I had been shaking off and on due to the puking and the alcohol poisoning, but right now I was shaking for a different reason.

What is wrong with me? What am I doing? That was so intense.

I did trust Jake, absolutely, but putting my (naked) self into his hands, literally...that took a completely different level of trust. The crazy thing was- once I had done it, I didn't want out of them- his hands, that is.

My hands were on his shoulders, his were on my back, and his face was so very close. What I wanted was to move my hands to the back of his neck and pull his mouth down to mine.

I was being foolish and I was going to get hurt. I absolutely knew it but I couldn't talk myself out of feeling the way I did.

I applied lotion to my body, ran oil treatment through my hair, then realized I hadn't planned very well by bringing clothes in with me. In order to get clean clothes I would either need to walk past Jake in nothing but a towel, or put back on all my dirty clothes and change in my room.

I hadn't even had an opportunity to consider it at the time because of how miserable I was when it happened, but it started sinking in how affectionate Jake had been during this whole ordeal. He had called me 'baby'. No one had ever called me that, and while Jake called me all sorts of terms of endearment from the day we met, I believed it was simply how he talked. However, in all the time we had spent together, I had never heard him use the term 'baby' until now. Additionally, he had kissed me twice more on the forehead. Twice.

I started thinking maybe he could feel something toward me other than friendship. Maybe I wanted to walk out in only a towel. Maybe I wanted his attention.

You can do this. He's seen you in less. Be brave. It's not a big thing.

I wrapped the towel back around me and bravely stepped out.

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

Jake was sitting on the couch, flipping through a box of movies, when the bathroom door opened. He automatically looked up and was hit with a sight he hadn't expected to see. He took in Riley's petite, delicately curved body outlined beneath the light red towel, her bare sculpted shoulders, and the intense light in her peridot eyes.

His breath caught and his stomach flipped, as for a moment he thought she could be walking over to him, but she simply kept walking to her bedroom.

He exhaled shakily, running his hand through his hair.

Holy shit. I need to back off. I ain't tryin' to sleep with her.

Am I?

No, I ain't.

I ain't!

I mean...I wouldn't say no, but...I ain't tryin'.

NO. I can't. We can't.

I ain't right for her. It would hurt her.

He shook his head and tried to get his brain right before she returned.

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

I put on a lace ivory bra and dug out ivory lace underwear to coordinate. I pulled a lightweight cream colored long sleeved shirt over my head then put on soft gray leggings.

As I was walking back to the bathroom, Jake called out to me, "You better not be thinkin' bout puttin' any of that shit on yer face or doin' nothin' to that beautiful hair of yers".

"I wasn't. I don't feel good enough for that", I assured him, smiling to myself as I picked my clothes up off the floor.

I met his blue-gray eyes as I exited the bathroom. They had that open, vulnerable look in them, like they had when he told me about the conflict between him and Will, when he had kissed me on the forehead the first time.

"I need a shower, kid. And to brush my teeth. You comin'?"

"Yeah. Sure".

He gave me a grin. "Glad to hear it. Wasn't really gonna give ya a choice".

I smiled and shook my head, changing out the clothes from the washer into the dryer, other than my bra, which I simply set on top of the dryer. I dropped the clothes from the bathroom into the washing machine then turned.

He was hovering near the front door, hands on hips, with a little smirk on his face.

"Oh, you meant now?!?", I realized, feeling my cheeks start to flame.

He simply chuckled as I hurried over.

"Gosh, I'm sorry! You've been taking care of me for an entire day and I didn't even think about what you needed once! That is so inconsiderate of me!"

I quickly got my shoes on then stood expectantly.

His humorous expression was gone.

"I expect ya ain't been taken care of before, so it don't feel right, but sometimes ya gotta let someone else help ya. An' I keep tellin' ya I don't mind. So stop apologizin'.

"I'm-".

He put an index finger up to my mouth before I could apologize again. I started laughing.

He smiled at me. "Okay, kid, hope ya know ya ain't walkin'".

"Oh, wait, what?"

He simply winked then picked me up with one smooth motion, and proceeded out the door like it was no trouble at all.

"You are so strong", I commented enviously, holding my arms awkwardly against my body, not knowing where to put them.

He chuckled. "Nah, yer just tiny".

As he was striding down my dirt driveway, a breeze hit me and I shivered.

It felt downright cold. It was actually fall, but fall back home would have been forty degrees a month ago. It had still been in the sixties here during the day, so this was unexpected.

Jake expertly placed me on my feet on his porch then opened the door.

"Make yerself at home", he said, placing his large hand on the back of my head and trailing his fingers through my hair as he walked past and headed directly to the bathroom.

I stared after him. Did he have any idea how he made me feel when he did things like that? Did he even consider it or did he just do it without thinking?

"Love the curls, kid", he commented without turning or pausing.

I felt myself flushing violently as he disappeared into the bathroom.

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

Jake took a really cold shower, which helped get his mind back on track, momentarily at least.

He left the bathroom as she had at her house- in a towel- directly to his bedroom to find clothes.

She had been laying on the couch as he went past- her hands on her head, staring at the ceiling. He didn't know what that meant, what she was thinking, or what she was feeling, maybe even that she might be feeling sick again.

Jake was feeling a lot of feelings 'bout little Riley, and he was tryin' not to act on any of 'em.

He got dressed quickly, grabbing an extra flannel for her as he had felt her shivering in his arms on the way over.

"You okay?", he asked, standing over her and peering down into her face. 

Her light green eyes met his and her cheeks flushed.

"I'm fine, or basically fine. Much better than I was anyway".

"Ya tired?"

"No, actually. I'm really sore but I'm not tired. I was actually wondering if you wanted to watch a movie?"

"Sure, but I wantcha to know I am tired 'cause I was watchin' ya and listenin' for ya all night, not sleepin'".

She immediately sat up and started apologizing, her face horrified.

He sat next to her on the couch.

"Now hold on", he said, placing his hand on her knee. Her little leg was completely covered by his hand.

"I'm only tellin' ya that so ya don't feel bad when I fall asleep durin' the movie, not 'cause I want ya to feel guilty 'bout me helpin' ya. I'm the one who should feel guilty".

"Jake, how could you possibly-?"

He stared into her beautiful green eyes. "I usually listen to my gut. I didn't wanna leave. When I was gone I felt like somethin' was wrong. I told myself I was bein' silly, that I was just worried 'cause of the storm rattlin' me. When the boss gave us the opportunity to take a weekend break, I jumped on it. If I hadn't, I wouldn'ta found ya where I did...but the thing is, ya woulda never gotten in that situation if I hadn'ta left at all".

"You cannot possibly be blaming yourself for my poor choices", she said vehemently, putting her hand on top of the one he had on her leg. "You cannot. This had nothing to do with you not being here. It had everything to do with me being desperate for people to like me. That's how I've always been".

"If I'da been home, and she woulda asked, what wouldya have done?"

He watched her face turn slightly pink.

"I probably would have talked to you about my plans", she admitted sheepishly.

"And I woulda told ya not to go, then drove to the bar and told Sam to stay the fuck away from ya".

"It's still not your fault", she insisted.

"We can agree to disagree. I'm gonna bring over my whiskey and some meat. Anythin' you can think of you need?"

"No".

He dropped the flannel into her lap as he stood. "Put that on", he instructed as he headed off to the kitchen.

He loaded a few of his groceries and a half full whiskey bottle into a bag.

Riley was patiently waiting at the front door drownin' in his flannel.

Damn, she's cute like that, he thought as he chuckled.

He was still smiling as he approached, reached past her shoulder, and turned off the lights. She maintained eye contact with him and, though blushing, didn't back away or flinch as he moved close, with a light in those clear green eyes that made his heart thump hard as he continued staring into them.

She seemed to be getting more comfortable and confident around him, which Jake enjoyed a helluva lot. Nothing would make him happier than increasing her self esteem and self worth.

She turned around and exited through the front door, patiently waiting on the porch until he shut the door behind them and picked her up.

This time she laid her head on his shoulder. This time he walked slower and enjoyed the contact more than he should have.

When they got to her porch, he set her down and she opened the door.

"You want some?", he asked with a wink as he pulled the whiskey out of the bag and set it on the tall kitchen table.

She turned fairly pale, wrinkling up her nose.

"I might never drink again", she said seriously.

He chuckled. "Give it time. You'll come 'round. Ya probably won't ever drink that much again, though. Ya seem a lot smarter than me".

"Perhaps on that particular topic", she mused, raising an eyebrow.

"Ya teasin' me?", he chuckled.

She gave him a sweet smile. Her rosebud mouth and perfect teeth could easily belong on the cover of a magazine.

He poured some whiskey then parked himself on the couch. He had set out an action movie from the eighties earlier.

"I love that movie", he said. "Ya okay with it?"

"Sure", she replied, putting it in the VCR.

There was no such thing as cable or internet where they were, so their choices were limited. That had never bothered Jake before. He was usually too drunk or too hungover to even care about watching anything.

She still had on his flannel, and after she sat on the couch, she covered herself with a thick knitted blanket, as well.

He remembered her shivering outside.

"Ya want me to start a fire?", he asked.

"Oh! Yes, please, that way I can learn how!"

He stared at her, dumbfounded, until she turned bright red.

"I'm sorry?", she ventured. She clearly had no idea what he was upset about.

"Have ya been gettin' cold at night?", he asked.

"Sometimes". She turned redder.

"Well, what didya do 'bout it?"

"Used more blankets. It was fine".

"Riley, why didn'tcha ask me to show ya? Why didn'tcha ask me to light a fire any of the times I stayed here?"

"It wasn't that cold and I didn't think about it until I became cold in the middle of the night. I certainly would not wake you up for that".

Jake was horrified that he had been present during her suffering and she hadn't asked for him to help.

"Riley, please do. Wake me up, ask for help. I dunno whatcha don't know, and I didn't know you was cold! I don't get cold like ya do. I don't always know whatcha need...okay?"

"All right", she replied quietly.

"C'mon then", he said, and he walked her through the process of starting the fireplace fire. He had her do everything herself so hopefully she could duplicate it in the future.

Jake sat, kicked off his boots, put his feet on the coffee table, and watched her. The contours of her face were so beautiful in the firelight, he couldn't stop staring. She was roaming around, shutting off lamps, grabbing her water bottle, and heading to the bathroom as the movie started.

Jake had never understood why women couldn't simply sit. They had to bustle around and do a whole bunch of unrelated shit before they could do the thing they intended to do. Liv had been the same.

It was interesting. He hadn't noticed any similarities between them before. He had actively tried to avoid comparing them, but inadvertently it happened. Some situations with Riley would trigger memories of Liv, but mostly the two were about as different as two people could be, far as he could tell.

Their physical appearances, their upbringings, their personalities, lifestyles, and mannerisms. Jake couldn't have found someone so completely opposite of Liv if he had actively searched.

But this trait was the same. Must be a woman thing.

As she emerged from the bathroom, he took one look at her perfect, petite, beautiful oval face, surrounded by long, soft, natural curls, and acted on impulse.

He extended his right arm toward her and motioned with his hand for her to come sit by him, dropping that arm on the back of the couch after he did.

She grabbed the blanket from her corner of the couch then sat close to him, pulling her legs up onto the couch, draping the blanket across her legs, and leaning in against his side. She rested her head on his chest and he shut his eyes for a moment. He really, really enjoyed her head on his chest.

He moved his arm from the couch to around her instead, and took in the moment. A whiskey in one hand and her in the other. He was completely content.

"Thank you", she said quietly, not moving from her position.

"For what?", he asked.

"Everything. Saving my life multiple times, being my friend, being my hero, helping me in a million different ways since you've met me. I'm very thankful for you".

He placed his hand on her head.

"I'm thankful for you, too, kid. Didn't realize how far gone I was till ya came 'round. Yer makin' me more human. You saved me, too".

They proceeded to watch the movie. Jake finished his whiskey not even halfway through, leaned his head back, and fell asleep.

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

I spent a lovely two hours on Jake's chest, listening to his heart beat, feeling the warmth of his hand on my arm, the pressure of his arm around my back, and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. I wasn't even paying attention to the movie- I was paying attention to him. I knew when he fell asleep and I didn't move. I didn't move until the very end of the movie, then I reluctantly got up, shut the TV down, carefully removed the empty glass from his large hand, added a log to the fire, and lay on the other end of the couch to go to sleep.

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

Jake woke sometime during the night to go to the bathroom, noticed Riley in a tiny ball on the other end of the couch, and paused.

He crouched next to her and watched her sleeping face in the fading firelight. She was so perfectly beautiful he could cry. It was overwhelming! The curve of her cheekbones, the smooth softness of her unlined skin, her perfectly symmetrical nose, her rosebud mouth, thick black eyelashes fanned against her cheeks, and a round glistening diamond earring in a tiny perfect ear. He tore his eyes off her face, used the toilet, then laid on his back on the short couch instead, legs hanging over the edge.

He woke to the sounds of dishes clinking.

Jake used the bathroom then found Riley at the stove.

"Do you like French toast?", she asked with a sweet little smile.

"I like anythin' ya make", he said, stretching his arms over his head.

He was rewarded with a full stunning smile and a faint pink flush in her cheeks.

"Feelin' better?", he guessed.

"I'm doing better", she replied. "Still sore".

"Probably shoulda slept in yer bed", he commented.

"I wanted to be by you", she immediately replied, then turned bright red, looked down at the stove, and shook her head like she couldn't believe she had said that.

Jake's heart started thumping irrationally.

She's just scared again. You make her feel safe. That's it. Nothing else. You can't let yerself think it's anythin' else.

He took a seat at the table and waited, watching her silently as she made French toast and coffee for them both.

She set plates down on the table, returned for coffee mugs, glasses of water, then finally sat down herself.

"This is incredible", he complimented her. "Fantastic".

She smiled, ducked her head, and flushed pink.

They ate in relative silence. She had two pieces while he had six. She seemed pleased with his eager helpings, smiling softly to herself.

Once he'd finished, she got up and collected their plates.

"Ya wanna do some shootin' today?", he asked hopefully as she headed to the sink with the dishes. He really wanted her more confident handling a weapon, especially with all the shit that had just gone down.

"I don't think I'll have time. I'm going to work from ten until six", she replied without turning around.

He felt a wave of panic which of course came out as anger.

"Like hell you are!", he exploded. He hadn't exactly yelled, but when his voice raised, she startled and dropped the dishes hard in the sink.

He was up and to her side before she even turned around.

"Sorry, kid", he apologized, intentionally keeping his voice calm and quiet. "I'm sorry I snapped".

She appeared to be focused on her breathing and was staring at the dishes.

"I dunno if that's a good idea", he explained. "Ya almost died. Ya puked eight times. You were still pukin' yesterday afternoon, for God's sake. Take a break. Rest".

She met his eyes. Hers seemed a little hurt, a little accusatory, but she didn't scold him for scaring the shit out of her.

"I need my job", she said quietly. "I've already missed work. I don't like feeling irresponsible. I'm going to work if I can, and I assure you that today I can. Please don't make this difficult for me. It's what I need to do".

She seemed determined but her voice was waverin'. He felt bad intimidating her and refused to do it further. In fact, he was proud of her for standing up to him.

"Fine", he conceded. "I'm drivin' ya and pickin' ya up, though".

"All right", she immediately agreed.

Liv woulda punched him in the throat if he had tried tellin' her what to do like that.

"Get ready. I got this", he said, tapping her hip to indicate for her to move away from the sink and let him do the dishes.

He moved the vehicles while she was in the bathroom, putting her car closest to the cabin and his truck behind that.

Once she was ready to go, Jake was completely disgruntled to discover she had straightened her hair and pulled the sides back, along with putting on a full load of makeup.

Other than that, she was lovely in a buttery yellow short sleeved blouse with ruffles on the sleeves and neckline, dark gray cotton pants that stopped above her ankles, and those worthless flat canvas shoes in navy, white, and dark gray stripes.

"I'm ready", she smiled at him as she draped a navy blue sweater over her arm and grabbed her purse.

She dug out her keys and handed them to him, then walked right out the front door. Jake was never not surprised when she simply handed over everything she owned to him like it was no big deal.

She really trusts me.

Of course she does, Liv spoke up for the first time in days, and I think you trust her.

Maybe.

No maybe about it. Let her in, honey. You two are good for each other.

Liv, I'm not- 

I know you're not thinking like that, or trying not to anyway, but if you were, I'd understand. I want you to be happy. Please, Jake, try to be happy...for us.

Jake exhaled fully. I'll try.

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

Work was steady, uneventful, and I was feeling comfortable and confident in what I did there. Overall, I enjoyed being there. I liked helping Deb bake, cook, and clean. I enjoyed her company and petting Eddie. I'd never been around a dog that large before and I was surprised when I realized how intelligent he was. Not only did he know what time it was all the time, but he knew what Deb was saying, even spelling at times.

For example, in the afternoon lull she was telling me that she was going to take Eddie for a walk, and she spelled it out, and he leaped up and stood under the coat rack where his leash hung, with his tail wagging excitedly.

He also knew Jake, and Jake's truck, and I wondered if he knew Jake had saved him from his previous owner, because he greeted him more affectionately than he did any other person I had seen.

Close to the end of my shift, I was sweeping the dining area, and Eddie bolted up off of his bed, tail wagging, whimpering excitedly as he headed for the front door. As I looked to see what he was so excited about, I saw Jake's truck swinging into a parking spot out front.

A smile hit my face and continued as I watched Jake exit his vehicle and walk inside, crouching to give the large, black dog attention.

I liked how Jake moved- purposefully, confidently. There was no nervous movement or quirks about him. He was solid, steady, and didn't move unless he wanted to.

Watching him with Eddie warmed my heart. He seemed carefree, happier, less burdened when he was playing with the dog.

I had been sweeping near the kitchen door and hadn't heard Deb step out as I was watching them until I noticed her out of the corner of my eye.

"He told me about Eddie", I whispered. "I love how he looks when he's playing with him. So relaxed and happy".

She put her hand on my shoulder. "Have you seen his face when he's with you?", she asked.

I met her kind dark blue eyes with surprise. She smiled warmly, patted my shoulder, and returned to the kitchen.

Jake glanced up at me then, his face happy and open, a light in his eyes and a smile on his face. He was impossibly handsome when he looked like that.

"I'm almost done", I commented.

"Got all the time in the world", he commented with a wink.

I felt myself flushing and shook my head as he laughed at me.

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

After Jake had dropped Riley at work, he swung into the Ranger/Police station. Travis was there but Will wasn't.

Perfect.

"What'd ya charge that dumb fuckin' bitch with?", Jake asked as he strode through the front door.

"Mornin', Jake. Tampering with a consumer's product", Travis replied calmly.

"What the fuck?!?", Jake exploded. "Should be second degree assault, at least!"

"It was my understanding that Riley did not get assaulted or injured?", Travis clarified.

"Well, no, but-".

"And she didn't operate a vehicle or harm herself or anyone else?"

"No, but if I hadn'ta been there-".

"Jake, I know. But what could have happened wasn't what did happen. We need to go with what did happen. Believe me, this is serious. She could lose her bar".

Jake countered with, "She should lose her life".

"Son, ya can't say those things in front of me", Travis sighed.

"I didn't", Jake said quickly.

"I need a formal statement from Riley in order to send the case down the mountain. Ya think she's up for that today?"

"Can I bring her over at six? She's at work now".

"She went to work?" Travis sounded surprised.

"Against my advice, yes".

"Will made it sound as if she were near death!"

"He was exaggeratin' but I was close to bringin' her to the hospital. She was still pukin' yesterday afternoon. Eight times".

"Shit. That little gal's tougher than she looks".

"That she is".

Travis eyed him knowingly. "You got a knack for bein' in the right place at exactly the right time with her", he commented. "That fate, luck, or instinct?"

"Whole lotta all three, probably", Jake mused.

"I should talk to her about bein' safe out here", Travis added. "Don't seem like she's had much common sense education. Ain't she got a father?"

"Her parents seemed to be more concerned with how she looked than anythin' else. They kept her so sheltered she was basically a prisoner. I don't think she ever went anywhere alone in her entire life before turnin' up here. I been talkin' to her but it might help comin' from you, too".

"I'd be happy to", Travis said.

"'Preciate it".

Travis stared into his eyes for a moment, his dark brown ones asking a question that Jake wasn't going to answer and Travis wasn't going to ask.

"What's happenin' with that other situation?", Jake asked.

"Well, clearly the robbery is what the focus is. The Captain of the Atlanta precinct let me question 'em but that's as far as it's gonna go. You an' me both know they don't care 'bout 'em followin' our girl through the woods".

"But they discussed kidnapping! There was intent!"

Jake felt his pulse quicken and his blood pressure rise.

"Which is difficult to prove even with a motive, and we can't find one".

"Riley says her ex has a lot of enemies. The guy they was reportin' to coulda been someone he wronged in business".

Travis perked up at that. "And could afford to send them an expensive lawyer to keep his name out of it. What's the ex's name and place of business?"

"Harrison Abbott. Abbott Financial in New York City. I looked him up. He's fake as fuck. Well-groomed, promotes charities, in secret beats his sweet little wife then leaves her with nothing when she finally gets the courage to leave him".

Jake's blood pressure continued to rise.

Travis' face was horrified. "That's much more detail than Will told me".

"Will might not know. I pried them details outta her".

"She's such a sweet girl", Travis said. "That makes me sick".

"Tell me 'bout it. If I weren't afraid ta leave her alone for five minutes, I'd go visit the bastard".

"Jake...", Travis cautioned, seeming apprehensive.

"I never said nothin'", Jake assured him. "I'll see ya later tonight".

As he was driving back home, his phone rang.

"Hey, Dustin".

"Thought you were comin' back?"

"I was plannin' to. Sorry, man. I've got this situation...".

"How pretty is this situation ya keep gettin' yerself into?"

Jake chuckled. "So fuckin' gorgeous it hurts".

Dustin chuckled on the other end. "Man, I'm fuckin' jealous but I don't blame ya. Lemme know if ya change yer mind, a'right?"

"You bet".

When Jake came to pick Riley up from the diner, he was greeted warmly by Eddie, then Riley, then Deb.

"I don't need her again 'till Thursday", Deb said emphatically, peering up over her teal rimmed glasses at him, within earshot of Riley.

"Yes, ma'am", Jake agreed willingly, feeling relieved.

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

I was exhausted and sore by the end of my shift, but proud of myself for sticking with it. I could not wait to get home and crawl into bed.

Jake opened the passenger door of his truck for me and gave me a hand up. He walked around the cab, climbed in on his side, started the engine, and cleared his throat.

That wasn't typical Jake behavior and it instantly made me nervous.

He met my eyes. "I'm bringing ya to Travis to fill out a statement".

My stomach sank. "Jake, no. That's only going to make them hate me more".

"They got no reason to hate ya to begin with! Ya gotta stand up for yerself, kid. No one's gonna fuck with ya again. I'll make sure of it".

His blue-gray eyes were steely and frightening.

Jake put the truck into drive and drove down to the station, parking right out front next to Travis' Sheriff SUV. The sunlight was starting to fade and the lights were on inside the building. Through the glass door I could see Travis sitting at his desk in his office, which was little more than a cubicle, Will's chair empty at the desk next door. There was also a reception area ahead of their cubicles, which consisted of a clunky wooden desk housing a computer and stacks of manilla files, two plastic chairs in the waiting area across from said desk.

Jake parked and got out, slamming his door shut.

My heart started thudding against my chest. I did not want to do this. I knew it would only make things worse for me. That is what happened every time I'd ever tried to get even. It wasn't in my nature to do, and fighting against nature did nothing besides make things harder.

My door opened but I remained frozen, staring in at Travis, heart pounding so hard it hurt.

"Riley?", Jake asked, sounding concerned.

I turned to him. His brow underneath his tan, faded, worn cowboy hat was furrowed. Strands of his dark blond hair framed his face and his lips were pressed together between a scruffy mustache and short beard of the same color.

"I don't want to do this", I said, hearing my voice shake.

It was so difficult saying what I wanted, even to Jake, but it was easier to do it with him than anyone else had ever been.

"I know", he said, "but you need to".

"Why?"

"Baby, she's a bully. You gotta stand up to bullies. It's the only way to get 'em to stop".

"When I stood up to Harrison and my parents, it didn't end well for me", I pointed out in little more than a whisper, feeling my palms and armpits start to sweat.

"Didn't it?", Jake mused. "Yer free now, ain'tcha?"

"I suppose that's one way to look at it. I would have liked to have been free and not destitute, but if I had to choose one...".

He bit his lip and appeared moderately annoyed.

"Sweetheart, freedom is the most important thing ya can have. You can always make more money if ya got the freedom to do it. You were brave, ya did good, an' you can do it again".

I remained frozen.

"At least come in and talk to Travis", he pressed. "He wants to talk to ya".

"Fine".

I swung my legs around to the door and grabbed my purse, slinging it over my shoulder.

Jake helped me down then surprised me by placing both large warm hands on my shoulders. He brought his face down close to mine, eyes serious.

"If you'da had me to help ya leave, ya wouldn'ta left with nothin'", he said quietly. "I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to ya. I shouldn'ta left ya alone. I know that now. I ain't leavin' ya alone again. They ain't gonna have no opportunity to mess with ya, and guaranteed they're scared to cross me".

I couldn't think of anything to say. I couldn't think...about anything other than his beautiful eyes and how close his face was to mine, how he smelled like the forest and how I felt so safe in his presence.

My heart stopped thudding in fear but my stomach started fluttering with something else.

"You trust me, right?", he asked.

I couldn't even talk. I simply nodded.

"Then please trust my judgment. I wouldn't ask ya to do somethin' that was gonna make things worse for ya".

I nodded again.

"Atta girl", he said, exhaling like he was relieved.

He released my shoulders, took my hand, and slammed the truck door shut as we went past.

Into the station we went.

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

* Jake...whatta guy, huh? Vote for him, please! *