Heading to town, we make it to the spot I always park. Making our way over to Pete, Jerry and Ron. Seeing them smile always makes my day. They are re happy to see me as I am always happy to see them.

"Hello guys, I would like you to meet Jake and Violet. They are new to town, with good hearts. This is Pete, Jerry and Ron."

They are all cordial with each other, talking and laughing. It makes my heart fell light with a happy song as it's beat. I thought no one would see these three men like I do. They are hardworking, caring and willing to do anything. They just need someone to give them.

A chance. That's one thing I hate about this town. The labels they give people and how hard it is to break free from them. I have hope they will break free.
Just as we hand the basket of food. I hear Vanessa' voice. She is coming over. For the first time in my life, I am ready for her and the things she will say. I never run from her, don't care what she says about me, for I know they are not true.

"Jakey, is that you? I can't believe I am lucky to see you twice in one day. This is so destiny. Don't you think handsome?"

"Vanessa, it's like you are following me. I can't get away from you. No matter how hard I try. What brings you over here?"

"Well," looking at all of us, she has the look of discuss " Jakey, why are you with a little whore in training? You told me you had to do some errands, but did not say you would be with her." The look to kill is all over her face as we stare at each other. I am about to speak my mind when Jake pipes in at Vanessa.

"Who the hell told you can call people names like that? Do you know her personally or is this just a name you and your sorry ass friends gave her? Why? Because she can't pick her mother and we know what her mother was like. Just so you know, she is nothing like her mother. You can turn your ass around and walk back over to your groupies, forget my name, and never come to my house again. Do you understand Vanessa, do I make myself clear?"

Vanessa's eyes swell up with tears. I have never seen her like this. No one has ever talked like that towards Vanessa. Let alone stick up for me, the way Jake just did. I don't know why he sees me, how Jake does. I am no one special. Looking over at Violet, she has a smug grin on her face. The loud feeling that is beaming from her presence. So proud of her brother and the way he stood up to her. Stood up for me. That is a big deal. I don't know how to thank Jake for that. Vanessa walks back in a hurry to her friends.

"Jake, I don't know why you did that. Thank you. I know that's not enough for what you did ."

"Scarlett, you should never have to deal with that or people saying things like that. Especially not to your face that pissed me off. How can someone speak to someone like that and think it's OK. Hell no, not with me around and sure not in front of me?"

"I like him" The world come out if Pete's mouth as he turns smiling like a kid in a candy shop looking at Jake

"You sticking up for our dear friend, make you are a friend to me."

"You mean to us."

Pete looks over to Ron and Jerry, looking at Pete. We all laugh. Say our good byes making our way to my truck. Jake opens my door for me to get in. Then runs around to open the door for his sister. Jumping in the back with Lola. Looking in my rearview mirror, watching Jake naturally just petting Lola like he's done it for years. Without a care she is laying in him.

Reaching home, Violet jumps out of the truck heading to her and Jake's home.

"Where are you going?"

"Oh, I thought you two should talk. I have something to do. I will be back later. Call me when you're done talking."

She smiles at her brother waves to me and off she went. I look over at Jake in a lost for words because I don't know what just happens. Why did she leave like that? What do we need to talk about?

"Do you want to sit here or go inside? I don't care where we talk, but I guess my sister is right. We should talk."

"Here is fine. Lola can roam the yard as we sit here."

We sit there in quiet for a few minutes. It felt like an hour. No way was I going to push him to talk. I did not know what was going on with him or his sister, but they have some kind of Secret communication. She knew when he need time, when she need to go be Busy or to help.

"Look, I know I am new here. You don't really know me. There are things we will learn about each other every day. You need to know I like you. There is something about you that pulls me to you. I don't want the hot girl that sleeps around or wants me for a trophy. Let alone have someone feel they are my trophy and are just there to make me look great. I know this town has made you feel some kind of way. They labeled you. Please know I am not them. I respect you, you are funny, caring, compassionate and down to earth. All things I look for you are even so cute when you're shy, the way your cheeks turn rose color. I'm not here to hurt you. What I want is to get to know you and for you to know me. See that I am not like this town. Jake is the name and I like you, Scarlett. I want to get to know you and you know me. So what do you say? Will you give me a chance?"

I held my breath the whole time he was talking. Looking him in the eyes as he spoke each word. I could feel the water fill my eyes, knowing I always wanted to hear words like that. I don't know what to say to him. So desperately I want to say yes, I want to get to know you. I want to trust you and see what kind of person you are. The walls are so built up from this damn town, this fear inside me growing like a wildfire.

"Jake, please understand this is new. I am not one to have a guy sit her on my porch telling me I matter and that my feelings mean something. For some long I have been under my mother and her web of hurt to the town. No one saw me for me, just a part of her. This makes me nervous, scared, with a lot of anxiety. I want to trust you and believer your words are true. I am not downgrading your character or your heart. Just hoping you understand the Wi-Fi lived and how cereal this feels right now. So pleas be patient with me. Let's take this day by day. Learn from each other and see where this may lie."

Not wanting to look at him, scared, I hurt his feelings. Waiting for him to switch the switch and attack me, call me names I have heard before. However, that did not happen. It was quiet. Slowly I saw him lift his hand, placing it on mind, rubbing my hand so softly as his finger turn it over, inner twinning our fingers. Being our hands to his lips, placing a sweet kiss upon my soft skin.

"Slow is the way I want to go with you. I don't want to rush it. I want you to know I am real and here for you. This is not a game I am playing. A woman has hurt me before. I don't want to real live that ever again. Just know I would never want to put that pain in you or make you feel hurt from me. I want to be the one you run to when you need someone to hold you. So slow is how I want to go with you."

Closing my eye, I take in the moment the sun warms my face as a smile appears in peace fills my heart. I feel my father with me giving me the push I need to let go, to live life. To have a little faith. Not everything is always bad in this world. If we are lucky enough, we might find a little piece of heaven down here on earth with us. My eyes flicker open slowly, I turn to face Jake.

"I am in. We give this a slow go, getting to know each other and see what may be. Just give me your word. You will be truthful, no matter how bad it may be. No games, no hidden agenda is what I want. I need real and good in my life. I lived with hate all around me, yet I still held my heart full of love and hope as my Daddy thought me."

"Scarlett, beautiful girl, I give you my word, good or bad. I will be truthful. No games, that shit is for high school kids. You, in return, give me your word for the same. Good or bad, if you don't like me more than a friend, you tell me. I can take it. I am a grown man. Just like I know, if I like you just as a friend, you will understand, too.

"You have my wold Jake."

Just then the sky opened up with rain with the sun shining bright. I knew it was I sign from above that I am letting faith lead the way.

Lola came running up the steps. She did not like getting wet very much. Not stopping waiting for me, she ran inside. Getting up to join her, Jake pulled me into his arms. Wrapping me up tight, I could feel his warmth. Inhaling his smell, taking him on all in. I knew I was in for the ride of my life. Praying it would not hurt, hoping for the best. Only time will give me the answers I need to live with. Slowly pulling away, making this hug feel way too short, he whispers in my ear you will get plenty more of those.

Heading inside, we heard her voice. Making us stop and turn around.

"Hi is it okay for me to come back now? I know you had something to talk about and I hate being there when you need privacy."

"You are good, sis. We worked it all out. This beautiful lady is going to take it slow with me and see what we may be."

Smiling at him with my checks turning red, turning to walk away. Jake wraps me up and has a devilish laugh.

"Oh, I think red is my new favorite color to see"

Shaking my head at his world, I would be lying if I said was not my favorite color to feel. Let's just hope I don't get burned at the end of this. I am ready for this new feeling I have inside. I want to see what it may become, I am ready to have my first proper kiss, my first real excited with Jake. There is something about him I can't walk away from. Please let this be something good for me just once. Give me the happy moment just once. I am not asking for much. Just a few friends and maybe a love to have for myself.