A/N: I think everyone will be slightly pleased with this chapter. -- For those of you who haven't checked out my homepage, because of Ike we're experiencing some high volumes at work, so things are going to be pretty crazy around here (long hours and such) so I might not be able to update as frequently as I would like, but I'll try my damnedest to! Enjoy!

Chapter 06
Mind Readers

I contemplated what to do after leaving The Bean, and decided to follow my instincts. After my run in with Donovan, I really needed to get my mind off of the past. I parked my car in its normal spot, it was much later than I normally came out here, but I guess I didn't really have any one to explain my mishaps to, just my lone wolf.

Though for some reason, that was comforting. It was like my wolf knew what I was saying, it could understand everything, and it would respond accordingly. I wonder if all wolves could be like this or was my wolf different? Was it special?

I snorted at the thought, of course it was special. The damn thing could understand me, that wasn't normal.

I hurried out of the car, instinctively grabbing my camera and headed towards the lake. It was dark and I cursed under my breath. I had forgotten my flashlight. Groaning I squinted to make out the figures of things around me, but it was hard to see.

The moon hung over the lake beautifully, I felt urged to take a picture but I decided against it.

Trudging through the thick grass I could see the edge of the lake where I usually hung out with my wolf. I was very surprised to see that the spot next to my blanket was empty. It felt almost unnatural not to see the large russet colored wolf there.

"Where are you?" I whispered to myself looking around for any sign of the large animal, but there was nothing.

This I didn't expect, this was a bit let down. I really wanted something to take my mind off of Donovan because well, he was all I could think about right now. He was a bit of a pretty boy, but I had been infatuated with him nonetheless.

Ugh, I wasn't going to think about him, I wanted to know where my wolf was. He had let me touch him last night, pet him, and I felt incredibly drawn to him. I wonder if he came out here tonight if he would let me hug him.

Stupid, I know, but it might make me feel better. And right now, that's all I need, a nice warm hug from a large animal, or my best friend. And seeing as how my best friend is in Texas, I'll have to settle for the large animal.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't bother to watch where I was going. My feet tangled in the large blanket that I had been keeping out by the lake so I didn't have to lug it with me every time. I knew something like this would by my demise.

I tripped forward realizing that I was a lot closer to the lake than I had ever realized. The water was probably freezing, and God only knows what kind of creatures were in there. If I fell in I would have to find a way out of the water, and then back to my car, because I'd be so wet I couldn't wait for my wolf.

I saw my doom before me, my reflection in the water as if I was extended in the air, but I wasn't. I'd be hitting the silt-covered bottom any second now. That when I saw it, next to me—in my reflection. A bronzed illusion, maybe it was an angle. Did I drown?

Before I could react I was sturdily back on my own tow feet. I stared at my rescuer, he was undoubtedly gorgeous. His bronze chest stared me right in the face, I wasn't really that short, or at least I hadn't thought so. I mean, I am slightly above average, slightly. But this, this guy, was huge.

I gazed up from the extremely taut chest to an incredible collar bone, the moon reflecting against his glistening skin. His chin was perfect, his jaw line sharp meeting his chin perfectly with a pair of amazing lips which hid glamorously white teeth.

He must be an angel.

A very straight nose under two chocolate brown eyes; familiar eyes. I was sure that I had seen them before, somewhere but I couldn't picture where.

I was so busy staring at his illusion of perfection that I hadn't found my tongue, or my manners.

"Uh—oh Thanks…" I managed, sound anything but intelligible.

Who's the college student? That must be me.

"You're welcome," His voice was deep and husky, causing a shiver down my spine. "It seems kind of dangerous, you out here all alone,"

My gaze shifted to his lips, they were two perfect cushions of pink that seemed to stand out against his brown skin. I was too busy staring at him that it took a little longer than usual for my thought process to kick in.

"I uh—I grew up around here," I stared up at him, "There's nothing I haven't seen…" I pursed my lips together, like an enormous wolf that is friendly and freakishly human, which you probably scared away.

"Really?" He asked taking a seat next to the blanket, the same spot that my wolf usually sat.

I watched him for a minute, not able to take my eyes off of him. He was breathtaking. I cautiously took a seat on the crumbled up blanket, trying to find something to say.

"Yea," I nodded my head. Wow I was getting more intelligible as this conversation continued. "I—I've never uh—seen you out here before…"

My mystery rescuer sat next to me, his long legs bent his muscular forearms resting on his khaki clad knees. It was then that I noticed his lack of shoes. Did the kids in Pitkin run around with no shirts or shoes on in the middle of the night?

"Really?" His voice sounded so easy going, like he didn't even have to work to get this reaction out of me. "I'm out here quite frequently these days,"

He turned to look at me, that smoldering gaze setting my entire body on fire. There was something about him that just emanated heat. I forced myself to keep quiet for a few seconds. If I hadn't I would have blurted something hormonal and along the lines of 'I would have noticed an incredibly sexy Native American guy running around shirtless before,' so I decided to pause and then respond.

"I'm sure I would have noticed. I'm out here a lot…" I mused, sure of myself.

A crooked smile formed on his lips and I felt my heartbeat stutter. I didn't blame it, not in the slightest. His dark eyebrow arched up as if he had heard the stutter himself, or perhaps he could read my thoughts.

Hell, I found out recently that wolves could understand me, why couldn't really hot Native American guys understand my thoughts. Oh Jesus, I hope he couldn't hear my thoughts that would be incredibly embarrassing.

"Maybe you weren't looking hard enough,"

Now it was my turn to lift an eyebrow. It seemed like he was trying to say more than he was. Or maybe that was the point? Hook the girl, and then make her think.

"What's your name?" I blurted it out before I could even think clearly, but I had to know the name that went with this all-too handsome face.

"Jacob."

"Jacob," I liked the way his name felt falling off of my tongue. Oh dear Lord, I sounded like one of those preadolescent teens. "I'm Molly."

"Molly," He said my name in such a way that I wanted him to say it over and over again. It literally gave me goose bumps. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Molly…"

He rose to his full height, and I stared up at him. I could feel a kink working its way in to my neck, but I didn't care. I couldn't find the words; my eyes were too busy traveling up his toned legs to his delicious six-pack abs, to his pecs and then his neck.

I couldn't speak but I didn't want him to leave, not yet. He turned slightly and started heading in the opposite direction of my car. I stared at his sculptured back and felt myself staring at it in complete awe.

I shook my thoughts and stood up hastily and grabbed my camera.

"Jacob!"

He stopped as soon as he heard his name, maybe even just before. I swallowed unsteadily. He turned his head to look at me, a boyish grin on his face.

"Yes?"

I smiled nervously at him and held up my camera, "You wouldn't think I'm absolutely mad if I asked to take your picture, would you?"

A handsome grin spread across his face, "Not at all…" He paused, "May I ask what for?"

Because you're too beautiful to be real, I just want some proof that you are.

At least that's what I had thought, but I didn't say it out loud.

"Just something to remember you by,"

"Do you think I'm going to disappear?" A playful glint in his brown, familiar eyes, he took a step closer to me.

I felt my breath catch in my throat. I swallowed hard, trying to compose myself.

"You never know,"

His grin widened, straight white teeth caught the light of the moon and I couldn't help but swoon. Internally of course.

"Sure, sure." He nodded.

A simple click of my new roll of film, I pulled the camera back and he stared at me; those deep brown eyes penetrating my blue ones. His large hand reached forward, long slender fingers brushed against my temple pushing the short platinum bangs out of my face.

His touch was hot, and not like that. I mean his body temperature. It warmed me to the core and I didn't mind at all.

"I'll see you around, Molly."

All I could do was nod. He walked backward, his hands stuffed in to his pockets, and his eyes never left mine until he disappeared in to the distance.

I felt the air return to my lungs, I hadn't even realized that I had stopped breathing. Did really just happen? I couldn't wrap my head around it. This handsome Native American guy just saved my life and then just disappears and he's causing me this.

I put a hand to my stomach; the butterflies were swirling around like they were trying to escape. I hauled my hind parts back to my car and stared off in the direction that he had left. No sign of the very tall, very muscular Jacob, anywhere.

I could still see his face perfectly, like he was etched in stone in my memory. The intense feeling in the pit of my stomach hadn't yet settled even after he had left. I sat in my car taking a few deep breaths trying to grasp my bearings.

I turned my car on; my headlights caught some kind of movement out towards the mountains. I squinted trying to make it out, but I couldn't tell what it was. Could it have been my wolf? Had it stayed away because it picked up the scent of Jacob?

Had it been watching out for me incase this Jacob guy was going to harm me?

I glanced at the clock and noticed the time, it was getting late. I knew that I wouldn't make it back to Lo's to get this picture developed. I would have to go by before I went in for my shift at The Bean.

I rushed home, the quicker I got there took a shower and went to bed, the faster I could get to Lo's and to work.

When I got home my father's car was parked in the driveway and the kitchen light was on, oh this probably wasn't good. It never really was when your parents were home before you, especially when they worked nights.

I walked in, taking a deep breath before I called out for my dad.

"In the kitchen, Mols,"

I knew that, but I wanted to pretend like I didn't know anything was wrong. He usually went easier on me when I was least expecting it. I crossed the living room to the kitchen and saw him sitting with a cup of coffee in front of him, and that's probably why the man never slept.

"Hey Pops, what's up?" I asked placing my bag on the chair in front of me.

"Have you been up at Maroon Bells, lately?" He asked carefully.

I glanced down at my shoes, and then looked back up at him, "Yes, why?"

My father's head hung low and he rubbed the back of his neck tiredly, "I just heard through the… vine of grapes, or whatever they call it, that they've spotted a huge bear or wolf out there…"

I laughed at my father, "It's the 'grape vine' Pops…" I snickered. I knew it was time to lie my ass off, and settle his fears. "I've been up there quite a bit and haven't seen any signs of any animals, other than your normal giant squirrel or maybe an outlandishly large duck…"

I heard my dad snicker and I grinned, which he returned. He believed me. My father took a sip of his coffee and rubbed his eyes.

"You know I just worry about you Molly," He mused. "Your mother would shoot me dead if anything happened to you."

"I know," I laughed thinking of my mother, she was a bit overbearing, but I loved her all the same. "I'm gonna head up to bed, I'm working a double tomorrow to help out Mr. Greene…"

"Speaking of which, how was your first day?"

I sighed and lifted a shoulder, "It was all good until I was closing up…" I told him honestly.

"What happened?" My father's dark eyebrows furrowed together in concern.

"Donovan decided to show up…"

"Oh God, Mols, I'm sorry…" He bit the corner of his lip and his dark brown gaze settled on me. I lifted my hand waving it off.

"It's cool Pops, I handled it…" I grinned at him, pushing away the unsettling feeling in my stomach.

"If he becomes a problem, just let me know, I'll talk to his father…"

My eyes grew wide and I shook my head, "That won't be necessary Pops, I'll see you tomorrow, love ya…"

"G'night Mols love you too…."

I woke up early the next morning, rushing to the bathroom to shower, brush my teeth and do my normal morning routine. I slipped into a black t-shirt, jeans and a pair of Converse. I grabbed my bag, camera and car keys. I barely had time to see my father before I was out of the door and on my way to Lo's.

I wanted to get the picture of Jacob developed. It was strange last night I had dreamed of him and just him, my brother wasn't in the dream, and my wolf wasn't in the dream. It was just Jacob.

I don't know why but something was drawing me to this stranger, and that probably wasn't very healthy. I didn't know anything about him, and I met him at night. For all I know he could be dangerous.

But, so could my wolf.

I groaned to myself, it was scary that I trusted a wolf and some strange boy more than I trusted most people in my life. Nothing was ever just normal was it? I couldn't be one of those girls who falls in love in high school, it carries on throughout college and they get married, have two kids and a house with a white picket fence, could I?

I walked up to Lo's and knocked. She technically wasn't open, but she was there, this place was her life. She poked her head out from the back and I waved to her casually. She smiled brightly and hurried to the door, letting me in.

"You're here early, Mols…" She grinned at me.

"I know, but I really want to get this developed…" I held up a container that had my film in it.

She locked the door behind me and stared at me for a second longer than usual. She gave me an odd look as I handed over the roll of film. She was still giving me that look, was I acting strange? Did something seem off?

"I'll wait for this one," I told her calmly trying to avoid her leveled gaze.

"But Molly…"

"It's only one picture," I told her.

"Just one?"

"Yes,"

Loretta didn't say anything else. She scurried off to the back and I pulled up a chair.

The smoldering brown eyes registered in my head, like I knew them somehow. Jacob? I don't remember any Jacobs; none that looked like that. I would remember a body and face like that. I don't think I'll ever be able to forget it.

I don't know how long I was thinking about Jacob, but it must have been long, because Lo was coming back from behind her black curtain. She was holding up two small envelopes in her hand and a small Cheshire cat grin on her face. I assumed that she saw the picture of Jacob, so I couldn't blame her for looking like she just saw Brad Pitt on the street.

"Three years," She muttered shaking her head. "Three long years of developing your film Molly Landon and not once have I ever seen a picture of a boy; one old enough for you to date anyway."

She wasn't lying. The only time I didn't bring my film here was if it was just for my own use, not my photography, but none of those places were open, and none of those places I would trust with such an important picture.

I blushed at her words, "Lo, it's not like that…" I assured her. "Not at all…"

She grinned at me, "Sure dear," She waved me off. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

Her gaze shifted to the clock and I followed it, I was going to be late if I didn't leave now. I smiled at her.

"Go on," She lifted her chin.

"But I haven't paid you," I argued pulling out my bag so I could get my wallet.

Lo smiled at me, "The look on your face has been payment enough, go on…"

I didn't say anything. I left with a small smile pulling at my lips. Though, I was a bit perplexed by her words, what look was on my face? Was I wearing some silly lust-stricken grin? Or maybe Lo could just read minds.

So, we got some human-Jacob action here, more to come, I promise.