Fisher sighed, nodding.
“Turned you down flat?” Cutter asked, cackling.
Fisher nodded again. “You don’t have to sound so damned happy about it.”
“I’m not happy about it,” Cutter said, still grinning. “I might be a little tickled that you’re going to have to work at this. It builds character, workin’ for something.”
“I’ve been working my whole life, Cutter, and you know it,” Fisher cut in.
“Now, now, don’t get your tail feathers in a knot, son. I know you work hard, that’s not what I’m sayin’. But you’ve had it easy your whole life. You wanted something, you got it. I’m talking about workin’ hard till you’re bone tired and gettin’ nothin’ for it.” Cutter spoke around a mouthful of burger. “I’m thinking that’s what Shawn here’s been talking about?”
“Yes, sir,” Shawn agreed quietly.
“Makes sense Kylee might be a little shy about some big cowboy trying to court her. Especially after all they’ve been through.” Cutter nodded. “I’m not sure you or I can understand what it means to struggle like they have.”
Fisher sat there, bombarded by a wide range of emotions. Cutter was right. He couldn’t do a damn thing about their past, no matter how much he might want to. But he would do what he could to ensure their future was better.
From the corner of his eye he saw Shawn drop a french fry on the floor, drawing his attention to the boy instead of the old man. He watched Shawn pick up the french fry, blow it off and eat it without thought. Off the street and fed. Fisher didn’t really know what that was like—his life struggles had been few and far between.
He’d lost his mother when he was a teenager. It’d hurt like hell and put a wedge between his brother Ryder and their father that took years to heal. He remembered the long, heavy silences at the dinner table and his father’s haunted look. Her absence had left a gaping hole, one that had never been filled or forgotten. But Fisher had never lost the safety of his family—or worried about losing the roof over his head or having food in his belly.
The loss and heartache he’d experienced was real, but even when things were at their darkest he’d had the love and support of his family. They might drive him crazy from time to time but he knew he could always count on them. A good portion of Stonewall Crossing, too, if need be. His life, his safety, his survival had never been at risk.
He knew that wasn’t the case for Shawn and Kylee.
“I guess not,” Fisher agreed, the realization so crushing it hurt to breathe.
Kylee.
His anger cooled, replaced by the aching warmth that only thoughts of Kylee stirred.
She was a fierce protector, a loyal sister and a survivor. She’d done what needed to be done, no matter what. Life on the streets...caring for Shawn...
He swallowed, trying to wrap his mind around what that meant. What that was like. He admired her strength and determination. And ached for what they’d never know.
His gaze sought her out. She was an amazing woman, he’d never doubted that. But maybe she didn’t know that. If life had been as tough as he imagined for them, it was possible she’d never had the opportunity to be a woman—a woman in love, a woman given the love she so deserved.
Maybe it was time to change that.
Chapter Nine
Kylee sat behind the admissions desk, flipping through a stack of patient files. She’d made sure all the invoices and charts had been scanned into the database before putting them back into the manila files. If she had time, she’d file them before she went home for the day.
“Kylee?” Donna called her. “These are for you.”
Kylee stood, coming to a complete stop when she saw the deliveryman—and the very large arrangement of flowers he held. “For me?” she asked, completely confused. “No—”
“Kylee James?” the man asked.
She nodded, reaching for the small envelope he held out to her. Her name was printed boldly across it. She signed on the deliveryman’s clipboard, took the vase and set it on the counter, then opened the envelope.
“Who’s it from?” Donna asked. “Those are the prettiest flowers. Just look at the colors.”
Glenna was oohing over them, too. “Someone special we don’t know about?”
Kylee shook her head, staring at the card. Say yes.
“Say yes?” Donna read over her shoulder. “Ooh, say yes to what?”