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

hands tightened on her shoulders. “Hey.”
    A long, low cry escaped, burning her tight throat as it emerged. “I feel so helpless. I rang my parents, intending to ask them for money, but I couldn’t. They’re saving for a holiday, the first they’ve had for years. It didn’t feel right to ask, even though I know they would’ve given it to us.”
    “You shouldn’t have to ask. This is my fault.”
    No. No, it wasn’t. It was his parents trying to wreak havoc and pull them apart. Marsh had earned those wages, and it wasn’t as if they were asking for money they weren’t owed.
    “If your father refuses to give us the money he owes us, make sure he knows that we can’t afford to buy food to feed our children.”
    His father’s farm vehicle was parked in front of the house when Marsh walked up their driveway. He knocked on the door and waited for his mother to answer his summons. When the door opened, he forced a smile, determined to keep his temper and act with dignity. Remain calm.
    “Mother.”
    “Marsh, thank goodness you’ve come to your senses. If you apologize to your father, he’ll give you your job back. I understand you’re attached to Caroline, but it’s better if you part ways. Come inside. Talk to your father. We’ll sort everything out and fix this slight upset.”
    He blinked rapidly and remained rooted in the doorway. Fuck, they truly expected him to walk away from Caroline. She was his mate, yet they didn’t support either of them in their relationship.
    “I’ve come for my wages.”
    “I told the boy he lost my cattle. I don’t owe him any wages,” his father shouted from the other room. With his feline hearing, he hadn’t missed a thing.
    Marsh drew in a sharp breath, fought to rein in his temper. His father had started spreading rumors about Marsh and Caroline around the district. The local feline gossip vine pulsed and glowed with tidbits and falsehoods, malicious rumors perpetrated by his parents. He ground his molars together and glared at his mother. “We don’t have money. Don’t you care that the boys won’t have dinner?”
    He caught the flash of concern in his mother before his father appeared behind her.
    “Not our problem. You’ve made your decision, and now you live with it.” His voice was harsh, his words dripping with scorn, and Marsh realized he was wasting his breath.
    He turned and walked away, heard the firm clunk of the door as it closed. Bastard . All he cared about was his precious pride. He expected Marsh to follow his orders without argument. Marsh stomped back toward their farm cottage, only slowing when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He halted and glanced at the screen.
    “Hi, Saber.”
    “I heard you took the job.”
    “Yeah, I start in five days.”
    “Problem?”
    “We don’t have any money or food.” Embarrassment warmed his cheeks at the confession. “I doubt we can scrape together enough money for the petrol.”
    “Come and stay with us,” Saber said without hesitation. “We have plenty of room. Or, if you don’t want to do that, give Cam a call. I’m sure he won’t mind if you go early. Think about it, but meantime, come for dinner.”
    “Are you sure? You’ve been so good to us already. I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”
    “It’s no trouble,” Saber said. “I’ll see you at six.”
    “Thanks.” Marsh disconnected and placed the phone in his pocket. Saber’s idea about them going earlier than they’d planned was a good one. All they needed to figure out was the petrol money. He strode up their driveway and found Caroline outside, packing blankets into the car. “Saber invited us to dinner tonight. What do you think about going to the Mackenzie earlier? Tomorrow if we can swing it.”
    “Could we do that?”
    “I’ll ring Cam now. Actually, it might be better if we could go early. I wouldn’t put it past Dad to make good on his threat to kick us out.”
    A furrow creased Caroline’s brow and her