She blinked, her arms sliding from around his neck.
He cleared his throat, releasing her. The air between them crackled and he ached to pull her close again, to have her curves against him and her mouth beneath his. He cleared his throat again. “I think Shawn should come ride with me.” Hopefully she didn’t hear how gruff he sounded. “Get him more familiar with horses.”
“Oh.” She crossed her arms over her chest, looking lost.
“You cold?” he asked, rubbing his hands up and down her arms.
She shook her head.
“What do you think?”
“About what?” she asked, her gaze lingering on his mouth. He almost reached for her then.
“About Shawn. I can pick him up when I get off work. Bring him out to ride for a while. Only if it’s okay with you. A few times, maybe.” He paused, adding, “He’ll enjoy camp more if he’s not scared of the horses.”
“Okay.” She nodded but he could tell she wasn’t listening. She headed into the barn before he could think of something—anything—to say. He ended up standing there, staring after her. He knew there was a connection between them, but that kiss had clinched it for him. What would Kylee do if she knew the truth? What would she do if she knew he was falling in love with her?
* * *
DONNA SHOWED HER how to use the patient data label machine. “I know it’s outdated, but the school will use it until there’s no way to repair it or they get some sort of money to replace it with something better.” Donna grinned. “Which isn’t likely to happen.”
Kylee watched Donna carefully. So far, she’d almost filled a legal pad with notes. And she had the operations manual to take home and study. She could do this. It was more responsibility than she’d realized, but once she figured out what she was doing, she’d be a great patient account supervisor.
If they were going to stay in Stonewall Crossing, they couldn’t keep living off the generosity of others. What would happen when she and Shawn wore out their welcome? She couldn’t let that happen. If she could take care of them, no one else had to.
“When do I do this?” Kylee asked. “At the end of the day?”
Donna checked the clock. “I normally run all the cards at four. By then most owners have called to confirm or cancel so you’re not wasting time or cards.”
Kylee nodded. So far, everything made sense. Surgeries arrived at seven thirty. Reminder calls for the next day went out after lunch and before the afternoon patients were officially registered. Appointments ran from eight to eleven, then again from one to three. Then she would preregister patients for the next days’ schedule. Admissions were a piece of cake.
Next week Donna was going to teach her the patient discharge procedures: processing payments, setting up payment plans, closing out accounts, insurance and scheduling appointments.
“You’re doing great, kiddo.” Donna smiled. “Take it slow and easy.”
Kylee smiled back. “Thanks.”
Her head was swimming with names but, thankfully, everyone wore a name badge. And scrubs. She’d never worn a uniform before, but it was nice not to have to worry about having the right clothes. The hospital gave her three pairs of maroon scrubs with white piping, deep pockets, and the University of East Texas Veterinary Teaching Hospital logo embroidered on the chest.
Donna was amazing. Knowing she wasn’t fully retiring until Christmas was a huge bonus. By then, Kylee hoped she’d have absorbed every piece of information, observation or insight Donna passed on to her. One thing Donna made clear from the beginning—know who the vet techs were. According to Donna, they were the ones “in the trenches.” And the ones Kylee needed to keep happy.
Part of her responsibilities was supervising two other clerks working the front desk. Glenna had handled admissions for several years and knew her stuff. When Kylee asked her why she hadn’t applied for the supervisor position, Glenna had said she was hoping to go back to school and didn’t want the extra responsibility.
Brad worked the discharge side, processing payments and closing out patient files. He’d been there for longer than Glenna but he, too, was a student and didn’t want the hassle of a promotion. Somehow Kylee, the only one who had no previous experience, was supposed to supervise them. Her plan was to spend the weekend pouring over the manual so she wouldn’t be quite so lost next week.
Everyone had been welcoming and professional. She knew the surgical techs already. While she wasn’t thrilled that Jarvis called her angel and was a little too flirty with her whenever he saw her, he seemed to be that way with everyone so she let it go. Mario was more soft-spoken.
Kylee hadn’t learned the clinic techs, lab techs or floating techs yet. Or the veterinarians—besides the Boones. But this was her first week. She’d dropped her application off Monday morning, been called in for an interview Tuesday morning and started working that afternoon. Even though it hadn’t been a full week, she was glad it was almost the weekend. Her brain was swimming from information overload.
“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.
Kylee picked up the phone and pressed the community clinic number.
“Dr. Fisher here.”
“Hi.” She paused, flustered. “Goliath is here.”
“Hey, Kylee.” He chuckled. “Fancy hearing from you like this. You have a great phone voice.”
She laughed. “Your patient—”
“Do I have to?” he groaned. “I’ll send two students up to get him.”
“He’s massive.” She had no idea why she’d said that.
“So are his teeth.”
Which made a lump form in her throat. “Be careful,” she murmured.
There was a pause. “I will.”
She hung up the phone, her heart hammering in her ears. She stared at the phone, cursing under her breath. She turned to Mrs. Schwartz. “They’ll be right with you.”
Kylee watched the two students take Mrs. Schwartz and Goliath to the back, trying to dismiss her anxiety. Fisher was a professional. He knew what he was doing.
For ten minutes, it was peaceful. Cutter and Shawn arrived early—probably because Shawn was so excited about tonight. Shawn was going to the Boone Ranch for riding lessons while Kylee worked her evening shift at Shots. Cutter drank coffee and Shawn knelt in front of the aquarium, watching and sketching the fish. There were two owners waiting to visit their animals in the hospital and another at Brad’s window, checking out. And every one of them froze when the barking started. When the barking stopped, everyone relaxed. Then there was a shout. Followed by a hair-raising growl and a scream.
Shawn ran to the desk. “What’s happening?”
“I’m sure it’s fine,” Kylee tried to reassure him.
Several students and two techs ran past the front desk and disappeared around the corner.
The desk phone rang. Donna answered it. “Yes?” Pause. “Yes? Of course.” And she hung up. “Kylee, I have to get Mrs. Schwartz to the hospital.”
“Need me to drive?” Cutter was on his feet.
“Cutter, yes,” Donna nodded. “Yes, please. That way I can keep her arm stable.”
“No ambulance?” Kylee asked.
“She doesn’t want one,” Donna explained. “I appreciate the offer, Cutter.”
Kylee didn’t know what to say or do.
“Brad’s here. And they’re sending up one of the students to help.” Donna patted her hand. “They know how to do this—they all have to work emergency shifts. Don’t worry.”
“Kylee?” Shawn’s voice was high, his anxiety clear.
“Come on back,” Donna encouraged. “You can sit right here by your sister.”
Shawn ran around the desk, sitting as close to her as he could. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Shawn. Fisher’s back there. He’ll take care of things.” She meant it.
Mrs. Schwartz came out, her arm wrapped in gauze and plastic, leaning on a male student. Donna and Cutter led the way, helping the woman into Cutter’s truck.
Kylee knew she had to keep calm. This was her job now. A good job she’d be an idiot to lose because of a ruckus. It wasn’t like this was the first time she’d seen violence or blood—this was just a bad-tempered dog, not an abusive man. Besides, she couldn’t leave without knowing Fisher was okay.
Somehow she managed to take care of the rest of the patients. If she wasn’t sure of something, she jotted a question on a sticky note and attached it to the patient’s paperwork. Brad left for the day but Cliff, the student sent to help her, knew where everything was and had answers for most questions. Still, she was relieved when five o’clock rolled around and the students assigned to emergency duty arrived.
She clocked out, then packed her notes and the manual into her backpack, glancing down the hall again and again. She wanted to poke around, to make sure Fisher was okay. But that wasn’t her job and he wasn’t hers to worry over.
“I guess tonight’s off?” Shawn asked.
“I don’t know,” she answered, glancing at the clock. It was five fifteen. “Let’s sit awhile. If Dr. Fisher is too busy, we’ll walk home.”
Shawn sat, trying not to look too disappointed. “Think he’s okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Definitely. I think Dr. Fisher could handle just about anything. Knowing him, he kept his cool and cracked a few jokes, too.”
“Hey, Shawn, Kylee.” Fisher sounded amused. “Ready to go?”
She was so relieved she didn’t even try to hold back her smile. He was fine. She knew he would be, but...
“Yes, sir,” Shawn answered.
“You two have fun.” Kylee tugged up the strap on her backpack. “I have my shift tonight at Shots so I should head out.”
He stood there, staring at her with a strange look on his face.
“I’m glad Goliath didn’t eat you.” She shook her head, trying not to get caught up in his gaze.
“You and me both,” he answered, his gaze never leaving hers.
She tore her gaze away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her breath was unsteady.
“Didn’t Cutter take Mrs. Schwartz and Donna?” he asked. “You don’t need to walk. I can drive you home, if you want.”
She was nodding before she realized it. What was she doing? This was bad.
“How is Chance doing out at your place?” Shawn asked.
She loved that Fisher had adopted her little rescue dog. If she and Shawn had a more dog-friendly place, she would have brought Chance home in a heartbeat.
Fisher blinked. “You can see him yourself. I’ve been bringing him to work, getting him used
to riding in the truck, playing with other animals and not chewing on the counters in my house.” He laughed, leading them back into the hospital.
“How did your first day go?” he asked.
“Fine.” She swallowed, all too aware of him.
“Things like today, with Goliath, don’t happen often.” He pushed open the door to Recovery. “Unless you’re working emergency. Even then, people rarely get chewed up by their pets.”
“What happened?” Kylee asked.
“Goliath wasn’t happy to see me. We had him propped against a door so I could get some blood but Mrs. Schwartz was worried about him.”
“She was worried about him?” Kylee shook her head. “Why not sedate him?”
“Owner’s choice. If he’s sedated he has to stay here until he’s out of it—he’s too big for her to carry into the house on her own.” He shrugged, leading them between the kennels. “Anyway, she went to comfort him and Goliath bit her. I don’t think he realized it was her or he wouldn’t have done it.”
Chance barked in greeting.
“He looks great,” Kylee said, watching Shawn kneel and open the cage so the dog could run-hobble around her little brother in circles.
Shawn flopped onto the floor, laughing as the dog climbed into his lap and slathered him with doggy kisses. The carefree sound of her little brother was the best sound in the world. After everything he’d been through, it soothed her heart to see him laugh like the boy he was. She smiled up at Fisher. “Thank you.” She paused. “For fixing Chance and...for making my little brother laugh.”
Fisher nodded. His look was a little too intense...too much. She focused all of her attention on her brother, trying to contain the panic that fluttered wildly in her stomach. But it wasn’t really panic; she knew panic. It was a sour feeling, a cold weight you couldn’t shake. This was different. This was warm and sweet. And dangerous. Being close to Fisher was all it took to have her confused and...wanting. Her hands clenched against the slight tremor that ran down her arms.
Courted by the Cowboy Page 12
