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holding back something highly amusing. He just shrugged as if to tell her to continue.
    Ivey, who stood to her left, offered a genuine smile andtook immediate interest in the discussion of the use for and replacement of pads and shoes.
    The rest of the class seemed to speed by, and in no time Kirk—the jerk, as her mind was apt to fill in for her—reminded her about his needy social life. “Hey, it’s time to go. Can we get out of here?”
    Danielle quickly smiled and nodded. “Class dismissed. I’ll see you all at the next class.”
    Ivey hurried to her side. “Great class! That was so interesting.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œAre we on for some extra time next week? Maybe on Monday?” Ivey’s eyes filled with hope, and Danielle didn’t have the heart to refuse.
    â€œSure. Why don’t we meet here at one on Monday afternoon? I was going to come in and do a little prep for class next week anyway.”
    â€œPerfect! I’ll see you then.” Ivey bounced off, her blond hair flying, looking more like a college-aged coed than a mature woman.
    The rest of the class had cleared out by the time Nate approached her at the desk. His shoulders looked relaxed, but his forehead was wrinkled, eyes squinting slightly. He looked almost as if he was in pain, so she dropped her bag and reached out to touch his hand, stopping just shy of it.
    Touching him could be tantamount to sending an electric current straight up her arm. She wasn’t going to pretend that he didn’t affect her. Their walk to the building before class, during which he snuggled her under his arm, had been a welcome distraction from her creepy encounter with Ridley. Even now just the memory of it brought a smile to her face, and she wondered what it might be like to have his arm around her all the time.
    But it was all useless imagination, so she shifted hermind back to the present, her hand still dangling awkwardly in front of her. Dropping it to her side, she looked into his eyes.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    He shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about Ridley.”
    â€œOh, he’s just a pest.” She hoped her chin didn’t shake at her fib.
    â€œI’m not so sure. I was watching him tonight and he seemed oddly fixated on you. I just want to make sure you’re all right.” He winked. “I mean, who’s going to fix my car if you’re not around?”
    â€œWell, the point of this class is that you should be able to fix it on your own.”
    He laughed. “Not likely. I can’t even avoid whole trees in the middle of the road.”
    She laughed, too, as they moved toward the door. She locked it carefully behind them before walking down the hall.
    As they exited the building together for the second class in a row, the hair on the back of her neck stood up again. Tingling sensations ran up and down her arms, and she shivered.
    Someone was watching her again. She wasn’t imagining it.
    At least, she didn’t think she was.
    Angling her steps toward Nate’s warmth, she picked up speed as she moved next to him. He seemed oblivious, as his eyes swept back and forth through the darkness. Did he feel the eyes watching them, too? She was just about to ask him, when they arrived at the truck.
    â€œWell, good night,” he said, turning toward his own car.
    But fear crashed through her stomach, nearly stealing her breath. What if someone followed her again? Eventuallyshe would have to get out of the truck to get into her home. She just wasn’t sure she could do it alone tonight.
    And for the first time in well over a year, she wasn’t alone. She had someone she could ask for help. But she wasn’t very good at doing that, either.
    God, if it’s safe to let Nate in, please show me. I really need a friend, someone I can rely on right now. If I’m not imagining danger, please keep me safe. Give me Your peace in the face of whatever