And the fish was damned good. Gabe grinned at the arguments over which recipe was best. To his mind, both versions were excellent. He jotted down the recipes for his brother. Bull loved collecting new dishes.

“Did you catch more trout than Tucker?” Dante asked Julie.

She laughed. “Hardly. But I had so much fun, it didn’t matter who caught more. I never realized how satisfying it is to provide food for myself and others.”

Gabe couldn’t help smiling at her. “It is a good feeling.”

“Usually.” Caz gave him a wry look. “Except for the times you don’t succeed.”

Gabe laughed. “Some of us were less effective than others that year.”

“What year?” Julie asked.

“Back when the sarge decided we didn’t take our hunting and fishing seriously enough.”

Dante leaned back in his chair. “Now, a man has to wonder what the ol’ drill sergeant did when his boys gave his hunting lessons less than their best efforts.”

Gabe glanced at his brother. “How many times did we go to bed without supper?”

“Too many,” Caz said sadly.

An outraged red colored Julie’s cheeks. “He didn’t give you food unless you caught it?”

“We always got breakfast and lunch. Supper, though… Well, hunger can focus attention nicely.” Gabe shrugged. “We did all right most of the time.”

“The next year was worse. He doled out only two bullets or two arrows. And wouldn’t let us share our kills.” Caz scowled at Gabe. “You and Hawk ate good. Me and Bull, not so much. Not until we were allowed to set traps and snares.”

“They took your food?” The appalled expression on Julie’s face was truly cute. Tenderhearted and against injustice.

Yeah, he wanted this woman.

“No, no.” Caz’s mouth curved. “Pure skill levels. Gabe can hit anything he aims at, no matter the weapon. With a rifle, Hawk’s even better.”

“Oh,” Julie said. “Of course.”

Gabe shook his head. “I can’t believe you accused me of stealing my baby brother’s food. I thought you liked me. That we were friends.”

“I’m…I’m sorry.” Color rose into her cheeks, and her expression filled with remorse. “I didn’t mean… Of course, we’re friends.”

Caz’s laughter halted her apologies, and she turned.

The traitorous asshole pointed to Gabe. “Be warned, chica. That one can con a person with a perfectly straight face.”

Her gray eyes narrowed before she speared him with a look. “You…are an evil person. I felt so bad for doubting you.”

“As you should.” He put his arm around her shoulders and leaned down to whisper, “Someday, I’ll earn your trust, Goldilocks.”

Her unhappy sigh lifted and lowered her shoulders.

Someday wasn’t today, apparently. Nonetheless, Gabe left his arm where it was, enjoying the contact.