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January.”
    “One and the same.” Like Rafe, he looked pained, as if the notoriety embarrassed him.
    “Hey, it’s a good thing,” Samantha said. “That calendar raised a big chunk of money for the Benefit Fund. They’re already talking about doing another next year.”
    “I’ll definitely get one,” Jillian said, exchanging smiles with Samantha.
    “Me, too,” William said. “When I grow up, I’m gonna be a firefighter just like Adam and Rafe.”
    Jillian smiled at the adorable boy. “That’s great.”
    In the beat of silence that followed, her empty stomach rumbled. Embarrassed, she placed her hand over it.
    “We haven’t ordered yet,” Samantha said. “Why don’t you join us?”
    Not wanting to intrude, Jillian shook her head. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”
    “It’s no big deal. We spend a lot of time together,” Adam said. “Tell her, Rafe.”
    “A lot. Sit down.” He nudged William over and then scooted across his side of the booth to make room for her.
    There it was again—that intent, interested look. Jillian’s heart fluttered and she went soft inside. But what was the point of eating with him and getting all worked up and even more attracted, when nothing would come if it? Nothing that would lead to what she really wanted—love and a baby.
    She decided against sitting down.
    “I really need to get back to the house,” she said. “My first class is tomorrow night, and I still have tons to do.”
    “Class?” Samantha asked, raising her eyebrows a fraction.
    “She makes pottery and she also teaches the craft,” Rafe said.
    Jillian nodded. “This will be my first class in my studio.”
    “I wish I had time to try my hand at pottery,” Samantha said. “But with business booming… I’m getting ready to move into a commercial kitchen and hire my first assistant. Someday, though… Do you have a card?”
    “I do. I also have a flyer.” Jillian fished through her purse and handed over both. “My work is in several stores in the area. If you check my website, you’ll find links to the stores and photos of some of my pieces. Or you can come to the Rogue Valley Arts Festival in Medford next month. I’ll have a booth there. It was nice meeting you all. Enjoy your breakfast.”
    “I’ll walk you out,” Rafe said. “Adam, order me the usual.”
    “Coffee, the Rogue Valley omelet with hash browns, a side of bacon, and a warm cinnamon roll. Got it.”
    “You don’t have to walk me out,” Jillian said. “I haven’t even bought my cinnamon rolls yet, and there’s a line.”
    “I’ll wait with you. We should talk.”
    As they took their places behind some half-dozen customers, Jillian gave him a sideways look. “What are we supposed to talk about?”
    “Tell you when we get outside.”
    She wondered what he wanted to say. If it was about those kisses on the back porch, he had nothing to worry about. She wasn’t about to chase after him or expect anything.
    An attractive female behind the counter placed three cinnamon rolls into a Rosemary’s Breakfast Nook sack. She handed them to Jillian and gave Rafe a flirty smile. “How you doing today, Rafe?”
    His dimples flashed. “Hey, Jana. Not bad. You got a new ’do. Nice.”
    “Thanks.” Jana tossed her head, making her chin-length hair sway seductively. “I got it cut yesterday.”
    A jealous pang had Jillian frowning. Which was ridiculous, as well as confusing. She had no claim on Rafe and certainly didn’t want one.
    So why did she feel like clawing the waitress’s eyes out?

Chapter Six
    ‡
    O utside, eager to be alone with Jillian, Rafe shepherded her around the building toward the delivery area at the rear of the restaurant. At this hour on a Sunday, it stood empty.
    “Hey,” she said, digging in her heels. “My car is the other direction.”
    “And I’ll get you there in a little while.”
    “You’re not making sense.” Jillian frowned. “I thought you wanted to talk about something—”
    “I’m