Page 2 of Her Shifter Babe

“Um...,” I began as I swallowed my anxiety. “His name is Tommy and he’s tall,” I said, lifting my arm to indicate his height roughly. “I think he might be around six feet two, maybe. And he’s got blondish hair.”

“Yeah, I know Tommy,” she said.

My stomach swooped with nerves and my eyes widened.

Could my search really be over just like this?

Then Nancy grinned at me. “And how do you know him?”

Oh, God. I’ve never actually said the words out loud...

I gripped my belly for comfort, as though I could shield my child from the world by pure force of will. “Well...”

Nancy’s jaw dropped as she gaped at me in shock. “Oh my God! Stacey, is Tommy the father?” she asked. “Does he know?”

I completely understood. And the truth was I didn’t know a whole lot about Tommy realistically, but he had seemed like a truly decent guy when we’d been together. I could only hope that my instincts would be proven right. I pressed my lips together, almost not wanting to answer her. But I was way too fatigued to think of a good enough lie. “Oh, ah...” I let my words die on my tongue and dropped my gaze to my feet.

“How did you get here?” Nancy asked, not allowing me the alone time to devise a way to get out of here.

“The bus,” I said, holding tightly to my backpack. Everything I owned in the whole world was in this silly little bag. I glanced across to the local diner.

Maybe I should get myself something to eat before finding Tommy. And I really need a shower. Maybe there’s a cheap motel around here somewhere?

But before I could ask Nancy, she held out her hand. “Come on, Stacey. I’ve got a housewarming party to put on, and you’re coming home with me.”

I shook my head, biting down on my lower lip. “Oh, no. I can’t inconvenience you like that.” That wouldn’t be fair to her at all. I was a hot mess. She didn’t need me disrupting the rhythm of her new house.

Nancy grabbed my elbow and started tugging me toward her big car. “Tommy will be at the party this afternoon,” she assured me. “I have no idea where he is now, but I know where he’ll be in a few hours. So, come along. You can shower and eat and rest where it’s cool. I promise you, you’re safe with me.”

In the next few moments, we were next to her humongous vehicle and I just stared at the woman in front of me.

Is this a guardian angel in human form?

My eyes burned, and I blinked quickly to dispel the tears. How could she possibly know what I needed? And what on earth was I going to do when I was finally face to face with Tommy once more?

Nancy’s hand on my arm was gentle but insistent, so when she opened the car door, I clambered carefully inside. “This is nice.” I said, unable to stop myself as I reached out to caress the shiny dashboard. I couldn’t even imagine having a car like this.

“Yeah, it’s new,” she said. “I’m pregnant too actually, but only ten weeks, so no one really knows just yet.”

“Oh, congratulations!” I gushed, happy for her even though we’d only just met. “Your husband must be so happy.”

She laughed as though what I’d said was a major joke. “Yeah, you could say that. Let’s get home and you can meet them.”

“Them?” I repeated the word with a squeak.

But Nancy didn’t answer, she simply offered me a smile as she drove.

What sort of crazy town have I found myself in?

We’d only driven for about three minutes when Nancy pulled the truck up outside a huge, old house.

“Wow, I love those windows,” I said, entranced by the period features of the grand home. “You must have put a lot of work into it?”

“Oh, yeah. Heaps,” she gushed. “It was a real mess when we took it on.” Stacey hopped out of the car and opened the trunk, pulling out a few boxes.

I slipped out of the vehicle as well, my pulse already racing. Tommy wasn’t here yet, but even so, I was so close to finally finding him. I could scarcely believe it.

This is really happening. It’s like Fate has intervened.

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