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discretion.
    She drove to the diner and got a cup of coffee to go. When she walked in the diner she immediately felt Mr. Jake Calhoun’s presence, and was assaulted by his spicy male scent. When she looked for him she found him in the corner booth sipping coffee and eating what looked like chicken fried steak. He was alone and looked lonely.
    She had no idea what possessed her, but she walked over to his table and sat across from him. He breathed roughly through his nose and looked up smiling. “Well, hello, Ms. Dunn. Are you hungry?”
    She was amazed he didn’t ask why she looked like a kid that lost their candy. “Sure, I’ve suddenly got quite an appetite.”
    Jake called the waitress over and Shana ordered, “Whatever he was having.”
    They ate in comfortable silence. When the meal was complete, she asked, “How long have you been working for Twilight Lookout?”
    Shana was pushing her luck staying so close to him knowing she was physically attracted, engaging in conversation. Maybe he would be really dumb and she’d lose the passion and intrigue she felt for him.
    “Actually, I own the company. It is pretty successful even though this is a small town that doesn’t get much crime.” At the mention of crime he noticed her face fell.
    “Oh, well. Let’s hope it stays a low crime area. But you never know when someone is going to move in and bring their troubles.” She tried to sound lighthearted but too much was weighing on her.
    “Is everything okay, Shana? Do you need help or protection? We’re a pretty small town but we like to help each other. If there is anything you need, I’ll do my best to provide it,” Jake said with seriousness.
    She cocked her head to the side and asked, “Why? Why would you help me? You don’t even know me. And I don’t know you. In fact, I tried to kick you off my property not two hours ago.”
    “I know it sounds funny, but I feel a connection to you and I know you feel it too. You can trust me. I’m not going to lie to you, Shana. I think you’re a beautiful woman and, one day, I’d like to have you in my bed, but, when I do, it’ll be forever.”
    Shana’s eyes narrowed and her scent became bitter.
    “I don’t trust easy, or often, Mr. Calhoun. In fact, I haven’t shared a meal with anyone apart from my family and my best friend for years. I don’t feel safe, and although I’d like to trust you, I just don’t see that happening, in or out of bed.”
    She tried to take money from her wallet to pay and leave, but he waved her money away, already giving the check to the waitress.
    “Thank you for the meal.” Shana turned to walk away.
    Jake was irritated. Why was she back to the all-business attitude? “It’s obvious something has happened to you, and I’m truly sorry, but my offer still stands. If you need me I’d be more than happy to listen to you vent, or even just sit with you for comfort.”
    Jake wrote his phone number on a napkin, stood and walked away. It was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life. His beast was snarling at him to go back and comfort his mate, but his human side knew she wasn’t ready.
    Shana went to her car and drove to pick up Trevor; after all, they had a wolf to care for. A wolf that was safe because he had protected her son. She would buy him his own bunny factory if he would keep them safe. Yuck, she hoped he didn’t hurt Thumper and brought it to the porch.
    They drove to the pet store and Trevor talked about his teacher and some of the kids in his class. Forrest was caught picking his nose, and Mrs. Miner made him wash his hands. Larry went down the slide the wrong way and threw up. The janitor had to come clean it up before they could play on the slide again.
    When Trevor was done with the kindergarten gossip, they sang their ABC’s.
    Trevor picked out an extra-large, expensive dog bed and a dish for food and water. They bought dog food and treats while they cruised the store looking at the pets. Trevor liked