My Estranged Lover (Middlemarch Shifters Book 5) (22 page)

She smiled, her happiness bleeding into a visual portrayal of a smile. “So, we’re on the same page. About everything.”

Marsh reached for her hand and squeezed. “Yes.”

“Your neck,” she blurted, noticing the faint raised scar, a match for hers.

His expression held pleasure as he lifted her fingers to the mark. His skin radiated warmth beneath her fingers. “I was wondering how long it would take you to notice.”

“I did that?”

“You did.” Lazy satisfaction coated his voice. “That doesn’t happen with most human-feline pairings. It means we’re meant to be together. True mates.”

“Really?” Amazement. Delight. Desire. The differing emotions struck her like gunfire. Love. How had she ever thought she could walk away from this amazing man? Her mate.

“Really.” He slowed Leo’s SUV, then stopped behind a bus, which blocked the road.

Caroline craned her neck, watched a group of women—teenagers—pile off the bus. “What are they doing?”

“This must be the padlock fence everyone is discussing.”

“Um…that doesn’t look like a padlock.”

“No.” Marsh barked out a laugh. “It’s not. Should I dare you to—”

“No, you should not. Bras are expensive and we can’t afford to replace mine,” she said in a prim voice.

“But we will be able to afford sexy lingerie,” he said, his gaze on the increasing number of bras attached to the fence.

Caroline shook her head and grinned as the women laughed and cackled like cartoon hyenas, clutching each other as they piled back onto the bus. Finally, the bus driver moved off, no longer halting their progress.

“I heard a rumor that the Feline council doesn’t approve of the lingerie decorating their fence,” Marsh said as they drove past.

“Who is on the council? Are you allowed to tell me?”

“You’re one of us now,” Marsh said and told her.

Caroline pictured the women and wrinkled her nose. “I can’t see Agnes Paisley and Valerie McClintock approving of young women displaying their underwear. I used to see them at school functions. They scared me.”

“They scare me too. Saber mentioned they have someone clear the fence most weeks.” He glanced at his watch as he pulled into the driveway. “I don’t know if Dad will be at home.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s your mother I need to speak with.” She squared her shoulders and willed away her nerves. This wouldn’t be easy. She knew that, but she also realized she had to do this for peace of mind. She’d let her in-laws walk all over her. No longer. She was with Marsh for the long haul, and they needed to give her respect. Marsh deserved their respect too since he’d put up with a load of crap from his parents.

“Looks as if Dad is at home,” Marsh said in surprise.

“It’s best if we speak with them both at the same time.”

He halted the vehicle and switched off the ignition. Marsh squeezed her knee and smiled in encouragement. “We’ll give them a united front.”

“Yes.” Caroline climbed from the car and wiped her palms on her denim skirt. Her in-laws would smell her fear. Too bad.

The front door to the house opened and her mother-in-law stood in the doorway.

Her lips twisted. “Well, look what the cat dragged home.”

Marsh watched Caroline lift her chin and stare down his mother.

“Is Charles at home?” Caroline asked, her voice cool.

Surprise flashed across his mother’s face, and that didn’t happen often. “Yes, he came home to get more staples. They’d run out. He’s having something to eat before he heads out again.”

“Good. Marsh and I would like to speak with you both.”

“If you think we’re going—”

“Mum,” Marsh said, slipping his hand around Caroline’s waist. She trembled, and that pissed him off. “Where is he? In the kitchen?”

“In the dining room.”

Marsh ushered Caroline toward the dining room.

“If you’ve come back to ask for your job,” his father said.

“We had to bring Ricky to see Gavin,” Marsh said, keeping his voice even.

“You told her,” his mother said.

“I’m Marsh’s wife.” Caroline focused on his parents. “Why shouldn’t he tell me?”

“Don’t mean nothing,” Charles said and returned to his meal.

“I’m his mate.” Caroline stood tall, and Marsh was proud of her.

Dawn snorted. “You don’t know what you mean.”

Caroline tugged aside the collar of her blouse to display her mark. “I am Marsh’s mate.”

“She’s a human,” Charles spat, tossing down his knife and fork. They clattered on the plate and splattered tomato sauce over the cream tablecloth.

“Caroline is my chosen mate.” Marsh’s tone hit strident.

“We came to tell you I am aware of the feline community. Marsh and I are mates. There was something else,” she said. “Ricky shifted to feline. He—”

“Rubbish,” Dawn said. “Why would you tell us such lies?”

Marsh scowled at his mother, wondering if they’d ever loved him. Their behavior was inexcusable. “It’s true, and there is no need to be rude to Caroline.”

“She’s a human,” Charles scoffed.

“I am Marsh’s mate and mother to your grandchildren. Feline children, of which one has shifted already.” She stomped over to the phone that sat on the far end of the table and carried it back to thrust at his mother. “Ring Gavin. Ask him if you won’t believe me.”

“We are true mates, Mother,” Marsh said and shoved aside the collar he’d arranged to hide his mark. He took satisfaction in the way his mother’s mouth gaped. “Which isn’t the case with you and Dad.”

“You’re James and Ricky’s grandparents, and I know you love them, no matter what you think of me,” Caroline said. “I thought you should know about Ricky. He has a broken leg.”

“A broken leg?” Dawn frowned at the mark on his neck.

“An accident,” Marsh said. “It’s a clean break, and Gavin says it will heal.”

“Where are you living?” Charles asked.

Marsh knew what his father was asking but pretended to misunderstand. “We’re staying with Saber and Emily.”

“Another human,” his father spat.

“Also happy and mates,” Caroline said with a sweet smile. “Your prejudice is showing.”

“That’s enough,” Marsh said.

Caroline placed her hand on his shoulder just as he was about to tell his parents exactly what he thought. “Marsh and I are happy. Our marriage is strong and our sons are enjoying their new home. Ricky and James would like to keep in contact, but neither Marsh nor I will put up with you spouting poison in their ears about humans. I have no idea why you hate me so much or why you’re so horrible to your son. We have no intention of allowing you to spread your prejudices to our sons. It’s up to you how this goes. You behave with decency and treat me as part of the family or you have no contact with your grandchildren.”

“That’s blackmail,” Dawn said with a gasp. “You can’t do this. I’ll appeal to the council.”

“You’re not fit to bring up our grandchildren,” Charles snapped.

“You appeal to the council,” Marsh said, angry at his parents. He’d tried so hard over the years, put up with their rudeness, their lack of affection, their slights to his mate. Hell, he’d even gone along with their edict, and that had almost destroyed his marriage. “The council will side with us.”

“You will only look stupid. We’re good parents,” Caroline added.

His parents wouldn’t change. “Let’s go.” He propelled Caroline from the house.

“I thought we could work things out.” Caroline glanced at him. “I’ve made things worse.”

“We did the right thing,” Marsh said, twining their fingers together. “Don’t worry, kitten. This is on my parents. We have done nothing wrong.”

“But—”

He pressed his fingers over her lips. “No, enough. Guilt kept me persisting, but it’s time. If they want to cling to their bitterness, let them. We don’t have to dance to their tune any longer. We’ve moved on and so should they. Okay?”

“You’re right,” she conceded when he moved his fingers. “What should we do for the rest of the afternoon?”

“Let’s go for a coffee, then I have another idea of a way to fill in time.”

“But Leo is looking after Ricky.”

“He told me to take my time. He said he owed you because you’d helped Isabella.”

“Me?”

“Something about helping her find a new direction.”

“Oh.” Caroline climbed into the vehicle. “Isabella is changing my life by investing in material and selling the things I make at the craft fair.”

Marsh grinned. “If it earns us free babysitting, I’m in favor.”

“I suggested she hold martial arts classes for the kids and self-defense classes for the adults.”

Marsh started the SUV and backed up.

“Marsh.”

He glanced at her then saw his mother running toward them. His father came outside and stopped just outside the doorway. He wound down his window.

“Marsh, I’m sorry. You’re right. We want to see our grandchildren. Are…are you staying in Middlemarch?”

“No, we’re leaving as soon as we’re sure Ricky is okay. Probably tomorrow.”

“Can we see the children?”

“James isn’t with us. He stayed at Glenshee Station.”

“You’re working for Cam Sinclair?”

“Yes,” Marsh said.

“Can I see Ricky?”

Caroline leaned toward Marsh so she could see Dawn. “Ring us at Saber’s. We’ll arrange a time for you to visit before we leave. He’ll be excited to see you.”

“Thank you, Caroline. I-I appreciate that.” His mother sounded subdued. She nodded and retreated to join her husband.

Marsh navigated the driveway and pulled out onto the main road. “That was well done of you.”

“The boys love them. Your parents are good with them. They’ll come ’round and accept me one day.”

And maybe pigs would fly over Glenshee and perform acrobatics for all to see
. “Maybe,” he said.

When they arrived at the café, they joined Emily and Saber for a late lunch. Saber left to meet Felix, and Emily to cook a birthday cake while he and Caroline had a second cup of coffee. Once they’d finished, Marsh went to see Tomasine who was working the counter. He purchased a cupcake for Ricky and spotted something else. Ah.

“We have special paint you can use to personalize your padlock,” Tomasine said. “We don’t lend it to visitors. You’re special.”

“Thanks.” Marsh winked at her while he thought quickly. Although his first instinct was to make it a surprise, Caroline was the artist in the family. “That would be great.”

He accepted the box of paints and brushes and his cupcake and went back to the table. “I thought we’d put our own padlock on the fence to celebrate second chances.”

Caroline beamed at him. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

“Tomasine gave me some paints.” He handed her a paintbrush. “You’re the artist.”

“What should I paint?”

“How about our names and the date of our wedding?”

“Okay.” With delicate strokes of the brush, she wrote their names—Caroline and Marsh—plus the date of their wedding. Then, once the paint dried, she turned over the padlock and painted a tiny stick figure with red hair.

Marsh smiled at her, the concentration on her face and the tip of her tongue visible between her lips. By the time she finished, a tiny black cat sat on its haunches beside the figure.

“What do you think?”

“Perfect,” Marsh said with approval. “Let’s clip it to the fence.”

After returning the paints to Tomasine, they walked hand-in-hand to the SUV.

“Are you worried about Ricky?” Caroline asked. “Do you think he’ll shift back to human?”

“I think Ricky will be fine.” Marsh said. “Once he realizes, he can’t leave Glenshee Station as much, I think he’ll be more amenable to returning to his human form. Hamish told me they hold a mid-year Christmas. Ricky loves Christmas.”

Caroline nodded. “I didn’t think Gavin seemed worried, even though Ricky’s early change is unusual. That set my mind at rest. I liked him.”

“We’re lucky to have him. Most communities have to make do.”

“Are there other shifters living nearby?”

“No, but there are several communities in Australia.”

“What about werewolves and vampires? Dragons?”

“There are a few werewolves around, but no groups in New Zealand as far as I know. I haven’t heard of vampires, but we have native dragons. The taniwha.”

“I thought they were legend.”

Marsh pulled up near the fence, glad they were the sole visitors at present. “Think again.”

“Wow.” Her lashes blinked. Once. Twice. “That is amazing. Do the dragons fly?”

“Some of them.”

“Wow.”

“Come on, kitten. Let’s hang our padlock before another bus or carload of ladies come to leave their bras.”

Dozens of padlocks filled the five-wire fence, each one decorated in a different style and colors.