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hazel eyes that matched the chestnut shade of his hair. “Just be, I guess. Where I can forget. Where I can finally breathe again.”
    He looked at her, surprised by her candid response. He could tell that there was more to her story, though. “Do you have a name?”
    Jolene paused. “I’d rather not say, if it’s all the same to you.”
    “You’re the girl who called about the rental, aren’t you?”
    Her eyes widened. “Are you Benny?”
    The man in front of her beamed. “Yup. That’s me,” he said, holding out his hand.
    She looked down, taking several steps back from his outstretched hand, wishing she could finally get over her gut instinct to retreat whenever someone did that.
    Benny immediately pulled back his hand, running it through his hair, trying to get a feel for the woman in front of him. She seemed lost, in more ways than one.
    “Come on. I’ll give you a ride to the house. It’s just a few miles east.”
    “Thank you, but I don’t mind walking. I’ll meet you there.”
    “I’m not a serial killer or anything. You can trust me. It’s getting dark, and you really shouldn’t be walking these streets late at night. It’s not safe, no matter how quiet this little town may seem.”
    “No. I’d rather not be a burden. Like I said, I’ll meet you there.” She grabbed the map again, trying to locate exactly where the house was.
    “You don’t even know where you’re going.”
    She began walking away, knowing that she probably looked ridiculous holding a road map in the age of smart phones. “I’ll figure it out!” she called over her shoulder.
    “Well, then, I’ll walk with you.” Benny ran up to her, catching up with ease. “If you think I’m going to let you walk down this street alone at night, think again.”
    Jolene stopped in her tracks and exhaled, a look of complete exasperation crossing her face. She narrowed her eyes at him, attempting to figure out what his game was. Maybe he was just a nice guy. He certainly didn’t look like someone who would harm her. Why was her first instinct to assume the worst of everyone? She had a perfectly good reason why. He was why.
    “There’s nothing I can possibly say that will convince you that I’ll be okay on my own, is there?” The corners of her lips turned up slightly in mild amusement at Benny’s charming and insistent nature.  
    “Not a chance in hell.” He flashed a friendly smile, his dimples popping. It was unlike any smile she had seen over the past decade of her life. It wasn’t a sinister, calculated smile. It was a genuine, pure smile. It felt warm and attentive.
    “Fine. You can give me a ride.” She caved in to his offer. “But keep your hands to yourself,” she retorted rather snidely.
    “You got it.” He chuckled a bit at her feisty attitude. “My truck’s this way.” He nodded toward a large black pick-up truck parked near the front doors of the coffee shop.
    Jolene stepped around him, keeping her distance as she made her way across the relatively empty parking lot. Opening the passenger side door, she hopped into the truck. As she reached for the door, she stilled immediately when she saw Benny standing right outside. It took her by surprise.
    “See. I’m not a bad guy.” He winked. “Mama taught me to always open and close the door for a woman.”
    Jolene clutched her bag to her chest, turning to face forward, his proximity making her jittery. “Thank you.” Her chest rose and fell in an increasingly fast rhythm. She let out a slow breath once he finally closed the door.
    She looked down at her trembling hands, her heart racing at the thought of being alone with a man for who knows how long as he drove her to a place she had never been to before and couldn’t really be sure even existed. What if he works for him ? she thought. She prayed that he didn’t. That’s all she could do at the moment as she glanced down at the lock on the door and cursed whomever decided that installing child locks in