Free Scarlet Woman by Shelley Munro

she’d react to the truth about the Mitchell clan and the other shifters who secretly lived among the humans of Middlemarch. They needed time so they could all adjust and learn to trust. As he watched, Felix nudged her leg gently with his head and 53
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    not to be outdone, Leo licked her hand again. Saul stayed aloof, a feline smirk hinting at his amusement and the smart-ass comments to come.
    A smile of delight flickered across Jo’s face. She reached out and stroked a tentative hand over Felix’s shoulder. Felix let rip with a loud purr. Jealousy surged through Saber. His woman. “Enough,” he roared, tapping Felix smartly on the flanks. “Go. Away. Now.” He seized Jo’s hand and tugged her down a dirt track to a wooden gate. His brothers, luckily for them, stayed put. “I didn’t think you liked cats,” he snapped.
    “I’ve changed my mind. They seem friendly enough.”
    He’d give her friendly. His mouth slammed down on hers again. Plundering. Taking. Reassuring himself with her taste, her touch. A rough growl vibrated deep in his chest. Mine. Saber only relaxed when Jo slipped her arms around his neck and leaned into him.
    He gentled the kiss, nibbling at her lips in a playful manner. Pulling away, he grinned down at her. “Well, just remember they’re unpredictable and keep clear. Ready to check the sheep?”
    “What a romantic suggestion,” Jo said, her kiss-swollen lips quirking upward in amusement. “I’d love to help with the sheep, although I’d be more help if I had my glasses. I can’t even see the scenery properly.”
    Saber chuckled, pleased to see her looking happier. After opening the gate, he snared her hand in his and stepped into the paddock. “I can describe it for you—if you want.” On seeing Jo’s enthusiastic nod, he viewed his home of Central Otago through the eyes of a visitor. After a pause, he started. “That’s the Taieri River down there. In the summer we go there fishing for trout and salmon. There’s nothing better than fresh trout filets cooked on the barbeque. If you’re very lucky, you might see a falcon gliding on the air currents. They’re rare, but there are still a few around here. Sometimes we have floods and the Taieri spills over its banks, but you’re safe enough now. Our autumn season is typically dry.”
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    Jo turned in a slow circle. “There’s not much green grass up on hills here.”
    “No, there’s a lot of tussock. The snow covers most of this area during the winter. You ready to look at the sheep?” Saber wrapped his arm around her waist, taking pleasure in the intimacy. Dammit, the urge to purr was so strong he nearly followed through, but covered by turning the sound into a cough at the last second.
    “What exactly are we looking at?”
    “We’ll check their water supply to make sure they have plenty, check the amount of feed they have and do a visual health check.”
    “Hmmm. Do you like being a farmer?”
    Saber tried to imagine living in the city and failed. Freedom to run whenever he felt the urge, the fresh air ruffling his fur. Being able to open his bedroom window and see trees and mountains and snow in the wintertime was important to his sense of wellbeing. “I enjoy living in the country. I have friends and family here and like working with animals. What do you do in the city?” Saber glanced at the trough and saw it was full of water. Enough feed for another three days. Good. Their rotation grazing plan was working well.
    “I haven’t worked since I was married.” Jo seemed more interested in the scenery than looking at him. Her voice was low and it wobbled a fraction. “Michael didn’t want me to work. After he died…well, Michael’s mother didn’t handle things very well. The family needed me. It wasn’t as if I needed money and had to work. For all his faults, Michael provided well.”
    Damn. Bad choice of question. The shadows had returned to her eyes. As he watched, she closed