I pulled up and parked behind the moving van at the curb in front of the store. Two burly guys were carrying boxes into the store while another stood on the sidewalk holding a clipboard. He looked up as I walked over.
“Mr. Burrows,” I said, recognizing the same man I’d met at my former store in Charleston.
“Mr. Lasco,” he replied, smiling at me.
I held out my hand and walked toward him. He was human but the moment I got close enough, I could smell salami, garlic, and pickles. I swallowed down bile as he smiled and took my hand. I dropped it immediately after the handshake and stepped back, glancing over at the door where two more men emerged. They were dripping sweat and the same scents poured off their skin. It was times like these that I lamented my sharp sense of smell. These guys had most likely stopped at a sandwich shop somewhere on the road. Burrows turned and instructed them to grab a bedroom set near the back of the large moving van next. They nodded, jumping back into the truck, before Burrows turned back to me.
“I trust you had an uneventful trip from South Carolina?”
“Nothing to worry you about, Mr. Lasco.” He pointed inside the store. “You want to come inside and see how it’s coming along?”
“Sure.” I followed him into the store, keeping several paces behind his large frame as he pointed out how they’d placed several large pieces of furniture exactly where I’d drawn them in on the floorplan I’d given him at the starting point of his journey. As we walked around of the store, I realized that with rare exception, everything was where it should be. I was perfectly capable of moving objects around but it was nicer when I didn’t have to. I pointed out the few changes and he made notes. I’d unpack smaller items and shelve rare books, but it was nice to have the larger items in place before all that began. Besides, I wasn’t planning on having any help until the morning when my employees arrived.
“Thank you, Mr. Burrows. This looks great,” I said after touring the store and checking out the office, satisfied with the way my desk fit inside. I reached into my pocket and pulled out an envelope, handing it to him. “Here’s the rest of your fee. If you’ll just leave the key in the mailbox out front when you’re done here, I’d appreciate it.” I’d already told my new employees, Scott and Bryce, to be at the store bright and early to begin work. I would take 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
