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“You picked a really nice piece. It has lots of drawers but isn’t too big. It will be great right there,” Jeb told her as he absorbed the pleasant scent of her home combined with her perfume.

“Where would you like me to put these?” Gator asked, holding two boxes of beads she had purchased.

“Oh, right down there on the rug is fine. I’ll need to get organized,” she whispered then had a far off look as she crossed her arms and appeared sad again.

“We’ll get the piece,” Jeb told her.

“She looks so sad. Been crying,” Gator whispered.

“I know,” was all Jeb could say. He felt badly too.

They got the piece down off the back of the truck, placed the lamp that came with it on top, too, and began heading up the sidewalk. Gator glanced toward the woods. “Did you mention the guy in the woods yet?”

Jeb shook his head. Alana held the door open.

They placed it down on the rug where she had cleared a spot, and Jeb and Gator complimented the location as Jeb fixed the lamp.

“This is perfect, and it doesn’t take up too much room,” Jeb said as he glanced around the small cottage.

“Listen,” Jeb continued. “I’m not sure if you lock your doors or sit out back at night, but when we pulled up, I saw some guy in the woods. He was just standing there, and it looked like he was looking this way. Not positive, but wanted to be sure you were aware of it. You never know who might be lurking around in that woods. It’s pretty big.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t freak out like he expected. She calmly replied.

“Thank you for telling me. I’m sure it was nothing, but you’re right. You never can tell. I do lock the doors. I’ve lived alone for quite some time.”

Her eyes filled up with tears, and she covered her mouth with her hand.

“Aw, honey. Don’t cry,” Jeb said and placed his hands on her shoulders. A moment later, he pulled her into his arms.

The feel of her against his body aroused him but also gave him this overwhelming need to protect her and make her happy. It just wasn’t fair that such a pretty young thing was hurting. It made him feel pissed off at Gabe, yet the soldier in him understood.

“It’s going to be okay,” Gator whispered and caressed her hair.

Suddenly she lifted her head up.

“Oh God. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you both fe

el uncomfortable. Can I get you a drink?”

“I don’t think—” Gator began to say.

“Sure,” Jeb interrupted and placed his hands in his pockets.

The scent of Alana’s perfume and shampoo lingered in the air around him. He wondered if his shirt would smell like her even later as they drove back to the ranch.

She walked toward the kitchen and opened the door to the refrigerator. After pulling out two waters, she came back and handed them out.

“Thank you,” Jeb said, holding her gaze. Gator said thank you, too, and then stared at her.

“You moved in pretty recently, huh?” Gator asked, breaking the silence.

“Yes, only about three weeks ago. It’s a lot to get used to. But with working two jobs, I haven’t had a lot of time to unpack everything,” she told them.

“Two jobs?” Gator asked as Jeb was thinking the same thing. Why was this woman having to work two jobs? She lived alone. Or so it seemed. Maybe she had debt. Lots of women over shopped or had bad spending habits. Although Alana didn’t seem the type at all.

She shrugged.

“Just keeping busy. Trying to just live, I guess,” she said in a sad voice.