Scott laughed.“We’ll take that as a yes.”
23
Thick-Headed Bear
SuziemissedNiall,eventhough she was still angry with the thick-headed bear and ignoring his messages and texts.They’d separated mere days ago, but it felt like a part of her was empty, and only Niall could fill that space.She growled out a naughty word and thumped her hands on her piano keyboard.The discordant notes echoed in the tiny room, and her breath hissed out.If she continued like this, she’d wake her parents, and they needed their rest.
Her father had been in a rare state when Suzie arrived home and hadn’t settled until Gavin had allowed her mother to leave the clinic.Her injuries had taken time to knit together, even with rapid shifter healing.With her father so stressed, Suzie was caring for her siblings.They, of course, were acting out more than usual.Suzie got it.Their parents’ accident had scared them and made everyone realize that despite a shifter’s toughness, they weren’t invincible.
Suzie ran her hands across the keys, focusing on composing her desired song.Another pithy curse emerged, and she squeezed her eyes shut, wishing Edwina was here.She’d wrangle this tune in no time while Suzie focused on the lyrics.
This was a cheerful, upbeat song, but everything that emerged was heartbreak and he-done-me-wrong.
Suzie sighed and pushed away from the piano.She’d be better off clearing the breakfast dishes and deciding what to prepare for dinner—a meaty soup.Gavin had suggested making a beef broth for her mother, which would also work for her father.Also, there were after-school snacks to prepare for her siblings.They were always ravenous after a day of learning and playing with their friends.
Maybe she’d bake some bread.The kneading process might aid her temper that lurked in the background.So far, she’d held everything together, but the longer she thought about Niall, the deeper the anger bubbled in her.That she could miss the man and experience such deep resentment was contradictory.Illogical.But she’d like to knock sense into the stubborn bear.Her family was nothing like his.While her parents were still unwell and off balance, they were a loving family and supportive of one another.Niall didn’t understand because his childhood had been horrid.
Some of her anger had dispersed, but boy, it had hurt when he hadn’t understood why she needed to leave Scotland earlier than planned.
A car door slam had Suzie jerking from her thoughts and hurrying to the front door.Their doorbell was loud, and she didn’t want their visitor to wake her parents.The piano room was insulated, but not the rest of the house.
Suzie flung open the door and blinked.Scott lifted his hand in farewell while a diffident Niall stood before her, his expression blank apart from his eyes.She could see his bear peeking at her, and her silly heart lurched.
She cleared her throat.“Why are you here?”
“Are you not going to invite me inside?”Niall countered, his familiar husky voice doing things to her insides.
She steeled herself when part of her wanted to throw herself into his arms.“I don’t want to wake my parents.”
“How is your mother?”
Gah!They sounded like polite acquaintances.“Want to go for a drive?I’ll give you a tour of Middlemarch, and we can stop by the cafe for coffee.”
Niall smiled then, the corners of his eyes crinkling.So cute!No!Devil take it, she was furious with this man.He needed to apologize.
Niall offered his arm.Suzie blinked and shrugged off his gentlemanly aid.
“The car is this way.”Suzie stalked in the right direction.
Once she sat behind the wheel, she realized her hands were shaking.What did the man want?Why was he here?Curling her fingers around the wheel, she took a deep breath and started the vehicle.She drove away from the house, exhaling when her confidence returned.
“When did you arrive?”So polite.Her mother would be proud.
“Scott and I flew in this morning,” Niall said.
She frowned.“What about Liam?”
“Liam is missing, presumed abducted.Angus is searching for clues, but we haven’t found one yet.”
“What?”Concern filled Suzie, and she wanted to demand why Niall and Scott hadn’t remained in Scotland until they found Liam.“You think one of the other shifters spirited Liam away?”
“That’s what it looks like.Scott, Liam, and I went for a run the day before Liam disappeared.We know Liam wasn’t interested in anyone.His passport and wallet were in the safe, and some of his clothes were still unpacked.It looks as if someone scooped him up and grabbed his bag before fleeing.The cameras didn’t pick up anything.”
“Liam should be okay, right?”
“We’re hoping he won’t come to any harm,” Niall said.“I feel bad for leaving, but I know Angus is searching for him.Angus feels affronted that someone got past his security.He’ll look upon this as a challenge.”
“You still haven’t said why you’re here,” Suzie said, keeping her gaze on the road ahead.Not doing so well in the tourist guide stakes.
