A Foxy Valentine (The Fox Shorts Book 4) Read online

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  We had a nice conversation in the car. I asked her about her current projects. She told me about a photo trip to the ice caves in the Apostle Islands. "I got them at sunrise," she said. We talked about that for a while. Then she asked me about being an architect.

  "I love it," I said. "Most of the time, I'm working on elements for my boss, but a few people ask for me personally."

  "That has to feel good."

  "It does. Other than yours, I haven't been the lead for any other houses, but I've done a few vacation cabins." We talked about the challenges those represented.

  Between us, we kept the conversation going all the way into Madison.

  "So, where are you taking me?"

  "Sushi," I said. "Michaela made sure they knew you were coming, and they have new treats for you."

  "I know you would have preferred somewhere else," she replied. "Like one of the steak places."

  "I like sushi," I told her. "But your edamame is the best."

  "Did I ever thank you?"

  "For what?"

  "That first day in Bayfield when I made edamame. You were the first to try it, and you made Angel try it."

  "And now you've got half the pack eating it," I said. "And the aloo gobi, too." Then I made a face. "But chickpeas are not food."

  She laughed.

  We arrived at the restaurant. I parked, pleased the little lot had space, and then I helped her from the car.

  It amused me to be on a "date" with someone so much smaller than I was. It felt like taking Thomas or Kaylee somewhere. In fact, Kaylee was probably taller than Zoe now. I wondered whom the kids would next use for practicing their roller coaster rides. If they tried it with the twins, I was sure Lara would kill them.

  I made a mental point to warn them off that idea, just in case they were all too stupid to think of it themselves.

  I took Zoe's arm, and she let me. We walked slowly out of the parking lot, took a left, and headed for the front of the restaurant. As we drew closer, my nose started to twitch. At the front door, I started to laugh.

  Zoe

  "That fox!" Scarlett said, laughing. "Oh, I should have known."

  "What?"

  She turned to me and grinned. "You'll have to wait and see for yourself."

  "If your nose is telling you this is an all-meat night, we can go to Carly's instead."

  "As if," she replied. "I've heard about that place. Monique's aunt took Monique once."

  "You might like it."

  "Yeah. Right." She tugged on my arm. "Come on. I bet you're getting cold."

  "You're not?"

  She just laughed again.

  A minute later, we were inside the restaurant. Scarlett brought us to a stop, still holding my arm, and her eyes searched the restaurant. Then she sniffed and looked confused. She tugged lightly, leading me to the unoccupied hostess stand.

  We stood there for a minute before a smiling man stepped up. I recognized Hiraku, the owner. He bowed to us. Scarlett and I bowed back. "Good evening, Hiraku-san," Scarlett said.

  "Good evening, Scarlett-san. And this is Zoe-san? I have your table waiting. This way." He gestured then led us through the restaurant. I hadn't been this way before, but we went towards a doorway in the back of the restaurant.

  When I glanced over at her, Scarlett's nose was twitching madly, and she was smiling. "You can thank me later," she said with a grin.

  "You're not going to tell me, are you?"

  "Nope."

  Then she moved me in front of her, and so I followed Hiraku.

  He led us into a meeting room. I hadn't even known it was here. I stopped and stared.

  By her reaction, my mate hadn't expected us. From her place against the wall, she was staring right at me. Then I realized Angel was just as surprised to see Scarlett.

  I looked over my shoulder at Scarlett. "You're not my date. Did you know?"

  "I smelled the fox at the entrance."

  They were all here: Lara and Michaela, Elisabeth, Angel, and Portia.

  Scarlett gave me a little push towards Portia, and then she flowed past me, heading for her mate.

  Michaela

  I knew I was grinning madly. My surprise had been complete. Well, Scarlett probably smelled us before she stepped into the room, but even then, I could see she was pleased. Everyone else was clearly stunned.

  Elisabeth and Hiraku were the only two who knew what was going on. Others had pieces, but not enough pieces to put it together. Although really, they should have, shouldn't they? It wasn't that convoluted a plan. I mean, seriously? Ordering Zoe and Scarlett on a date together? They had to know something was going on.

  I reached over to my sister-in-law. "Thank you."

  She nodded.

  Lara was as stunned as anyone. She kept looking between Angel and Scarlett, staring dreamily at each other, and Portia looking at Zoe. Of the latter, I couldn't have told you whose smile was larger.

  Ah, love.

  Lara turned to me. "They didn't know."

  "Nope." I buffed my fingers against the edge of my dress. "I'm that good."

  "I love you so much, Little Fox," Lara said. She clasped my hand. "You are an amazing alpha."

  "Oh please. This was just a little meddling." Still, it felt good that she would say so.

  Hiraku approached, smiling. "Alpha-sama, will there be one table or several?"

  I turned to Lara, but she was looking at me. "He meant you, Alpha-sama."

  I laughed. "We're all family. One table, please, Hiraku-san. But ask Zoe about her edamame."

  Once we were settled, I laid my head against Lara's shoulder and looked around. We had a nice meal planned, and later, we'd take our girls for a run.

  A perfect Valentine's Day date, fox style.

  About the Author

  A writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.

  Robin can be reached via email as [email protected]. Robin's web site is http://www.robin-roseau.com.

  Works by Robin Roseau

  The Madison Wolves Series

  Fox Run

  Fox Play

  Fox Mate

  Fox Afield

  Fox Revenge

  Fox Dish

  Fox Lost

  Wolf Watch

  Wolf Ways

  Wolf Women

  Fox Short Stories

  Hunting Pups

  Fox in the Water

  Fox Rematch (set after Fox Mate and Fox Afield)

  Fox Opponent

  A Foxy Valentine

  Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe

  Familiar

  Seer

  Seer: Thrall

  Other Novels and Novellas

  Blood Slave

  Emergency Claus

  Fitting In

  Free to Love

  In Custody

  Lost in the Words

  Privateer

  Stark's Dell

  Submission

  The Interrogation

  Tresjolie

  Galatzi Trade

  Galatzi World

  The Ski Bindings Shorts

  Short stories of love and lust amongst the slopes.

  Snow Fox

  Short Stories

  Cooking for Love

  Southern Night

  Captured by the Raptor (writing as Rosetta Robins)

  A Foxy Valentine

  Copyright 2015 by Robin Roseau

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.


  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

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  License Notes

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