Fisher: Prince of Tigers – Paranormal Tiger Shifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  “I don’t know what to say.” Bryant put out his hand, and Paddy took it. “I’m calling the police right now. I don’t want her dead, and I’m sure you don’t want that either. But she’s done enough damage now that it’s impossible for me to trust her word that she’s going to stop before it’s too late.”

  “It is too late, I’m afraid. You should check into your son’s credit history. You might be surprised by what you find there. As well as for Rachel. Piper loves both her niece and nephew, but they’re also going to suffer in ways you’ll soon be made aware of.” Paddy sat down again, hard. “Also, I’m afraid their scholarships are gone. My wife is looking into how they managed to get into the money for that. If you’re interested, I’ll be happy to pass on the news. But I’m afraid it’s going to get them into more trouble than either of them can buy off this time.”

  “You knew this when you offered the money. That even with you helping me with my company, they’d still be in deep shit.” Bryant said he had. “Why? Why would you come in here and write me a check for that much money when you knew Mary was still going to have to go to jail?”

  “Because, as I said, Piper is family. And she loves the kids of her family. Fisher also hopes that since he helped you out, you’ll still be a part of her family.” Paddy told him, of course, he would. “Good. I’m very glad to hear that. There isn’t any reason in the world why your company has to suffer because your wife made a few life changing choices without your knowledge. No matter how this turns out, you still have your son to think of.”

  Thanking him again, Paddy pulled up a credit history on his son. Staring at the report, it occurred to Paddy that the date of his son’s first bad credit report was only a few days after he’d turned five. As he read through the list, he estimated his son had racked up nearly a million dollars in debt, all before he’d graduated from middle school. Paddy was sure the only reason it wasn’t more was because his rating had fallen so far down the chart.

  Paddy started making a list of things he needed to take care of. First and foremost, he was going to call the credit bureau and have them look into Peter’s credit. After that, he started doing searches on other things. Like how much the debt was that Mary Margaret, Mary’s mother, had at the time of her death.

  When his phone rang again, he picked it up without looking to see who it might have been. He heard Mary telling someone she was calling her husband now.

  “Paddy? Are you there?” He told her he was. “Good. You’re not going to believe this, but I’ve some trouble here in New Jersey. I was doing a little shopping, and they’re saying my credit card is no longer any good. I might have been a little more upset about it than I should have been. They’ve had me arrested. I need you, honey. I need you to help me. Losing my mother has been difficult on me, as you know.”

  “Do I? Know how you’ve suffered, Mary? The last thing I heard about you was that you were down in Tennessee trying to get poor Piper to give you something she doesn’t have. Money. It’s always money with you, isn’t it? Don’t lie to me again about where you are. I know exactly where you and your brother are.” She told him she didn’t know what he was talking about, but that she’d meant to say she was in Ohio. “All right. Then can you tell me where the three-hundred-thousand dollars is that was in our business checking account? Or perhaps why Peter has a terrible credit score when I know for a fact he’s never had a credit card for the health spa that you go to?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Paddy. Can’t we discuss then when I get home? I have such a headache, and I’m exhausted. I’ve not been sleeping well since my—”

  “Yes, since your mother died. When was the last time you saw her alive, Mary? You told me you were seeing her once a month or more if you could swing it. From what I’ve heard, you’ve not once seen your mother in all the time she was ill. When that was mentioned at the funeral, you assured me that Piper was trying to make you feel bad for not being on time. I should have spoken to you then about it. Also, you’ve not once seen her since your father died.” Mary asked him what his point was. “My point? Well, I guess you might as well know my point now. I’m not bailing you out. You’ve taken enough from me and my son. Also, you might find this as a surprise, but I’m calling the police as soon as I hang up from talking to you. I’ve had enough. As for your credit card? They’ve all been canceled. In trying to reach you by phone to talk to you about the missing money, I had it in my head that you’d call if you couldn’t gamble anything more away. Lucky me, I guess. That’s just what you did.”

  “Paddy, I’ve told you I’ve been arrested, and here you are talking to me about gambling and taking money. If you are going to cut back, please don’t do it to me without asking me first. I’m not going to be upset this time, but turn the credit cards on, and I’ll forgive you.” He didn’t say anything to her. “Paddy? Did you hear what I said? I have to get home for you, and the only way that is going to happen is if you come to get me or I have the credit cards reinstated so I can pay the fine here. I don’t know why you’re making this so complicated.”

  “I’m not going to do anything for you, Mary. As of right now, I’m washing my hands of you.” She told him he was just upset. “I am at that. Very much so. You’ve lied and cheated me for the very last time. I’m finished with you. Don’t come here if you manage to get home. The locks will be changed, and the staff will know not to allow you in my home again.”

  Hanging up on her felt good. Of course, as usual, after sitting there thinking about what he’d said to her, Paddy felt terrible. Just as he was going to pick up the phone to make a call to the jail to get her out, Peter walked into the room.

  When his son had been born, Paddy could have taken on the world. He grew into a wonderful toddler, then a teenager. Peter had never been into any real trouble. Even though they’d given him a car, Paddy knew he’d not been in trouble with the law. Peter’s grades were always on top, and when he graduated from high school in a few weeks, he’d be valedictorian.

  “What’s up, son?” Peter grinned at him and sat down across from him. “I was thinking the two of us should go and get some dinner tonight. Your mother is out, and I don’t know when she’ll be back. What do you think?”

  “I think you have bad news for me, and you’re going to butter me up before you tell me. I’m an adult, Dad. How about if you learn to pull the Band-Aid off and just tell me what it is.” Paddy felt his eyes fill with unshed tears. “Dad, you’re starting to scare me. What’s happened? What has you so upset?”

  Paddy told him about everything, from the money his mother took to the way she’d fucked with Peter’s credit. He told him about how she told him she was in Ohio and shopping. Paddy even told his son about Piper and Fisher getting married. Also, the money Fisher had given him to settle the business accounts.

  “That wasn’t anything I expected. You’re not going to bail her out, are you, Dad? I mean, she’s my mom, sure. But if you left her there for a while, it wouldn’t bother me a bit.” Paddy told him he was going to file for divorce. “It’s about time. I wish you’d done it years ago. Mom makes you sad and tense. I’ve been coming home for the last few months worried I was going to find you in this room dead from a stress related heart attack.”

  “I feel like I’ve been running a marathon and never could get past the first hill. But this thing with Charlie. If Fisher hadn’t stepped in, we would have been screwed.” Peter told him he was sorry. “Don’t be, son. It’s not your fault. But I can’t do this with your mother anymore. I’ve tried over and over to get her help. She’ll be all right for a couple of weeks, then it’s like her mind explodes or something, and she needs to go and nearly lose the house over her habit. Or sickness. I’m not sure what to call it. But whatever it is, I just can’t afford to take it on any longer.”

  “I don’t blame you at all, Dad. You’re right. Mom is out of control.” He looked so sad that Paddy wanted to get u
p and hug him. Then he wondered if men hugged their sons anymore. “She’s messed up my college. I was looking forward to being able to go there and not have to work.”

  “Peter, having the scholarship was a wonderful thing, but I can still afford to pay for you going to any college you want. I’d never take that dream away from you.” He said his mom shouldn’t have been able to either. “You’re right about that. I’m going to see an attorney in the morning about your credit score too. We’ll get through this. I promise.”

  “Dad, do you think Piper really is getting married? I hope so. I hope she has a brood of kids too. She’s about the sweetest aunt a person could have. I can’t wait to meet her husband to be.” He told him how he’d like his brother. “Yes, well, I’m going to the wedding. No matter what kind it is. She’s been there for me when I needed a woman to talk to. Piper did a lot for this family, and I, for one, am not going to have her heart broken by my mom ever again.”

  “I agree.” Once Paddy said he’d be ready in twenty minutes to go out to dinner, Peter went up to his room to change. Paddy made three phone calls and deposited the check into the business account. Modern technology made it easy for him to just snap a photo and have it in the bank. Then he called his partner to let him know the money was in the account.

  Tomorrow was going to be a good day. Paddy wasn’t sure how that was going to happen, but he was determined to make it work for him. He realized while waiting for the secretary to get him an appointment that he didn’t feel the least bit upset about getting a divorce. In fact, he was happy for it. Thrilled, no less.

  ~*~

  Buck was keeping an eye on dinner for his Sara and also keeping an eye on the front door so that when his son came in, he’d be the first to meet his new daughter. To him, they were daughters and not in-laws. He had a feeling that Fisher and Piper might be the best thing since his wife’s homemade grape jelly.

  “Buck, what are you doing?” He smiled at his wife, and she tisked at him. “You’re supposed to be watching dinner for me, not snooping around to see when Fisher gets back. My goodness, you act as if you’ve never had a daughter-in-law before. Help me shuck this corn.”

  He did so but didn’t stop looking at the front door. Sara was telling him about the corn, how it was the last of the season, though he knew if they wanted corn year-round, the little faeries would make it happen.

  The front door made a sound, and he jumped up, dumping silky corn hair all over the floor.

  “Don’t you dare leave this mess on the floor, Buck Prince. She might be out there, and I’ll not have her thinking I’m a terrible housekeeper.” Doing just what she wanted him to do, Buck was wondering how much longer he was going to have to wait. “They’ll be here when they get here, you old buzzard. Just calm down before you scare her off.”

  He mumbled that he wanted to be the first to greet her. “You know, welcome her to the family. It’s not fair that everyone usually meets people before I do.” Sara asked him how old he was. “I don’t rightly know anymore. Why does my age matter right now?”

  “Because I’d swear you’re a five-year-old without a nap. Gotta meet her first. Well, I have news for you, dummy, she’s met the only man in the world that is going to mean everything to her. And we’re just going to have to deal with it.” Buck looked at his wife. When she turned her back to him, he went to her and turned her so he could see the tears on her face. “I’m not sure why I’m upset. But this is the first daughter-in-law that’s come to us that isn’t being hunted down like a dog by her family. They might not care for her, but she’s not going to be killed off by any of them.”

  “Why would that make you cry, Sara? Do you want her to be hurt?” She smacked him on the forehead. “Then I have no idea why you’re crying like you are. Perhaps if you explained it to me, you won’t have to hurt your pretty hand by smacking me around like a turnip.”

  “I have nothing in common with the others.” He didn’t understand and told her that. “They’re so wonderfully smart and have businesses to go to. I have this house and making dinner once in a while when they come over.”

  “Why don’t you have a job? I mean, you don’t have to work, but I don’t see any reason for you not to go and find yourself something to do if you want. I thought you was working on that there place that runs charity things.” She told him it wasn’t for all the time. “Why not? I mean, why don’t you work on it all the time? It sure would be bigger and bring in more stuff if you did it all the time instead of rushing things along in one month, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, but what would I do about the house?” He didn’t know what she meant, so he asked her why she’d want to be stuck in the house all day. “I don’t want to be. Not all the time. But this is where they can find me if they want me.”

  “Oh honey, I think you’re all mixed up about something. You need to push your way into what they’re doing. I’m thinking they have it in their heads that you’re a homebody, and they don’t want to take that away from you. You know, get you out of the house because you’re here.” He knew that it had sounded messed up, but Sara smiled at him, and he felt he’d done something right. “The next time you want to have lunch or go shopping, just call one of them up and tell them they’re going with you. Or all of them. I’m sure if you start it, they’ll understand you want to be out and about like they are.”

  “Do you think so?” He told her he was sure of it. “Then I’m going to do it. I’m also going to try and be a lot more assertive when I’m around them.”

  Buck wasn’t sure that was anything he wanted to witness. He thought his little wife was about as assertive as he wanted her to be. But if it made her happy, he’d be happy too. A smile from Sara could make him feel as happy as a toad on the pond.

  When the door opened behind him, Buck stayed working on the mess he’d made. Sara dried her hands and made her way into the hall to see who it might be. He knew it was his son, Fisher, but didn’t want to take this from Sara. She needed to be there first a great deal more than he did. He turned around after tossing the hair away to look at the woman standing next to his son.

  “My goodness gracious. You’re more beautiful than Fisher told us.” She flushed a pretty shade of red, which only made her more beautiful to him. “I’m Buck Prince. This here is my wife, Sara. Welcome to the family, Piper.”

  Sara hugged her first, then Buck did. He noticed that Fisher was standing back like he was waiting for someone to notice him. Hugging his son, Fisher hugged him back like he’d been gone for months instead of a couple of days. Standing back and looking at his son, he could see that he was about as in love with his pretty mate as Buck was with his own. Fisher in love was something that Buck had never thought to happen.

  “You all right, son?” Fisher hugged him again. “I’m taking that as a yes. You didn’t have any trouble getting back, did you? I mean, I know someone is looking for Piper.”

  “No, no trouble at all. I’m sort of trying to get her family to back off of Piper so she can have a good life. I don’t know how much you know, but her sister is in jail, and the police are looking for her brother right now. He’s going in for a Ponzi scam, I guess.” Buck told him that Bryant and Harper had told them. “Yes, well, I helped out her brother-in-law and he’s taken things a little further along in filing for divorce. Also, his wife, Mary, is going to have to explain how she got the money she stole.”

  “Well, you know we’re all here for the two of you. You only have to ask, and we’ll band together like we usually do.” Fisher told him he knew that too. “Good. The rest of them aren’t going to come over until six. I told them that would give the two of you time to get settled in after driving all that way. You been by your house yet?”

  “We drove by it on the way here. I dropped off her camper so that Peter and Snowflake can get started on it for an office for her. She’s a computer programmer.” Buck knew what it meant to be that, but n
ot what it really entailed. Computers had been around a long time, but he’d never taken to them. “I also wanted to get with you and Mom about a couple of things I’ve noticed while down in the Smoky area. Investments that might help out some of the poorer neighborhoods down there. Also, for the park.”

  “I’d be glad to help out with whatever you’re thinking about.” Fisher said they’d talk after dinner. “All right then. Come on now, son, let’s get ourselves a little bit to drink. Your momma, she’s been cooking most of the day away, waiting on the two of you.”

  Buck listened to Piper telling Sara about her job and the things she’d been working on with it. He laughed when she told them about the man who’d not paid his bill and what she’d done to him. Also about how she loved having a faerie around to keep her on point.

  “I’ve so much going through my head right now that I’m having a hard time focusing on one single task. I do need to get back to work soon. With my mom passing away recently, it’s been hard on me to try and get my ducks in a row, so to speak.” Buck told her she had plenty of time to get back to work, and she smiled at him. “Fisher said you and your wife were the nicest people he knew. He also said you’d welcome me with open arms. I’m so very glad I’ve come here. Fisher and I, we’re getting to know each other, but I’ve had such a wonderful time with him so far.”

  “Good for you. Fisher is one of the best. All my sons are.” She said she’d not met the others yet. “You will. They’ll be here for dinner soon. We’re loud and argue a great deal, but we love with all that we are. You’re going to see that tonight. And know that you’re as safe here as you’ve ever been in your life. They’ll do good by you.”

  “Fisher is helping out my in-laws. I didn’t ask him to do that. I want you to know he did that all on his own.” Buck stared at her a moment, then smiled. “You don’t believe me. Do you?”