Read Online My Estranged Lover (Middlemarch Shifters Book 5) by Shelley Munro - Free Book Online Page A

Dunedin and no one had seen a thing.
    Marsh jogged to his parents’ house to report on the stock in person. Damn, that had taken longer than he’d expected. By the time he finished with his father, he’d be cutting it short to make the eight o’clock phone call. He pulled up and rang Caroline.
    “Caroline, it’s Marsh.” He explained what had happened. “If I don’t make it back by eight, can you ring Cam and do the interview? You know what we want to learn. The wages, the hours, where we’ll be living, the duties for both of us. Anything else? Maybe make a list so we forget nothing. If I don’t make it back, explain what has happened and give my apologies. Ask if we can ring him with a decision.” He paused. “No, if you think it sounds as if the position will work for me, accept the job. He’ll speak with Saber. He’ll know I’m capable of doing the work.”
    “You’d trust me to make the final decision?” Surprise tinged her voice.
    “I trust you to do the best for us and the boys. You’ve never failed me yet. Hell, Dad looks as if he might burst. Gotta go. I’ll try to get back in time. Love you.”
    * * * * *
    Caroline kept one eye on the clock while she made a late breakfast for the boys. The digital numbers ticked over, moving closer to eight. She mentally rescheduled her day, adding in a school run because they’d missed the bus. If the phone call went longer than an hour, James would be late to school.
    She sat and jotted several questions on a notepad, things she thought Marsh would want to know. Stock numbers. Mix of stock. Other employees. Terms and conditions. Wages. Time off. Things she wanted to know. Her duties. Wages. Accommodation. School for the boys. Expenses included in the wage package.
    The phone peeled, and she wiped her palms on her track pants. Nerves. A reminder of the phone call she needed to make soon. After speaking with Marsh she wanted this chance to move forward with their marriage.
    She picked up the phone.
    “Caroline, it’s Emily. Just wanted to confirm that we’ll pick you up at ten. Is that still all right?”
    “That’s fine,” Caroline said.
    “Something wrong?”
    “Someone stole a herd of cattle last night, and Marsh is caught up with the aftermath. I need to make a phone call to Mr. Sinclair, and I’m nervous. Hopefully, the call won’t take too long because I have to drive James to school.”
    “I’ll be there in ten minutes,” Emily said. “I’m checking in at the café before we leave to make sure my helpers are set. Your place is on the way. If you’re okay with the idea, I can take James to school and your youngest can come with me to the café.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “I’m driving past your place anyway.”
    “Thank you. That would be a huge help. Ricky isn’t good at remaining quiet for ten minutes, let alone half an hour.”
    “You’ll be fine. You have a list? I live my life with my lists. Saber and the others always tease me.”
    Caroline laughed, feeling in charity with the bubbly woman. “I’ve just written mine.”
    “See you soon.”
    Caroline organized the two boys and after Emily arrived, she transferred car seats and buckled in her sons.
    “We’re dressing for comfort for this shopping trip. I’m wearing this.” Emily gestured at her jeans and blouse before she climbed back into the driver’s seat.
    “Comfort is good.”
    “We’ll pick you up at ten. Good luck with your job interview.”
    “Thanks.” Caroline waved to her sons and Emily as they drove away.
    “Where is she taking my grandsons?” Dawn asked in an icy tone.
    Caroline tensed, sucked in a quick breath and turned to face her mother-in-law. “Emily Mitchell is dropping James at school and looking after Ricky for an hour while I take care of stuff here.”
    “What sort of stuff? Why didn’t you ask me to look after Ricky?”
    Caroline fought to remain silent. Dawn refused to mind Ricky unless it suited her. “Emily offered.”
    “Why do you