Read My Estranged Lover (Middlemarch Shifters Book 5) for Free Online Page A

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