He nodded. “That’s fine. I can be just as stubborn as she is.”
“Oh, I seriously doubt that.” Fisher clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You’re going to need reinforcements. Free tomorrow?”
His nod was slow.
“Come to Archer’s refuge tomorrow. Six o’clock.”
“Now you’re going to help me?”
“Not just me.” Fisher’s grin was hard. “Our brothers.”
The Boone brothers? He’d seen the looks on their faces tonight—he knew none of them were sold on this. “Why?”
“My father gave you my mother’s ring, which tells me how much he wants this marriage.” His jaw clenched. “I just rattled your skull and cracked a rib and you’re still standing. That can only mean one thing. You love my sister. And, dammit, I want my sister happy.”
Fisher’s words hung with him throughout the next day. Love wasn’t part of this. It couldn’t be, he wasn’t equipped for that. His heart wasn’t healed yet—neither was he. But, even after a day learning the fine points of the patient management system used by the veterinary hospital, Fisher’s words remained. And when Ash headed to Boone Ranch and the horse refuge at precisely six o’clock, he wasn’t sure how to feel or what to expect. He parked his truck in front of the business offices and followed the directions Eden gave him to the stables.
He walked past several horse stalls, appreciating the setup. Horses peered over their stall doors, ears swiveling and nostrils blowing—welcoming him. He paused, eyeing an especially fine brown buckskin with a white blaze on his nose. The horse seemed to be checking him out, too, bumping Ash’s chest with his nose.
“Hello to you, too,” he murmured.
“On the market for a horse?” A man asked, watching the horse with interest.
“Maybe.” Hell yes, he wanted one. He missed having a horse, having a place of his own to ride out and explore. Now, well, he had the land and the house. About all he was missing was a horse. He’d need to check out the stables at Gruber House first. Make sure they were safe and sound. “Looking for Archer Boone.”
The man nodded. “This way.”
Ash followed him through the barn and beyond to a yard where saddled horses waited.
He braced himself. He knew how Fisher wasn’t sold on the marriage, but the rest of them? Well, he was about to find out. He stood his ground. He didn’t relish the idea of the other Boones taking shots at him, but he was hoping it wouldn’t come to that.
Archer frowned. But he was always frowning.
Hunter was openly sizing him up. Not aggressive so much as assessing. He could respect that. They didn’t know him well.
Ryder. Well, Ryder Boone looked ready to beat the shit out of him. Eager, almost. If their roles had been reversed, he’d probably be in the same boat.
“Glad you came.” Hunter broke the silence, his gaze zeroing in on the humdinger of a bruise Fisher had left on his jaw. “After last night, well—”
“You were going to propose?” Archer asked.
“I was.” He cleared his throat. “I am.”
Archer’s gaze narrowed. “She doesn’t want to marry you?”
He had to admire the man’s straightforward attitude. “No.” No point dragging this out.
Ryder chuckled. “Well, that was easy.” He turned back to tightening the cinch on his saddle. “No one, and I mean no one, is going to get our sister to change her mind.”
“Dad wants this.” Fisher didn’t bother pretending he felt the same.
“Dad’s wrong.” Ryder glared at Ash.
“This wouldn’t be the first time you two didn’t see eye to eye.” Hunter smiled at his younger brother.
“He brought her home last night, carried her inside and—after he stood there and took that from me—he tells me he wants to marry her.” Fisher spoke with grudging admiration. “I might have even cracked a rib or two.”
Ash nodded. “Might.”