Page 5 of Chasing Savannah

“Sure, just remember your manners.”

“Of course!”

She smiled as the three of them went down the hallway. She turned and followed Laura. Her neighbor led them into a large kitchen, Savannah’s sandals slapping against the light gray tile that ran throughout the front room into the kitchen. There was an island in the middle, its granite the same color as the floor. Boxes covered most of the countertops, but the island was clear. Dark gray linen high-backed stools lined it and Laura offered her a seat. She put the chicken down on the counter.

“I have some paper plates around here somewhere,” Laura mumbled, as she went through boxes.

“Please, don’t worry about me. This is for you guys. I remember how exhausting the moving process can be. The last thing you want to worry about is dinner.”

Laura leaned on the counter. “You’re so right.”

“That was very considerate of you.” Derrick sat next to her.

His energy reached out to her, surrounded her. She shuddered, stopping herself from leaning into him. Power raised along her skin and her mouth parted in shock.

Another large man came into the kitchen and bussed a kiss across Laura’s cheek. She turned and smiled, and Savannah sensed their connection.

“This is my husband, Theo.”

He held out his hand and she clasped it in greeting. “I’m your neighbor, Savannah.”

“It’s great to meet you.”

“So how does your son know about shifters?” Derrick’s expression was anything but casual.

The tone in the kitchen became serious. “Well, there are a lot of shifter families here. Mine included.”

Relief swept the kitchen and Laura smiled. “You’re a shifter?”

“No, I’m latent, so I don’t shift into a panther, but I do carry some of the traits. I married a human, so it hasn’t been a problem.”

Theo’s eyebrows raised. “If that kid in there is your son, he isn’t latent. He’s playing like a cub.”

“I’m aware, trust me.” She laughed.

“Cubs are a lot to handle.” Laura said, laughing herself.

“Are you a part of the local prowl, or any other kind of panther group?” Theo’s question brought everyone to another stand still.

She wondered at the dynamics of that. But, since she didn’t know these people, she deflected as she always did. “No, I haven’t been to any kind of prowl meeting since I was thirteen and we moved out to Tampa.”

Derrick hummed and watched her, his eyes glowing. “How does he hide his spots? You cover them with makeup?”

She recoiled. She’d never hidden who her son was. “He can hide them when he wants. My grandfather says it’s a part of my latency that I passed to him. It’s one of the reasons you can’t tell what either of us are, but, we’re not ashamed.”

Derrick’s face cleared, and Theo relaxed.

Laura jumped in to break up the tension. “So, how are the schools in the area, are they tolerant of shifters?”

“Yes, Jamie is in a shifter only school and it’s wonderful. It’s a private school, but I can put in a word for you.”

“That would be great!” Laura clapped. “I was really worried about that. You hear so many stories about prejudice in the south.”

She nodded. “It’s actually not as bad as you would think. Shifters have lived down here for centuries, so the only people surprised when they came out were you Yankees.”

Theo laughed. “I like how southerners talk about history as though it happened yesterday.”

She took a mini bow and laughed.