. So he doesn’t like me.”

Kylee watched him flip through the chart, amazed by his calm. But, in the time she’d known him, she’d rarely seen Fisher rattled. And right now, wearing his white lab coat and stethoscope, his military style haircut just so and a light stubble on his angular jaw, he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. And...he looked handsome. Kylee swallowed. Why couldn’t she see him without thinking about how it felt to be held in his arms, to remember the solid strength of his chest beneath her hands or his mouth on hers? She blew out a deep breath.

His green gaze caught hers. “How’s it going?”

“Fine,” she answered, breathless.

“She’s smart as a whip,” Donna added. “I might even retire early at this rate.”

Kylee shook her head. “Oh, Donna—”

“Just messing with you.” Donna smiled at her. “But you’ll be fine long before I’m gone.”

“Figured as much. Not that anyone can ever replace you, Donna.” Fisher flashed that killer smile.

Kylee drew in a deep, slow breath. She needed to remember rule number one. No men—especially no Fisher Boone. She’d been hurt enough; she wasn’t some stupid, naive girl anymore. Besides, he was interested in Dr. Marcus. That kiss had been for Dr. Marcus. And Dr. Marcus was interested in him, as far as she could tell. They were a good couple. They made sense. Her new habit of daydreaming about Fisher did not. People like Fisher Boone didn’t end up with people like her.

“You keep your charm for someone young and single, Fisher Boone.” Donna shook her head.

“Let me know when Goliath gets here, please. I’ll be in the community clinic.”

Kylee refused to look at him. “Yes, sir.” She didn’t look up until his footsteps faded.

She and Donna reviewed coding until Mrs. Schwartz arrived with Goliath. Kylee’s first thought was that Mrs. Schwartz looked the right size to ride Goliath, not restrain him—not that she was an especially small woman. Kylee had never seen a dog that size. His head was the size of a serving platter, and his jaw was fully capable of doing serious damage. Try as she might, she couldn’t help but worry about Fisher.

“Can you page Dr. Fisher?” Donna asked, clicking away on the keyboard.