Rodney: Marshall’s Shadow – Jaguar Shapeshifter Romance by Kathi Barton (books for new readers TXT) 📕

to step up some work with the hospital. If I have to go there for anything, I want to know I don’t have to worry about petty shit going on that will upset me more.”

“Good point. I didn’t think of it that way.” Harris and she went through each of the rooms that were nearly devoid of their things. They’d not just been loaded up, but it looked as if someone was going into the rooms after they left and cleaning up. “When I came here for my brother’s funeral, I thought for sure that Sheila was joking about paying nearly nine hundred a month for this place. It’s not worth nine hundred dollars to purchase if you ask me. But she was grieving, and I didn’t want to upset her any more than she already was. Now, with the things taken out, I can see that it was much worse than I thought. It’s small wonder the kids didn’t get sick more than they were.”

“He’ll have to either pay for this place to be brought up to standards or sell it off. I’m hoping he sells. The Marshalls own the houses on either side of this place, and I’d love to be able to tear the three of them down and put in a nice place for kids to go after school.” Rebel liked that idea and told Harris so. “Also, you might not realize this yet, but you have the same input that all of us do on things the family does. Any ideas you have or even suggestions will be welcome.”

“I’m not ready for that just yet.” Harris said she understood, and they finished up the house inspection. “I’m wondering if I should have told Rodney I was having my things brought to his house. He must think I’m off my rocker a little. We had a little spat before I came here. I might have given him the impression I was a bitch.”

“I’m sure you are when you need to be. But I’ve told him already. You’ll have to share your blood with us so we can talk to you through a link. Also, in the event that something happens and we need to find you. But that’s not anything we have to be in a hurry for now.”

Too much, Rebel thought. There was just too much right now.

Harris seemed to understand and changed the subject to something less personal. She told her of the babies coming, as well as a vampire friend of hers that was coming to see Harris to tell her of the vampire line she was a part of. Jason, she told her, had been looking into it for her since he’d tasted her blood.

It was going to be hard to keep up with this family without a notepad. Rebel decided she’d get one when she was out next. It might help her to keep all this stuff straight. Or not. She had no idea right now. But she was thinking it would be fun.

Chapter 2

Lach didn’t know why, but she thought there was no room for error with this ghost. When she asked him, for the tenth time, why he’d waited so long to come to her with his problem, the man would only say that things were not all that they seemed. Lach didn’t even know his name yet, much less what he was talking about.

“Without something to go on, there isn’t any way I can help you, sir.” He nodded and moved around the room. Shep had offered her his office to conduct this talk with the dead man. While she knew he was indeed dead, she couldn’t tell what had caused it by looking at him. The babies decided they had had enough of her sitting still and started to wiggle around. “I’m going to have to walk a little. Are you going to have a problem with that?”

“Nay, you are having twins.” She knew this, but the way his accent came out, she thought perhaps she might well be talking to Rebel’s brother. “You are a beautiful woman. I am enjoying talking to you. However, if you could give me a few more minutes, I’ll be able to tell you much.”

Walking around the room, she noticed some of the touches that Harris had added to this room. There were pictures of men and women dressed in uniforms. A picture of a man she thought she knew but wasn’t all that sure. It looked like the new president. With Harris, it wouldn’t surprise her if it was him. Right now, she wanted to tell the man when he was ready she’d come back, but he must have worked things out and started talking to her.

“The check from the insurance company, it wasn’t enough. It was for one million, not ten thousand.” She asked him who he was. “As you might have guessed, I’m Thomas Walsh. Brother to Rebel and late husband to Sheila. I saw my children today. They are very well cared for, don’t you think?”

“They are. How did you know about the money?” He told her he’d taken the policy out himself. “I see. I’ll tell Harris. She’s working with your wife on that. You said that things aren’t what they seem. Are you telling me that someone is out to get someone in your family?”

“Aye, that would be the right of it.” Thomas grinned at her. “You’re smart as well as beautiful, aren’t you? I didn’t die as they think I did. When I was brought to this point, I knew things I didn’t before. I was poisoned. I know you need proof of such a thing, and I have it in my body. However, I’m not sure who the person is that did the deed to me.”

“Was it Sheila?” He just glared at her as if the very thought of his wife harming him was too much. “All right. I don’t believe it would have been your sister either. She wasn’t even in this