“Yeah, you’re right,” he agreed, resisting the urge to pull her back into his arms.
Tameka followed him out onto the porch and stood at the top of the steps. He threw the bag on the passenger seat and paused before getting into the car. “I’ll see you tonight when I get off. I’ll bring dinner.”
“No, I’ll cook. What time?”
“About six?”
“Dinner will be waiting.”
With one last look of longing, he got into the car and drove off.
As soon as his car turned onto the road, Tameka smacked herself on the forehead. “No, I’ll cook,” she mocked herself in a high pitch voice. Was she possessed? What she was thinking was, ‘No don’t come over,’ but that’s not what came out of her mouth. It’s like the man put some type of voodoo spell on her.
Six o’clock. It was almost five now. Did she even have anything in there to cook? The thought spurred her back inside the house and into the kitchen. She took a quick survey, opening the refrigerator and freezer, then going through all of the cabinets, ending with the pantry. It didn’t look good.
Oh, she had food, just not a lot and nothing meant for a man’s appetite. For meat, there was a choice of pork chops or steak. Since she’d never mastered the art of cooking a decent steak, pork chops it would be. She wasn’t much of a vegetable eater, but she loved salads. A chef salad and barbeque pork chops would have to suffice for dinner. If it wasn’t enough, there was still plenty of Chinese left.
Chad called a quarter ‘til six. “I’m still at work. My last call took longer than planned. It looks like it will be six-thirty/seven before I can get there. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Just come whenever you’re done.”
As she hung up, the realization struck that she had a lover.
No, not a lover. One night did not a lover make. Besides, love had nothing to do with…whatever this was. She had a man.
“I have a man.” That didn’t sound right, either. Maybe if she said it slow and enunciated each word. “I…have…a…man.” She weighed the words on her tongue to see if they fit. No dice. She just couldn’t make herself believe it. It didn’t feel right.
“I have a…a…friend.” Hmm, that might actually work. It definitely felt better. She could handle having a friend. After all, everyone needed friends. She was new in the area and hadn’t had a chance to get out and meet anyone yet. Now she knew two people she could consider to be her friends—Chad and Lulu. So what if one of her friends was male, good looking, and hot? That didn’t make him any less her friend.
The issue settled satisfactorily in her mind, she went into the bedroom that contained all of her moving boxes, pulled out her trade supplies and took them into the living room. She grabbed the ones she knew she’d need and set them to the side.
Until she got a feel for the clientele, she’d leave the rest at home.
She heard a car pull up, and she flipped on the porch light and opened the door. Chad got out of his truck still wearing his uniform. “You haven’t been home?”
“It would have taken too long.” He jogged up the steps and buzzed her on the lips in passing. “What’s for dinner?”
“Barbecued pork chops and salad. I hope it’s enough.” She headed into the kitchen and pulled the marinating meat out of the fridge.
He followed. “Looks good. Any rice left from last night?” “Half a container.”
“I’ll just heat some up to go with the rest of what you’re serving. You want any?” He reached into the refrigerator and pulled out the take-out container. He hunted in the cabinets until he found a microwavable bowl while she stuck the meat under the broiler.
“None for me. I had some for lunch.”
“More for me. You mind if I finish this off?” He held up the container, showing her the contents.
“Knock yourself out. You bought it. Two days of Chinese back-to-back is my limit.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He poured the rice into the bowl and stuck it in the microwave while she took the salad from the fridge and placed it on the table.
He called out, “I’ll get the plates. You got any paper plates?
No sense dirtying dishes if we don’t have to.”
“In the pantry. I made more tea. You want some?” She grabbed a bottle of water for herself.
“Maybe in a bit. Right now that water looks good. It’s hot out there.”
Tameka pulled another bottle from the fridge and set it on the counter, then checked the meat. It was ready to be turned.
While she was doing so, Chad stirred the rice and stuck it back in the microwave to warm a little longer. “Meat will be done soon. You want me to add the sauce now or put the sauce on the table?”
“I like mine baked on.”
She took the barbeque sauce and poured it on three of the chops, leaving the remaining two bare. The marinade she used was barbeque flavored so she could enjoy the taste without the mess.
The microwave dinged. “Let me borrow that potholder.” Tameka handed it to him and watched as he took the rice out and set it on the table. Meat done, she divided it onto two plates and carried it to the table and sat down. Everything else was already there. She said grace then dove into the salad, more than ready to eat. The Chinese she’d had for lunch had worn off hours ago.
“These are good.” Chad held up his fork, which held a piece of meat on it. Between bites he said, “You know my name is Chad Wilson and that I’m a Bradford County Sheriff’s deputy. I know you’re Ms. Emma’s granddaughter, that you moved here from Delaware—don’t forget you only have thirty days to get a NC driver’s license and tag—and your driving record is clean.
Tell me more about yourself. I want to know everything.” Tameka arched her eyebrow, a little startled by the request.
“Everything?”
Chad looked a little sheepish. “Well, not right away. Start with the basics like, what’s your profession?”
“I’m a hairdresser.” She sat back and waited to see what his reaction would be.
“Really?” His eyebrows rose to his hairline.
“Is there something wrong with being a hairdresser?” Her tone was just a touch defensive.
“Not at all. It’s just that you look so intelligent…so bookish, I expected you to say something more professional, like a lawyer or doctor or something.”
“So hair dressers aren’t intelligent?”
He put his fork down and pierced her with a look. “You know that’s not what I’m saying. You just look like someone who’s spent years in college. Like you have a Master’s or even a Ph.D. hanging on your wall.”
Mollified, she dropped her gaze to the table in shame.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I do have a Doctorate in Psychology.
I’m a bit defensive about it. I spent all that time, wasted all that money, only to discover once I got into my field of practice I’d rather be doing hair. My decision to quit my job didn’t go over well with my family.” She could still hear them. What do you mean you’re quitting? Do you know how much money you make?
You think you can pull that kind of money being a simple hairdresser? What’s wrong with you?
“Why? What does it matter to them? It’s your life. If you didn’t like doing it, you should have quit. Life’s too short to waste time in a career that you hate. At least you tried and now you know.”
“That’s exactly what Momma E. said.” When he looked inquiringly, she explained. “Grandma Emma.” Chad nodded his understanding, his mouth full of tea.
“What about you? What college did you attend?”
“Actually, I didn’t. I joined the military as soon as I was old enough to sign and became Military Police. I re-enlisted twice.
When the third time rolled around, one of my comrades, Bull, was from this area. He told me about the spot available in the department here and put in a good word for me with the sheriff.