“Okay, I admit it.I dallied watching the red squirrels.They are so cute.”
“See anyone else?”
“I saw a bear shifter, but we didn’t speak.He remained in his bear form.”
“He?”
“Yeah, the bear was freakin’ huge.”She cast him a glance.“How big are you in your bear form?”
Niall choked out a laugh, and she rolled her eyes.
“Mind out of the gutter, Sinclair.Typically, bear shifters are large, and this one was immense.”
Angus arrived carrying a loaded plate, and Suzie eyed it with pleasure.“Thank you, Angus.That looks delicious.”She reached for toast and buttered it before digging into the bacon, eggs, and square sausage she’d become enamored with since first tasting the meat.
“Tea or coffee?”Angus inquired.
“Tea, please.English Breakfast.”
Angus retreated, returning a few minutes later with a large teapot.He poured tea for them, remembering her preferences without asking.She gave a happy sigh before she took a bite of toast.Adapting to this life would be easy, but she’d gain weight without exercise.
“What are we doing today?”she asked.
“I thought we’d review the designs for the honey labels and the packaging.My friend also sent me a package of user questionnaires.We need to review them and compile the information in a usable form.”
“I can review the surveys for you.I’ll create a spreadsheet.How many are there?”
“Around a hundred,” Niall said as his phone rang.“Sinclair.”
It was the local investigator, and Suzie heard every word of his report.He’d tracked Niall’s brothers to a cottage at the edge of the village.His gut told him they weren’t staying there legally since he’d contacted the owner, who was visiting relatives in Australia and had left the property empty.He’d spotted one brother entering but hadn’t seen both siblings.He intended to watch the premises and follow them if the brothers left together.
“Thank you,” Niall said.“Please send me daily reports, and if they do anything suspicious, call me immediately.”
“Will do.”The terse male ended the call.
“A man of few words.”
“Yes,” Niall said.“I like working with him because he doesn’t mess around.”
Once they reached Niall’s office, Suzie took a pile of surveys and began analyzing them, transferring the questionnaires to a spreadsheet for easier comparison.The job was fascinating, and the hours flew.It surprised her when Angus arrived with a lunch tray.
“Is it that time already?”she asked, blinking at the clock near Niall’s desk.Her gaze slid back to the surveys.Only three more to go.“I might finish inputting the info from the last three questionnaires, then I can print out the results while we’re eating.”Huh!Where was Niall?She hadn’t even heard him leave.
“The food won’t spoil,” Angus assured her, his manner gruff.It was an improvement from his usual clipped replies, and she sensed the approval beneath his words.It made her curious, and she wondered how Niall had inspired such loyalty from the older man.
Pushing aside her curiosity, she resumed work.Half an hour later, she stood and stretched.During that time, Niall had reappeared, and she discovered him eyeing her with interest.
“What?”
Niall broke into a boyish grin, and her heartbeat blipped.
“I enjoy watching you.Let’s eat, then walk for fresh air and sunshine.We can review your spreadsheet info once we return.”
They demolished the food, and once they wandered outside into the rose garden, Niall took her hand.
“Thank you for your hard work this morning.”
“I enjoyed it,” Suzie said, and it was the truth.Organizing the information had been easy enough, and she liked using her secretarial skills.
