Tameka pushed the door open wide in a silent invitation to enter. “You didn’t really do anything, other than lock me in the closet.” She was still confused about how Lulu managed it. The lock was on her side of the door. She didn’t remember seeing an additional one on the outside. She mentally shook her head. That was neither here nor there compared with everything else that happened today.
“Sorry about that. There wasn’t time to explain and your presence was only making matters worse.” Lulu stopped in the doorway. “I didn’t come to visit. Your grandmother gave me a letter to give to you, just in case. I promised her I’d pass it along.”
She held out a white, legal sized envelope with Momma E’s handwriting on it. Tameka took it before raising puzzled eyes to Lulu. “I don’t understand. Why did she leave this with you and not the lawyer, along with everything else?”
“Emma said you’d only need this if you moved here and became interested in one of the local men. Chad qualifies, so here I am.”
“But why…?”
“Read it, child,” Lulu interrupted. “Then ask your questions.
I’ll be more than happy to answer them—after. I have to go. See you at the shop tomorrow.” She turned and walked away, leaving Tameka pondering this strange turn of events.
She closed the door as Lulu drove off and went and sat on the couch, flipping the letter over and over in her hand. A letter from Momma E, reaching out to her from beyond the grave. She suppressed a shiver. Tameka stared at it, wondering what thoughts were going through her mind as she wrote it. Did Momma E. know these would be her final words to her beloved granddaughter?
Meka! For God’s sake, just read the letter. I declare!
Tameka jumped, then slid her thumbnail under the seal, opening the envelope. If reading this letter would get rid of the voice in her head, she’d do whatever it said. She determinedly ignored the soft chuckle she heard in response.
Tameka,
If you’re reading this, it means that you did what I’d hoped you’d do—moved to Refuge and met your mate.
As you probably guessed, I had more than one reason for wanting you to come here. I knew you’d love the scenery, the quiet, and the people. I was hoping that here you’d find a man to complete you. One who’d love you the way my Ned loved me.
The men in Refuge are different. They’re more, as I’m sure you’ve come to realize if you’re reading this. They’re shapeshifters. My Ned was one as well, something you never knew. He said the moment we met on the ship he knew I was the one—his One—his true mate.
The idea of love finding me again at my age should have been ridiculous. Your father certainly thought so, but I learned that you’re never too old to love. So there I was, at the ripe age of sixty-two, embarking on the hottest love affair of my entire life.
You probably think I’m crazy, think we’re all soft in the head, but the truth is shape-shifters do exist. They’re real, Meka.
I know with your logical, college-educated mind that it’s difficult for you to believe, but there’s an easy solution. Ask your man to shift for you, and when he does, accept. Don’t argue.
Don’t question. Just accept that God made all types of species—
of which humans are just one—and that this man was made for you.
Accept the gift of love that you’ve been given. You’ll never find another man who’ll love you like he can. He’ll be a good husband and father to your children, and he’ll always be faithful to you. It’s embedded in his DNA. God has allowed you to find your soul mate. Don’t blow it. This man might not be what you think you want, but he’s what God knows you need.
Love Always,
Momma E
Tameka read the entire letter three times. Shape-shifters, please. There must be something in the water here causing mass hallucinations. She made a mental note to buy bottled water on her next trip to the store. Didn’t matter how clean and fresh the water tasted, it must be tainted.
Meka, her name was sighed. Call him. Ask him to shift. Then you’ll believe.
“Call Chad. Ask him to come over and prove he’s a werewolf?”
Shape-shifter.
“Whatever. Have him come over and shift. He won’t be able to do it.” She knew he wouldn’t, and when he couldn’t, she’d have her proof that they were all delusional.
Or, he’ll shift and prove that we’re not.
Well, there was that, not that Tameka thought it would happen. She’d call, invite Chad over, and ask him to prove what he was. When he admitted that he couldn’t, she’d have her proof and the voice—she stubbornly refused to refer to it as Momma E—would have to shut up and leave her alone.
Tameka picked up the handset sitting on the table beside her. Her fingers shook a little as she dialed the number. “I don’t know why I’m nervous. He’s not a werewolf. He won’t be able to shift. Case closed. I’m right.”
“Meka, what’s wrong?” Chad answered.
She cleared her suddenly dry throat. “Can you come over, please? I’d like to ask you something.”
“You can’t ask me now?” He sounded puzzled.
She winced. “I’m sorry. You’re busy. This can wait.” God, how stupid could she be? The man did have a life. Who knew what she was interrupting?
“Tameka, I asked you to marry me, remember? That gives you certain rights. There’s nothing more important in my life than you. If you need me to come over, I’m on the way. See you in a few.” He disconnected the call.
She laid down the phone and put her face in her hands.
Chad always knew just what to say to turn her to mush. No man had ever said that she was so important to him that he was willing to drop whatever he was doing and come running, just
‘cause she’d called. Admittedly, beginning with her father, she’d seen the worst of men in their lives and relationships. As Momma E. was fond of saying, the only good thing her father ever did was produce Tameka. They say that females unconsciously attract men that are the same as their paternal parent. That must be true, because all of the men she’d met to date were ne’er-do-wells like dear old Dad.
Chad was different, but then he had his own issues. The man thought he was a werewolf, for crying out loud. She wasn’t sure how to handle it. She began to pace her living room, periodically rubbing moist palms on her caftan. Remembering that she was naked underneath, she headed for the bedroom to change, or at least add a bra and panties.
Too late. Chad’s truck pulled to a stop next to hers in the drive. He climbed out, looking yummy in a white t-shirt that molded his chest like every woman’s fantasy, and faded blue denim jeans that lovingly displayed every bulge, including the one between his legs. She snapped out of her stupor and raced to the door as he disappeared from view, opening it at the first knock.
“Hi,” she greeted him breathlessly, restraining the urge to throw herself into his arms.
Chad had no such hesitation. He snagged her by the nape and pulled her up to meet his descending mouth. As his kiss weakened her knees and flooded her womb with warmth, he kicked the door closed with his foot.
When they came up for air, her right leg was wrapped around his calf and his hands were cupping her hips, grinding her pelvis into his erection.
“Question,” he panted as she placed baby kisses all over his face and licked the strong column of his neck, enjoying its salty flavor.