the time to meet them in person then head home to rest before the sun was high in the sky. Walking in sunlight always tired me but I could take it for short periods of time.
“Sure enough. Oh, one last thing,” Mr. Burrows said. “Did you want us to hang the sign that was delivered while we were unpacking? My guys would be happy to do it for another fifty bucks.”
“Oh, it’s here? Show me.” I’d ordered a specialty sign to put up over the front door.
“Right back here,” Mr. Burrows said, leading me to a large sign that had been carved out of redwood. It read Prosper Woods Antiques. I’d found an artist in South Carolina at a local crafts fair and commissioned it after settling on the location of my new home. It was about six feet wide and two feet tall and was beautifully crafted and rubbed with a clear oil that brought out the natural bright red highlights in the wood. The fancy lettering had been carved into the planking and painted a dark green with a white border, making the words stand out. I loved it at first sight.
“Fifty dollars?” I asked, turning to Mr. Burrows who still held his clipboard.
“Yessir.”
“How about I give you a hundred and that way you’ll have enough for drinks after work. I suspect it’ll take you the rest of the night to finish off here.” I wanted the job done right and over the millenniums, I’d learned that people did a better job when incentivized. Aside from that, I’d had a good impression of Mr. Burrows at our first meeting. He’d driven all the way out onto the island after dark to meet with me and I’d liked him immediately.
The man sputtered and grinned widely, sticking out his meaty hand. “That’s right nice of you, Mr. Lasco. We’ll finish up and then do a nice job on that sign for you.”
“Thank you.” I smiled back, shaking quickly and stepping back so that my stomach would stop rolling. “Well, I’m off then. Have a good evening.” It was time to get my own drink.
“Yessir and thanks to you, Mr. Lasco.”
I turned and walked out of the store, stepping around two of the guys who each had one side of a red velvet settee which was a piece I’d picked up several years ago at an estate sale in upstate New York. I waved at them and returned their smiles before walking to the curb. I was glancing at my watch when a scent like nothing I’d ever smelled washed over me. My head shot up and I looked down the block as I zeroed in on where it was coming from. Striding out of the saloon fifty yards away was a stunning looking man. As if knowing he was being watched, he came to an immediate stop on the sidewalk and lifted his head. When he turned, our eyes met. In that heartbeat, something pulsed through me.
Instantly, I knew this man—this beautiful creature—wasn’t human.
And he was mine.
Chapter Three
Prosper Woods Chronicle. Letters to the editor:
“I stepped out of the saloon last night when I saw a big yellow truck being driven by a white poodle. I should have reported it at the time, but my designated driver told me I should just go home. Could someone make sure that poodle has a driver’s license? He could hurt someone.” Signed, “Barfly Barb.”
Romeo
As I left the saloon, I was thinking about the bartender I’d just met. Greg had been very friendly as we sat and talked for an hour over the two beers he served me. I didn’t get the gay vibe when he talked to me, just the sheer cheerfulness which came off the man in waves as he talked about the town. He sure loved it here, loved walking in the woods alone or with his friends. He’d made me feel welcome and I was grateful for it. Maybe my move to Prosper Woods was going to turn out to be the best thing I’d ever done. So far, all the people I’d met had been friendly with the only exception being Sid Farrell who ran the general store.
As I stepped outside, I lifted my face intending to look up and take a minute to gaze at the stars in the clear night sky. Instead, an odd feeling stopped me in my tracks and I turned to look down the street. Parked outside of a row of brick buildings which accommodated