Was she really going in there?

Donna’s heart was racing as she sat in her car with the engine clicking as it cooled.

No more tire trouble, at least. Jacob had talked her into splurging for all new tires instead of just replacing the one. He had a buddy who worked at the nearest tire store and had gotten her a good deal.

Gram had been on a streak of good days, and Molly was staying with her for a few hours. Because Jacob had coerced her into joining him for game night at his brother’s house.

Even with the car windows up, she could smell the smoke from the grill. The sky was going dark, and the house windows were lit up. Shadows in the shapes of people moved around, some clumped in little groups.

She didn’t know if she could do this.

Some of Jacob’s cousins were in there. His brother.

His friends.

Her acquaintances. People she saw at the library or grocery store and said hi to. Maybe chatted about the weather.

Some of them had been on the other end of the cruel laughter back in high school. She’d forgiven them. Ashley Barclay, in particular.

Everyone had grown up. Donna had. Ashley had. Their other friends. Some of them were moms and dads with little kids.

If they could greet each other at the gas station, surely she could expect friendly behavior inside.

There was nothing to be nervous about.

But she couldn’t make her hands stop shaking.

And then there was a flash of red and blue lights and a loud whoop as a vehicle pulled up behind her.

Jacob was here.

Her ticking time bomb had just counted down to zero. She had to get out of the car.

He was crunching through the dried fall grass when she pushed open her door.

“Hey.” He greeted her easily.

Good. Okay. She hadn’t seen him in a week. He’d been busy with long shifts at work and she had another looming deadline on the horizon. They’d spoken on the phone almost every day. Texted.

But she couldn’t forget how he’d said a quick goodbye and almost run out of Gram’s kitchen after he’d kissed her. As if he’d gotten scared.

But he didn’t look scared as he smiled easily at her.

“Hey back.” She pushed a foil-covered plate in his direction. “Do you mind?”

“Of course n—”

He stepped back as she heaved herself out of the seat with two more foil-covered dishes, one in each hand.

“Whoa.” His empty hand came beneath her elbow to steady her. “What’s all this?”

“I didn’t want to come empty-handed. I’ve got brownies and cookies and a cheese and meat plate. Is it too much?” She hung back.

In the near-darkness, she saw the squint of his eyes. “What kind of brownies?”

She’d definitely over-prepared. “Fudge. Does Hank hate brownies?”

His quicksilver grin was a flash of teeth in the fading light. “No. But I’m thinking about putting them in my truck so I can take them home and have them all to myself.”

He made like he was turning back to his SUV.

She stuck out her tongue at him, then turned toward the door. “You’ve got the meat and cheese.”

“That so? Maybe I’ll just do a little switcheroo…” He started after her, and she gave a shake of her head that did nothing to deter him. She darted up the steps and banged on the door with her elbow.

It opened almost immediately. “Boss, that you?”

A triangle of light fell on her face, and there was Ashley herself. Her smile fell a little when she saw Donna, but she quickly shored it up. Donna didn’t miss the way Ashley’s eyes darted over her shoulder to Jacob. “Hey, you.”

The greeting could’ve been for both of them, but Donna thought it was targeted more to Jacob. She knew Ashley was a dispatcher for the sheriff’s office. A sudden rush of jealousy had Donna wondering how closely they worked together.

Jacob’s empty hand came to rest on her hip, and he gave a little nudge.

Into the lion’s den.

Even after she stepped inside, Jacob didn’t move his hand. Almost like he was staking his claim. She was here, and she was his.

They’d stepped into Hank’s living room. There were several people inside, and they all called out greeting or nodded to Jacob and by extension, to Donna.

Hank appeared from another room and beelined toward them. “Hey, guys. What’d you bring, bro?”

“You know I just got off duty. This is all Donna’s contribution.”

Hank took the plate from Jacob’s hand and peeled back the foil to reveal the brownies.

“Yum. Thanks, Donna.”

Jacob reached for one, but Hank pulled the plate out of his reach.

“I’ll take those.” Ashley relieved Donna of the other two plates, but her smile was a little too fake to be real.

Maybe this had been a bad idea.

And then Jacob turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “The meat and cheese plate, huh?”

Her stomach swooped low at the intensity of his expression.

She bit her lip. “I thought you were more observant. Obviously, my earlier impression was flawed.”

He let out a growl.

“I like her.” Kurt, one of the other sheriff’s deputies, entered their orbit and shook hands with Jacob, then offered her his hand. “He’s been in need of someone to keep him on his toes.”

Warmth climbed into her face.

But Jacob’s hand was still resting at her waist, and he even tugged her a little closer. “The real question is, can she play exploding kittens?”

“I bet she can whip you. Right?” Jacob’s friend grinned and raised an eyebrow, and the friendliness he was exuding gave her the courage to send a saucy look at the man beside her.

“I think you’d better watch out for your cats.”

Kurt hooted with laughter, but she couldn’t look away from Jacob’s smile. It was a smile that glowed with approval. And the glint in his eyes said maybe she’d get another good-night kiss if she was lucky.