Will was heading back into town after a lengthy hike through dense forest to investigate claims of illegal hunting. He had found what he was looking for and now he needed to track down his suspect.

He gave Travis a call.

"Hey, you got any idea where Buck Jones is at?", he asked when Travis answered.

"I don't", he replied, sounding hesitant. "Where you at?"

"Headin' back to town".

"I'm headin' over to Rillian's right now. You wanna meet me there?"

Will felt his heart freeze with terror. He couldn't even speak for a moment.

"Is she okay?", he finally choked out.

"Just shook up. Some goons were following her in the woods, sounds like they intended to grab her".

"My God", he breathed. "How did she get away?"

"Jake nabbed her, hid her, then they followed them. He got a plate and description. I have Dawn searching for it already".

Jake, he thought, with a great deal of hostility.

"Why was Jake there?", he asked angrily.

"He was huntin', saw 'em acting suspicious, followed 'em".

"Or he was following her to begin with", Will pointed out.

"Perhaps...but it sounds like he kept her safe", Travis pointed out gently.

"She's not safe with him", Will snapped. "I'll meet you there".

"Sure, just...take it easy, all right?"

"No promises".

...........................................................................

Jake was slightly rattled. Riley had taken him by surprise a few times today. He would have never guessed that she would have preferred his companionship to Will's. She had known Will longer and, as she had said, they were already friends. She had made a comment about Will making her more upset...probably because he was gonna get all hyper about the whole thing. Jake could see him doing that.

Jake really, really, really didn't want to be part of the conversation with Travis, and he knew Travis would probably call Will on the way here. Jake especially didn't want to be in the same room as Will...but if Riley wanted him to stay, stay he would.

She was startin' to melt down a bit. She ate but the tears were still drippin' down her face.

He heard Travis's SUV approaching before he saw the headlights. He went to the screen door and prepared to open it for him.

"Hey, Jake", Travis said, as Jake opened the door to him.

"Awww, kiddo, you okay?", Travis instantly asked as he saw the miserable form at the table.

"I'm all right", she replied, voice shaking.

"That don't sound convincing", Travis said, chuckling.

She gave him a weak smile as he placed a fatherly hand on her head.

"Whatcha got goin' on there?", he asked, pointing to her knee.

"I fell coming out of the woods. Jake says I need different shoes", she explained, her cheeks turning pink.

"Mind if I take a look?", he asked.

"You can", she answered at the same time as Jake said, "Yes", sternly.

Travis' head swiveled to him.

"Yes, I mind", Jake clarified. "It's clean, it's closed, and openin' the bandage only risks infection".

Travis' expression turned hard. "I'm sure you did fine, son, but I have an obligation to check her over. You understand".

Jake did understand but he didn't like it. He felt himself scowling.

Travis proceeded to inch off the bandage without washing his hands first. Jake ground his teeth together. Thankfully Travis didn't actually touch it. Jake mighta backhanded him.

"Looks fine", Travis said. "What'd ya fall on?"

"A sharp rock", Riley explained.

Travis pulled out a small notebook and pen from his front pocket and wrote down all the details that they remembered. He asked questions about location and timeframes.

Then Will showed up.

Jake felt himself bristling as the tall, dark, and handsome man came rushing through the front screen door without knocking. He beelined to Riley, snatching her right up out of her chair in an aggressive hug.

What a fucking moron.

"Are you all right?", Will asked as he set her down.

"I'm...really tired", Riley admitted.

Jake knew she had some mild shock, and with the adrenaline leaving her body now that she had eaten and relaxed...she needed to get to bed soon before she collapsed.

"What happened?", Will asked.

"Some men were following me but Jake snuck me away from them and we followed them instead".

"What did they look like? Have you ever seen them before?", Will pushed.

He was being rather intense.

"Is it acceptable if I don't go through all the details with you?", she asked politely. "I did that with Travis already".

"Sure", Will agreed quickly. "Of course".

He looked around and nodded at Jake. "Thank you...for keeping her safe".

Jake nodded back.

"What happened to your knee?", Will suddenly asked, sounding horrified. Blood had seeped through the bandage.

"I fell on a rock".

Will quickly knelt and made to open the bandage.

"Hands off", Jake couldn't help growling. "You fuckers keep openin' it up, it's goin' to get infected!"

He had taken two rapid, angry steps toward Will but Travis calmly stepped between them, holding his palm up at Jake.

"I already checked it over, Will", Travis said. "It's fine. Let's leave it covered".

Will stood to his full height and glared at Jake.

"You two can take off then", Will declared. "I'll stay here and make sure she's okay".

Riley met Jake's eyes with a panicked expression.

"I got it", Jake stated before Riley had to open her mouth.

"No, you don't", Will said directly, staring him down. "Go on home".

"Actually...", Riley spoke up timidly, "I asked Jake to stay here already".

"Can I talk to you a second?", Will asked, snagging her elbow and steering her off to her bedroom before she even replied.

That pissed Jake right off. Will was being a bully. He was probably going to talk her into telling him to leave so he could stay instead.

Travis met his eyes but the older man said nothing and was carefully unreadable.

...........................................................................

I knew Will was going to make all of this a big deal. I knew it. I didn't know how I knew, because with his job he probably handled a lot of emergencies, but I simply had a feeling. Probably because Jake was involved again.

As he pulled me into my bedroom, I could already guess what he was going to say.

He flipped on the light and shut the door behind us.

"Just because you asked him to stay before doesn't mean you can't change your mind", Will said immediately. "I can stay. It's not a problem. I'll tell him to leave and he will leave, okay?"

I hesitated. I didn't want to fight with Will but I preferred Jake's calm presence. I already felt like crying, and moderately like I couldn't breathe, talking to Will alone.

Will pressed me more. "Just because he happened to be around when you needed him doesn't make him a good person", he stated. "He could have very well been following you himself, saw those guys, and then decided to step in and be a hero. Maybe he was going to attack you himself but changed his mind when a new opportunity presented itself".

"No way. That's not possible", I insisted. "He's saved my life twice now. Those situations weren't planned".

"Rillian, think about this logically", Will said. "You've known me your whole life. You gonna be able to sleep with a stranger in your house...or me? How am I going to be able to sleep worrying about him in here while you're sleeping? He could kill you and I wouldn't be able to prevent that!"

Will's face looked tortured. He really did believe Jake was dangerous.

"He didn't kill his wife", I said. "It doesn't fit. He was so incredibly in love with her, he's still a wreck from losing her, and that was four years ago".

"Or he's still feeling guilty for doing it".

"No way".

"Rillian, please", Will said, sounding pained. "You're not the best judge of character. Please trust me".

Before waiting for a reply, Will opened the door and stormed back out. I followed apprehensively, feeling insulted and ignored.

"You can go", he told Jake.

Jake's blue-gray eyes met mine. He had his muscular arms folded across his chest and he seemed irritated.

"I'm staying", Jake said staunchly.

"Boy, are you-", Will started in angrily, taking a threatening step forward.

I felt myself starting to shake again as Travis stepped between them.

"Fellas, please. Let's ask the lady what she wants to happen here instead of fightin' about it".

He looked over at me and gave me an encouraging smile. "Sweetheart, what do you want?"

I had already said what I wanted but Will hadn't listened to it.

All three men were waiting, watching me.

I looked into Travis' warm brown eyes and kind face. He nodded slightly.

I decided to be brave.

With a tiny, shaking voice that I hated, I spoke up. "I asked Jake to stay. I want Jake to stay".

Travis gave me a smile and a wink.

I was really, really proud of myself. I'm not sure I had ever directly told someone what I wanted before.

"You heard the lady", Travis said immediately, grabbing Will's shoulder as he started to argue and walk over to me.

"Rillian, please...use your brain!", Will said.

I teared up again. I was trying hard not to cry because I was embarrassed enough already, and because I figured it would get Will more worked up.

Travis finally convinced Will to leave, and he stormed out, purposely bumping Jake hard with his shoulder as he went past.

Jake didn't even acknowledge the contact. His body barely moved with the impact.

It all seemed very dramatic and aggressive to me. Will was not acting normal and he had added to the stress of my evening.

Jake shut the heavy wood front door behind them.

"Is this all you have for a lock?", he asked, sounding disgusted.

I approached the door. He locked the knob.

"There's this, as well", I pointed out, showing him the hook up higher.

"That is fuckin' worthless", he said. "I could kick this door in with probably two kicks. We'll fix this tomorrow, in addition to gettin' ya some new shoes".

"Are you serious?", I asked, envisioning those men kicking my door in while we were asleep.

I had already started shaking again when Will got angry and I felt myself start to shake harder.

Jake dropped a large, warm hand on my shoulder and squeezed it.

"I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to ya", he said calmly.

I peered up into his hairy face.

"But...I still don't want them getting in".

"Tell ya what", he said, "we can move the table up against the door for tonight, but after we do that, yer gettin' in bed. Agree?"

"Yes, thank you".

We slid the solid wooden table against the door then Jake simply pointed at my room.

I obligingly turned to go, but a surge of emotion grabbed me. I was so incredibly grateful for Jake and I couldn't keep that in.

I turned back and impulsively flung my arms (still in his too-large flannel) around his waist, laying my cheek against his chest and squeezing my eyes shut. After a moment's hesitation, he slowly wrapped his arms around me.

The feeling of that moment was barely describable. I felt so incredibly safe and calm. I felt like no matter what happened, I would be okay, as long as he was there. The stress of the evening melted away and I took a filling breath. The stress of my entire life prior to tonight didn't even seem to matter there, in the circle of his arms. I settled into him. He smelled like the woods.

I think I could have stayed there forever. I think I could have fallen asleep standing there with my head on his chest. Eventually he patted my head gently, and said quietly in his deep voice, "Okay, kid, bedtime".

I immediately released him, said, "Thank you", and obligingly got ready for bed.

...........................................................................

Will was fuming. What was wrong with that girl?!?!? Why couldn't she see things clearly? Who in their right mind would choose an angry neighbor with a questionable past over a lifelong friend?!?

And Travis...taking Jake's side. That betrayal stung.

I pray he doesn't hurt her before she figures it out.

If he does, I will kill him.

...........................................................................

Jake didn't like Will or Travis, but at least he had respect for Travis. When Will came storming out of the bedroom, Jake ignored him, instead checking Riley's face before deciding how to proceed.

She was more upset, visibly shaking again. Jake clenched his jaw. Even if she told him to go now, he wasn't about to do so without a fight. Will was clearly bullying her and upsetting her. Travis seemed to see it, though.

Jake was real proud of her for saying she wanted him to stay rather than Will, even though she was clearly terrified to do so. Thankfully Travis got Will out of there right away. Jake was confident that if Travis wouldn't have been present, Will would have hit him. He was just as confident that Will would have still left but he woulda left bleeding.

Jake knew Riley was about to collapse so he humored her putting the table in front of the door, hoping she'd get her ass right to bed after that. If someone were as strong as him, the table would only slow them down. If someone did get in, he would shoot them. He wasn't worried about any of that shit but clearly she was.

When she hugged him, he was so stunned, he didn't know what to do at first. He knew if he pushed her away, she would feel rejected, which is clearly how she had felt her entire life...but he himself hadn't been hugged in four years...and it took a moment to remember how to do it.

(What he did with Sam didn't involve hugging).

Jake slowly wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. She didn't let go. She had an iron grip around his waist and her head on his chest. It felt...good.

He felt tears sting his eyes and he squeezed them shut. He had no idea why he would want to cry but he simply felt an overwhelming flood of emotion in general. No human had touched him like this since Liv's funeral.

He was so lost in his own thoughts and emotions, he had no idea how long they were standing there. He didn't want to let go, but reality was that girl desperately needed sleep.

Eventually he patted the back of her head and said, "Okay, kid, bedtime".

She immediately complied, though letting go slowly.

"Thank you", she said, glancing up into his face for just a moment, her eyes filled with so much information he couldn't decipher any of it.

Then she disappeared into her bedroom and he took a deep, shaky breath. He felt more like himself in that moment than he had since before Liv died.

I think you needed that just as much as she did, Liv's voice popped up softly in his head.

He didn't bother replying, instead he went to find something to drink.

...........................................................................

I put on leggings and a short sleeve shirt instead of my pajamas, brushed my teeth, washed my face, then found Jake leaning against the kitchen sink with my grandfather's bourbon on the counter next to him.

"This okay?", he asked, holding up the half full glass.

"Of course", I said, though I internally cringed a bit. It didn't bother me that Jake was drinking Grandpa's alcohol. It bothered me that he was drinking. I was worried he might get mean again.

"Are you hungry?", I asked.

"Yep".

"I can make you-".

"You ain't makin' shit. Ya said you'd get to bed. Tell me my options and I'll make it after ya lay down".

I felt myself flush checking his expression. He didn't appear mad.

He added, "I cook for myself every day".

I opened the refrigerator and explained some options for him then showed him where things were in the kitchen.

"I want you to have some of this and then lay down", he said, holding out the glass to me.

"Oh, I...I only drink wine...sometimes".

"You gotta take the edge off the shock", he explained.

"I don't know".

He simply looked at me and motioned with his finger.

I sighed and stepped closer.

"Don't breathe until after you've swallowed", he instructed.

Now I felt nervous.

I took the glass from him and checked his expression. I'm pretty sure his eyes were a little amused.

I held my breath, took a sip, and swallowed.

"Oh! Oh, that is not good!", I said, coughing and choking. It was like drinking poison!

He chuckled. "That wasn't even a drink", he said. "Take a big swig, like a man".

"Oh, but I'm not a man", I complained, trying to hand the glass back to him.

He laughed at me again. "Do it", he said.

"Uhhhhhggghhhh", I sighed, and did it. The second gulp really burned.

I set down the glass on the counter.

"No more", I choked out.

"Fine. Git", he chuckled.

I went into my room, dug out some blankets and pillows, and carried them out to the couch.

"These might smell old", I explained over my shoulder.

"Woman, you git yer ass to bed!", he exploded. "I don't need no fuckin' blankets!"

"Okay, okay, okay. Sorry!", I said, dropping them on the couch and scurrying off. I wasn't sure if he was actually mad or not.

"Goodnight!", he called after me.

"Night".

I left my door open a crack, laid down, and turned off the lamp next to my bed. I thought about the creepy guys following me today, and started to shake again, but then I considered Jake in my kitchen with the gun in his waistband, and was able to talk myself down. I relaxed as I focused on his protective nature, and the little bit of bourbon I had gotten in spread through my veins. I stopped shaking and listened to the comforting sounds of him cooking in the kitchen.

When I woke up again, I did so with a start. The cabin was completely dark and silent, and I had no idea why I woke. My heart was pounding hard and I was a little sweaty. In a near panic, I stumbled out of bed and was at my door, walking through it before I even knew what I was looking for. I saw Jake's large form stretched out on the couch and realized that's what I was looking for. I was scared he had left me alone.

Thank God he hadn't.

As quietly as possible in a space this small, I used the bathroom then tiptoed back to my room.

Oh, I can't! I can't!

I felt the creepy chill run up my spine as it had in the woods when I felt like someone had been following me, and someone had been, but I had myself convinced I was imagined things.

I couldn't stay in my room alone. I grabbed a pillow and the quilt from my bed, brought them to the loveseat perpendicular to the couch Jake was laying on, curled up in a ball, proceeded to shake for an unknown amount of time, then finally fell back asleep- no, - passed out, from stress and exhaustion.

...........................................................................

Jake was woken around midnight by some small noise. He immediately saw and recognized Riley entering the bathroom. No big deal. However, when he heard her coming back toward him after returning to her bedroom, he stayed still and kept his eyes shut. He wasn't sure what she was about, and until he was, he didn't want her to see him watching.

He ventured to take a peek when he heard her moving around next to his couch. From what he could discern, she was planning to lay there with some bedding she was busy straightening out.

Jake kept his eyes shut and listened. It was silent now so she was definitely on that couch. He continued listening carefully.

Sounded like she was shakin' again. He could hear the blanket rustling and her takin' a jagged breath. Jake felt a pang of empathy hit him in the chest. This girl had never been in a situation remotely similar before, of that he was damn sure. She was terrified yet she had held up through it all with strength, dignity, and a clear head. Clearly, she was still terrified, and she wanted to be near him for comfort.

Him. How strange.

Jake had never been a well-liked person. Even in his past life, he was never PC, never a people-pleaser, and he didn't give a fuck what people thought. It got worse after Liv's death, so of all the people on the planet, this insecure, prim-and-proper, textbook grammatical princess was the last person he would have ever thought would want to spend time with him.

She was consistently proving his assumptions wrong.

Jake had been impressed with her through the event and afterward. He needed to tell her that. It was important she know. It was important she hear a positive opinion about herself.

...........................................................................

I woke up feeling awful- exhausted and sore all over, almost like I had the flu.

I stirred and stretched. It was light out. I peeked over at Jake's couch. He was sitting upright, massive arms crossed over his chest, silent and formidable.

"Oh, sorry, were you waiting for me to get up?", I asked, sitting up as quickly as possible, which didn't feel very quick.

"Ain't gotta apologize", he said. "How ya feelin'?"

"Tired", I admitted.

"Go back to sleep then", he said matter of factly.

"Well, but you're probably hungry and-".

"Kid, I can take care of myself", he pointed out. "I need ya to focus on you. What'dya need? More sleep or somethin' to eat?"

I thought for a moment. "Sleep".

He pointed to my room. "Git".

I stood slowly, wondering if he would still be there when I got up.

"I won't go anywhere without ya", he promised, reading my mind.

"Thank you".

I went to the bathroom then back to my room. My phone was next to the bed on the nightstand. Will had texted a couple times, wondering if I was okay.

I slept but still tired, I told him. Going back to sleep.

By the time I got under the covers he already had replied- Jake still there?

Yes.

When do you want me to come back over?

Idk. I'm going back to sleep now.

Lmk when I can come, he insisted.

I gave him a thumbs up emoji. He was stressing me out already. I really didn't want him to come back. He made me more anxious.

...........................................................................

Riley didn't get out of bed until noon, and when she did, she was pale and limping.

Her hair was pulled back in a low bun and her makeup was in place before she emerged from the bathroom, but she couldn't hide the circles under her eyes and the favoring of her right leg.

Jake had spent the morning eating at her place, chopping wood for himself in view of her doorway, and taking measurements for the locks needed on her front door.

"Can ya show me yer leg or do I gotta cut those pants offa ya, too?", he asked as he was drinking some water in her kitchen. It was muggy and hazy outside, as it had been yesterday.

"It's okay", she said, ignoring his question as she took a glass cup out of an upper cabinet.

"That ain't what I asked, sweetheart", he pointed out, and waited.

She filled the glass of water, drank some, then finally met his eyes.

"I can pull my leggings up over my knee", she said.

"The...what? Ain't those pants?"

Jake was thoroughly confused.

"Yes, they're a type of pants", she explained patiently. "They're stretchy".

Jake had moved the high wooden table away from the front door this morning so he simply snagged her up under her arms and lifted her onto it.

Her face was startled for a moment but then it passed as quickly as it had come. She silently rolled up her pants...leggings...and Jake inspected her knee.

It was purple and slightly swollen around the bandage, which he removed carefully, and it was also purple around the gash, which had sealed overnight.

"It don't look bad", he told her. "Don't mean it ain't hurtin', just mean nothin's serious. Keep it covered and clean, and it will heal quickly".

"Thank you", Riley told him seriously. "Thank you for everything. I owe you my life, twice now".

"Ain't nothin'", he scoffed. "Any decent person woulda helped and I ain't even all that decent".

She gave him a little smile as he lifted her back down, the corners of a perfect heart-shaped mouth turning up slightly.

"Well, I think you're very decent", she said. "Especially for someone who barely knows me".

Then she paused and glanced at the ground, clearly getting up enough courage to say something.

"What do you think they planned to do with me?", she asked, clear green eyes piercing into his. "If they had caught me?"

"Dunno, don't matter", he replied promptly. "They didn't get ya so don't let yourself think about it. It ain't gonna give ya an answer and yer gonna drive yourself crazy".

"Why do you think they were following me?", she asked next. "Who could 'him' be? What could anyone possibly want with me? I don't even have value anymore...oh!"

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. "Unless they do think I have value to my parents?"

"Ransom", Jake mused aloud. "Perhaps. Either someone local heard yer name and recognized it, or you, and hired these goons to help 'em...or someone who knows ya from somewhere hired the goons to follow ya here...but those were Tennessee plates. I'm guessin' someone here recognized ya. Ya been in news?"

"Sure, I was really good at fundraising and we always invited the media. It helped the events to be more successful".

"It's possible then. If I get my hands on 'em, I'll get ya yer answers, darlin'", he promised.

She stared straight into his eyes without flinching and said, "I hope you get that chance".

He chuckled. This classy little lady was tougher than she even knew, tougher than he expected.

"Ya did good yesterday", he said. "Better than I woulda thought. You were brave, ya did the right things, followed what I told ya. I wantcha to know I was impressed".

He watched her sparkling eyes light up, her cheeks turn pink, and a very sweet smile turn up the corners of her mouth.

"Oh...thank you", she said softly. "I...thank you so much. I didn't think I was brave at all".

"Darlin'", he said, "you were amazin'".

She smiled fully then, and was so stunning in that moment he found himself absolutely dazzled by her.

He quickly kicked himself in the proverbial balls to get his mind back on track.

"Ya wanna eat then head out?", he asked.

"Sure, where are we going?"

"Gotta head down the mountain. You need shoes and a decent lock for the door".

He noticed her squirm slightly.

"Gotta be done", he pushed.

"I know", she said with a slight sigh.

He recalled what she had said about not having any money or a job.

"I got it", he added and watched her pale cheeks flush a very pretty shade of pink.

"Thank you for offering but-".

"Now, I know you ain't worked yet, and ya told me yer shitbag ex done run off with all the money, so I dunno what kinda man ya take me for, but ain't no kinda man not gonna offer to pay when he knows somethin' like that".

"I couldn't possibly-".

"You ain't askin'. I'm offerin'. If it bugs ya that much, pay me back later when yer caught up. Not before".

She hesitated. He could tell it made her uncomfortable but he wasn't exactly sure why- if it was her embarrassment at being broke, his chivalry, or her helplessness that was bothering her.

Finally, she nodded.

...........................................................................

Jake drove me down the mountain...again. He confidently drove to an all things outdoor store and navigated me to the shoes he recommended.

They came in various earth tones of gray, brown, or green with mild accents of color.

"I don't know if I can coordinate with these colors", I pointed out, disappointed in the lack of options available.

"Woman, are ya crazy?!?", he snapped. "This ain't no fashion show! This is about walkin' safely. Next time you could break an ankle! Pick one!"

He seemed pretty huffy, muscular arms crossed over his chest, scowling down at me under a faded baseball cap.

I reluctantly chose a tannish brown with some pink accents and tried them on. They were like sneakers but with a thicker sole, more support, and the sides sat a little higher on the ankle.

They were surprisingly comfortable.

"These feel good", I told him.

"No shit", he snorted. "They fit? Let's buy 'em!"

"Um, all right. You don't think I should try on anything else?"

I had literally never bought a pair of shoes before trying on multiple different shoes.

He raised one eyebrow. Obviously he didn't think I should try on anything else.

I took the shoes off, placed them in the box, then handed the box to him as he held out one large hand expectantly.

He was already at the checkout before I finished getting my other shoes back on. Due to the condition of my knee, I had opted for black leggings today, which also meant a lightweight lavender running sweatshirt and casual lavender sneakers, so that required me to tie laces.

...........................................................................

Riley appeared at Jake's elbow.

"Are you quite sure you don't want me to-?", she questioned before he stopped her.

"I'm sure", he snapped, looking down into her large light green eyes ringed in long black lashes.

She blinked once.

"Very well, thank you so much", she breathed.

She seemed vulnerable and uncertain, and in that moment, Jake's heart went out to her. He felt guilty (again) for getting irritated (again). This girl needed guidance and assurance. She had made the right decision leaving her ex, of that Jake was sure, but she hadn't been helped in the process of leaving, and she was completely on her own now. Will was readily available but Jake wasn't sure his help was that much better than none at all.

No, if it wasn't him, it wasn't going to be good for her. Jake had to help, feeling his protective instincts kick in, regardless of his better judgment. He knew this girl was going to be a whole lotta work and he wasn't into in any of that.

Told ya, honey, Liv's voice sang in his head. You can be her Mountain Mentor.

Oh, fuck that.

Out loud he said nothing but nodded once at Riley. She seemed relieved and gave him a quick smile before glancing at the ground and then straight ahead.

They moved forward together as the customer ahead of them left. Without trying to, Jake noticed the male cashier eying her up then engaging in small talk, trying to joke with her and make her smile.

It worked. Riley blushed and smiled as the young man teased her about how small her feet were.

As the cashier was ringing up the transaction, Jake also observed a man in his twenties nearby walking by with a girl on his arm. He was staring directly at Riley and blatantly looking her up and down. In front of his girlfriend.

Riley literally had no idea. She was simply watching the cashier hand him back change.

Jake was concerned on many levels.

As they left the building, Jake held the door open for her and left a fierce scowl behind for the assholes who had been staring.

As he opened the truck door for her and gave her a hand to help her up, he caught a nervous expression on her petite face.

You're scowling, honey. She doesn't understand, Liv warned him. She thinks you're mad at her.

Jake handed her the bag of shoes, shut her door, walked around, then climbed in his driver's seat. He started the engine, looked into her eyes, and said, "You don't see it?"

"I'm sorry, Jake. I'm not following you. What am I looking for?", she asked softly.

The crease was between her eyebrows and her large eyes were searching his with worry.

"That cashier was hittin' on ya and the guy with his girlfriend was staring at ya".

He watched her brow furrow more and confusion fill those large eyes of hers.

"He was teasing me. That...you think he was flirting?"

"I know it", Jake said, putting the truck in reverse, draping his arm across the bench seat, and watching over his shoulder as he reversed.

"But...", she protested, sounding confused, "I think he was only being friendly".

"Nope. Definitely hitting on you", Jake said.

"I...are you...mad?", she asked, sounding worried.

"Concerned", he corrected, shifting into drive. "I want you to be aware of your surroundings to start with. We're going to work on that".

...........................................................................

I was nervous as Jake pulled into the hardware store parking lot. I wasn't sure exactly what he wanted me to do or how to do it.

"So, I'm supposed to...keep looking around me?", I clarified as he pulled into a parking spot.

"Yeah, but it's more than that. You gotta notice people. Train yerself to notice people. Look for things that stand out, details, things that don't belong".

"Why am I doing this?"

He put the truck into park and turned off the engine. He looked directly into my eyes, his blue-gray ones stern.

"Were ya scared yesterday?", he asked.

I felt my heart leap into my throat and my breath catch as I remembered. I had been terrified.

"You know I was", I whispered.

"Ya wanna get kidnapped?", he asked.

"Of course not! What kind of a question is that?", I squeaked, my heart thudding unnaturally hard.

"That's why yer doin' it", he explained. "It starts in the parkin' lot. What do you see?"

I glanced around.

"A man returning to his truck, seems like he is maybe a handyman or something". He had a ladder in the back of his truck and some boards.

"A mom with a small boy getting out of that car...a younger man walking in...a man sitting in the driver's seat over there, probably waiting for someone".

"Good start", Jake said. "Let's go, keep doin' that".

I scooted out of my door, shut it behind me, then quickly caught up as he had started walking toward the door and his legs were so much longer.

"Do you want me to keep telling you what I see?"

I wasn't sure exactly what he expected me to do and it was making me anxious.

"I'll ask ya periodically", he said, not looking at me as he said it.

I was staring up at him, trying to get a read on his mood and his intentions, so I tripped right over the curb between the lot and the sidewalk.

Jake had been about a half a step in front of me, and he automatically stuck his left arm out to catch me as I gasped and fell. I stumbled against his very solid shoulder as he paused.

"Ya gotta keep only glancin' at things so that doesn't happen", he scolded as he glared down at me over his shoulder. "What was ya starin' at?"

"You", I answered honestly and tearfully.

He sounded mad and I could feel myself getting emotional. I hated that about myself. My parents always scolded me for crying too much.

Jake peered into my eyes for a moment, a deep furrow between his. "Why?", he asked.

"I'm not sure exactly what you want me to do or what this all entails, so I'm nervous that I'm doing it wrong and making you mad", I explained rapidly and quietly.

He hadn't moved. His left hand was resting on my left hip and both my hands were on his shoulder.

"You ain't makin' me mad", he said gruffly. "Even if ya was, who cares? Don't worry 'bout me. Ya can't control other peoples' emotions. This ain't nothin' to get all worked up over. We're practicin' somethin' to help ya hopefully not get inta that situation again. That's all. It's for you, not me. Don't worry 'bout what I want. A'right?"

I immediately felt the pressure lift from my shoulders so I nodded.

"All right then. C'mon".

Inside the store I tried to be aware of the people around me. Jake checked in a couple times, quizzing me.

"Yer doin' all right", he said. "Now, didya see that blond man on your right checkin' you out?"

"No".

"How about that man with the baseball hat who just walked past?" 

I peered past Jake at the man he indicated and shook my head no.

"Look at the blond guy now", he whispered.

I quickly glanced over my shoulder and caught him watching me. We made eye contact and he gave me a half smile. I quickly turned back to Jake.

"I saw", I said, cheeks burning.

"'Bout time", he said. "That happens every time a guy walks by you and that's the first time you've seen it".

"Maybe he wasn't act-".

"He was", Jake interrupted.

"It can't be every-".

"Teenager to senile. Every single one".

"Jaaake...", I sighed, feeling my cheeks burning.

This was terribly uncomfortable. I was quite sure either Jake was exaggerating or they were simply watching me because I stood out here. Clearly, I didn't belong.

"Riley", he replied calmly, studying me. "This is a real thing. Keep watchin' while I decide on these locks".

"I will".

I obediently stood next to Jake and kept watching people walking around. Most men did look at me, but of those, most glanced and kept walking. Some kept looking at me for an uncomfortable amount of time but only a couple made eye contact and smiled.

"Ya see?", Jake asked, finally turning to me.

"Yes, but-". I was going to protest that didn't mean they were hitting on me.

"Now watch", he said, extending his bent right arm to me. "Hold on".

I took his muscular arm in my hand and held onto it as we walked up to the checkout.

This time as we moved through the store traffic, every man who looked my way glanced across me to Jake and then quickly away again. No one stared, no one made eye contact with me, no one smiled at me.

"Well?", he asked, as he moved his arm to put the items on the counter and I released him.

"I think I much prefer that. Can we always walk this way?"

He chuckled quietly.

It warmed my heart when I made him laugh.

...........................................................................

* Why were they following Riley? Why do Will and Jake not like each other? Please vote and keep reading! *