“A treasure hunt?” Kenneth asked. “For children?”
“No, they’ll mean something like those reality shows,” Ben said. “I bet that’s what they mean.”
“Who suggested it?” Valerie asked. “We can check with them as to what they have in mind.”
“Jason Reagen.” At this rate, they’d never finish. Saber moved on before their questions diverted the meeting again. “A progressive dinner.”
Agnes nodded. “Good idea.”
In the brief pause, Saber inserted the next suggestion. “A picnic sports day.”
Nods all around for this idea. Saber rather liked it himself.
“Sheep dog trials. Speed dating. Beauty contest. Street party. Craft or hobby show.”
“Some workable suggestions,” Kenneth said. “Are we still doing the haunted house for Halloween?”
“I think it will work well,” Ben said. “You know I read of a town in America doing a cemetery tour. There is no reason we couldn’t do one for the feline section. It could tie in with the haunted house for Halloween. There is a lot of history and the older felines have wonderful stories of when the leap first arrived in New Zealand and the journey over on the ships. Felines only, of course, but that might stir interest in our roots. I think roots are important.”
Valerie reached for her tea and took a sip. “As long as we can keep it feline only.”
“It occurs to me we could make it a mixed tour since the non-feline graves have interesting tales too. Halloween would be perfect because the non-feline people will think we’re cashing in on the black cat sightings and making things up.” Saber winked at Sid. “We could always stage another one-off sighting to drum up interest.”
“Never!” Agnes snapped.
Ben chuckled. “He’s joking. Aren’t you?”
Saber’s grin widened, rather enjoying teasing them. “Something to consider. Next idea is a big garage sale or a flea market.”
“One man’s junk is another’s riches,” Kenneth quipped.
“Christmas caroling. Easter egg hunt. We’ve missed Easter for this year, but that’s something we should do next Easter,” Saber said.
“We could do a Christmas in the Park event and hold it at the school. On the rugby field if it’s fine or in the hall,” Kenneth said. “Combine it with a picnic dinner or lunch. I like that idea.”
“A trivia night,” Saber set aside the last paper in his hand and reached for more. “Wet T-shirt contest. A clown entertainer. Face painting. Drawing contest. Sevens rugby tournament. Kissing booth, gala day, a movie night, school camp, book club, disco party, afternoon tea, town mural, wet T-shirt contest, talent quest, wet T-shirt contest.”
“The T-shirt is a popular idea.” Ben kept his voice mild, but his eyes sparked with humor.
“I don’t care how popular it is,” Valerie snapped. “It’s undignified.”
“No one is saying a female has to wear the T-shirt,” Saber said. “We asked for suggestions and our community has given them. We should study each on its merits.”
“Lad is right,” Sid said. “We’ve received several excellent ideas so far. I think we should consider each one. What’s next, lad?”
Saber read more suggestions. “Casino night, speed dating, obstacle course, wet T-shirt contest, a dare contest.”
“What’s that?” Ben asked.
“I’ll check on my phone.” Kenneth hit buttons. “Ah, people make dares such as singing in public, dressing in a costume, shaving off a beard or coloring hair. People pay a dollar amount and then the people they dare have to carry out the dare.”
Valerie let out an unladylike snort. “What happens if it’s a stupid dare or an illegal one?”
“You can set the dares. I like the idea of making people sing in public. It would be an impromptu concert all week on the main street,” Kenneth said. “I think we should do this one. I dare you Agnes. You sing like a bull frog.”
“I have a good singing voice,” Agnes said, lifting her nose into the air.
“If you’re a lady frog searching for a mate,” Ben said.
“I’ll add it to the list,” Sid said hastily. “Any more, lad?”
“Design a Middlemarch T-shirt contest, bingo night, used book sale, wet T-shirt contest, scavenger hunt, car wash, duck race on the river, community recipe book, triathlon, wet T-shirt contest, cooking school, cooking classes for men, cooking classes for kids, massage parlor, wet T-shirt contest, sports day, break a world record, wet T-shirt contest. That’s it,” Saber said.
“We are not having a massage parlor in Middlemarch,” Agnes snapped.
Saber placed the papers on his pile and raised his hands in surrender. “Not my idea.”
Valerie set her cup on the saucer with a clink. “Or a wet T—”
“We’ve received several good ideas. Maybe we could plan events for the rest of the year. Many of the suggestions won’t require much organization,” Sid interrupted before the discussion changed to town morals. “I’ll make a short list for our next meeting, and we can invite the felines who submitted the suggestions to the meeting.”
“I thought we were inviting one at a time,” Kenneth said.
“Some are youngsters. They might feel more comfortable if they came together,” Sid commented.
Saber leaned back in his chair. “That’s a good idea.”
Valerie nodded. “Get it over in one meeting. Excellent.”
“If you’ll trust me to make a short list, Saber and I will contact the felines who suggested them,” Sid said.
“Fine. Fine.” Valerie picked up her handbag and stood. “If you’re adding an obstacle course, I’m not going to visit it again.”
Saber bit the inside of his lip and managed a quick nod. “So noted.”
“Saber Mitchell. I know you’re laughing,” Agnes said in a stern voice. “If I ever learn who took those photos I swear…”
“It wasn’t me,” Saber said. “I don’t know who took the photos.”
Valerie fixed him with a hard stare, her eyes cool behind her glasses. “He truly doesn’t know, Agnes. I can tell.” She glanced at her watch. “Oh, look at the time. I have a hair appointment. Are you ready to leave, Agnes?”
The two ladies hustled and soon the purr of their vehicle faded into the distance.
“This wet T-shirt contest,” Ben said. “Why don’t we add it to a picnic day as a bit of fun?”
Saber gaped at Ben. “Pardon?”
“Make a selection of fake bras with weird shapes. Make it funny and humorous. Ask for male and female volunteers and turn it into a competition. Allocate one as a lucky bra and get everyone at the picnic to line up in front of their favorite volunteer. Have a small mystery prize for everyone who chooses the right line. A voucher for a muffin at the café or a free sausage at the sausage sizzle. Something like that.”
“It would have to be kid safe,” Sid said.
“Organize an event for the kids at the same time. A scavenger hunt or something that will take them away,” Ben suggested.
Kenneth tapped his finger on the tabletop. “If we did this, those who suggested the wet T-shirt contest would realize we truly did look at every idea. We’re just interpreting it in our way. It’d be a way of getting them to understand we try to listen. A bit of fun.”
“You know,” Saber said, suppressing his urge to chuckle. “We should dress up in the T-shirts. The council members. Let everyone see we’re approachable, willing to listen and have fun.”
There was a moment of silence and the elderly felines shared a quick glance before turning back to Saber.
Kenneth stood. “I’d better shift my herd of cows. Brilliant idea. We should do it.”
“I vote yes. I’m up for that. Can I catch a ride?” Ben asked Kenneth.
“That is plain crafty, lad. We’re in agreement. We’ll do it.” Sid rose and almost ran to the door to join his two friends. “Since it was your idea, you can tell Valerie and Agnes.”
An instant later, t
he three men vanished, the thud of the front door telling of their rapid departure.
Saber’s tongue-in-cheek humor died as he cursed and pushed away his cold cup of tea. “Hell. I walked right into that one.” He stood and strode to the fridge to grab a beer. Maybe Emily would help him sell the idea to Valerie and Agnes. After she’d died laughing, of course.
Author’s Note
Thank you so much for reading My Determined Suitor. I hope you enjoyed your visit to rural Middlemarch. If you love the book—and the Middlemarch Shifters series—please help me spread the word by posting a review or telling your friends.
The real Middlemarch and the south of the South Island is one of my favorite areas of New Zealand, and I have a blast spending time with the Mitchells and their friends. I never know what mischief or drama will occur next. *grin*
Keep up with the latest news by following me on Facebook or joining my mailing list.
Happy reading
Shelley
P.S. Turn the page for an excerpt of My Cat Burglar, the next adventure in the Middlemarch Shifters series.
Excerpt – My Cat Burglar
“Do I get a phone call?” Best let Saber know what was happening. Besides, he didn’t want to spend any longer than necessary playing prisoner. The thieves remained on the loose, and the narrow bed looked about as comfortable as a blanket harboring fleas. Not what this kitty had in mind. “I want to arrange my getaway.” One eye closed in a wink, and he took pleasure in her gasp of outrage.
“We caught you trespassing,” she snapped. “What were you doing there? What did you take?” Her gaze slid down his body toward his crotch.
Jonno laughed, not even trying to control his unruly body. The steal of color across her cheeks charmed him. A blusher. He wondered how far down her body flushed. “I’m not hiding any jewels down there, aside from the obvious, although you’re very welcome to investigate.” A sly grin slid across his lips. He hadn’t had so much fun with a woman in ages.
“You’re just trying to embarrass me.”
“Is it working?”
“Yes,” she hissed. “Are you satisfied? You’re making me behave in an unprofessional manner.”
“I’m not making you do anything, sweet cheeks.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Then tell me your name and I’ll call you by that. Go on, sweet cheeks. You know you want to.”
“Laura,” she snapped, goaded by his teasing. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, making his cock jerk against the fly of his jeans. He attempted to ignore the rush of pleasure surging through his veins, the subtle purr of his feline as it pushed against his control. Jonnowondered how this starchy human would deal with his feline nature before deciding it didn’t matter. Together they’d work through any problems they encountered. Laura was the one.
“Laura,” he said, rolling her name around his lips like a ripe and juicy peach. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you.”
“Knock it off. I’m a cop and you’re a prisoner.”
Jonno nodded thoughtfully. “Sure. We can do some role-plays. I’d have thought you’d like to try something a bit more adventurous. Maybe a slave and owner. I’ll be the slave if you like. I’m an equal-opportunity kind of guy.” His mouth curled into a smirk and it widened when he heard her indignant sniff. He focused on his words, creating mind pictures of them naked. Together. He’d strip naked for her any time. “My phone call?”
“Who do you want to call?”
Jonno wanted to chuckle. He wanted to do a lot of things to the starchy cop, curious about the passion slumbering deep inside the woman. “Saber Mitchell. I’m sure the number is in the book.”
Laura whirled around and stomped away from the door of the holding cell. Jonno watched her until she disappeared from sight. With his exceptional hearing, he heard her terse curse, the slam of a phone book on a desk and the stabbing of the buttons on the keypad of the phone. Jonno heard the murmur of Laura’s voice and her approaching footsteps. She passed a portable phone to him before stomping away. Again, Jonno watched the sway of her ass until he could no longer see her.
“Hi, Saber,” Jonno said. “I’m in jail. Can you get me out?”
“It’s Emily. Saber isn’t here. Why are you in jail?” Interest rather than distress colored her voice. “And what’s more, why should I get you out?”
“Emily,” Jonno said, genuinely shocked. “I can’t stay in jail. I’ll go insane. Damn, I’ll ring the twins. Joe and Sly will help me.”
“No, silly.” Emily’s laugh stilled his sudden panic. “Of course I’ll get you out. Of course I might ring Joe and Sly myself so they can give you a hard time. Why are you in jail?”
“The cops are saying I’m the Middlemarch jewel thief.”
“A cat burglar,” Emily said in clear delight. “And are you?”
“Of course I’m not.”
“Ah, so this relates to the secret squirrel stuff you were discussing with Saber two nights ago.”
“No wonder Saber mated with you. Smart and beautiful.” According to his friends Joe and Sly, Saber had wanted to marry his younger brothers off and had instead stepped into his own trap. He’d taken one look at Emily, or the “scarlet woman” as they’d dubbed her, and wanted her as his mate.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” Emily said. “I have to meet the new police constable after all. Maybe I’ll invite her to dinner the next time the twins come home.”
“No way! You keep those chick magnets away from Laura. She’s mine,” Jonno growled, hanging up to Emily’s laughter. “Laura, I’ve finished my phone call.” Jonno raised his voice and waited for her to come running. While talking with Emily he’d come up with a plan to involve Laura. And it had better work because he needed to touch her. Badly. “Laura, are you there?”
“What do you want?”
“Someone ransacked the Miller house before me. I didn’t take the diamond necklace.”
Her blue eyes narrowed. “Prove it. How do you know it was a diamond necklace? I don’t even know what’s missing.”
Jonno whipped his T-shirt over his head and took great pleasure in the way her mouth dropped open for an instant before pressing to a firm line of disapproval. Very expressive face. He couldn’t wait to see the emotions rushing across her features when he made love to her. After unlacing and toeing off his black boots and socks, he peeled his jeans down his legs. Her mouth widened to a round O. A gasp escaped, punctuated by a hoarse croak. Not a recognizable sound, so he continued, stepping out of his jeans and taking pleasure from her bemused gaze strumming across his naked body. His cock hardened and lengthened as he posed.
“See, I’m not hiding anything that shouldn’t be there.”
“Put your clothes back on,” Laura said at a screech. “Commando. I should have guessed,” she added in a fierce mutter.
“Don’t you want to do a hands-on search?” God, please say yes. He couldn’t wait to have her hands running over his body.
“No.”
“You don’t sound very certain.” Despite the urge to continue and push her with his teasing, Jonno reached for his jeans and donned them again. He’d heard a vehicle pull up outside, and Saber would likely have something to say if Emily saw him naked. He happened to like his face in its present arrangement.
“Tell me why you were at the Miller house,” Laura said, her attention drifting across his bare chest before darting to her clasped fingers.
“An interested party has asked me to investigate the robberies. I figured the Miller house would be on the list since most everyone around here has heard about the heirloom necklace with the diamond so big they call it the Miller diamond.” Jonno decided to stop teasing and return to business. He couldn’t investigate here. Maybe he could do a deal with Laura, if she wasn’t too by the book. And it would give him an opportunity to pursue his mate.
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About Shelley
Shelley lives in New Zealand with her husband and a ch
eeky Jack Russell/mystery breed puppy.
Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand speak – big overseas experience). A twelve month adventure lengthened to six years of roaming the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English pub.
While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley is most likely found in front of her computer following another love – that of writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching rugby (strictly for research purposes), cycling, baking bread and curling up with a good book.
Visit Shelley at her website.
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Other Works by Shelley
Paranormal
Sea of Change
Price of Love
Blue Moon Dragon
Middlemarch Shifters
My Scarlet Woman
My Younger Lover
My Peeping Tom
My Assassin
My Estranged Lover
My Feline Protector
My Determined Suitor
My Cat Burglar
My Stray Cat
My Second Chance
My Plan B
My Cat Nap
My Romantic Tangle
My Blue Lady
My Twin Trouble
House of the Cat series
Sampled & Seduced
Captured & Seduced
Claimed & Seduced
Merry & Seduced
Stranded & Seduced
Seized & Seduced
Hunted & Seduced
Festive & Seduced
Contemporary
Stranger Things Happen
Wild Child
One Night of Misbehavior
Blindside
Fringe Benefits
Lovers at Last
My Determined Suitor Page 15
