“Alex, you okay?” Haine asked her.  She sat in the chair, staring off into space.  She’d been thinking about Finn and what she had learned. Shifters? It was still to unreal to comprehend, but she seen it with her own eyes. No way to fake a man sprouting fur over his body.

Smiling, Alex went to Haines’s bed and wrapped her arm around him.  “Yep, how about you, buddy.  Did you sleep good?”

“I did.  I like this bed.  It’s like mine at home,” Haine pointed out.  She knew he missed home.

“Haine, what do you think about New Hope?  Do you like it here?”

“I like it, but I miss my stuff and my friends.  Can I get online and talk to them?”  Haines’s wide eyes looked up at her in hope.  She knew he needed some stability.  Maybe New Hope could provide that for them both.  Maybe she could rent a small house and Haine could meet some kids his age.

“No, Haine, not right now.  I know you don’t understand any of this and to be honest, I don’t understand most of it myself, but I know someone is after us.  These people are not good.  I will find someone to help us, but give me some time, okay?”

Haine nodded.  “I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry, but I am, too.  Come on, lazy bones, get up and get a shower so we can go downstairs and eat.”  

She went back to the chair and turned her computer on.  She needed to do a search of the FBI and see which office she would need to contact.  Who knew if people in the FBI were paid off, too?  She seen first-hand that the local police in Chicago were on the take.    

She liked it here in New Hope.  Everyone treated them like family.  She couldn’t say enough about the people.  Everyone was trying to help them out.  Why, she didn’t know, but she wasn’t turning it down.  That old saying about don’t look a gift horse in the mouth was true with everyone she had met and it alarmed her.  The fear was always around when she felt happy.  The what ifs were constantly making an appearance in her mind.  But no matter, Alex decided to go with it.

Once the house was sold, she would be able to buy her and Haine their own home. No matter what, she wasn’t going to sign her name to any document giving her brother’s future away.  She had to have answers.  “Ready.”  Alex lifted her eyes and smiled at her little brother who was now standing at the door waiting for her.  It was breakfast time and Haine loved breakfast.

“Let’s go.”  Alex got up and followed Haine out the door.  When she got downstairs, she was surprised to see Finn and a young boy sitting at the table.  She couldn’t help but look around the room, curious to why Finn was here.

“Hey.”  Even his deep sultry voice made her body melt.  He looked good in a T-shirt that fitted his body where she could see each of his muscles underneath.

“Hey.”

“Hey, Haine.  I want you to meet a friend of mine.  This is Lucky Marshall and he’s going to be at the bakery today helping out.  You guys are the same age.”

“Hey.”  Haine’s voice was low but she knew her little brother and the shyness would be over soon enough.  She would give him one hour and they would be talking and having a good time.  Lucky stuck his hand out to her and shook it.

She smiled as Lucky gripped her hand holding it firmly for a few seconds longer than normal.  She got the feeling that Lucky was trying to get a feel for her.  

She sat across from Finn, wondering why he didn’t introduce them at the bakery.  Why was he here this early?  “Charlotte called me and invited me to breakfast.  She is the best cook in town.”  Alex looked away embarrassed that she assumed he was here because of her.  Come on, Alex, stop thinking like that.  You can’t have him.  Why did she think it was because of her?  This was good.  She didn’t need any complications in her life.  Especially now.  

She hated the fact that her little brother couldn’t have a steady relationship with his old friends.  Hopefully, he could have fun while she worked.   The little boy was smaller than her brother even though Finn said they were the same age.  

“Do you like video games?”  Lucky asked Haine.

“Yeah, but I don’t have any of mine here.  I have my IPad and that’s it,” Haine answered.

“I brought mine, too.”  Lucky said, holding up his.  

“Well, I hope you folks are hungry because I just couldn’t stop this morning.  Plus, I knew Finn and Lucky were coming.  I made lots of bacon,” Charlotte said, bringing in a large plate of eggs and bacon.  “And for those of you who don’t like eggs, I have pancakes.  Yes, Lucky, I made some with blueberries, too.”  The smile on the little boy’s face was contagious.  He was a cute little guy.  

“Thanks, Miss Charlotte,” Lucky answered.

“I know you guys will be busy today.  Simone has a birthday party to bake for and she will need your help.”  Charlotte sat at the table with them.  “Shall we say grace before we begin?”

Alex glanced at her little brother because he always said grace at their table when their parents were alive.  “Haine, you want to help me out and say grace for me? In my house, we hold hands.”  Her little brother smiled, and reaching out, they all joined hands. 

She figured Finn’s hand would be rough but she was wrong.  It was callused, but it held warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time.  They all bowed their heads and Haine gave the sweetest prayer she had ever heard. The prayer included their parents and his hopes that they were looking down from heaven and protecting them.  It was only a prayer a young child could give and it broke Alex’s heart.  

Alex had to wipe tears away before the prayer was over so Haine didn’t see her crying.  “That was a beautiful prayer, Haine.  Thank you.”  Charlotte distracted her little brother long enough for Alex to get her composure back.  She could tell Finn was watching her like a hawk, but she couldn’t make eye contact with him yet.  Even when she pulled her hand away from Finn’s she was shocked that she liked his touch.  More than she thought.

“This looks wonderful, Charlotte.  What do you think, Lucky?”  Finn asked the little boy.

“It smells great, Miss Charlotte.  Can I have some pancakes?”  Lucky asked.

“Yes, sir.  Get you a couple.  I made plenty.  I figured you two growing boys would want to start with the blueberry so I made extra,” Charlotte said. Charlotte seemed to love when people sat at her table and ate her great meals.  She served meals with real china plates and bowls.  Everything matched and looked like she’d had them for years but were still perfect for her table.  

“Dig in everyone. Today will be a busy day.”  The two boys cheered, making everyone laugh.  The conversation flowed with Charlotte asking about the store and all the different people coming in.  “Alex, I wanted to remind you that this weekend we will have a full house.  It’s the fall festival in town and we always get a lot of visitors.  I even think Jade came up with a new pocketbook just for the event, and of course, Quinn will have several of her new products out as well.  I think you guys will be busy for the next couple of weeks.  The changing of the leaves keeps New Hope bustling with city folks. Finn, I know you will be busy, too.”

Finn smiled. “Yes, ma’am. Simone said she was bringing in extra help to help her make desserts.  They sold out last year and she wanted to make sure they had plenty on hand.  I’m working on a new case so her pies and cakes will keep cool.  Since her business is growing, and now that she is selling her products online, she may have to buy the store next door that’s for sale and expand her kitchen.” 

“Oh, will you have room for us to stay an extra week?”  Alex asked, afraid they would have to move on earlier than she thought.  

“Yes, when you went to work for Quinn, I decided to take a chance and keep the room open for you two.  I hope that was okay?”

“Thank you, Miss Charlotte.  That would be wonderful,” Alex said, relieved.

“I didn’t know she was selling online, too.  She can get several tax breaks for doing that,” Alex suggested not realizing she was talking business.

“You should tell her about it.  I know she would appreciate it,” Finn said, giving her a smile.

Alex glanced up at the man who had her body’s attention.  His voice drew her in.  His legs spread out so far that she could feel his shoe next to her.  She dared not look but she could tell he was getting closer and closer to her.  

For some reason, she couldn’t come up with a reason to mind.  “I will,” Alex said then took a bite of the blueberry pancake.  It melted in her mouth as she chewed.  “These are wonderful, Charlotte.  I don’t think I’ve ever had anything this good.”

“I’ll tell you a little secret. Simone gave me her recipe and people seem to love them when they stay here.  It keeps them coming back for more,” Charlotte announced.  

“Well, it will keep us coming back.  That’s for sure,” Alex joked as she ate the last bite.  

“Good, I love to hear children here in this house and I love to cook.”  

Alex glanced at her watch and noticed they needed to leave so she could get Haine settled at the bakery, and she needed to tell Simone about the tax breaks she would have with her online business.  

She felt her heart beat faster as she licked the syrup off her finger and found Finn watching her.  His eyes were glued to her mouth and he looked like he could eat her alive.  She didn’t know whether to be afraid or reach over and kiss him.  The man made her nervous watching her all the time.  But she had to admit she enjoyed the hot sultry looks he continued to give her.  

“Did you boys get enough?”  Miss Charlotte asked, looking away from Finn and her.  The smile on her face let Alex know that she, too, saw the looks Finn was giving her.

“Yes, ma’am,” Haine and Lucky both said at the same time.

“Let’s go upstairs and get our stuff, Haine.” Alex needed to get away from this man for a few minutes.  The thoughts she was having about him…well, it made her wet between the legs.  He was making her want things she knew weren’t possible, right now.  

Getting up, Alex started picking up plates.  “I got that.  You go get ready for work.”  Miss Charlotte took the plates from her hands.  

“But—”

“Go now.  This is what I do and I enjoy it.”  

Alex nodded and smiled then walked upstairs with Haine.