Tameka's Smile (31 page)

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 207

TAMEKA’S SMILE

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.

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“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.

* * * *

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.

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TAMEKA’S SMILE

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.

“Will do,” he responded.

“You’re leaving?” Meka asked.

“Yeah, I want to get on the road before it gets too late. My show’s next week.”

“I’m sorry we won’t make it,” Meka said.

“That’s okay. There will be others,” she acknowledged.

“You enjoy your cruise and don’t worry about me.”

“Once we get things situated, we’ll come visit,” Meka promised.

“I’ll hold you to that.” They hugged again, and then NeeCee embraced Chad.

“Drive safe,” he told her. “No speeding.”

“Yes, sir,” she saluted him before walking to her car.

Chad lifted Meka into the cab. “At least those two managed to behave themselves today,” she stated as she tugged down her skirt.

“I told you all they need…” Chad began.

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Meka placed her finger over his lips, hushing him. “Please, I don’t need that kind of visual ruining my day.” He grinned and gently bit her finger. “Visualize this.” He whispered in her ear what he was going to do to her once he got her home and out of that suit.

She tugged on his tie and reeled him in for a kiss. They jumped when a horn sounded.

“Come along, you two. You have the rest of your lives to play kissey face,” Lulu shouted out the window of her car.

Chad gave her a quick peck before closing the door and going around to the driver’s side. They followed Lulu and Rome out of town. After awhile, Meka asked, “Is he headed where I think he is?”

“Looks that way. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Sure enough, Rome turned into the driveway of Tameka’s former residence. Bull and Lulu turned off behind him and moved immediately to the side, leaving the way clear for them.

When they passed the trees lining both sides of the drive and got an unobstructed view of the grounds, all they could do was stop and stare.

In a week’s time, someone had cleared the rubble, laid the foundation and put up framework for a new house. There were men working everywhere. Looked like the whole pack was present, women and men. When they stepped out of the truck, a cheer went up from the crowd and they all came over to congratulate them on their new marriage.

Meka glanced around in stunned amazement. In little over a week, they’d made tremendous progress. “I can’t believe you guys did all of this,” she told Carol.

“We told you, pack means family. You had a need and we’re providing. That’s what families do,” Carol told them, smiling broadly.

“I don’t know what to say.” She looked at Chad to see his response. His eyes glistened as he clutched her to him, blinking rapidly.

“Thank you,” he said hoarsely, holding his hand out to Mark.

“You’re welcome,” Mark said as he shook the extended hand.

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“Oh, but this isn’t all. Kiesha said when you get back from your honeymoon, stop by the store and pick out furniture for the house. If you don’t see anything you like, the pack has taken a collection and put it in an account in your name as a combination wedding and house warming present,” Carol added.

“This is too much,” Tameka protested.

“No. What you went through for the pack was too much.

This is just our way of making up for some of it,” Mark said seriously.

“Meka, we know we can’t replace everything you lost, but some of us got together and put this together for you.” Lulu handed her a photo album. “It’s pictures of your grandmother and Ned at various events during her time here in Refuge. I also have some knickknacks that she bequeathed me when she died. I want you to have them.”

“I can’t take those. Momma E. wanted you to have them.

These pictures are more than enough. That was the thing that hurt the most about the fire.”

“We’re not done,” said another lady whose name Meka didn’t know. “Bull mentioned that you were a big movie buff. At his suggestion, we got together and made this for you.” This was a case of DVDs. “It’s not everything you had, but it’s a good start.” The case held one hundred and fifty and was full.

Tameka was crying openly now, unable to believe the incredible outpouring of love these people were showering upon them. “Bull, come here you big lug and give me a hug,” she commanded.

After hugging him, she wandered off with the women to see the plans for the house and give her input, leaving Chad and Bull standing together. “This is something, isn’t it?” Bull asked.

“Yeah, man. Incredible.”

“I guess you’ll be coming around more now, huh? Not being such a loner?”

“Yeah.”

Bull was relieved. He’d been trying for years to get Chad to open up to everyone, give the pack a chance. Now it was finally happening. He glanced around. “Where’s NeeCee?”

“She left. Had to get back.”

“She’s
gone
?”

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ZENA WYNN

“Is there a problem? She had stuff to do.”

“Uh, no problem. It’s all cool.” He started backing away.

“You better go check on Meka. That dude she’s talking to is the one responsible for the layout of the house.”

“You’re right,” Chad muttered. “No telling what kind of changes she’s making.”

As soon as Chad walked off, Bull went to his car. “You got away from me once. It’s not going to be so easy this time,” he growled.

He casually got inside and started the engine, maneuvering between the parked cars until he was on the road. Once he was out of sight, he hit his lights and took off. Thank God traffic was light. A little over a half an hour later, he caught sight of her car before she hit the interstate highway.

Bull got behind her and flashed his lights, signaling for her to pull over. Once she was safely to the side of the road, he pulled in behind her and killed the engine. He exited the cruiser, walked over the driver’s door, and leaned on the open window.

“Get out of the car.”

“Bull? What the hell are you doing? I wasn’t even speeding,” she complained.

“NeeCee, get out of the car.”

“Is this some type of joke?”

He reached inside, unlocked and opened the door almost in a single motion. She slapped at his hands when he reached for her seatbelt. “Stop that. Go away. Don’t you have work to do?

Go bother someone else.”

“We have unfinished business.” He snatched off his glasses and placed them on the roof of the car, then dragged her out of her seat and into his arms. He swooped in and kissed her the way he’d wanted to since their first meeting.

Delicious.

He pinned her against the side of the car, thrust his tongue in her mouth and devoured her until they both couldn’t breathe.

Breaking away long enough to gulp a few deep breaths, he kissed her again until she melted like butter against him. Oh yeah, he wanted this woman.

He heard the radio in the squad car. The call was for all cars and he was in the vicinity. He reluctantly let her go. “I have to 213

TAMEKA’S SMILE

go. We’ll finish this later.”

“I don’t think so, cowboy.”

He grinned. He might have taken her words to heart if it wasn’t for the dazed expression on her face, and the way she had to pant to get the words out. He reached on top of the car and grabbed his glasses, before helping her inside. “Go before I change my mind and finish it right here.” He shut the door, tapped the roof of the car in farewell, and backed up as another call came over the radio.