Nina pulled the oversized cooler filled with the trays of frozen lasagna over to the front the door. She ran back into the kitchen to get a bottle of water and a snack. Last night and this morning had been rough. After mulling around in bed and thinking about what happened the night before, she’d rolled out of bed with just enough time to pack the things to take down to the food bank. Thank God she was off from the bakery today. She just didn’t think she’d be able to focus on much of anything. With everything that had been going on, a day to relax and unwind would be in order.

She pushed open the screen door and rolled the cooler across the threshold.

“Can I help you with that?”

She shrieked out in surprise dropping her keys, water, and a bag of chips.

When she turned around, Raoulf was standing behind her looking like a confused and tired puppy.

After catching her breath, she said, “You make it a point to scare the crap out of me all the time, don’t know?”

“I assure you, I don’t.” He picked up her things off the doormat. “You’re safe with me, so you don’t have to fear anything.”

She swallowed. “I’m not scared of anyone.”

“Let me get that.” He grabbed the handle of the cooler and rolled it next to her car.

“You did surprise me though. What happened last night? You just left.”

“I wasn’t ready to tell you about me…yet,” he said.

“Well, I wasn’t going to throw you out of my house or anything. I know about shifters, ya know,” she said, unlocking the trunk.

Raoulf shrugged. “Well, I didn’t know that you knew.” He lifted the cooler with little to no effort and placed it inside.

“Let me guess: you don’t want anyone to know. And you’re here to threaten my life if I tell anyone.”

Her tone was sarcastic, but deep down inside she was worried.

“That’s not it.” He shook his head. “I’m not trying to hide it. I was just a little surprised that you found out so easily on your own.”

“I know the difference between human eyes and wolf eyes. I’ve met people like you before. I’ve even worked with them. Mostly down in Texas—but that’s another story.”

“And you’re not afraid…of me?”

“Not because you’re a shifter, no. I learned a long time ago that being a shifter doesn’t make someone a threat. It’s just what you are. I’ve known since I was a little girl that people like you existed. It wasn’t until later in life that I learned there are shifters who don’t want anyone to know what they are. And they’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way.”

When he diverted his gaze away from her and didn’t say anything, she continued, “You know, I heard someone outside earlier this morning, but I thought it was the gardener. How long were you here before I came outside?”

He nibbled his bottom lip, and then said, “Not long. I wanted to talk about last night, but I didn’t want to wake you.”

“I’d love to talk and all.” She glanced down at her watch. “But here’s the thing…I’ve gotta go take this food to the bank or people will go hungry.”

“Well, we can talk after you drop the food off,” he offered.

“We can. Now that we’re clear on what you are and as long as you promise not to run off again, we can talk,” she told him.

He smiled. “I’m glad you’re okay about what I am.”

She shrugged. “You could’ve told me all along. I guess I should’ve put two and two together when you mentioned you were a free agent and that you roamed from state to state. Plus I was starting to wonder where you were putting all that food you were eating.”

“I burn calories three times as fast as a normal human. And yes, I needed the food or the wolf gets grumpy. Don’t get me wrong, you’re still a damned good cook.”

She grinned. “I know it.”

“You’re something else, Nina,” he said, and then gestured to the trunk. “Do you need an extra hand getting all of this stuff inside the food bank? I’ve got nothing to do.”

She smiled. “I don’t have any cash on me…so if you’re looking to get paid.”

“No, I’m not looking to get paid. Can’t I do you any favors without expecting something in return?”

“You tell me. I thought everyone wanted something in return,” she said, holding her palm out. “My keys?”

“Not everyone.” He dropped the keys in her palm.

“Are you going to follow me on that speed monster of yours or are you riding with me?”

His answer came shortly after when he walked over to the driver’s side door and held it open for her. Then he joined her, slipping into the passenger side seat.