My Romantic Tangle

by Shelley Munro

  “Saber, lad,” Sid said.

  Saber jerked. His green eyes blinked, and it was obviously he hadn’t heard a thing discussed.

  The oldies exchanged telling glances, but didn’t say a thing.

  “We were wondering if we should book the same band for the dance as last time,” London said in a crisp voice. While she sympathized, this had to stop. Both Saber and Emily were mere shadows of themselves.

  “Yes,” Saber said. “They were excellent. We’ll need to book them soon because they’re very popular.”

  “Right,” Agnes said and jotted in her notebook. “I’ll take care of booking them. We’ve decided on the Saturday night?”

  “Yes, I think so,” Sid said.

  “Well, unless anyone else has anything to add, I think we’re done.” Agnes picked up her handbag and stashed her notebook.

  London hesitated, nervous anxiety suddenly leaping about in her gut. She’d been thinking about this for a while, had discussed the matter with Gerard, her mate, and his friend Henry. She’d even spoken with Pop, Henry’s father, and his mate, Megan. They’d agreed her concerns were real and viable, and she should bring them up with the council. Having their approval and actually doing it were miles and miles apart. Then, she glanced at Saber. The man she admired was drifting in his head again.

  Right, she thought. Big girl panties.

  “Before we end the meeting, I have something I’d like to discuss. Two things, actually.”

  Sid gave her a gentle smile, encouragement in his nod. “Go ahead, lass. The floor is yours.”

  She took a deep breath. “I think we need a bank in Middlemarch. We have several businesses that have large amounts of cash—the pub and the Patel store. We collect a lot of cash at our council events. We need to approach our local MP, maybe write to some of the banks and ask them if they would consider setting up a branch here in Middlemarch. If both of those fail, I suggest that we investigate setting up our own cooperative bank.” London stopped speaking to take a breath. They were all staring at her, but she wasn’t sure what they were thinking.

  “Saber,” Valerie said in a sharp voice. She applied her elbow to his ribs, and he let out an oomph of pain. “Wake up and pay attention. London has raised a valid point. Catch him up, Ben,” she added in an exasperated tone.

  “You just want to make sure I listened,” Ben said.

  Agnes gave a toothy grin and her brows rose. “Well, did you?”

  Ben scowled but repeated the info to Saber.

  “What are the benefits to us, apart from saving people from driving to the nearest bank in Dunedin?” Saber asked, looking more like his normal self.

  “It will bring people to Middlemarch. The other nearby towns who don’t have banks will come here to use ours. They’ll spend money here at the café, the grocery store, the markets or buy petrol. They might attend one of Isabella’s keep-fit classes or come to one of our functions because we have a bank. It would provide employment for someone. Our local businesses wouldn’t need to secure as much cash. They could bank every day and reduce the chances of a robbery. Those are the main benefits. I can’t think of any disadvantages. If we have to setup our own coop bank, the red tape might be a problem, but I’m sure we could work through that.”

  Saber nodded. “What do the rest of you think?”

  “It is an excellent idea,” Valerie said. “Would we offer loans?”

  “My thought would be to offer basic banking services at first, get the bank running and maybe offer small loans once we’ve been running for a few years. Of course, if we can persuade one of the trading banks to open a branch here, we wouldn’t need to worry about that side. They’d offer the services of a regular bank.” London glanced down at her tablet, not that she needed to, but because she still felt like the new kid and didn’t like to overstep.

  Agnes patted London’s hand. “I knew you’d be an asset to our community. That is an excellent idea.”

  “I agree,” Saber said.

  Ben and Sid both nodded approval.

  “How do we get started?” Sid asked.

  “I can draft a letter to our local member of parliament and to the main trading banks. I think there are five we could approach. Anyway, I’ll draft letters ready for our next meeting and once you approve we can put the plan in action. I don’t think there is any point researching a co-operative bank until we receive responses from the existing banks,” London said.

  “Does that work for everyone?” Saber glanced at each of them.

  London saw everyone nodded, and she relaxed a little.

  “Was there anything else?” Saber asked.

  London’s nerves ratcheted up again. “Um, yes.” She gulped as she found herself under the spotlight again. You wanted to jerk Saber from his thoughts. Go on, her inner self prompted.

  “Go on, lass,” Sid said. “We won’t bite.”

  “But you could,” London blurted.

  There was a moment of silence before the oldies chuckled. London peeked at Saber. Yep, even he appeared amused.

  “Go ahead, London,” Saber said. “We asked you to join the council because we value your opinion. The bank idea is excellent, and we will listen to everything you suggest.”

  London straightened, took a quick breath and started. “There is an element of the community who don’t approve of human-feline mating and many of the things that are happening in Middlemarch. They have become quite vocal. Marsh’s father spat at me last week, and Tomasine said Sylvie punched one of the feline boys at school. She got detention, but she was sticking up for Emily.”

  “Felix didn’t say anything to me,” Saber said.

  “Tomasine told me as a Feline council member,” London said. “Someone keyed my car, and I found a nasty note tucked under my windshield wiper. I talked to Laura and Charlie. They have experienced some of the same heckling and rudeness I have. They told me they tossed a group of felines in jail on Saturday night.”

  “I heard they were drunk and caused a brawl at the pub.” Agnes scowled at Saber. “I also heard gossip about another fight at the pub.”

  Saber tensed. “My brothers have been dealt with.”

  “What else did you hear?” Sid asked hastily.

  London bit back her amusement at the change of subject. “The brawl started because of the human-feline thing. I asked around.”

  “Crap,” Ben said.

  Sid scratched his thin gray hair. “I hadn’t heard any of this.”

  “Because those creating the disturbance don’t want to attract council attention,” London replied. “They’re counting on us not fighting back. By us, I mean humans.”

  Agnes patted London’s hand again. “You’re a good girl. What do we do, Saber? We’ve already warned everyone at the Feline community meetings.”

  “You need to make sure the human partners attend the meetings along with the wolf, tiger and lion contingents,” London said before Saber could reply. “You need to start taking a hard line and spell out the consequences. A little teasing is fine. I can deal with that, but pushing and shoving and threats are not acceptable. This is spilling over to the children and that’s not right.”

  “I agree,” Saber said. “But I’m mated to a human. Sid, I think you need to take the lead with this. The rest of you have feline mates. You need to lay out the rules and make the community believe the council will carry out the punishment.”

  “Which is?” London asked.

  “In the past, we’ve banished any wrongdoers,” Agnes said. “I agree with London. We shouldn’t put up with this type of behavior.”

  “We should issue one official warning to any offenders,” Ben suggested. “Give them one chance and send them packing if they repeat the offence.”

  Valerie tapped her fingers on the tabletop. “That works for me.”

  “Aye,” Sid said. “I hate to banish individuals or families, but we can’t have this type of misbehavior. From what London said, it sounds as if things are escalating.”
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br />   “We have a Feline meeting scheduled for next week,” Saber said. “We can issue a warning then and spell out the consequences. I’ll personally invite the human mates plus our other felines and wolves.”

  “Agreed,” Agnes said.

  They all glanced at London.

  “Was there anything else?” Saber asked, more alert now.

  “Um…one more,” London said.

  Ben chuckled. “Spit it out, lass.”

  “I think we should draw up a plan to deal with humans sighting a feline or wolf when they shouldn’t. From what I hear, there have been two close calls in recent times. The feline community has managed damage control so far, but given modern methods of communication, there will come a time when the community can’t conceal the truth. We need to plan for that so we can limit the damage.”

  “Ah, lass. You’re intending to make us work hard,” Sid said. There was a distinct twinkle in his green eyes.

  Ben took a sip of his tea and pulled a face. “Cold tea. Hate cold tea.” He set his cup in the saucer. “Girl has a point.”

  “I discussed this with Jacey Anderson not long ago,” Saber said. “All we need is a video to go viral and we’re in big trouble.”

  “We had a discussion the other night with Jacey and Megan,” London said. “Megan suggested that we run a type of simulation, a bit like a civil defense dry run. It was also proposed that several families adopt big dogs that might look like a cat or a wolf at a brief glance. Henry has a way with dogs. He could train them easily enough.”

  “And if that doesn’t work?” Valerie asked.

  “We have a plan to deal with the damage,” Saber said. “Depending on the circumstances, we deny or we come out and tell the world we’re shifters. If we went with that option it would be best for other groups across the world to come out to the public too.”

  “It would also pay to have several shifters in high positions. Judges, members of parliament, business people, police and the like,” London said. “We would need to be able to show the general public we are just like them and capable of being productive citizens.”

  Saber grinned. “Lucky for us, our prime minister is a vampire.”

  London spluttered. “But…but I’ve seen him out at events during the day.”

  “Really?” Valerie asked. “I didn’t know that. No wonder he’s so pale.”

  “But he goes out in the sunshine. I’ve seen photos of him in Hawaii, playing golf with the American president.” London gaped at Saber. “You’re pulling our legs.”

  “Nope.” Saber leaned back in his chair. “Some of them have a talisman that allows them to walk during the day. As long as they wear their charm, which contains stones from a sacred rock, they can go out in the sunlight.”

  “He eats food. Drinks wine.”

  “You can’t believe everything you see or hear,” Saber said.

  London exhaled. “Obviously not.”

  “All in favor of London’s suggestion for a damage control plan?” Saber prompted.

  “Yes,” Valerie said.

  Agnes nodded.

  “I agree,” Ben said.

  Aye,” Sid declared.

  “We’ll move ahead then.” Saber glanced at his watch. “Anything else?”

  “No,” London said. “I’d better go soon. I have an online party to organize.”

  “We’d better meet next week,” Sid said. “Organize exactly what we’re going to say at the shifter meeting.”

  London stood. “Let me know what time.”

  “We’ll walk you out,” Sid said.

  Chairs scraped the floor as everyone moved. Plates and crockery clattered, and there was a general exodus.

  London climbed into her car. Sid rapped on her window and she opened it. The oldies gathered around, all beaming at her.

  “Good job, lass,” Sid said.

  Valerie reached through the window and squeezed her shoulder. “Well done.”

  “What did I do?”

  Agnes made a scoffing sound. “Don’t play innocent, miss.”

  Ben’s eyes glittered with approval. “You jerked Saber out of his funk. You made him aware of a danger to Emily. You’ve given him enough to keep his mind busy, given him a purpose. The boy has been drifting as much as Emily.”

  Sid sighed. “Yes, now all we have to do is work on Emily.”

  “Um, I might have demanded her presence at the café,” London confessed.

  “Perfect.” Valerie inclined her head in approval.

  “You’re a good lass,” Sid said. “Those felines who say otherwise need their heads seeing to.”

  Five minutes later, London drove toward town, a sense of satisfaction filling her. That hadn’t been so bad. Jenny would have been proud of her. Since meeting Gerard she’d grown as a person. The council members valued her. Gerard loved her, and she had lots of friends who sought her company.

  It was a good day, and she couldn’t wait to report back to Gerard.

  Would you like to read more books set in the Middlemarch Shifters world? Sign up for my newsletter to learn about the upcoming additions to this series.

  Also, I want to ask a favor. Word-of-mouth is crucial for an author to succeed. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review. Even if it’s only a few lines, it would be a big help.

  Have you read my dragon series? Well, it’s meant to be a series, but it has one book out at present. I’m hard at work on the next book, I promise! Anyhow, please turn the page for a glimpse of Blue Moon Dragon, the first story in my Dragon Investigators series.

  Enjoy!

  Shelley

  Excerpt – Blue Moon Dragon

  Dragon Investigators, book 1

  Copyright 2015 Shelley Munro

  “Good morning, George Taniwha Investigators and Security.” Emma forced a bright smile and hoped her despondency didn’t crawl down the telephone line. Twenty-five years old today.

  Twenty-five!

  And she still hadn’t plucked up the courage to approach Jack Sullivan and ask him out on a date—despite this being the age of equal opportunity. The male in question sauntered past her desk and strode into George Taniwha’s office without giving her a second glance.

  A man to die for…

  Emma sighed and stared at the bronze nameplate on the door in frustration. So, she wasn’t the most beautiful woman in New Zealand. She was built with the word generous in mind. A large ass and a chest made to house her big heart. Or at least that was what her high school boyfriend had informed her. He’d also told her she had a nice smile and that he enjoyed being with her because she never stressed about her size. Yep, she was a normal, healthy woman—kind to animals and small children. Most people liked her, yet the wretched man ignored her existence.

  “Are you there, young lady?”

  The querulous voice jerked Emma from her grievances re the lack of sex life back to her phone call. “I’m sorry. I had to sign for a courier parcel,” she fibbed. “How can I help you?”

  “My name is Elisa Denning. I need the services of a private investigator. Someone is stealing my prize rose blooms. Right before the flower show too. It’s disgraceful. That’s what it is.”

  “Let me take some details, then I’ll arrange for an investigator to come and see you. Address? Telephone number?” Emma jotted down the woman’s particulars, an imp inside her laughing as she imagined George assigning this case. None of the men would appreciate chasing a rose thief. George Taniwha’s operatives preferred the dangerous stuff that challenged them and proved they were men.

  Her humor died, replaced by a frown that drew her brows together. That was another thing she wanted to change. She’d passed all her private investigator exams. George had promised she’d be able to take on cases soon. Perhaps this one. Never let anyone say Emma Montrose didn’t have ambition.

  “When can I expect someone?” the elderly lady questioned. “I’m sure it’s Mrs. Gibb’s grandson, but the police won’t do anything.”

&nbs
p; “An investigator will contact you tomorrow morning, Mrs. Denning.”

  “Excellent. Tomorrow is my baking day. I’ll make them a cup of tea once they arrive.”

  Emma couldn’t restrain a grin as a vision of one of George’s tough he-man investigators drinking tea from a bone china cup popped into her mind. “I’m sure they’ll enjoy refreshments. Thanks, Mrs. Denning.” She disconnected and transcribed two proposals for prospective clients while she waited for Jack to leave George’s office. She was smitten enough to want to gaze her fill as he departed since he had a truly fine butt.

  The hands of the clock moved at the pace of a sick snail, and still Jack remained in George’s inner sanctum. Reluctantly, Emma stood and packed up for the day. She grabbed her bag and couldn’t prevent a glance at the closed door, searching for the tall, dark-haired man of her dreams.

  Oh, yeah. No doubt about it. She was a sad, sad woman.

  * * * * *

  “I have a case for you,” George said.

  Something in his boss’s tone, the watchful air in his sharp brown gaze made Jack cautious. “Yeah?”

  “Sports-enhancing drugs. Rumor says there’s a ring operating out of the Mahoney Resort on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. I want you check it out.”

  “And?” Jack’s gut told him there was more to the story. The twitch of George’s lips confirmed his suspicions.

  “I’ve assigned you a partner.”

  Jack straightened from his casual sprawl against the wall, his eyes narrowing on his middle-age boss. “I work alone. I don’t work with a partner.” His last one had died. Horribly. And he lived with that guilt. He wasn’t damn well repeating the hellish experience.

  “You can’t do this job alone.”

  “Why not?” Jack demanded. “I’ve managed every other assignment on my own.”

  George leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers and looking over the top in a thoughtful manner. While he appeared relaxed, Jack knew George would give him a tough battle should they ever decide to go the physical route during a disagreement. “This one might be a little difficult. Reuben J. Mahoney is a slippery character.” The chair squeaked a protest each time the big man shifted his weight.