After James’s hearing, the authorities returned to Ginger the gold from her father’s cabin. She sold it to a local gold company and, after paying off some of her bills, put the money in the bank.

Brock had offered to help her rent a room in town so that she could take her time to think things through. She knew he was disappointed that she didn’t want to move in with him right away, but she just couldn’t do it. It was all too sudden and unexpected. Now that she had something of her own and could move on with her life, she was more certain than ever that she had to start making good choices.

Part of that was not jumping into a relationship with a man she’d only met a few days ago. No matter how perfect Brock seemed or how much she felt for him, she knew she had to get to know him better before she threw herself into his world.

A few days after she’d gotten her money back and settled some debts, she sat in the fish and chips restaurant where she’d ended up the first day she’d come to town. The food there was delicious, and it had become one of her favorite stops in town. With the weather cooling more every day, she chose to sit inside while she had her lunch. The tourists crowding the streets had thinned in the last week, and the fog had rolled in off the ocean.

She’d bought herself a computer and sat in the corner by the window researching her possibilities on the free wifi in the restaurant. With almost half a million dollars in the bank, she could do anything with her life now.

Part of her considered going back to school. She’d left her education in good standing, and might be able to get back into school. Nevertheless, her hand had still been crushed, and playing violin at a high level would never be possible for her, no matter how much money she had.

If she left town, she’d be leaving Brock, a man who was sure she was his one and only. They’d been seeing each other, going on dates, since she moved into her own place. Every day with Brock was lovely and sweet. Each experience was better than the last.

But she couldn’t believe he wanted her. It wasn’t just that she had been broke and desperate when they met. They were totally different people. He was tall and handsome, perfect. She was short and curvy with too much red hair and too pale skin, covered in freckles.

If their looks didn’t separate them, their backgrounds certainly did. Brock was a shifter cowboy from the woods. He was a survivalist with a huge family. A hearty Alaskan who knew how to live in the backcountry with nothing but his wits.

Ginger was a failed violinist from Seattle with no family left to her name. She knew her way around a pair of hiking boots, but the idea of spending much more time out in the wilderness gave her a minor panic attack.

How could she and Brock really fit together?

Just as she was musing over these things, a familiar face dropped into the chair across from her. Ginger looked up over her computer and closed the screen.

“Hello, dear,” Babs said, fluffing up her white curls.

“Hi Babs. How are things?” Ginger asked.

Babs pointed a perfect pink fingernail at Ginger and closed one eye. “I heard you and Brock Montgomery were seeing each other.”

“Yes. He says I’m his mate.”

“I knew it. I knew it the moment I saw you,” Babs said, congratulating herself. She clapped her hands together and then set them back on the table, leaning forward slightly. “Has he claimed you yet? Has he turned you? When’s the wedding?”

“We haven’t decided what we’re going to do,” Ginger said, lifting her water glass to her lips.

“Haven’t decided what you’re going to do?! You’re kidding, right?”

“No. I’m a human. Just because I’m supposedly his mate, doesn’t mean any of it makes any sense to me. I just lost everything. My dad, my home. I was held up at gunpoint. I want to make sure I make good decisions now that I have some choices. I’m trying to be smart.”

“Who is smart when love is involved?”

“That’s what gets people into trouble.”

“You do love him, right?” Babs asked, her gray eyes sparkling.

Ginger sighed and stared out the window. A cruise ship was in the harbor, and another load of tourists was getting off.

“I don’t know, Babs. I feel like I do. But can I trust my feelings?”

“Girl. You have no idea what a shifter man can be like. What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Yes, dear. You are.”

Ginger sighed and played with the paper straw wrapper on the table. “I’m afraid of my own heart. I’m not used to just being handed everything Brock has to offer. It’s hard for me to trust it.”

“Okay. Let me get this straight. You’ve had a hard life. Right?”

“Well, yeah.”

“So this fabulous, sexy, strong, loyal man professes his undying love to you and you do what? Hesitate? And it’s because you’ve never had anything that good before? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t sound very logical.”

“Maybe it’s not,” Ginger said.

“Reach out and grab what life has to offer you before you let it slip through your hands.”

“I know this is hard for Brock.”

“If I know shifter men, which I do, I’m sure he’s just waiting patiently with a seven hundred pound grizzly roaring in his head every minute of every day.”

Ginger pursed her lips. Was Babs trying to make her feel guilty? Maybe she was. But the fact was, either way, Ginger was stringing him along. It wasn’t actually fair of her. Brock had been so kind and sweet about everything, even renting her a room without any expectation of her returning the favor or the money to pay for it.

“You’re right,” she murmured. “Brock doesn’t deserve this. But I want to make sure I’m ready. For both of our sakes.”

“Okay, dear,” Babs said, patting Ginger’s injured hand. “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision. You’re a smart girl. And, you’re Brock’s mate, so you can’t be a complete idiot.”

Babs rose from the table with a sly smile on her face.

“Well, thanks,” Ginger grumbled.

Babs chuckled at her and gripped her shoulder, looking down into Ginger’s eyes. “You will make the right choice, in the end. They always do,” she said, winking, a grin on her lips.

Babs patted Ginger on the back and quickly said goodbye before she disappeared out the front door of the restaurant. Ginger breathed out a deep sigh, feeling her chest tighten up.

She was being kind of a jerk to Brock. Even though he’d never said a negative word to her. She gazed out the window and saw him walking up the sidewalk toward her. He waved when he saw her, and a moment later slid into the seat Babs had just vacated.

“Hi,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

“I just got a text from Babs to come down here ASAP. Now I see why,” he said. He looked so cute in his gray waterproof jacket, black beanie hat, and dark jeans. He had a day or two of stubble on his chin and his green eyes glinted when he looked at her.

“She was just talking to me about us,” Ginger said.

“Oh? What about?”

“Brock, I’ve been a jerk. I feel like I’m using you at this point.”

“Ginger, don’t talk like that. Everything I’ve done for you has been my pleasure. Don’t even mention it. There was something I wanted to ask you anyway. The family is having a barbecue tonight. Would you like to come up to the lodge and meet everyone? My mom is making her famous BBQ ribs.”

“That sounds really good,” she said, hesitantly.

“I think it’s time for you to meet my family. You can get a taste of what you’re in for with them.” He chuckled, but Ginger could tell he was nervous behind the bright white grin. Why was she doing this to him? She suddenly felt selfish. Nevertheless, at the same time, meeting his family was terrifying.

“I’d love to come meet the family,” she said, half lying.

“Great. I’ll pick you up at six. I’ll see you then, okay babe?”

“Yeah.”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. They hadn’t slept together since the night they’d come down off the mountain. Brock hadn’t pressed her and she hadn’t offered. Trying to untangle her feelings and her life was hard enough without adding sex into the mix.

But when he kissed her cheek and smiled so sweetly at her, she wanted nothing more to than to feel his body move over her again.