Most of his family was there already, crowded together around two tables. They smiled, waving him over.
“What happened to you?” Renata, his twin sister, was on her feet. “And why didn’t I know about it?” She frowned at her brothers.
“Nothing to tell, really.” Fisher hugged her.
“Way I hear it, he took one in the eye for Archer.” Ryder, the youngest Boone, grinned.
“First his roommate, now his stunt double,” his cousin Tandy said, wincing and shaking her head. “Archer owes you big time, cuz.”
“I’m with Tandy. Being the oldest means I have to look out for all of you, but—” his big brother, Hunter, pointed at Fisher’s eye “—taking a punch to the face for Archer is going above and beyond brotherly duty.” Hunter grinned. “I’m betting Archer didn’t shoulder much guilt over it. Or is he coming to buy you a thank-you beer later?”
“Nope,” Ryder shook his head. “He bowed out, something about some new something-or-other at the refuge needing his attention.”
“He needs a girlfriend,” Renata sighed.
Fisher, Ryder and Hunter burst out laughing.
“Hey, Fish— Your face!” Annabeth, Ryder’s very pregnant wife arrived, almost dropping the pitcher of water she carried.
“He’s fine, princess.” Ryder stood and pulled a chair back for her. “Don’t get yourself all worked up.”
Annabeth rolled her eyes.
“What are we laughing over?” Josie, Hunter’s wife, joined in. “I’m assuming it’s not Fisher’s face?”
“Sort of.” Hunter kissed his wife’s cheek.
“I was just saying Archer might benefit from the company of a lady friend,” Renata offered.
“What about the new bartender?” Annabeth asked. “She’s gorgeous.”
“She is, at that.” Toben, his cousin and Tandy’s twin, tipped his beer bottle at the bar. “I don’t think Archer could handle that one.”
“Kylee and Archer? As a couple?” Fisher asked before he could stop himself. He didn’t like the way Toben was looking at her. He heard the shock in his voice, and so did everyone else around the table. He didn’t miss the grins the women exchanged.
“Kylee, huh?” Hunter piped up, hiding his smile behind his beer.
Ryder was looking at him wide-eyed. “Huh,” he murmured before craning his neck to see the bar at the back of the room. “Where is she?”
“Working at the back bar,” Annabeth answered. “Long black hair. Biggest blue eyes. Other than yours, of course.” She grabbed Ryder’s chin and pressed a kiss to his lips.
Fisher watched, seeing the satisfied smile on his little brother’s face. His brother, the player...he never thought he’d see his brother so happily settled, but then Fisher had never had a woman look at him the way Annabeth was looking at Ryder. “Guess I’ll get a beer,” he mumbled, pushing himself up from his chair.
Which led to a few giggles from the women.
He didn’t respond as he made his way across the dance hall, smiling and exchanging pleasantries as he went.
Kylee didn’t see him, she was busy filling mugs and popping tops off beer bottles. Cutter didn’t serve hard liquor when the dance hall was open—only beer, water and soda. Cutter said it kept things from getting out of control and was more family friendly.
“What can I—?” She paused, her gaze meeting his. She caught sight of his face and wrinkled her nose.
“Evening, Kylee,” he said, smiling.
“Doc.” She nodded. “How’s the dog?”
“Getting stronger. Jarvis said you’ve stopped by a couple of times. Sorry I missed you.” He smiled. “You should come see him again. Nothing perks a fella’s spirits up like a visit from a pretty lady.”
Her eyes narrowed.