SAFE AT LAST?
Kylee James is giving hope one more chance, this time in Stonewall Crossing, Texas. Hope wasnât supposed to come in the form of a hunky cowboyâlocal veterinarian Fisher Boone. But a good man like Fisher deserves a life without Kyleeâs baggage, so letting him go is the best way she can love him.
Fisher wants to help Kylee find a fresh start and happiness, especially if she found it with him. But Kylee seems intent on pushing him away. When her painful past resurfaces, will Kylee finally open her heart to Fisher, or will she run from the one man whoâd do anything to protect her?
âMust be nice to be a Boone.â Kylee smiled.
Fisher nodded. âIt is. Iâm lucky.â
She nodded, immediately caught up in the pull of his green eyes. The more time they spent together, the stronger it became. Especially when they were alone, like they were now. She wanted to go to himâ¦but she couldnât move.
He did.
His hands settled on her shoulders and his thumbs trailed the ridges of her collarbones. How could such a light caress make her breathless? How could such a big man look at her with such tenderness?
âKylee,â he murmured.
âFisher,â she said, running her hands up his arms to grip his shoulders. The cotton of his shirt did little to cover the expanse of his shoulders. He was a strong man, a man who could be considered dangerous. But she knew the only danger he posed was to her heart.
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Stonewall Crossing!
Small Texas towns are magical places. From town squares to main streets, the traditions and character of a place define the peopleâand vice versa. But there are drawbacks: everyone knows everyone elseâs business. So it can be incredibly hard for someone looking for a place to fade into the background or disappear altogether.
Kylee Jamesâs life has taught her one thing: donât trust anyone. Except maybe her twelve-year-old brother Shawn. From foster homes to living on the streets of Las Vegas, Kylee has done the best she could by her little brother. Including leaving Las Vegas for Stonewall Crossing.
Fisher Boone is a nice guy. The funny one. A good friend. (Iâd love to play some pool with him.) But heâs never had much luck with the ladiesânot that heâs ever minded much. Until Kylee James arrives in town. Thereâs something fun about writing a big, manly man who falls in love for the first time. Fisher has a heart of gold; heâs a giver and a protector. So having him both want to woo and protect this skittish, wary woman is hard work. But, as youâll see, Fisher isnât a quitter. Which is good news for Kylee.
Iâve become very attached to the Boone family and their work at the Veterinarian Teaching Hospital and their ranch. And, like before, there are plenty of animal adventures to keep all the Boone brothers busy. One of my favorite things about this book is the relationship between two of the brothers. Youâll have to figure out which two Iâm talking about and let me know what you think.
Happy reading!
Sasha Summers
SASHA SUMMERS grew up surrounded by books. Her passions have always been storytelling, romance and travel. Whether itâs an easy-on-the-eyes cowboy or a hero of truly mythic proportions, Sasha falls a little in love with each and every one of her heroes. She frequently gets lost with her characters in the worlds she creates, forgetting those everyday tasks like laundry and dishes. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and helpful.
Dedicated to my beloved friend Marilyn Tucker.
I miss your grammatical genius, your sparkling wit, your wonderful hugs and your laughter.
Thank you for being a wonderful critique partner and an even better friend.
Chapter One
Kylee glanced up as the door to Shots opened. Her pulse leaped and her legs tightened, ready to run. Ice-cold fear engulfed her, twisting her insides and making her lungs ache. An older gentleman shuffled in, tipping his well-worn cowboy hat in greeting before heading to the poker game taking place in the back corner. He was one of Cutterâs friends, someone sheâd seen before. Her nod was stiff, but her grip on the counter eased. She pulled in a deep breath, then blew it out, steadying herself. Weâre safe. At least she didnât freeze up anymoreâor duck behind the counter. She was making progress.
The old man made his way across the scarred wooden floor to the group of men hunched over their beers and several decks of cards. A chorus of rough and creaky greetings welcomed the newcomer as he pulled a chair back to join them. Nothing to fear there. She took a deep breath, a slight smile on her lips.