Read Online Foxfire by Carol Ann Erhardt - Free Book Online

is
none of his business anymore.”
    Grace pushed through the door. She rounded
the corner and plowed into a man's hard chest. His hands closed
around her arms, steadying her.
    “Whoa,” he said.
    “I'm sorry.” She pulled free and met his
gaze. A prickle of unease skittered up her spine when she stared
into his deep-set sable eyes. The skin pulled taught on his angular
face giving it the look of an actor who'd had too many face-lifts.
The suit he wore looked expensive. Grace felt a prickle of
unfounded fear. Where had she seen this guy before? Something about
his voice and his eyes seemed vaguely familiar.
    “Sorry,” she muttered, pulling free from his
grasp.
    His lips turned upward in a friendly gesture,
though his eyes remained cold and hard.
    It took every ounce of guts she had to step
around him and push the elevator button. The doors opened and she
stepped inside. Only after she pressed the lobby button did she
risk a glance between the closing doors. The man gave a slow wink.
Sweat beaded her forehead. She stepped aside, breathing deeply of
the suddenly stagnant air. Relief coursed through her when the
elevator began its descent.
    ****
    Grace was sitting on the porch enjoying the
view when Tyler walked into the clearing. His polo shirt hugged his
broad shoulders, the deep green enhancing those emerald sparks in
his eyes. Much to her surprise, he wore the dirty tennis shoes he'd
had on the first night she met him.
    He followed her gaze down to his feet, then
gave her a big grin. “Hey, they're comfortable and perfect for
hiking.”
    “Hiking? Why didn't you drive?”
    “Drive?” He looked puzzled, and then suddenly
his face lit with understanding. “I should have made myself clear.
I'm cooking steaks on the grill.” He shrugged. “I bought the
biggest rib-eyes I could find. And my homemade marinade can't be
beat.”
    Oh, Lord. Trouble. Having dinner in a
restaurant was one thing, but how would she manage an entire
evening alone with him? “Oh.”
    He laughed. “Don't sound so skeptical. I
promise not to poison you.”
    There went that wicked smile sending
fireflies swarming through her stomach. Tyler gripped her hand and
pulled her to her feet. They walked toward the clinic. “Things are
different here, but I like the slow pace of living,” he said.
    Grace smiled up at him. “That's why I moved
here. I wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the
city.”
    “What city?”
    Uh-oh. She had to watch her words. Working
with Tyler was going to pose more problems than her attraction to
him. “A not-so-nice suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. I had to learn
early how to protect myself.”
    Tyler squeezed her upper arm, grinning
mischievously. “You've got a set of muscles all right.”
    “Trust me, it takes more than physical
strength to survive the streets. You've got to be mentally tough
and not show any sign of fear. Otherwise, they'll chew you up.”
    “They?”
    “The streets.”
    “Do your parents still live in Missouri?”
    “I don't have a clue where my Dad is. He left
before I was born.”
    “And your mother?”
    “She's dead.”
    “I'm sorry.” Tyler gazed compassionately down
at her.
    “Don't be. She's been gone a long time.”
    They finished the walk in silence and Tyler
led her up a flight of stairs to a wooden deck where heat emanated
from the gas grill beside sliding doors opening to his kitchen.
    He retrieved a platter and placed the meat on
the grill. “I figured we could share with Tiffany.”
    Grace laughed. “I fed her before we came. I
don't give her table scraps. You're a vet. Don't you recommend
high-priced dog food, and give lectures on the perils of people
food?”
    “Nope. I believe in spoiling.”
    They chatted about the proper way to raise
pets while Tyler tended the steaks.
    He hadn't exaggerated. They were
mouth-wateringly perfect. Baked potatoes, salad and wine completed
the meal. When they'd cleared the dishes, they sat in chairs on the
deck. Gas torches