“I can see why you enjoy it here.It’s peaceful and beautiful.”
Niall smiled, the curve of his lips surprising him because he didn’t display his emotions.His bear made a humming sound of approval.She’d passed his test.
“Will you show me where the bluebells grow?So I can imagine them in bloom?”
Niall gazed at her, then nodded.That was the moment he gave in to his bear’s urgings, although if he was honest, he’d liked her from the moment he’d found her studying the portraits on the wall in his castle.Her grasp of business matters and interest in his honey had deepened his awareness and added respect to the equation.On impulse, he reached out and took her hand.To his delight, she didn’t pull away but continued to walk at his side.
“What else do you do when you’re not working?”she asked.
“I enjoy music, but I have an awful singing voice.Any outdoor activity is fun because I spend so much time working.If I’m traveling, I try hiking, into the wilderness, or exploring the honey in the area.”
“Music is my passion,” Suzie said.“I can sing, and Edwina and I write songs together.”
“What genre?”Niall asked, interested in learning everything about this fascinating woman.Yeah, he’d given up arguing with his bear, beginning to think his shifter half was one hundred percent right.
Suzie Paisley was their woman.
The sharp crack of a stick on the path behind them had them freezing and exchanging glances.Niall scanned the trees, seeing nothing but every sense telling him they were in danger.
“Down,” he snapped seconds before a sharp balloon-popping sound came to him.Something struck the tree branch inches above their heads.
7
Dinner For Two
“Whyaretheyshootingat us?”Suzie demanded.“Didn’t they check their target first?These idiots shouldn’t get away with endangering innocent hikers.”
They crouched behind a broad tree trunk, wide enough to screen their bodies.Suzie peered through the undergrowth, straining to catch every sound.Niall had his phone out and was speaking with the local police.
“Stay where you are,” the cop instructed.
Niall gave him directions for their location and hung up after telling the policeman they’d heard one shot.
“Accident or not?”Suzie asked.“Something to do with your honey?”
“The gossip vine is silent, which is unusual.As far as I know, everyone testing the honey for me has adhered to my privacy conditions.”
“What about the break-in at your property?”
“Good point.We reported the crime to the police, but I’ll mention it.”He scowled, the harsh lines digging into his cheeks a testament to his anger.His unease.“It seems strange for someone to go to so much trouble.The theft of our samples is more understandable.I can’t believe anyone would shoot at us on purpose.”
“Stranger things have happened,” Suzie said.“Greed is a powerful emotion.”
Voices carried to them, and Suzie glanced at Niall.“That can’t be the police.I doubt they’re this fast.”
The voices came closer.Niall slowly stood and peered around the tree trunk while Suzie craned her neck to see before rising when four teenagers came into view.Three girls and one guy.The male caught sight of them first, his startled expression giving way to sly humor.He nudged the girl closest to him and murmured something too faint for Suzie to hear.She had a great imagination, though, and her cheeks flamed.
The four walked past, their muffled whispers and laughter continuing until they were out of sight.
“Well,” Niall said, plucking two leaves off Suzie’s hair.“I can guess what they’re thinking.”
“Yeah, exactly what I would’ve assumed at their age.”Suzie straightened her rumpled clothes, part of her wishing that she had been rolling around with Niall.
A masculine shout interrupted their chuckles, and a man in a policeman’s uniform approached them.
“Mr.Sinclair?”he asked.
“Yes,” Niall said.“You were quick.”
