My Cat Burglar

by Shelley Munro

  “That works both ways.” Laura smoothed back his hair and her smile widened. “I didn’t make you scream.”

  “It was a close-run thing,” he said, his tone wry. “I’ve never come so hard in my life.”

  “Maybe next time.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “I’ll look upon it as a challenge,” Laura said.

  “You’ll marry me?”

  “Are you asking?”

  Jonno cupped her face, staring deep into her eyes. “There’s no one else I want to be with. We belong together.”

  Laura nodded, liking how that sounded. A life with Jonno and children… “Can we have children?”

  “How about a year or two together first?”

  A grin burst to life in Laura. “Sounds good. It’s gonna be fun doing all that practice.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  “That’s a yes then. Marriage and kids.” A life together. A future. Warmth and belonging filled Laura, and that was when she knew she’d come home.

  Chapter Bonus

  Storm in a Teacup, Middlemarch, New Zealand

  “Ah, there you are, Saber.” Agnes Paisley, one of his fellow Feline council members hailed him from across the café. Her cohort, Valerie McClintock, sat with her, enjoying a late lunch.

  Saber shot a quick glance at Emily, his mate, and knew, just knew she’d set this meeting into motion. Yeah, he’d glimpsed the wicked smile, quickly wiped clean, as she’d heard Agnes summon him. He quirked a brow at Emily and a laugh bubbled out of her.

  Right. That did it. The instant they had some alone time he’d spank her bottom and enjoy doing it. Then, he’d make love to his sexy mate. He’d enjoy that too. But even more, he couldn’t wait to present Emily with the travel itinerary he’d worked out for their upcoming holiday. The surprise one that he and Emily had discussed but not booked until now.

  Cheered by that thought and the romantic encounter in his future, he winked at Emily. He briefly savored the narrowing of her eyes, before he sauntered over to Agnes and Valerie.

  Valerie peered at him over the top of her glasses before she shoved them back into place. “You’ve been working with cattle. I can smell them on you.”

  “I am a farmer.” Saber glanced at Agnes, then shifted his attention back to Valerie, barely resisting the urge to shuffle his feet. Valerie was a retired schoolteacher, and she’d taught him for two years at primary school. His knuckles throbbed in remembrance of a ruler slap. In hindsight, he’d deserved the chastisement, but Janie Marshall’s long plait had been right in front of him. Hard not to play a prank with that sort of temptation.

  “Emily said you wanted to ask us something. Spit it out, lad,” Agnes said in her querulous voice.

  “Saber, I thought you might like a coffee and a sandwich,” Emily said from behind him. With a bright smile and dancing mischief in her eyes, she set them on the table.

  Saber glared at her, and Emily clapped a hand over her mouth, but not in time to halt her gurgle of laughter. He risked a glance at Agnes and Valerie. All the women were laughing at his expense.

  He jerked out one of the spare chairs and dropped onto it. “Thanks, Emily.”

  Her laughter dispersed and she came closer. His hand darted out and he tugged her onto his knee, kissing her to hold back her surprised screech. As always, contact with his mate soothed him. He softened the kiss, briefly enjoying the softness of her before pulling back.

  Someone whistled and others, led by Jonno and Charlie who were sitting at a nearby table, clapped and cheered. Emily’s cheeks flushed and she tried to scramble off his knee.

  “Payback,” he whispered in her ear before releasing her.

  Emily scuttled away, and Saber sucked in a quick breath. He had been procrastinating about this conversation.

  “I don’t suppose you know who took those photos of us trying out the zombie run obstacles?” Agnes asked.

  “We asked London Allbright. She said she didn’t know who took the photos, but even if she did, she wouldn’t tell us,” Valerie said with a sniff. “Something about protecting her sources.”

  Saber took a sip of his coffee.

  “At least your butt didn’t look as big as mine,” Agnes muttered.

  Coffee spewed from Saber’s mouth, and he seized a napkin to dab at the brown, milky marks on the table.

  “It’s not funny,” Agnes scolded, but there was no heat in the words.

  “Would you like my opinion?” Saber asked.

  “Out with it, lad,” Valerie said.

  “The younger people who have mentioned the newsletter London made for the council have sounded positive. I think they admire everyone on the council for trying the obstacles. Not one person has had a bad word to say to me. They like the newsletter. The photos make us seem more approachable to the younger ones.” He refrained from mentioning felines since several of the tables around them were full of humans.

  “I have to admit my grandchildren haven’t teased me,” Agnes said.

  “Emily says women are hard on themselves. They make small faults appear big when no one else notices their big nose or freckles or rear end.”

  “Your Donald likes your shape, Agnes,” Valerie said with a nod.

  Agnes nodded with a faint smile. “That’s true.”

  Saber stuck his fingers in his ears. “I don’t want to hear that!”

  Valerie reached over and yanked at his right arm. “Don’t be silly, Saber. You’re old enough to know about the birds and bees by now.”

  “Have you finished talking about S. E. X?”

  The women yanked at one arm each, returning his hearing to normal.

  “You’re shouting,” Valerie said. “Everyone heard.”

  Saber glanced around and saw they were the center of interest. He heard a giggle—one he’d recognize anywhere. His mischievous mate. “Sorry,” he said, lowering his tone.

  “What did you want to discuss with us?” Agnes asked.

  Saber sucked in a breath to aid his bravery and started. “Remember the last meeting where one of the suggestions was a wet T-shirt contest?”

  Agnes’s brows drew together.

  “Yes,” Valerie said crisply.

  “After you left Ben suggested we take this idea and adapt it for use at a picnic.” Saber held up his hand when both women opened their mouths. “No, please listen. Ben suggested we make a selection of fake bras with weird shapes and the council members have a parade. His idea is to make it funny and humorous and allocate one as a lucky bra. Have everyone at the picnic line up in front of their favorite volunteer and give a small mystery prize for everyone who chooses the right line. A voucher for a muffin at the café or a free sausage at the sausage sizzle. Something like that. Think about it, Agnes. Your grandson Brian was one of those who suggested the wet T-shirt contest. They won’t expect anything like this, and it will show we have a sense of humor.”

  “What about the children?” Valerie asked.

  “Sid suggested we have an organized event for the children at the same time.”

  Agnes sipped her coffee and set her cup down with a clunk. “My grandson wanted to embarrass me with that suggestion.”

  Saber grinned. “Of course he did, but if you participate, you’ll be turning the tables on him.” A wicked thought occurred. “We could get London Allbright to snap a photo of you in your costume with Brian at your side since he made the suggestion.”

  Agnes and Valerie exchanged a glance then turned back to him.

  “We’ll do it,” Valerie said. “Agnes, we’ll talk to Isabella Mitchell. She’s the one who runs that popular clothing stall. We can keep our designs private until the day?”

  “Of course you can,” Saber said.

  “And will Brian attend the council meeting with those who have the chosen ideas?” Agnes asked.

  “Yes.” Saber thought for a moment. “Maybe London could take photos of that too.”

  Agnes and Valerie exchanged evil grins and nodded their agr
eement.

  “The newsletter is very popular—with humans too. London was right when she told us it would be better to design the newsletter for every resident. The Middlemarch council looks good in print and all the felines know she’s referring to the Feline council. She told me she had to print another fifty copies,” Agnes said. “I’m very pleased with the way things are going in the town.”

  “The new cops are fitting in well,” Saber said as he waved goodbye to Jonno and Charlie.

  “I heard they caught the gang of thieves and even managed to get back some of the jewels.” Valerie ate the last of her sandwich. “If this was Ben’s idea, why didn’t he mention it to Agnes and I when we were at his place for dinner last night?”

  “They delegated me,” Saber said dryly. “I get all the plum jobs.”

  Agnes snorted. “They thought we’d disapprove.”

  “Something like that,” Saber agreed.

  “Huh!” Valerie wiped her mouth with a napkin. “And they call us old women.”

  “So you’re fine with the idea?” Saber asked.

  “I think it will be fun,” Agnes said. “And I believe you’re right. It will make the community see us as more approachable. We want residents of all ages to come to us if they have problems or suggestions.”

  “I agree.” Valerie stood. “I’m off to pick up the grandchildren from school.”

  Agnes stood too, and stooped to kiss Saber’s cheek. “You’re a good lad. We’ll see you at the next meeting.”

  Saber wanted to wipe his cheek. He didn’t. Instead, he ignored the stares and whispered comments to pick up his ham sandwich. His mind drifted to his upcoming holiday. Although he disliked flying, he’d booked flights to Auckland. After a couple of nights in the city he and Emily would drive south and spend time in Rotorua and Taupo. He’d organized Tomasine to help in the café and Felix to take care of the farm. London Allbright had promised she’d step in for Emily on the cooking side for the month they’d be away. He couldn’t wait to tell Emily about his holiday surprise. Of course, the celebration sex would be good too. And the spanking. He wouldn’t forget the spanking…

  Special Feline Shapeshifter Council Meeting.

  Sid Blackburn’s house, Middlemarch

  Present: Sid Blackburn, Kenneth Nesbitt, Agnes Paisley, Valerie McClintock, Benjamin Urquart

  “Where is Saber?” Kenneth pulled out his handkerchief and mopped his forehead.

  “We left him at the café,” Valerie said. “Don’t worry. He won’t turn up unexpectedly.”

  “Emily asked if we could keep him busy so she can organize his birthday party,” Agnes said. “You all seem good at delegation. Any ideas?”

  “What are you talking about?” Ben asked.

  His look of innocence didn’t fool Valerie. She reached over to poke him in the belly. “The wet T-shirt contest.”

  “Oh,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

  “Are you going to do it?” Kenneth reached for another beer.

  “Your wife told me Gavin said you shouldn’t drink,” Valerie said. “He said you’re a heart attack waiting to happen. And yes, we think the contest will be fun.”

  Kenneth sniffed. “I’m a feline. We don’t have heart attacks.”

  “You couldn’t get over the obstacles,” Agnes stated firmly and moved the can of beer from his reach.

  “Stop ganging up on him,” Sid said. “I have an idea. There is a sheep sale in the McKenzie around Saber’s birthday. I want to look at the Merino sheep. I’ll ask Saber if he’d mind going with me. The lad has a good eye for stock.”

  “Why do you want Merino sheep?” Kenneth asked.

  “Want to increase my wool production,” Sid said. “I know they don’t do as well on the flat and suffer more foot rot, but a good two-thirds of my farm is hill country. I think Merino might work for me.”

  “All right,” Valerie said. “Ring him now. If he doesn’t want to go, then we’ll know to think of another idea.”

  Sid rang Saber and hung up a few minutes later. “Done. We’ll be back about five, which will give Emily time to organize things and be ready when Saber gets home.”

  Ben scratched his head, looking puzzled. “I thought Saber knew about the party?”

  “He does,” Agnes said. “But it’s going to be a bit bigger than he expects and hold a few surprises.”

  “What about a present?” Ben asked.

  “All sorted,” Valerie said. “Felix said Saber has organized a surprise holiday for Emily. We’re all—the Feline council—putting in to buy them a two-night package at The Chateau in Tongariro. A voucher that they can use during their holiday.”

  Ben whistled. “That sounds pricy.”

  Valerie let out a cackle. “It is pricy, but since you lot made Saber do your dirty work, you can fork over your money. He works hard for this community and deserves a little relaxation with Emily.”

  “Emily works hard too,” Kenneth said. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

  “We’re all agreed?” Valerie glanced around the circle of faces, friends she’d known since her family moved to Middlemarch when she was five. At their nods, she grinned and rubbed her hands together. “Agnes and I were talking on the drive here. How do you feel about a small wager? Agnes and I bet we’ll get more votes in the bra contest than you three old coots. What do you say? Are you willing to put your money where your mouths are?”

  “You’re on,” Ben said, thrusting out his hand. “Ten dollars?”

  “If either Agnes or I win, you can shout us afternoon tea at Storm in a Teacup. A proper afternoon tea with scones and cucumber sandwiches.”

  “And cream cakes,” Agnes added.

  Kenneth thrust out his hand to seal the deal.

  Sid frowned. “You’re taking this well.”

  “Boys, you started this,” Valerie said. “Agnes and I are merely upping the stakes. Afternoon tea?”

  Ben patted his stomach. “I could do with afternoon tea. Emily makes a good scone. It’s a bet.”

  “Sid? Kenneth?” Agnes prompted.

  “Very well,” Sid said. “Afternoon tea, it is.”

  “Deal,” Kenneth said. “No trolling for votes beforehand. Agreed?”

  Valerie shared a glance with Agnes. “Agreed. And you’ll all contribute to Saber’s stay at The Chateau?”

  “Yes,” Sid said.

  Kenneth nodded.

  “I’m in,” Ben agreed.

  “Excellent.” Valerie stood. “I think that’s everything until the next meeting. Are you ready, Agnes?”

  Agnes glanced at her wristwatch. “I promised my granddaughter Suzie I’d help her make cupcakes.”

  “See you later, boys.” Valerie lifted one hand in a wave and walked outside to her car. She waited until Agnes settled in the passenger seat and started the vehicle.

  “Those boys don’t have a chance,” Agnes said.

  “Nope.” Valerie grinned at Agnes before she backed from the drive. “We have Isabella Mitchell on our side. A secret weapon. We can’t lose.”

  They exchanged smug grins and headed for home. Life, Valerie thought, was still lots of fun—especially when they got one over on their long-time friends.

  Thank you for purchasing and downloading My Cat Burglar. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to take a second to leave a review. Let me know what your favorite parts were. The Middlemarch fun isn’t about to end. Please turn the page to read an excerpt from My Stray Cat, the next book in the Middlemarch Shifters series. Keep up with new books in the series by joining my newsletter or visiting my website. Happy reading!

  Shelley xx

  Excerpt – My Stray Cat

  Middlemarch Shifters, book 9

  “Saul, why can’t you settle like the Mitchell boys? They’ve found mates. If they can catch a woman, so can you.” My father sat at the head of the table, the flat of his hand thumping the tabletop to punctuate his words, laying down the law.

  While he was busy lecturing me, I stared at
my mother. She stood by the stove, stirring a pot for our dinner, nodding the entire time. Her jaw-length blonde hair swished around her face, confirming she agreed with her life partner. My feline snarled inside my mind as ruffled as his human side. It was as if they joined at the hip, programmed by fate to make the same decisions. Hold the same opinions.

  Fine for them.

  My fingers closed around the can of beer on the table in front of me while I acknowledged I was a puzzle to my parents. A twenty-five-year-old disappointment. They couldn’t work out why I wasn’t out chasing skirt, behaving in the same way as the rest of my friends and male shifters of marriageable age.

  My father droned on, repeating more of the same. Although my mouth curled in a lazy grin, I was anything but relaxed.

  “What about the Matthews girl? I hear she’s returning from Dunedin. We’ll invite her for dinner,” my father said.

  I stiffened, my spine hitting the back of my wooden chair. Feline shifters were hardwired to find a mate. It just was, and I understood that, but no way was I going to get saddled with someone of my parents’ choosing. The old man continued with the lecture and eventually, I tuned out of his reprimand.

  The thing was, I didn’t do women. I was into men and nothing could change that fact. After soul-searching and experimentation, I’d accepted my preferences. I differed from most males, both human and shifter.

  There was no mate in my future.

  “Damn it, boy.” My father smashed his fist into the table, his face turning red with irritation. The knives and forks and condiments my mother had placed on the table jumped and danced out of place. “Didn’t you meet anyone while you were at Glenshee Station? Or while you were traveling? Are you listening?”

  I inhaled, wondering how this conversation had slithered into dangerous territory so fast. I blamed my friends Saber, Felix and Leo Mitchell for putting ideas into the old man’s head. A spate of matings had taken place in Middlemarch during the last two years, and my parents were anxious to have grandchildren.

  “Yeah, Dad. I hear you. The neighbors can probably hear you.” Giving in to the urge to come home to see my parents had been a mistake.