“I met Niall at the gathering,” Suzie said.“Niall is my mate.Would you care for a cup of tea?”
Her words fell into silence, and Niall watched Suzie’s parents exchange a glance.He nodded at Suzie, and she rose to make another pot of tea.
Silence fell again.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Niall said.“Suzie mentions her family often, so I was looking forward to making your acquaintance.”
“You’re not from here,” Suzie’s mother said.
“I live in Scotland.”
Suzie’s mother and father exchanged another meaningful glance.
“We’d hoped Suzie would remain at home to help while we’re recovering,” Suzie’s father said.
A knock sounded on the door, and Niall’s breath eased out, glad of the interruption.This wasn’t going well, and judging from Suzie’s expression, she hadn’t expected this reaction.Her mother was still unwell—true, but she was healing.
“I’ll get the door,” Suzie’s brother said when the knock came again.
“Mum, Dad.I don’t understand,” Suzie said, her voice controlled.“My university course starts soon.That was always the plan.”
“We need you here,” her father said, speaking for the first time.
“It’s Saber,” Suzie’s brother said.
Niall nodded at the feline shifter as Saber paused in the doorway.
“Moira.Donald.Moira, you’re looking much better than when I last saw you,” Saber said.“I wanted to check on you and ask a favor.One of Rory’s younger wolves asked if anyone was hiring.He wants to work with animals rather than in the woodworking business.He has helped Felix and me when we need an extra pair of hands.I wondered if you could give him a job.”
Suzie frowned, and Niall’s stomach dipped.Was money an issue?He could hire a farmhand but didn’t want to damage the man’s pride.
“Suzie will work on the farm,” her father announced.
Niall mentally reshuffled their plans.He might need to return to Scotland, but he could also work remotely.He opened his voice to speak, then pressed his lips together.Despite his desire to assist, he couldn’t fix this problem.If he interfered, Suzie might resent it.Staying silent was the hardest thing he’d done.
“Dad, no.Niall is my mate, and I need to spend time with him.Once we’re married, we’ll return to Scotland.While we’re here, Niall and I will help as much as possible, and I’ll train the new worker.”
Her father sighed, and a faint flush covered his cheeks.“We can’t afford a farm hand.”
“Dad, of course you can.Since I’m not attending university, I’ll return the money you gave me.It’s sufficient for wages.”
“You’re not going to university?”her mother asked.“You’ve been saving for years.What will Edwina say?You were going together.”
“Edwina found a mate too, or at least he found her.I’m hoping she’ll contact me soon.As for my music, I’m not giving up.Niall found me a course that I can take in Edinburgh.It’s not that far from where we’ll live.Once Edwina contacts me, we should manage to collaborate.I’m not abandoning anything.I’m gaining a mate and a beautiful home in Scotland.You’ll see when you and Dad visit,” Suzie said.
“Is that true?You’ll allow Suzie to continue with her studies?”her mother demanded of Niall.
“Yes, of course.Your daughter is a force of nature.You must realize I don’t have a choice if I want her to stay with me,” Niall said.“I want her to follow her dream, so I researched courses she might like and brought the information with me.It appears she has settled on one in Edinburgh.”
“You love her,” her father said.
Niall met his gaze without flinching.“More than anything.Suzie is my other half.”
“What do you do in Scotland?”her father asked.
Suzie spoke quietly with Saber.Saber nodded and left.
“I produce honey,” Niall said.
