Page 3 of Her Shifter Babe

“Let me help you,” I said, popping on my backpack and grabbing one of the boxes from her.

“Oh, thanks,” she said, picking up a shopping bag. “I appreciate that. These are just some last-minute things. Come on, let’s get you settled.”

I followed Nancy up the sidewalk to the house, noting the freshly planted flowers and the neat paving stones.

She forged ahead like the queen of her own queendom, opening the front door and bustling inside.

I gripped the box I held tightly with two hands and slowly crept inside, my anxiety in overdrive.

Her home was truly beautiful and seriously enormous. The floorboards shone with new lacquer and the high ceilings were decorated with pretty cornices and custom paint colors. I really appreciated the restoration, and I would know a good one when I saw it. I’d studied historic architecture and design before marrying a man way too old for me. I sighed at the memory.

“Just put that box down there,” Nancy said, pointing to a small table in the entranceway.

I did what she said immediately, feeling unclean and unworthy of being in this beautiful house.

Nancy just grinned at me, then took off up the staircase. “Follow me. Just mind your step.”

And so I did, running my hand over the solid wood balustrade, all the way up to the landing and along the hallway.

“This place is really... wow,” I breathed.

“I’m glad you like it,” Nancy said with genuine warmth before she pushed open a door. “This is a guest bedroom, and it has a shared bathroom with the bedroom next door, which I think is kind of cool.”

I nodded. “Jack and Jill bathrooms?”

She shrugged. “If that’s what you call it? Either way, these rooms will be perfect for my kids when they grow up. But for now, it’s all yours,” Nancy said as swept her arm out to invite me into the room.

I wandered inside, my feet and back aching from climbing the stairs. “Oh, now this is nice! I love the color palette you’ve chosen.”

Soft pinks, grays, and warm eggshell-white tones met my eyes, relaxing me immediately. The room was large, with a queen bed in the center as well as a small seating area covered in soft, textured pillows. I couldn’t help but run my fingers over the tendrils that featured on the woodwork.

“You seem well versed in design,” Nancy said, curiosity evident in her tone.

I shrugged off my backpack and sighed as I slid my sore feet out of my tennis shoes, the soft carpet cushioning my toes as they got some air. “I have a degree in design,” I explained. “I just haven’t had the opportunity to use it much.”

Nancy opened her mouth to say something else, probably to ask me a question, but a man’s voice called out to her, and she sighed. “I’ve got to run. The bathroom’s just through that door and there are plenty of towels and toiletries, so please help yourself!” She hurried back to the entrance, then called over her shoulder. “The party’s not for another two hours, so if you want a nap, go for it.”

“Thank you!” I called out, grateful beyond belief for this amazing woman.

“No problem at all,” Nancy answered as she closed the door behind her, leaving me in a beautiful room in a stunning period home, just mere hours away from seeing Tommy again.

I waddled over to the luxurious, renovated white bathroom and held back the tears that swam furiously in my eyes. I wasn’t sure how it had happened, but I was safe, and soon I’d be clean and well rested. I couldn’t have even dared dream that everything would fall into place the way it just had for me. It was beyond wonderful.

This is the best day I’ve had in a very, very long time.

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