Will was fairly going out of his mind about this Jake situation. He had barely slept all night, continuously checking his phone to see if she had texted.

He could not, for the life of him, comprehend how she could have asked Jake to stay and then continued to stand by that decision once he gave her an out.

Maybe she's scared of him.

That would make sense. Jake had pushed and insisted he was staying, so maybe that's why she continued to stick with it. She was afraid to cross him.

Will had texted her and she said she'd let him know when he could come over, but she hadn't.

Will had been in love with Rillian for the bulk of his childhood and teenage years, but he knew then that they didn't stand a chance at a relationship, so he settled as her friend. He was young but he understood that relationships wouldn't work if you never saw one another. Not only had she lived states away, but she had also lived in another world. Privileged and white, she was destined for a life of luxury that he couldn't dream of attaining.

After Will left for college, he continued to think about her and wonder where she was or what she was doing.  He dated, fell in love, fell out of love, forgot her for awhile, but she always seemed to pop back into his head when he least expected it.

Then, suddenly, somehow, twelve years later... a miracle happened. She was back. She was here, and her situation was such that suddenly Will firmly believed they had a chance. They were on level playing fields now so there was no way in hell Will was not going to try to move beyond friendship this time.

Travis' wife, Dawn, who was not licensed in anything and wasn't paid, did loads of investigative work for the two of them. She had discovered that the license plate Jake gave them was off of a stolen Buick LeSabre from down the mountain, which meant the truck those men were driving was likely stolen, which meant they were dealing with criminals, and the fact that Rillian had been the object of their interest made Will's blood run cold.

They had to find these guys and he had no idea how. Travis had an APB out on their descriptions and on their truck, but other than that...

Will had been pacing in his office, in the tiny building he shared with Travis, for about an hour before Travis finally confronted him about it.

"Go check on her then", Travis said, "but don't you start in with Jake if he hadn't done nothin' wrong. That ain't gonna win you no points with her".

"You're right", Will said, and took off.

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

Jake played his rock station for Riley on the way back home and chuckled at her as she lit up to Journey's Don't Stop Believin'.

"I've heard this song before!", she exclaimed, light green eyes glowing. "I like this one!"

"I would certainly hope so", he scoffed. "I wasn't lyin'. Yer gonna listen to this stuff till ya love it".

She giggled light tinkling laughter. "I don't dislike any of it, I simply don't know it".

She really was sweet and innocent. He could hardly believe it wasn't an act. It had annoyed him initially, and sometimes still did, but he was more often being amused by it rather than irritated now.

She's growing on you, Liv piped up in his head.

Yeah.

I think she's good for you.

I dunno 'bout all that, he grumbled back.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed our drive back to the cabin. Jake blasted his rock music and I actually recognized some of the songs. I was getting used to it and enjoyed some of it.

I took a lot of pride in getting him to smile or laugh. He was mostly serious or slightly grumpy at all points in time. I was quite sure it was due to the loss of his wife, whom he obviously loved intensely. I knew Jake was a good person. I could see it. I could feel it. I felt absolutely safe with him.

He was literally my personal guardian angel.

My positive mood changed as Jake's old tan truck swung around the bend in our dirt road and I spied Will's Ranger F-150 in my driveway.

I watched Will exit his truck as Jake drove past my driveway up to his.

I glanced over my shoulder through the window behind our bench seat to see Will's long legs taking strides our direction.

"He ain't welcome on my property", Jake said calmly. "You wanna talk to him?"

Not really.

"Yeah, it's...fine. I can talk to him".

Jake put his truck into park alongside his house and turned off the engine.

I had opened the passenger door already when Jake reached across me, grabbing the door handle, snapping it back closed.

His face was awfully close as he leaned across my lap, his blue-gray eyes boring intently into mine.

"Do you want to talk to him?", Jake asked again.

"I can".

"That ain't what I asked", he said softly. "He botherin' ya? Bein' pushy? Tryin' to force ya to do things his way?"

I squirmed and tried to look away but I couldn't tear my eyes from his.

"I know he means well", I explained quietly. "He's trying to help".

"That also ain't what I asked".

"I don't want you two to fight", I added, continuing to squirm. I felt my cheeks burning. If I didn't exit that truck soon, Will would be right there, then I knew there would be problems.

"You want me to continue to stay with ya till we know more about those assholes followin' ya?", he asked next.

"Yes...please. Can you?"

"Not a damn thing I got better to do", he answered, "but that right there means me and him gonna fight 'cause he ain't gonna like it. You don't let him talk ya into nothin'. That man's tryin'ta bully ya and I ain't havin' it. You just lemme handle it now, hear?"

I nodded. I did want Jake to handle it, but I also felt guilty about hurting Will's feelings and I really didn't want the two of them fighting.

"All right then", he said, sitting upright. "Go'on now".

I opened my door, took my bag of shoes, and got out. Jake was waiting for me at the back of the truck. He started walking toward the front of the house once I approached him.

Will was standing in the driveway as we rounded the corner of the house, hands on his hips, glowering and formidable.

"You okay?", he asked me.

"I'm fine".

He looked at Jake. "I'd like to talk to her alone, please".

"Sure", Jake agreed readily enough, but only strode four paces away to his porch where he leaned up against the side of the cabin with his muscular arms folded across his chest and one foot propped on the first step.

"Come on", Will told me, extending one hand my way.

"Ya ain't takin' her outta my sight", Jake spoke up. "You can talk right there".

"That's bullshit", Will growled. "You don't own her".

"Neither do you", Jake replied calmly.

Will breathed heavily for a moment, glaring at Jake before looking down at me.

"You tell me the truth now", he said in a low voice, "you scared of him?"

"No!", I said, horrified he would think so. "God, no! Jake is my hero! He's saved my life twice and helped me consistently since I've arrived here. I feel safe with him".

Will's clean-shaven boyish face went from stormy to...fairly devastated. His dark brown eyes were hurt and troubled.

"Rillian, I care about you", he said quietly. "I'm really worried about you being alone with him. I don't think you're seeing who he really is".

"I think you're not", I countered. "Why do you two hate each other so much?"

"It's a long story", he said. "I'll tell ya some other time. I can stay here with you now. All you need to do is say it".

I stared into his pleading eyes and felt incredibly mean and guilty.

You don't let him talk ya into nothin', Jake's voice piped up in my head.

"I want Jake to stay with me", I said firmly, even though my voice was shaking.

"You can't possibly mean that", Will breathed.

"I don't understand why you don't believe me", I protested. "You ask what I want, I tell you this is what I want, and you keep telling me I don't. I'm not sure why you bother asking me then".

Will looked like I had slapped him.

"I really pray something doesn't happen to you before you change your mind", he said.

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

"Ya find the perps yet?", Jake interjected from the porch.

"The plate was stolen", Will informed him.

"Registered to some other vehicle?"

"Yeah".

"The truck was stolen then".

"We think so", he agreed.

"APB out?", Jake asked.

"Yep", he replied, irritated.

"You could be out questionin' people in the area rather than breathin' down her neck. I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to her", Jake said.

Will bristled. That jerk had some nerve.

Will looked down into Rillian's beautiful, trusting face one more time. There was no way Jake's intentions were pure. Rillian was gorgeous and innocent, and Jake was taking advantage of her need to move in on her.

"Please change your mind", he whispered.

She shook her head no.

"Please answer when I call", he said, "so I don't worry".

"Okay", she replied quietly.

He wrapped his long arms around her and enveloped her in a hug, taking a deep breath and trying to calm himself. He would fight Jake to the death if she said she wanted him to leave and he wouldn't, but as Travis mentioned, he was only going to lose her respect if he started a fight when she wanted the guy to stay.

God, please keep her safe, he silently prayed.

She smelled sweet, like fruit or candy, but mixed with vanilla. He did not want to let her go but he released her and said, "You call me or text me anytime and I'll be right here".

She nodded and he left without giving Jake another glance.

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

Riley watched Will leave then walked over to him appearing sad and guilty.

"His emotions are his responsibility, not yers", Jake said.

"He felt bad", she said quietly, staring at the ground.

'"Course he did. He didn't get his way. You gotta make decisions for yerself not for pleasin' others, or ya gonna be takin' steps backward. You just got free. Don't give that freedom up".

She lifted her large light green eyes to his. Her face was serious and there was a shine to her eyes that he knew meant she was on the verge of tears.

"I know", she agreed. "It's difficult, though".

"That's 'cause yer kind", he pointed out. "Way too kind for the likes of most'a this world. People be takin' advantage of that, even without meanin' to".

"I'm sorry", she quickly apologized, flushing and looking at the ground.

"What the hell you sorry for?!?", he growled at her.

She glanced nervously at him then back at the ground. "Well, for being too kind?"

He placed a hand on her tiny shoulder and waited until she met his eyes again.

"Woman, ya gotta stop apologizin' for everythin'. Just stop. If you wanna apologize then you say nothin' instead. I haven't heard ya apologize for anythin' yet that you should actually be sorry for".

"Okay, I'm-".

"Uh-uh", he stopped her sharply, holding up an index finger.

She flushed and smiled instead, her rosebud lips turning up into a perfect smile with perfectly white, straight teeth.

"Sorry", she finished.

"Ah! No!", he scolded.

She flushed deeper and laughed lightly. "I don't know if I can do this!"

"You can. How's about we fix those locks now?", he asked, squeezing her shoulder slightly.

"Okay".

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

I held tools for Jake and observed while he talked me through what he was doing. When it was done, I had a bar across the center of my door which I could slide into place at night, and a deadbolt to lock when I left. I felt a lot of relief about that.

"Thank you so much!", I exclaimed when he was done.

"It weren't nothin'", he said humbly, as I had grown to expect from him.

"It's something to me", I insisted.

Then I thought of something that struck fear deep into my core.

"You're still staying though...right?"

"Yes, ma'am", he said seriously, meeting my eyes. "Tole ya I ain't got nowhere else to be. I ain't gonna bail on ya and I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to ya. Stop worryin'".

"Okay. Thank you. I'm going to start supper, if that's okay?"

"Woman, you ain't gotta ask my permission in your own damn home!", he snapped.

I smiled and felt my cheeks flushing. Of course he would say that. I felt silly. I had no idea why I asked. It was simply so ingrained in me to try my best to not anger the people I was living with. Not that I was living with Jake, but he was there, so I asked. I knew I was acting ridiculous and it was annoying to him. I wanted to apologize for that, but that was also going to annoy him, so I simply bit my lip.

"Good girl", he said, smiling and winking at me.

I burst out laughing.

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

Jake had some more of Riley's grandpa's bourbon while playing rock over the radio in her kitchen and watching her cook. He offered to help several times which she politely declined.

She seemed confident moving around in the kitchen, like she barely noticed him watching her at all, and watch her he did...thoroughly. He wasn't starin', he wasn't checking her out, he was studying her- her movements, her natural quirks, her nervous gestures, the way the light hit her auburn hair, the graceful curve of her neck, the way she stood on her toes to reach things from every shelf. She did actually allow him to reach something for her twice, smiling up at him with doe-eyed appreciation. She sure was an itty bitty lil' thing, almost child-sized.

Once the casserole was in the oven, he popped right up and started washing dishes without saying a word.

"Oh, Jake, this isn't necessary. I can do it! You go relax".

"No, ma'am", he said firmly.

She didn't argue with him. Instead, she dried the dishes he was washing and put them away.

Once the kitchen was cleaned up, he sat at the tall, solid wood kitchen table and sipped some more bourbon.

As the timer on the oven went off, she placed a pot holder on the table, then deftly grabbed two more to pull it out of the oven. She had made a chicken and biscuits casserole which looked and smelled incredible. As she was carrying it over, Jake caught something out of the corner of his eye. A big ol' brown wolf spider was making it's way across the table, nearly invisible against the same colored wood grain.

From the experience he'd had with Riley's reactions to a snake and to mice, he figured he better kill that spider before she saw it.

In one confident movement, he stood and reached across the table, slamming his hand down hard on the spider with a great crack as Riley was about to set the dish on the potholder.

She startled and screamed, dropped the dish so it sloshed all over, then actually hit the ground as she tried to back away faster than her legs could carry her.

There was a moment of shocked silence as the two of them stared at one another. Then her horrified light green eyes filled with tears, she flew to her feet, and literally ran to the bathroom where she shut herself in.

Jake grabbed a napkin, cleaning the spider off his hand, heading to the bathroom with his heart thudding hard.

He knew exactly why that had happened. He had read it in her face. He also knew she was now embarrassed and worried about what he was thinking.

He wasn't thinking anything other than comforting her.

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

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God...

What had I done?!?! Why? Why did I do that?!? Jake was going to leave. He was going to think I was scared of him, like Will had said, and he was going to leave me. I couldn't do it. I couldn't stay alone! Not with those men who knows where, possibly watching me right now!

I was humiliated, mortified, terrified. Jake smacking the table had surprised and scared me, but I wasn't scared of him. I had simply reacted...like a lunatic! What I was scared of was staying here alone with potential kidnappers on the loose, not him.

I locked myself in the bathroom, quickly rinsed off my hands from the chicken hotdish sloshing all over me, sat myself on the toilet lid, and tried not to sob.

There was a quiet knock at the door.

"Darlin', it was just a spider", Jake said from the other side in his calm, deep voice. "Way ya get scard'a other critters I thought I'd better get it before ya saw it. I'm real sorry I scared ya".

"I'm not...", my voice came out strangled and slightly hysterical.

I tried again. "I'm not scared of you. I'm not. I'm so sorry".

There was silence. I wiped my eyes.

"Can ya open the door?", he asked.

I didn't know what to expect but I did what he asked. I stood and opened the door. He had one arm casually leaning against the frame and calmly looked down on me. His face wasn't grumpy nor was it amused. I had no idea what he was thinking.

"I'm not...scared of you...", I said, trying not to cry, still sounding slightly hysterical. "I'm not. I could never...you make me...safe. I'm so sorry. Please don't leave...please?"

I felt tears falling even as I warned them not to and chastised myself for being so weak and pathetic.

He placed both of his large hands on either side of my head and moved his face closer, looking deep into my eyes.

"I ain't goin' nowhere", he said calmly. "Was it yer ex that hit ya?"

How could he possibly know that?

I gasped. I couldn't look away from his blue-gray eyes which were actually soft and understanding at the moment. He was still holding my head.

"Yes", I choked out in a whisper, "and my mother".

The look of anger and disgust that flashed across his face then was actually frightening. I immediately regretted saying anything, but then he wrapped me in a fierce bear hug with one large, comforting hand on the back of my head which made me feel that it had been right to tell him.

"I'm real sorry that happened to ya, kiddo", he said against the top of my head, "but I ain't gonna let no one lay a fuckin' hand on you again. What's yer ex's name and where's he at?"

I froze.

"What? Why?", I asked against Jake's chest.

I could feel his heart beating rapidly beneath my cheek and I could feel him breathing slightly heavily. I could feel he was angry.

About that? About them?

He barely knew me, and all that stuff was in the past, but it upset him?

"I just wanna talk to him", Jake said calmly.

"What? No! Jake, he will have you arrested and sue you if you touch him!", I said, squirming away to see his face.

"I don't give a fuck", he said, and his face did appear dangerously angry, his brow furrowed, his eyes hard, his jaw clenched. "I ain't got nothin' to sue for".

"But...I need you here", I said, again hating how I sounded weak and pitiful. "Please don't leave".

His face softened then. "I ain't goin' nowhere", he assured me. "Not 'till those assholes are found. I still want his name".

He waited, patiently staring into my eyes. I wasn't sure what to do.

"Harrison Abbott", I finally whispered.

"Where is he?", Jake insisted.

"Manhattan".

"You get burned?", he asked suddenly, taking my hands in both of his.

It took me a moment to catch up mentally. He was talking about the dish of hot food I had been carrying.

"Not really", I answered as he turned my arms over. There was a red spot on my right wrist but it wasn't bad.

"A'right", he declared, meeting my eyes seriously. "Are ya okay?"

"As long as you aren't leaving, I am fine", I answered.

"I keep tellin' ya I ain't", he said. "You ready to eat?"

"Sure".

Walking back to the table and seeing the mess I had caused all over it had me in tears again.

Jake quickly grabbed a wash rag from the sink and wiped up the table before I could react.

"Ain't nothin'", he scoffed. "Sit".

I sat willingly. I felt a bit unsteady.

After we ate, I was more than a little drowsy...I felt exhausted. I was really dragging.

I collected our dishes and brought them to the sink, then was about to grab the casserole to refrigerate the leftovers. I turned, nearly colliding with Jake who placed his large hands on my shoulders.

He lowered his scruffy blond face to mine. It was uncommonly soft in that moment.

"I got this. Git yer ass to bed", he said kindly.

I couldn't help it- I laughed. He was so grumpy and so sweet all in the same moment.

He scowled at my laughter.

Impulsively, I flung my arms around his waist.

"Thank you, Jake", I said quietly. "You are so kind to me".

I had released him and was several steps away before I heard him grumble, "I ain't kind".

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

Riley came out of the bathroom with her hair in a smooth ponytail, a long sleeve teal shirt, and some different leggings- these black with gray markings.

Her pretty little face was nervous, which Jake knew by now meant she needed to tell him somethin' or ask somethin' that she was afraid would make him mad.

"Whatcha need?", he asked proactively.

"Is is all right with you...if I slept on the couch out here again?", she asked, twisting her fingers together nervously.

At least she maintained eye contact this time, that was an improvement.

"Why the fuck ya askin' me that?", he asked. "Woman, this is your house".

Her cheeks flushed red. "I didn't know if it bothered you that I was out here. You might want your space?"

"Nah. I'm good", he assured her. "You sleep wherever ya feel comfortable. I'll sleep where ya tell me".

She flashed him a dazzling relieved smile that Jake had to admit warmed his heart.

"Lemme check that knee real quick", he said, lifting her up onto the kitchen table before she could even respond.

She obligingly pulled up her pant leg and he carefully peeled off the bandage. The cut was sealing nicely but her knee cap and surrounding areas were still bruised and probably hurting quite a bit when she walked.

"We should put some ice on this", he said. "Where's yer first aid kit?"

"Under the bathroom sink".

Jake quickly found and returned with it. He cleaned off the cut area again then re-bandaged it. He couldn't help noticing the softness of the small pale leg he was touching, and it reminded him of Liv. Not that hers was small...she had been close to his height...but it was always pale and always soft, like the one he now held.

He realized with a start he must have been zoned out as Riley asked quietly, "Jake, are you okay?"

He met her wide, light green eyes. They were questioning but not judging.

"Sorry, kid", he said, deciding to be honest. "I was thinkin' 'bout someone else's leg".

"How did you meet?", Riley asked gently, guessing who he was thinking about.

He felt his heart give a great wrenching of pain but he felt like talking to her. He felt like sharing it.

"She was incredible", he said, feeling himself smile as he remembered. "She was from Jersey. I met her in New York. We were rookie cops together, eventually partners, and then we were married. She was tough, hard core, sassy, and brave, but she still had the biggest heart. She was always fightin' for those who couldn't fight for themselves. Kids and single moms were her main passion. She volunteered at shelters and in her job she fought hard for people in vulnerable situations. An' she kept me in line".

Riley smiled softly. "She sounds perfect for you", she said. "No wonder you miss her so much. I wish I were more like that. I wish I stood up for myself more".

"Don't ever wish to be somethin' you ain't", he immediately corrected her.  "You embrace who ya are, even the stuff ya don't like. You can change some of it but not all of it. God made ya to be sweet and kind and it's workin' against yer DNA to change that, but what you can change is saying no and settin' boundaries. But ya don't wish to be different. You understand?"

She teared up slightly but she nodded.

"I didn't realize you also lived in New York", she mused.

"I realized we lived there at the same time but I hadn't felt like talkin' 'bout that section of my life yet. Sorry, kid". He felt completely chastised though she hadn't seemed irritated that he was hiding things from her.

"You don't have to share anything you don't feel comfortable sharing", she replied quietly.

He stared into her clear peridot eyes, speechless, for an extended amount of time. Unspoken understanding seemed to be coursing between them.

"All right", he finally broke the spell. "I think your prescription is ice pack, bourbon, and rock music".

He chuckled in delight as her face fell in devastation.

"Oh, Jake, no!", she said. "Not the bourbon! It's so...not good".

He threw his head back and busted out laughing.

"I need to go to work tomorrow", she added after he lifted her off the table.

"You gonna be all right with that knee?"

"I'll be fine".

"Might be a good thing", he mused. "I'll drive ya then go poke around the woods some while yer gone. See if they left any clues".

"Oh, you don't need-".

"Gotta make sure there's no opportunity for somethin' to happen", he cut her off. "I keep tellin' ya I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to ya, and I don't intend to".

Her large trusting eyes were staring up at him. "Very well. Thank you", she said earnestly.

"My pleasure, kid".

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

* Perhaps Jake does have a soft side after all... Please vote and keep on reading to find out! *