“I honestly doubt if Emily knew who he was. By all accounts, she got pregnant sometime during a blue moon.” Tameka shot Lulu a puzzled glance, wondering what the moon had to do with anything.
“Sorry, I forgot you’re not from around here. Things get a little hairy then. I won’t tell you what the younguns call it, but there’s a lot of sexual activity during its peak. From what Ned said, Emily was supposed to spend that time with him. Instead, she ditched him and went to a party thrown by some of the fellows. It turned into an orgy and she was right in the thick of it.
Tried to lie about it later. Said she wasn’t there. For Ned, it was the last straw.”
“Sounds like you two were really close,” Tameka commented.
“We were.” Lulu fell quiet.
Now that the excitement was dying down, she realized someone was missing. “Where’s Chad?” She couldn’t believe he’d missed all the action.
“He went into the house,” Rome stated.
Chapter Fourteen
“What house? That one?” She pointed to her home that appeared to be no closer to having the flames doused than when she arrived. “And no one stopped him?” she yelled at Rome and then took off running.
Face a madwoman with a loaded rifle and she’s as calm as the sea. Find out her mate’s in a burning building and she loses it. Part of her marveled at the irony of it. He’d better come out there alive in one piece, ‘cause when I get my hands on him, I’m going to kill him.
She skidded to a halt when she reached the barrier tape set up around the perimeter, designed to keep onlookers a safe distance away. “Have you seen Chad?” she asked hopefully.
The blare of a nearby radio distracted her. “CLEAR THE
BUILDING. The roof is about to go. I repeat, CLEAR THE
BUILDING.”
People dove for cover as with a tremendous crack and a shower of sparks, the roof caved in. Tameka stared in horror.
Please God let him be alive.
“Hey, you lookin’ for Chad? He’s over there getting oxygen.”
She jerked her gaze away from the destruction that was her house and looked in the direction the stranger was pointing.
“Thanks,” she muttered and maneuvered her way past hoses and other paraphernalia over to Chad’s side, nearly overwhelmed by the relief rushing through her.
He’d just pushed the mask off of his face. His hair was stringy and wet, and the upper part of his body was covered in soot and ash, mixed with the occasional streak of red that smelled like blood. She stood back for a moment and feasted at the sight of him, happy that he was alive and relatively unhurt.
He still hadn’t spotted her when he stood, tossed the blanket away from his hips and slipped on a pair of jeans, sliding something in his front pocket.
He was safe. That was all that mattered. She held on to that thought as she approached him. As soon as he saw her, he pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry about the house, babe. I promise you, I’ll catch the person who did this.”
“Rome already did, just a few minutes ago. Right before he told me that you ran into a burning building. WHAT WERE YOU
THINKING?”
“I’m okay. See, no harm done and look…” He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a small, soggy box. “I saved it.” He opened it and dropped down on one knee. “Meka, will you marry me?”
The ring was absolutely beautiful. A marquis cut diamond solitaire engagement ring with a gold band sparkled in the semi-darkness. “You ran inside the house for this?” she asked hoarsely, raising stunned eyes to his pleased ones.
“Yeah,” he beamed proudly.
She reared back and punched him so hard, his head snapped back on his neck. “You fool!” She wrapped her arms around herself and turned away to keep from choking him. He could have been killed and for what, a ring? Idiot.
He walked around to stand in front of her, still rubbing his jaw. “Is that a yes?” he asked hesitantly.
She groaned and put her hands over her face. “Yes, you crazy man. I’ll marry you. Someone has to keep you in check.” Chad whooped for joy and picked her up, spinning her around in his arms. “She said YES!”
Meka hid her face against his neck as people turned to look at them. “Put me down,” she hissed. “You’re making a scene.” He set her gently on her feet. “We’ll go to the courthouse tomorrow. I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind.”
“We can’t get married before Alex and Kiesha. Their wedding’s in two days. We can wait, and I want my sister here,” she stated firmly.
“And I want Bull to stand with me, but I’m not waiting longer than a week.” Both his tone and expression said he wasn’t willing to compromise any further than what he had.
“A week it is,” she agreed.
“We can pull a wedding together in a week, can’t we boys?” Lulu asked.
The
men
around
them
roared
their
agreement.
Congratulations were called as word spread. A bit of brightness to combat the destruction wrought today.
Rome came up to them. “Take your mate home, son. It’s been a hard night. She needs to rest.”
“Meka said you caught the person that did this?” Chad asked.
“We did. I’ll tell you all about it…tomorrow. Go home,” he ordered.
He wrapped an arm around her and led her to the truck.
Before getting into the cab, she allowed herself one more look at all she’d lost. She didn’t realize she was crying until Chad wiped the tears from her face. “I’ll build you a new home, baby. A nice one, for you and our kids. You’ll see.”
She nodded and climbed inside. Chad got in and cranked the engine. With one final look at her past, they rode off into what Tameka determined then and there was going to be a glorious future, together.
That Saturday, precisely a week after Kiesha and Alex exchanged vows, they were married by the Justice of the Peace.
Bull stood up for Chad as his best man. NeeCee was her maid of honor. Lulu and Rome witnessed it. After the ceremony, they headed over to Moe’s Diner for a wedding brunch.
“So where you two headed for your honeymoon?” Lulu asked, as they finished the last of their meal.
“Chad managed to get us last minute reservations on a cruise out of Charleston, South Carolina to the Bahamas.” Meka leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder, totally content.
Lulu smiled. “I think your grandmother would have approved.”
“I know she would,” she said with a secret smile and winked at NeeCee, who grinned in return.
“Well, before you two take off, follow me. I want to show you something,” Rome stated.
She exchanged a puzzled look with Chad. “Sure.” Chad went to reach for his wallet. Bull put out a hand and stopped him. “I told you, man. I got this. My gift to you and Meka.” He placed enough money on the table to cover everyone’s lunch, and a hefty tip besides.
“What do you think this is about?” Meka whispered to Chad as they exited the building.
“No clue.”
“Did I tell you, Mr. Wilson, how nice you look in your dress uniform?”
“No, you didn’t. Did I tell you, Mrs. Wilson, how sexy you look in that outfit?” Her suit was champagne colored, two-piece with a demi-jacket and mini-skirt that came to mid-thigh with a back slit for walking.
“Why, no, Mr. Wilson. I don’t believe you did,” she murmured with a smile.
“NeeCee, you can ride with me,” she heard Bull offer.
“That’s okay. I brought my ride,” she told him and waved him away. She came to where Meka and Chad were standing by the truck and gave Meka a hug. “I’m happy for you, sis. You take good care of her. She deserves the best,” she admonished Chad.