Chapter Three

It was in his favor that Uzzi was older now. He had thick white hair and a beard to match, light blue eyes, and a ready smile for all and any. A good Witch, he’d used his Magic throughout the years to spread joy and happiness. His matchmaking efforts had been praised far and wide, and he truly enjoyed the work.

Not an easy task. But when the Goddess of Love herself was an ancestor, it wasn’t as if he’d had much choice. Uzzi Stregovich was one of the lucky ones. He’d found happiness in his calling.

“Well, how do I know you’re not a serial killer?” the female asked.

That made Uzzi grin. The girl had spunk.

Nice. Very nice.

“Listen to me now, young lady, I swear on my beloved wife’s grave, killing you is the last thing on my mind. Take a leap of faith and get in. You might not be so lucky with the next car that stops,” he added.

The woman looked at Uzzi, then at his driver. She was still mulling it over when suddenly, a deafening roar of thunder sounded overhead, and lightning struck a tree not twenty feet away from them. That got her moving.

“Okay, I’ll get in, but if you decide to kill me, give me some warning first, okay?”

“Sure, I promise,” Uzzi flashed a warm smile and opened the door.

He liked this girl. She had plenty of sass. Not to mention plenty of curves that his Shifter clients were incredibly fond of. He wondered if she liked cats. Big ones.

Hmm.

The wheels in his head started working overtime, and with it, his Magic began to hum and vibrate. Ah, yes, this one was special. But before he got into all of that, Uzzi would have to do something about this shivering little creature.

“Here, take this and try to warm up,” Uncle Uzzi said.

He handed the stranger a small travel blanket that had been tucked in one of the limo’s many compartments. Once she wrapped it around her, Uzzi turned the heat on high.

“There, that should help.”

“Thank you. I am so sorry to get your car all wet,” the stranger said through her chattering teeth.

“Don’t give it another thought, dear. Now, my name is Uzzi Stregovich. I am a widower, and this is Hank, my driver.”

“Miss,” Hank said, nodding as he pulled carefully back out onto the road.

“I’m Elissa Phoenix, but my friends call me Lissa.”

“How did you get stranded here at this time of night, Lissa?” Uzzi asked.

“It’s a long story,” she sighed, and shivered slightly.

“How about some tea or coffee to warm you up? There is water in the little machine just there. Pick out your own tea or coffee pod and press the button on top,” he instructed.

Uncle Uzzi nodded as Elissa looked over the offerings. She chose a peppermint tea pod and popped it into the amazing little gadget. Almost as wondrous as Magic, the old Witch mused.

He waited as she filled the insulated travel mug and added a touch of honey. Elissa leaned forward and allowed the steam from the mug to warm her chilled face before returning her gaze to his.

“I love peppermint tea. Thank you so much,” she smiled and blew on her tea from the small opening on top of the mug.

Always a good idea before sipping any hot liquid. Uzzi approved of her methodical and careful maneuvering.

“Better now?”

“Yes, much. If you could just take me to the nearest town, I am sure I could find some public transportation to get back home.”

“Where is home? If you don’t mind me asking,” Uzzi said casually.

“Hoboken for now.”

“Hoboken? My, that is a way away! Excellent Italian bread bakeries there. In particular, Marie’s and Dom’s.”

“My grandmother loved them! Anyway, I know it is far. Uh, it’s kind of a long story,” Elissa said, shaking her head.

“Now, you might as well tell me what happened, unless you have something better to do?” Uncle Uzzi teased.

“I’m sorry, of course. You see, I was on a blind date with this guy, and well, it went bad. The guy was just a real creep,” she shook her head.

“I see. He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Uzzi asked, sitting up straight.

He noticed Hank listening too, and the man’s eyes flashed with anger. One thing Uzzi could not tolerate was any kind of abuse aimed at a female. His own blue eyes were undoubtedly glowing with his Magic. The powers within him were zapping around in a frenzy at the idea of any woman being hurt by a man.

“No,” she replied, quieting both Uzzi’s Magic and Hank’s beast with the simple truth.

“He was just expecting a different kind of outcome for this evening and when I asked to be taken home, he wanted what I considered an unfair exchange. So, I slapped his face and walked out on him,” she shrugged.

“That was very brave of you.”

“Well, my grandmother didn’t raise me to be bullied into doing anything I didn’t want to do. And Little Gianni was definitely something I did not want to do.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Worse. I swear, I am going to kill my roommate when I get back home. And judging by the email I just got from our realtor, it looks like it will only be home for a little while longer. They are hiking up our rent again.”

“Oh my! But why kill your roommate?” Uzzi asked only half joking.

He liked this girl and had a feeling he’d met her on the road for a special reason.

“Well, for one thing, it was her date. I only took her place to be nice. As for the other, living in Hoboken is so expensive and with this new increase, I don’t know if Gretchen and I can afford to live there anymore,” Elissa sighed and shook her head.

“I see. Tell me, Elissa, what do you do for a living?”

Elissa looked up, and her brown eyes warmed for a second. Uzzi watched her think it over before she spoke, another good sign. Then she smiled, and he was sold.

She likes her work. She needs sanctuary. She has much to offer. This is good. Very good.

“I’m a personal chef. I go to people’s houses and cook and prepare them meals for the day or week, however many times a week they need. Of course, my best clients recently moved, so I am always looking for more work. Things are rough right now,” she said.

“Didn’t enjoy working in restaurants?” Uzzi asked.

“Not really. Too many people. I like to be one on one with my clients. To see to their personal needs. Some have dietary restrictions and I have to work with that. It is very rewarding, actually.”

“Like taking care of a family?” Uzzi asked.

“Yes,” Elissa replied.

He thought he saw a glint of something wistful in her eyes. Like she was seeing a memory she seldom looked at anymore flitter through her brain.

“I grew up with just my grandma, but we were a family. Kids from my soccer team always showed up on Sundays to eat with us because we made so much food. I love cooking for people. There is just something great about it. I hope to have a family someday to cook for, but it’s not likely.” Elissa sighed.

“I may know of a place that is looking for a personal chef. Not a restaurant, more of a family type situation. But I warn you they have big appetites,” Uzzi hedged.

He was not lying. The Maverick Pride Neta did ask for someone who could cook. A female who would not balk at the idea of working with and for her Pride. Someone who was nurturing, caring, who would want cubs.

Hmm.

Elissa was at a crossroads. Something had to give, and soon. She seemed honest, hardworking, and she was positively lovely, in Uncle Uzzi’s opinion.

He believed in Fate, that was a must in his line of work, and so, Uzzi wondered if these two souls might not be just right for each other. Perhaps he’d know with a few more details.

“A job for me? Really? That’s awesome. Where did you say it was?”

“That is the thing, my dear. It is more a live-in position.”

“I would have to live there?”

“Yes, but I am more betting you would want to live there. If you would like to see it, I happen to be on my way there now. You could come with me and interview for the job tonight.”

“But I’m a mess-”

“Oh, don’t worry, my dear. You will be fine once you dry up a bit, and you can always freshen up there.”

Elissa bit her lip. She was worried. Not good. Uzzi needed to put her at ease.

“I would never take you someplace that isn’t safe, Elissa. Mount Maverick is just over in Burlington county. It’s a small community, and the leader there is a good man.”

“You mean like the mayor?” She asked.

“Something like that, Elissa,” Uzzi began. and leaned forward, trusting his instincts not for the first time in his very long life.

“I know tonight was bad for you, Elissa Phoenix, and you don’t know me very well, but may I ask you something?”

“Um, yeah, I guess.”

“What kind of man are you looking to settle down with?”

“What? Oh. Um, I don’t know.” Elissa laughed and pointed to herself.

“I mean, I’m not exactly overcome with offers.”

“Nonsense! You are just beautiful, young lady. A rival for my Betty, here take a look at this,” Uzzi said and reached inside his wallet for the snapshot he always carried of his liebling.

“Awww, she’s beautiful,” Elissa replied.

“Now, if you could pick any attributes in a man, what would they be?”

“Okay. Off the top of my head, if I was searching for a boyfriend, I guess I would want someone who was honest, loyal, and kind. Someone who is attracted to me, you know,” Elissa told the old man who’d saved her from having to walk home from her last disastrous date.

“What I want is someone who loves me and wants me for who I am.”

“I see,” he said. “Very levelheaded. And what about looks?” Uncle Uzzi asked, blue eyes sparkling with interest.

“I don’t think I should be too picky about that.” Elissa shrugged, gesturing to her curvy frame.

“Please, a woman like you can have any man she wants! Now, come on. It’s just us, Elissa. What kind of man is a young beauty like you attracted to?”

“That’s an odd question for you to ask,” she replied, biting her lip.

“It might seem that way, but it is an industry thing, I assure you. Here.” The older man reached into his pocket and retrieved a business card.

“Just think of me as Uncle Uzzi. I run a matchmaking service. Now, you would be doing me a favor if you answered my questions. What else is there to do to pass the time? Besides, I so love a good chat.”

“Alright, but only because you asked,” Elissa said, going for broke. “I love guys with muscles. Men who are bigger than me, who are kind and smart. Not that I know many muscly guys like that who are into curvy girls. But I swear, there is just something about a big man that makes me feel small and safe.”

“And sex? You do enjoy a healthy sexual appetite in a man, yes?” Uzzi asked.

“Um, that’s a little personal, Uncle Uzzi⁠—”

“Don’t be so prudish, dear. My wife, gods rest her, loved intimacy above all else. She always said couples, or mates, came together to express what words could not. To reaffirm vows and show their love for one another. Sex is natural, Elissa. It is important too. We are, all of us, physical beings when walking this earth, do you not agree? I swear, I miss intimacy with my wife as much as I miss her cooking,” he said truthfully.

“Oh! I am so sorry for your loss. And, well, I guess I never thought about it that way. I mean, I must seem very prudish, but honestly, my sex life is a bit of a disaster. In fact, I haven’t had any great sex that I know of,” she murmured. “You know what? I agree with your wife. I suppose physical intimacy is very important.”

Elissa blushed furiously, but Uzzi Stregovich, of the infamous Uncle Uzzi’s Magical Matchmaking Service, was on a roll. He nodded sagely, reading between the lines. He knew it was a little different, but he would be negligent if he did not ask such intimate questions. Prospective mates needed to know the deal.

When matchmaking Shifters, blunt talk was required. Once she noted Uzzi’s interest was not personal, Elissa had no problem opening up to him as he knew she would.

“Oh dear, you will know great sex when you have it. In my experience, the best sex only happens where there is love,” Uzzi winked.

“There is nothing as fulfilling as making love to someone you were made to be with. Destiny, you know.”

“Destiny? Well, great. Then since I am thinking up this dream guy, sure, great sex is a must.”

“Good, I think I know just the man for you.”

Elissa laughed, and Uzzi just smiled at her. It was so sad, he thought, how many women settled for a mediocre sex life. Life was short, why not spend it with someone who could give you tantalizing days and sizzling nights?

“How can you do that?” Elissa asked.

“Read the card, dear,” he said, and she looked down.

“Uncle Uzzi’s Magical Matchmaking Service⁠—”

“Yes! That is me,” he replied jovially.

“Oh, no thanks. I told you about my date tonight. I am just not interested in any more blind dates.”

“I understand but give me a moment to explain to you about my agency and I promise, you will see it’s not like the others.”

“Yeah,” she scoffed. “Magical, right?”

“Yes. It is Elissa. Just like me,” Uzzi replied and held out his palms.

In the center of his outstretched hand, dozens of Magical sparkles zipped and zoomed, twirling round and round until they created a glittery, dime-sized zephyr. Elissa gasped.

“OHMYGAWD! What is that? What are you?”

“Think of me as your fairy godfather, Elissa. Only, I am not a fairy, you see, I am a Witch.”

“I thought Witches were old hags who rode brooms.”

“My Aunt Helga, for sure, but no, my dear, I too am a Witch. Males and females born with Magic are both called Witches. Now, enough about me. Have you ever heard of Shifters?”

“Wow, I did not know that! Wait? Shifters? Like the kind in those paranormal romance novels told by writers like P. Mattern, Julia Mills, and Gina Kincade?” Elissa asked and quirked her head.

“Exactly! What if I tell you they are real?”

“I don’t know. Are you telling me they are real?”

Elissa sat straight, her intense brown eyes seriously considering the possibility. Uzzi chuckled. Yes. This woman was perfect for what he had in mind.

“Yes, I am,” Uzzi replied. “Shifters, Witches, and more than you can imagine are out there, living and breathing, sharing this world with humans like you. The real question, Elissa, is do you think you are ready to live in that world?”

Uzzi allowed some of his Magic out. The sparks pulsed with warmth and circled the pair of them. Power would be glowing in his eyes right about then, and he waited until Elissa registered that she was seeing something very real, and very different from her norm.

Elissa was witnessing his powers, and he, in turn, was introducing her to the supernatural world. A punishable crime for his kind, but it was a chance he was willing to take.

“Wow,” she whispered, reaching out to touch a spark.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Well, the fact you aren’t screaming tells me you might be just what I am looking for,” Uzzi sat back in the cushioned leather seats and began to explain a little bit about the matchmaking service and what he did for a living.

“So, you find people their mates? That’s like a husband or wife?” Elissa asked, catching on right away.

“Yes, I do. Now, how would you like your own muscle bound Shifter who would worship and love you no matter what? Not to mention pleasure you sexually in ways you can’t even imagine,” he smiled again, liking Elissa’s reaction.

The young woman’s eyes bulged, and she swallowed hard.

“Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack.”

“Mr. Stregovich, er, Uncle Uzzi,” she said, when he mock frowned.

“If you could find me a match like that, I wouldn’t kick him out of my bed. Seriously though, I would certainly be indebted to you. But do you think you can find someone for me? I mean, what Shifter would want me as a mate?”

“Oh Elissa, you make me smile, you do. And I am happy to do this thing for you. Look, I promise you I can find a mate for you. It is what I do.”

“Okay, then. I am game.”

“Excellent. You won’t be sorry. All of my couples wind up purrfectly mated.”