My Estranged Lover (Middlemarch Shifters Book 5)

by Shelley Munro

  Marsh reined in his temper, reached for calm. “My marriage is none of your business, Dad. I need you and Mum to butt out.”

  “I knew this would turn into a bloody mess. No good comes of a human-feline pairing.”

  “Why were you ringing me?”

  “Jason has handed in his notice. I need you to drive to the top ridge and round up the cattle. Don’t like the look of the weather. I’d prefer it if they were in the winter pastures. If you leave now, you should be finished by the day after tomorrow.”

  Marsh stared at his father in disbelief. “I thought you expected me to keep my sons.”

  Charles flapped his right hand in impatience. “I’ll take care of that for you. Dawn and I will come and collect your boys and keep them with us.”

  Marsh felt his mouth drop open. He snapped it shut hard enough for his teeth to clack. “What about Caroline?”

  “What’s she gonna do?” Charles snorted. “Call the cops?”

  “Caroline, the boys and I are going out for dinner tonight.”

  “You need to get moving on the stock roundup.”

  “No.”

  Charles’s brows shot upward. “I’m not too old to take you down, boy. Angus would never—”

  “I’m not my brother. Angus is dead, Dad. I’m taking the rest of the day off. If you want the cattle rounded up, I suggest you start. I’ll drive up tomorrow.” Before his father could speak, Marsh walked away, hands bunched to fists at his sides.

  His father’s curse and fury rumbled after him. “I can sack you.”

  Marsh ignored the threat and strode to the front door of the farmhouse. He ripped open the door and marched inside, shutting his father out with a firm click.

  A hollow victory, but one long coming. About time his parents accepted Angus’s death was a tragic accident. He’d survived the crash, but that didn’t make him the villain.

  Chapter Three

  “We haven’t been to a party before,” James said.

  Marsh exchanged a glance with Caroline, and she looked away first. No, they didn’t go out often, and normally, she’d look upon this as a treat. Not this time. Not with apprehension and uncertainty filling her belly. Not with her mind full of things to do once she and the boys reached Dunedin.

  “Ricky and I had fun helping to make the bread for the party,” Marsh said as they turned onto the road where the Mitchells lived. “I can’t wait to eat my share.”

  “We played soccer with the other boys,” James said. “Can we do that again, Daddy?”

  Surprise had her looking at Marsh again. He turned into a driveway and pulled up outside a sprawling stone house, surrounded by gardens full of colorful flowers. Warm and welcoming, some of the tension in her gut released.

  “We’ll play again,” Marsh promised, his gaze on her.

  God, she wanted to believe Marsh would change, that their life could change. Deep down, though, doubts whooped and hollered, warning explosions going off like fireworks at a Guy Fawkes extravaganza.

  They weren’t living.

  They were existing from day to day, and none of them were doing well with the humdrum subsistence.

  The front door of the house sprang open, and Emily and Saber stood there with welcoming smiles on their faces.

  “You made it,” Emily said, as if she thought they might have changed their minds.

  Marsh unbuckled the kids from their car seats while she retrieved the bread.

  Saber shook Marsh’s hand. “I’m glad you came. Leo said he hasn’t seen you for months.”

  “No, the farm work keeps me busy.”

  “The bread smells good,” Emily said. “Come inside. I left Felix and Leo in charge of the grill. They’re still in training, so I daren’t leave them alone for long.”

  Saber chuckled, and Caroline found herself smiling too. It was obvious this couple, this family, was close. It made her wish things were different.

  Emily ushered them through the house—a mixture of old and new. A home. Emily carted the bread into the kitchen and rejoined them, guiding them to the dining room. Caroline caught a whiff of lemon furniture polish, the mouth-watering combo of garlic and butter, and when they walked through the double doors of the dining room and outside again, the aroma of grilling meat teased her.

  “Smells good,” Marsh said and greeted the Mitchell brothers.

  “Caroline,” Leo said, offering his hand. “I’m glad Emily talked you into coming tonight.”

  Leo Mitchell had the face of a beautiful angel. Although he resembled his older brothers, his face was symmetrical and his broad welcoming smile took his visage to gorgeous. Bemused, she shook his hand before greeting Felix who she knew better. His features were rougher, more aggressively masculine.

  “Saber, I’m putting you in charge while I organize the rest of our dinner. Don’t let your brothers burn the steaks,” Emily ordered.

  “Can I help?” Caroline asked.

  The children were playing together in a frantic game of chase, their childish shrieks bringing a smile to her lips.

  “Not much to do, except arrange the food on the table,” Emily said. “You’re welcome to help carry bowls. Where did you buy your dress? I haven’t seen anything like it in the stores. The color is gorgeous on you.”

  Caroline followed Emily back into the house. “Thanks. I made it last year.”

  “Wow. I’ve always wanted to learn to sew. Knitting is my limit, when time permits.”

  “I enjoy knitting too,” Caroline said. “I make the boys clothes.”

  “Tomasine. Isabella. Do you both know Caroline?” Emily asked when they reached the kitchen.

  “We run into each other while doing the school run,” Isabella said and smiled. “Nice dress. I need new clothes. Where did you buy it? In Dunedin?”

  “She made it herself,” Emily answered before Caroline could utter a word.

  Tomasine walked around Caroline and said, “I want one. Would you make me a dress? I’ll pay you. Could we do a girl’s trip to Dunedin to buy fabric and patterns?”

  “I don’t need a pattern,” Caroline said. “If you tell me what you want, I can draft a pattern.”

  “I can’t sew to save myself.” Tomasine’s eyes rounded. “Let’s talk later.”

  Emily pointed to the food sitting on the counter. “These bowls need to go outside plus the cutlery and the plates.”

  Caroline picked up a bowl of lettuce salad and one of potato salad and followed Emily.

  “Meat is ready,” Saber called.

  Emily set a macaroni salad and sliced tomatoes and cucumber on a sturdy wooden picnic table. “The platter is in the kitchen.”

  “I’ll get it,” Felix said.

  Isabella came out with the focaccia bread and a stack of knives and forks. Tomasine followed with plates. Felix trotted out with the platter, transferred the meat from the grill and placed it with the rest of the food.

  “Dinner is ready,” Emily called.

  Caroline organized meals for the boys and turned to grab something for herself. Marsh handed her a plate, and it was the food she would’ve chosen if she’d done it herself. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He patted the seat beside him. “I’ve saved you a spot.”

  Caroline hesitated and found herself the center of attention. A swift kick of heat surged to her cheeks as she slid onto the long bench seat beside Marsh.

  “Caroline offered to design and sew dresses for us,” Tomasine told her husband. “She made her dress. It’s an original.”

  Isabella laughed. “We bullied her into offering.”

  “Have you told Caroline about the new weekend market?” Saber asked.

  “No! My first thoughts were purely selfish,” Emily said with a chuckle.

  “Same with me and Tom,” Isabella agreed. “It’s hard to buy nice clothes when we’re stuck in Middlemarch.” She winged a wink toward her husband, offered him a cheeky grin.

  Caroline’s cheeks heated as the entire Mitchell
family turned to her. She’d resemble a story-book clown since a blush clashed with her hair and glowed against her fair skin.

  “Caroline makes the boys’ clothes, and she made my shirt,” Marsh said.

  Caroline stilled, her chest squeezing so tight she had to gasp for her next breath of air. He sounded proud of her, almost as pleased as if they’d complimented him. She hadn’t even realized he’d known she made the boys’ clothes. His mother always turned up her nose…she’d given the trousers Marsh wore to him for his birthday.

  Emily picked up a piece of focaccia and took a bite. She swallowed. “The bread is delicious, so you can cook as well. Good to know for when I need help in the café. I’m teaching Tomasine and Isabella how to cook everything on our menu, but neither of them enjoy baking as much as I do.”

  “I don’t get much spare time,” Caroline said with real regret. She’d love to earn extra money but between her obligations to the after-school group and her duties on the farm—feeding the chickens and cooking for the shearers and doing the other odd-jobs Dawn foisted on her, fitting in another job might be difficult.

  Marsh shot her a surprised look, and Caroline squirmed. “Your mother wants me to help her with the cooking when the shearing gang arrives.”

  “But she—” He broke off, the line between his brows becoming more prominent. “I see.”

  After an uncomfortable silence, Emily nudged the conversation into a discussion of the upcoming zombie run.

  “We’re leaving it late in the season,” Felix said. “I hope it doesn’t snow.”

  “If it does, we might need to change the obstacles,” Leo said.

  “I think it will be okay since there will be spotters on the course. It’s only five kilometers and the competitors can use the new shower block and changing rooms at the sports ground,” Saber said. “Emily is organizing a hot punch for competitors.”

  “Sam and Lisa said they were coming. They asked me to be on their team,” Emily said.

  “You?” Felix asked.

  Caroline caught the humorous glint in Saber’s eyes as he studied his wife.

  “Yes me.” Emily lifted her nose. “I thought it might be fun, and Sam and Lisa have confidence in me. They’re bringing Henry and Gerard. It sounds as if they’ve decided to start their security business in Middlemarch. I liked them both.”

  “Sam, your cousin?” Marsh asked.

  “Yeah. He mat—married Lisa Jordan. They live not far from Christchurch. Sam breeds and trains horses and he has cattle. A few sheep from memory,” Saber said.

  “I heard they had another earthquake yesterday,” Caroline said. “I think they said it was a 5.7. Are they okay?”

  Emily nodded. “I spoke with Lisa. She said they escaped damage although they felt the quake. Anyway, the race will be a challenge. Maybe Isabella or Tomasine can man the hot drinks.”

  “Sorry,” Isabella said. “Tom and I are running. We’re looking for two more women to round out our team.”

  “Could Caroline and I do the drinks?” Marsh glanced at her. “We could do that, couldn’t we?”

  “No,” she said. “Remember, I’ll be in Dunedin.” Her cheeks heated again when everyone stared at her. No, it was her imagination. Not all the Mitchells were looking at her. Just Saber and Emily.

  “Never mind,” Emily said. “I’m sure I can find someone to replace me.”

  “I thought you’d enjoy dressing as a zombie,” Saber said. “But if you want to race, that’s fine. I’ll enjoy looking at your legs more than zombie makeup.”

  The couple grinned at each other, and Caroline saw their open love and affection for each other. Their happiness made her sad, made her envious, made her want to cry. Marsh had used to look at her like that. She glanced at her husband and her breath caught. That wasn’t indifference she saw in his eyes.

  Seeing the yearning in Caroline was a punch to the chest. A strike that laid open every mistake he’d made in their relationship. In that instant, he knew his parents were wrong. He should’ve gone with his gut instincts and honesty. Now it was too late.

  “I started to tell you about the craft fair that’s starting,” Emily said and set her cutlery across her empty plate.

  “Has everyone eaten enough?” Saber asked. At their nods, he stood and cleared the dirty plates. “Why don’t we let the ladies relax and we’ll take care of the cleanup.”

  Marsh had no problem with that. He helped around the home as much as he could, although working long hours meant he missed most meals with Caroline and the boys. He stood and collected several empty plates before following Leo inside the house.

  “I wanted to talk to you,” Saber said. “Felix and Leo will do the dishes while we speak in my office.”

  Marsh froze and forced a smile. “Why do I feel as if I’ve been called to the principal’s office?”

  “Believe me, if the elders hadn’t forced me into this conversation…” A heavy sigh gusted from him, and he gestured for Marsh to follow. “We don’t have long to speak before the women wonder where we are.”

  Saber strode down a passage and opened the first door. He gestured Marsh inside and closed it behind them with a firm click. “Grab a seat.”

  Marsh dropped onto the wooden chair set in front of the large desk. “Sounds serious.” He glanced at the bookcases and the display of livestock awards before turning his attention back to Saber. “What’s wrong?”

  Saber scowled. “I didn’t want to become involved, but the elders insisted. It has come to the Feline council’s attention that Caroline intends to leave you and take your children to the city.”

  “The local grapevine works fast. My mother, I presume.” Marsh stared at Saber without blinking, his pulse rate kicking into choppy at issuing the silent challenge. “Most people think a man’s marriage is no one else’s business except his own.”

  “I agree,” Saber said. “But I want to offer my help, regardless. I can see you love her. I heard Caroline knows nothing of the feline community. Is that right?”

  Tension banded Marsh’s chest, tightening his muscles until his feline longed for movement. Before the thought fully formed, he sprang to his feet and started to pace. “Yes. It’s true.”

  “Why? Women hate secrets. I know that from experience.”

  “Don’t you think I know that? I’ve known that for years, but now I’ve lied to my wife I’m stuck. We’ve been married for six years. The longer I kept things from Caroline, the harder it was to tell her the truth. That I’m a feline shifter and ours sons have inherited to ability to shift.”

  “You can’t let Caroline take them to the city. My niece shifted, and she has just turned six. What happens if they shift in the city?”

  “I can’t take the boys from Caroline. She’s their mother.”

  “Why didn’t you tell her?”

  “My parents weren’t in favor of the marriage. Caroline got pregnant. I loved her and wanted to get married. My parents wanted a feline daughter-in-law. They tried to get me to change my mind, said the marriage would fail, and I’d be placing the Middlemarch felines in danger if I told Caroline the truth. They went on and on and I gave in for the sake of peace. A mistake. I shouldn’t have taken their advice.” Marsh huffed out a breath that ended in a cynical laugh. “It was a miscalculation returning to Middlemarch. Dad expects me to work long hours and refuses to pay me—” Marsh dragged his right hand through his hair and resumed pacing.

  “Your brother Angus.”

  Marsh froze and swung to face Saber. “What about Angus?”

  “Rumor says your parents were distraught when he died, that they expected him to take over the farm.”

  “Yes.”

  “They blame you for the accident?”

  “Yes.” The reply emerged through his clenched teeth.

  “What about getting a job elsewhere?” Saber asked.

  “I tried to get a job on another property. Dad refused to give me a reference. In fact, he rang the owners of the cattle station an
d told them I was inexperienced and untrustworthy, that he had to supervise me since I couldn’t think for myself.”

  Shock showed in Saber’s face before he wiped his expression clean. “All right. Answer me this. Do you want to save your marriage?”

  “Yes. I love Caroline. There is no else for me. I wanted her from the first moment I saw her, and my mind hasn’t changed.”

  “She isn’t marked. She doesn’t smell feline, not like Emily.”

  “When I promised my parents I’d keep the truth from Caroline, it meant I couldn’t mark her.”

  “Caroline isn’t your true mate.”

  Anguish filled Marsh, torment at the mistakes he’d made with his marriage and their lives. “Caroline is my mate.”

  “Saul’s uncle is hiring,” Saber said, changing the subject. “You remember Saul Sinclair?”

  “Yes, although I haven’t seen him for ages.”

  “Cam Sinclair has a farm in the Mackenzie region. Felix worked there for a few months and now that he’s returned to Middlemarch, Cam is looking for a replacement. He wants someone experienced who is willing to learn new things and work with others. His preference is for a married couple since his wife needs help with cooking. Wages are decent, competitive with other stations, and he offers a five-day week and accommodation. The station is remote, so they run a correspondence school for the kids. I think Felix said there were ten children and one of the other wives is a teacher. She runs the schooling side. Are you interested? You have a partial degree and you’re a hard worker. I could put a word in for you with Cam.”

  Marsh sank back onto the chair and stared at Saber, almost too afraid to take his words at face value.

  “Do you think Caroline would consider giving your marriage a second chance if you made a new start?”

  “A wage and a five-day workweek?”

  “I presume you’d need to work longer hours during lambing and other busy times of the year, but, according to Felix, Cam thinks the men work better with regular time off.”

  “How long do I have to make my decision?”

  “Not long. If Cam doesn’t hear from me by Friday, he intends to place an ad in the national farming magazine.”