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

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