* * *
Dawn brought new awareness, as Ben woke to find her curled against his legs, her hand resting on his knee. She looked beautiful lying there. How he wanted to take her into his arms, comfort her and be with her. But something had come over him last night as he kissed her. This went beyond mere physical lust for a woman. He felt protective of her, and no one, was going to take advantage of Savannah. Including himself.
After all, it was obvious from the way she melted in his arms that she couldn't be held responsible for her actions. He had to be a gentleman if he really cared for her.
"Face it, you’re in love with her," he mumbled as he gently moved her head from his leg and went to the kitchen to find something he could make coffee in. He kept instant coffee in his car, all he had to do was go out and get it and at least they would have that.
"What did you say?" she demanded right behind him.
"I–I didn't say anything. What are you doing up?"
"I woke up, the sun always wakes me up," she smiled. "I can't believe that it's so beautiful after a storm."
"I see you got a good night’s sleep." he remarked drily.
"And I see you didn't." she giggled.
"I'll be fine after I get a cup of coffee." he admitted, "I've got some instant in the car, I'll be right back."
She nodded, and went to the sink to wash her hands and face.
He ignored the fact that she looked even more beautiful in the morning sun. He needed coffee, and quick.
"So, the sun is shining, I guess the water will go down soon and we can get back, huh?" She asked innocently.
"Give it an hour or two and it should." He continued to busy himself with the coffee, as she watched.
"Can you cook?" he asked trying to keep the conversation light.
"A little, nothing fancy," she admitted.
"That's okay, we'll stop off at a café on the way in and have breakfast," he smiled.
"I'm starved," she said glancing about the old house with interest.
"Do you always wake up in such a good mood?" he queried.
"I never thought about it, but I do love my mornings. At home I usually had a cup of coffee and sat out on the front porch and watched the sun come up."
"You have a nice front porch, do you?" he questioned, waiting for the coffee to perk in the old camping pot he found under the sink.
"A veranda, we live in a two hundred year old, newly renovated classic plantation home. The porch is enormous; we have many chairs and tables outside, because we all like to gather there."
"Sounds very comfortable and rich. I suppose you can't wait to get back to it, either." he asked, turning to watch her expression.
"Y-yes, yes of course," she answered, casting her glance downward as she spoke.
"Well, we'll have you back to your parents in no time."
"Can't wait to get rid of me, huh?" she seemed to wait for his answer.
"Savannah, you've been an experience, I'll say that," he countered.
"Is that how you'll remember me?" she focused in on him.
He stared down into her face and smiled, "It sure is..." Then as though the coffee became the most important thing in the room, he took his time pouring some in the one chipped cup he had found and washed.
He sipped it, "It's hot, so be careful," then he offered it to her, carefully turning the cup so she didn't have to drink after him.
Without blinking she took the cup, turned it back around to where his lips had been and sipped it. "You make wonderful coffee."
"Thanks..." he studied her long and hard. "Why'd you go to that damn saloon?"
She dropped her gaze, moved away, "I was trying to prove something to myself, I guess. I mean, I was this close," she held up her fingers, "To marrying a man that was gay, and I hadn't a clue. I had blinders on. I couldn't see it. Didn't want to see it. Some people call it naive. I felt a little stupid that I hadn't figured it out. I mean, I had plenty of gay friends. I had gone about my life for so long, just enjoying my time with Chad. He was a very likable young man. We got along well, knew most of the same people, and had the same interests. I had visions of taking care of his old and beautiful house. I think now, I might have been in love with his home, and not so much him. I lived in a fairytale world. I wanted suddenly to live in the real world. Experience the real things in life. Most of my friends were very good at flirting. I thought I'd try. Even though you'd kissed me, you acted as though you could kiss me and walk away, unscathed. That's sort of insulting to a woman, Ben."
"I'm sorry I was so rough on you." he apologized, his voice going low and controlled.
"I guess you did it for my own protection." she tried to laugh it off, and fell short. "I didn't really consider myself in an emotional state when I came here. And vulnerable, too. I guess I was wrong. You know we had several gay friends. They were fun to be with, but Chad gave me no clue…no inkling. I liked them, enjoyed them. But never in a million years, had I guessed it about Chad."
"Maybe he didn't know it himself, for a while. I'd think it would be hard to know someone like you, and try to tell them something like that."
"Someone like me?"
"Yeah, someone with stars in her eyes."
"I guess you are right."
"Yeah...well, I don't think you would have ever guessed it until he was ready to admit it to himself and others."
"I wish him only happiness."
"I'm glad of that. He sounded like a pretty nice fella, for someone I woke in the middle of the night, at least."
Savannah chuckled.
"And Savannah…I didn't walk away unscathed from your kisses," he smiled.
"No?"
"No, now I think we should go." He remarked glancing outside and sure that the waters had receded, since the sun had heated up the lower valley.
He drove her down the highway to a small café where they enjoyed breakfast together, talked, and he made his decision. He was taking her home to her parents where she belonged. He'd be kidding himself if he thought for one minute she'd be happy in a little hay-seed town like his, with a house full of kids and nothing to look forward to. No, this was best. So why did it eat at him all the way home?
When they reached his house though, there were more problems to deal with. Problems he hadn't expected or even contemplated.
"Sheriff, where have you been? Savannah, what is the meaning of this?" her mother demanded to know.
"Meaning of what?" Savannah asked innocently.
"You've been gone over night, with...with this cowboy Sheriff, I take it. I want some explanation as to why."
"Melanie, give them time to explain." her father was insisting.
"Explain what?" Savannah's frown was aimed straight for them. "There was a storm, mother, a flooded out bridge. The Sheriff was kind enough to seek shelter for us both, until the water receded. That's all, not that I owe any explanation, mother. I'm twenty-six years old, and it's a little late to worry about my virtue, don't you think?"
Ben watched the goings on between them, surprised at how fast Savannah rose to the defense. He smiled, tipped his hat back and looked her father in the eye, "I assure you sir, your daughter was not compromised in any way."
"You don't owe them an explanation. I'm old enough to take care of myself." Savannah met him nose to nose.
"I don't believe it," Melanie was saying. "Why, this man admitted just hours ago he was in love with you."
"He...what?" Savannah turned to her mother first, then to Ben.
"Well...I...yes...but"
"You love me?" Savannah repeated the words. "You told them you loved me?"
Ben looked her in the eye, smiled and took her by the arms, "Yes, I wasn't going to mention that though...since you're leaving."
"You weren't going to mention it?" her voice rose an octave.
"Well now, looks like there just might be a wedding after all," her father was saying.
Everyone was jumping the gun. Not considering the reality of the matter.
Savannah didn't belong in Junction She was a high society little girl and despite the fact that he admired her more every moment he was with her, he couldn't ask her to give up what she had for him. Could he?
And no one was going to throw him a shotgun wedding. If he got married it would be on his own, not prodded by a long barrel.
"You certainly didn't act as though you loved me last night," she said emphatically.
"Didn't I?" his eyes never left hers.
"You mean...you didn't make love to me...because—you love me?" she barely uttered the words, as though it just dawned on her what he was all about. She narrowed in on him.
When he smiled but didn't answer, she probed further, "Is that what you are telling me?"
"Now see here, Savannah.” her mother seemed flabbergasted.
"Yes, that's what I'm telling you. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, but yes!" He turned and started to go into the house. "A man doesn't take advantage of the one he loves."
"And you aren't going to give me the chance to tell you how much I love you?" she shouted to his back.
"You do?" he asked, not turning around, but his shoulders bunching and knotting and then relaxing as he finally turned around with a big smile on his face.
"An unless you marry me, very soon, I promise I'll run away again..." she giggled.
"Savannah..." he murmured as he slowly walked toward her.
"Oh Ben..." she cried as his arms came out and wrapped about her, pulling her into him and smothering her with a kiss that threatened to undermine all his better intentions. They seemed oblivious to her parents.
"Savannah, really...the man is supposed to do the asking," her mother prompted but finally gave in just a bit, when they refused to stop kissing.
"What are we going to do with her, she's grown impossible?" Melanie ran to her husband's side.
Mr. Kingsley laughed, "Doesn't look like it's our problem any longer, dear!"
"And that's for sure," Ben murmured as he felt Savannah melt into his arms again. He pulled away, and smiled down into her love- drugged face, "She might be trouble but she's my trouble."
"I'm not sleeping with you until we are married, you know."
"I know…God help me!" He chuckled and pulled her straight into his arms for another melting kiss.
The End
About the Author
Rita writes romance, westerns, children's, short stories and poetry. From her series of the the Travers Brothers to her single titles like Wandering Heart and Pretend Mom, there is a variety of romance here. Rita writes both sensual and sweet romances. Her westerns are full of adventure, romance and danger.
Don't miss any of Rita's works.
Rita's Other Books
Her Series Books:
The Travers Brothers Series
The McKay Series
The Amory Series
The Red River Brides Series
The Brides of the West Series
The Western Serial Killer Series
The Connor's Series
Other Singles:
Wandering Heart
Pretend Mom
Nick's Baby
Suspicions of the Heart
Strictly Business
Runaway Bride
And many more to come
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