Outfoxed Read Online Free Page B

attached to Miami, and I hate friggin’ cities. Not enough space to roam. And it’s too goddamn hot down South.” He grinned and winked at Rachel. “Besides, my mate would never let me hang out around all those bikini-clad women. She’s jealous like that.”
    “Please.” Rachel rolled her eyes. “As if anyone else would have you.”
    The others laughed. Gabby watched the interplay with a strange yearning. She coveted the affection, the warm way Burke treated his mate. Like the loving tenderness Ty gave Julia while still respecting her enough to share decisions.
    Gabby hated to admit it, but trying to cut men out of her life hadn’t been helping. She wanted to find someone special. A mate. A male who would make her scream in bed yet cuddle her when she needed it. He’d sit with her through a chick flick and suffer, knowing she’d indulge him during football season.
    Every fantasy in her head put her on a couch next to a cat, not a fox, and she had a bad feeling she knew why.
    She glanced at Grady’s chair again. When she looked away, she saw Dean watching her with an odd expression.
    She tilted her head, waiting for him to say something.
    He just smiled and turned to Burke. “You know, all this talk about running and rogue Ac-taw is making me hungry.”
    Burke snorted. “Dean, everything makes you hungry.”
    “Which is my cue.” Maggie stood and left the table, returning with a tray of dessert. “Now who wants the first piece of my famous cherry pie?”
    Dean’s eyes sparkled. Before he could answer, Miles did. “My favorite. I can’t wait to taste it, Maggie.”
    Maggie blushed. “I hope you like it.”
    “Well, I hope he doesn’t,” her husband said. “Then there’s more for me.”
    “I made four of them. One just for you, Joel. My bear has an appetite,” Maggie teased.
    “But I always get the first piece of pie,” Dean whined. “I’m the youngest cub here, Rachel. Please?”
    Rachel grinned. “Good try. But you look older than Joy and Melissa.”
    “Nope. They’re old, just real, real pretty.”
    The women shook their heads.
    “But I’m a guest,” Miles argued, mischief in his gaze. “Right, Gabby?”
    She nodded. “Guests do come before family. It’s only polite.”
    She swore she heard Dean mutter, “Vermin,” as he narrowed his eyes at Miles. He caught her looking at him and shot her a bright, overly innocent smile.
    “Oh relax, Dean.” She rolled her eyes. “You can have my pie if you’re that hungry.”
    “You’re the best, Gabby.” He blew her a kiss.
    To her bemusement, Miles glanced between her and Dean with speculation.
    Burke sighed. “If you’re done sulking, baby brother, can we please have some dessert?” He raised his voice. “And everyone knows pride leader gets the first piece. What is it with you people?”
    Gabby laughed with the others, but her eyes kept straying to Grady’s empty chair.

Chapter Three
    After putting in a full day teaching a camp full of grade school kids the art of fly fishing, Grady finished some paperwork in the office, then returned to Cougar Falls tired and worn down. He didn’t exactly look forward to returning home.
    He hadn’t seen Gabby in two days. She’d been visiting a few of her fox friends and had stayed off the ranch. Miles and his family had decided to give it a good week before they made a decision about staying or going. So everywhere Grady walked, he found himself tripping over a Bermin. He hadn’t had a chance to “help” Miles with anything, either. So much for Rachel’s grand plan of getting everyone else gone while he and Gabby bonded. Although not putting his fist through Miles’s face should count for something. He thought he’d shown remarkable restraint.
    Pulling his truck past the main house, he noted Burke’s, Rachel’s and Dean’s vehicles. Maggie and Joel were on vacation, and God knew where Monty had holed up on a Saturday night. Probably sniffing around that pretty she-wolf he’d taken a