Runaway Bride

The dude ranch was only twenty miles out of Junction. A welcome sight to Savannah. She'd had all of one little town she cared to. All of a certain Sheriff she cared to. And yet, the further away she went, the more miserable she became. She'd experience a slice of life back there.

  Renting a car, she left instructions to have the BMW returned to the Sheriff.

  She knew her parents would be livid, and probably already had a private detective following her. They probably knew she'd been arrested too.

  Later that same morning, she registered at the front desk of a quaint style ranch house, and they gave her a room at the top of the stairs. She told them she was expecting a friend to join her.

  Aunt Lucy was in Europe and wouldn't be back for another week according to her house-sitter. Trust Aunt Lucy to be enjoying herself. She couldn't remember much about her aunt except she seemed a happy person. Naturally, she wasn't sure of the kind of reception she would get from her, either. Still, they were kin.

  Activities didn't begin until the evening hours when they would have their first camp-out. Savannah couldn't wait. She had practically been guaranteed some great shots of the West Texas wildlife tomorrow.

  Two hours later, Janet, her best friend arrived and showered her with hugs so intense it boggled Savannah's thinking. Over coffee, she explained her plight to her friend. Janet burst out laughing.

  "Now this isn't like you at all. Me thinks something is amiss here. Come clean, just what gives with you and the Sheriff, deary?"

  "Why nothing..."

  "I know you better than this; you just don't act this way. Running out on Chad the way you did. You had to have had a reason. You're much too sensible. So what gives, girl? I'm your best friend, if you can't tell me, who can you tell?"

  Savannah sighed, knowing she was about to make up another lie and hating herself for it. But she couldn't betray Chad. She did still love him in her fashion.

  "I met Ben, the Sheriff some time ago, remember three summers ago when I took a sabbatical?"

  "Yeah, I do...you met him then?" Janet rolled her eyes heavenward, and then broke into a sly smile.

  "Yes, at a gas station, I had car trouble and he offered to help me."

  "Go on," Janet seemed all ears for her story.

  Savannah drew a deep breath and plunged herself further into the void of lies. Where had she learned to lie so well? She never knew she had it in her. What was happening to her? She was so out of characters she didn't recognize herself.

  "We had a summer romance. He'd kissed me, and for the life of me, I couldn't get over him. I tried. Honestly, I tried. So I came out here, hoping."

  "Wait a minute, he kissed you one time, and you drop a perfectly good guy like Chad for a fling you had one summer? Am I missing something here? Get out of here Savannah. One kiss?"

  "I know it sounds crazy, but I'd never been kissed like that before."

  "Like what?"

  "I don't know...like I saw stars, and hearts and happily ever afters."

  "Oh my," Janet shook her head. "You've got it bad, don't you? But honestly, Savannah, no one would believe it of you back home. You're so...."

  "Please don't say sweet."

  "So what happened when you got here?" Janet changed the direction of her questions.

  "Nothing..."

  Janet was having none of that.

  "Nothing?"

  "Well, I went to his house, I spent the night...he kissed me again, and the same thing happened..."

  "You spent the night....? Oh you're leaving way too much out, girl."

  "No...not like that. I had car trouble; he was merely helping me out. I slept alone, in another bedroom. Honestly."

  She neglected the handcuff story that might ruin it all.

  "You had car trouble again? And he didn’t catch on to that little trick? So he kissed you again, and you saw stars. So then what?"

  "Nothing..."

  "What do you mean nothing? That makes absolutely no sense at all. There's got to be more to this story than that." It was obvious Janet was braced for a real story.

  "Oh, you'll think I've lost my mind entirely if I tell you," she cried.

  "Try me, what happened?"

  "He arrested me...."

  "For what?" Janet nearly shouted, as heads turned in their direction.

  Savannah pulled Janet up the stairs, "His attitude toward marriage enraged me, so I flirted with some guys in a pool hall. I mean...I really flirted. I flaunted myself. For the first time in my life...I played. Only…I wasn't very good at it. I'd seen you do it many times, it looked easy enough. But I don't think I got the hang of it."

  "You did what? Why....Savannah, this doesn't sound like you at all. I just don't understand. I thought I knew you so well."

  "I guess I was trying to get his attention. Well, believe me, I did..."

  "Well despite what you told me about him not wanting marriage, it sounds like he was a little interested himself." Janet said watching her every move. "So come on tell me. What happened between you and the Sheriff?"

  "Happened?"

  Her friend smiled, and pushed her long golden hair away from her blue, inquiring eyes.

  "Nothing...I told you. He's a red-necked male chauvinist. He just didn't want me stirring up trouble in his little town."

  "He didn't arrest you, sweetie," Janet corrected her.

  "What do you mean? He put handcuffs on me. I spent the night in jail."

  "Under protective custody, more than likely." Her friend chimed.

  "No he put me in jail."

  "You are still so naïve, Savannah. Did he fingerprint you? Did he charge you bail money?"

  "Yes, he said I owed $150 for disturbing the peace. He said I could pay it or spend the night in jail. I opted to spend the night in jail since my money was running low."

  "So why didn’t you pay it and leave?"

  "I only had two-hundred dollars on me. Money my uncle sneaked to me before the wedding. I was afraid to spend it all on something like that. He didn’t really have a case against me, so I figured he’d have to let me go the next day. They can’t hold you over twenty-four hours without charging you with something. Jared told me that once."

  "And you purposely came to this little town out in nowhereville for what? Now...I'm beginning to see. You left Chad for the Sheriff, didn't you? Why, you little minx."

  Savannah sighed, not digesting the lie very well, she swallowed hard and continued.

  "Yes, I guess I did. Which was stupid. Sheriff Ben Hogg is not interested in me. Or marriage." she cried, sure she had put a stop to Janet's wayward curiosity. But she stopped short of making her see the light. After all, if Janet and her family thought the Sheriff was interested, maybe they would soon forget about Chad. And what could it hurt, the Sheriff would never know. She was sure she'd never see Ben Hogg again, even though a tiny voice in her head said she wanted to.

  "So how did Chad take me leaving?"

  "You know Chad was really sweet. He calmly stood up and told the entire congregation that the two of you had changed your minds and apologized for the expense. And your parents were livid. I was a little shocked myself. I never thought you'd just run out...that takes a lot of guts. So what's your plans?"

  "Plans? I don't have any–now!"

  "Well of course. You can't just let this slide. You need to take action. Go for that hunk of a Sheriff, honey."

  "Go for him? I'm not the least bit interested, and neither is he! Look Janet, I just ran from one man, do you honestly think I'm going to run into the arms of another? Besides, Ben Hogg made it very clear, he's not interested in marriage…and frankly, that's all I want. You know that…"

  "Well yeah, I gotta admit, I do know that. But come on Savannah, that's exactly what you did. You ran from one to the other. And...unless you want some other lady to have him, yes you are going to have to have a plan. And look, we all know that you and Chad cared for each other, but no one, I mean no one ever believed you were in love with him."

 
Savannah's mouth opened but nothing came out. How could everyone know, when she hadn't? Up until a few days ago she had planned to spend the rest of her life making Chad a good wife.

  "How could you know that about me? I didn't!"

  "Honey, you were in love with getting married. Anyone that knew you could see that. You just didn't know that you have to shop around before you find the right fellow for the job. Of course something must have kicked in, because you followed your own heart...here."

  Savannah stared at her friend in disbelief. Had getting married been her top priority? Was that why she ran? Could it be, that deep down, she never wanted to marry Chad, but simply wanted to be married?

  "Did he ask you out?"

  Janet began storming her with questions. How could she answer? What could she say? How could she lie her way out of this one? One fabrication would lead to another and when would it end?

  She was in too deep to admit there was nothing going on. Besides, a short fictional romance with Ben could afford Chad time to come out with the truth.

  "Oh Janet, when he kisses me...."

  Janet's eyes lit with happiness. "I'm so happy for you."

  Savannah rolled her eyes and groaned.

  "Well honey, you have to get back up on a horse when they throw you. Just because you and Chad didn't tie the knot, doesn't mean there isn't hope out there for you. And you sound pretty smitten with this Sheriff. You can't just walk away from him without giving him a try."

  She'd have to put up with Janet's conniving for another week. Would this little adventure solve her problems at home, for Janet was sure to tell everyone. Janet just couldn't keep a secret. Maybe she should go on with the lies. The more Janet believed her, the easier it became.

  It was simple, her mind clicked. She'd pretend she had regular dates in town with Ben and go watch a movie in the next town away from Junction. What could a little lie hurt? No one would know. Janet would never know, and she'd be rid of this albatross around her neck. She could finally pick up with her own life... maybe even find a life. After all, if Chad wasn't going to explain things any time soon, she had to come up with something plausible that everyone would believe.

  "So when you gonna see him again?"

  "Tomorrow night." she lied perfectly.

  "Oh this is exciting. I love it. A Sheriff. What a story. Your mom won't believe it. She'll have a fit at first, and then she'll just be so happy for you. By the way, your boss called. You've been fired."

  Savannah hung her head. She expected it, but what was she going to do with the rest of her life? Up until a few days ago she had happily lived with her parents, had a decent job and what looked like a great future.

  A month ago, she'd been so happy, planning the wedding, working all hours so she could have a honeymoon. Now, she had no husband, no job, and it seriously looked like no future.

  Listening to Janet going on and on about Sheriff Ben Hogg as though he were already in the family. Yet keeping up the guise could get tedious. Janet continued plotting how she should act around him, what she should wear, asking her personal questions she didn't want to answer. But one summer and this would all be over. Eventually, she'd go home, when Chad straightened this mess up. She'd stay a week or two here at the Dude Ranch, pretending to date the Sheriff, then meet her Aunt. Then maybe she'd plan what to do with the rest of her life. It seemed like a good plan at the time.

  But the first sign of trouble showed up when the Sheriff didn't.

  "He's not picking you up?" Janet asked.

  Savannah reached for another lie. "No, he's working late and wanted me to meet him."

  "That's reasonable, I guess. But don't let it become a habit."

  Whew, I got through that one, she sighed as she drove into the next town and pulled into the grocery parking lot across from the Theater. She went in and sat through two movies. She had gorged herself on popcorn and cokes and enjoyed the movie no end, so the evening wasn't a total loss. She decided she could make this fun for herself without creating any suspicion.

  It had been a murder mystery and she had sat there plotting her own life to the movie. She was killing Chad, hiding the body in her parents’ car. Then there was Ben investigating the murder. He chased her until he caught her, then pinned her to the wall and demanded she admit her crime. She stuck her hands out to be cuffed and the movie ended.

  Climbing back into her car, at a respectably late hour she noticed a storm had come up. It was raining heavily as she pulled back onto the highway. She switched her wipers on and turned the radio on.

  But something was wrong. All wrong. She didn't recognize any of the land markers. She must have missed the turn off for the dude ranch. How could she be sure? It was so dark and the rain was a distraction. She wasn't familiar with this stretch of the highway.

  She sat up in the seat and turned the radio off. There was nothing but static on it anyway. The lightening was frightening, and the thunder seemed to echo through the small car.

  She grimaced. To top it off, she was lost.

  Not one sign. No traffic, and she was lost on the highway to hell.

  She pulled over to the side of the road and killed the engine. She reached in the backseat for her map and turned on the overhead light to read it. She just couldn't tell where she was. She hadn't paid that much attention; she'd been too busy plotting her murder mystery out, to find any land markers.

  The highway she left on was a four lane highway, this was a two lane. She had taken a wrong road somewhere. She tried to remember where the road had forked and how far back. She'd just have to turn around and head the other way. The solution seemed simple enough. Her brother had told her many times if she was lost to go back the way she came. Good advise.

  Checking her mirrors she saw one car, and it was far off, so she turned around and headed back the way she came. Then it happened, a tire blew and she skidded to a fast stop on the side of the road again, nearly bumping her head on the dash.

  She groaned, unfastened her seat belt and checked herself. None of this of thing happened to her back home in Dallas. How could she possibly have so much bad luck? It made no sense. All she wanted to do was get back to the dude ranch. The town hadn't been but about ten miles down the highway. There was only one fork in the road. So, she'd taken the wrong road. Now, she was faced with a storm that seemed destined to last the night and a flat tire which she didn't know how to change. She'd been through that once before and she wasn't going to get drenched trying to do something she didn't know how to do in the first place. She silently cursed herself for not checking the tires before she left. However, under the circumstances, she couldn't be blamed for that one. But how could she have known she would run into so much trouble. Besides, this was a rental car, she wasn't buying tires for a rental. She checked her cell phone. It was dead. She'd forgotten to plug it into the charger. Great! Was there anything she could do right?

  It was too much. All she could do was cry. She laid her head down on the steering wheel and cried like a baby. It was a release, and it helped her emotionally, but it wasn't going to get her out of this predicament.

  Suddenly she heard a tap on the window. She started not to react at all, thinking it could be anyone, and with not the best of intentions on their minds. But realizing the person on the other side wasn't going away when they tapped on the window again, she jerked up from the wheel and glanced at a dark looming shadow. Then a bright light shone right in her face. She winced and turned her head away from the light.

  Before she knew what was happening, someone reached inside the car and pulled her out and into the rain.

  "Damn little fool. What were you thinking? Where were you going?" The very familiar voice asked.

  She knew that voice, and she shivered when she looked up to see those cold brown eyes staring at her again through a bolt of lightning.

  Ben Hogg, and looking more handsome than she remembered.

  "I got lost..."

  Her voice didn't sound like her own. r />
  "Lost?" He politely opened the door of the squad car to shove her inside and went around to the other side to get in.

  "What are you doing out so late, and alone?"

  "I am an adult, Sheriff." She rolled her eyes at him. What was he, her father, for goodness sake?

  "Really, I wonder."

  She bit her lip. Well, he was right, she really did look like an idiot, but it wasn't her fault.

  "I had a flat."

  "No kidding. Well, leave it to you to find disaster."

  "Haven't you ever had car trouble?" she blasted back this time, unwilling to let him get the best of her again.

  "Not recently, no. And not in this kind of weather."

  He noted her dress clinging to her and grabbed a blanket from the backseat and threw over her. "Cover up before you catch a chill."

  "You always carry blankets with you?"

  "This isn’t my car, it belongs to my deputy, he usually has his dog with him, and he carries it to wipe him off when it rains. Any more questions?"

  "I guess not," she settled down. "Except…are you going to fix my flat so I can go home?"

  Naturally, he wouldn't notice that she was dressed to the nine's. That she'd borrowed one of Janet's dresses and as she tried so hard to impress her with her lovesick act.

  "Do you have a spare?" He asked.

  "I don't know, this is a rental car, remember?" She shot him a frown.

  When he was quiet she looked at him.

  "Look Sheriff I didn't ask for your help," she began only to be cut off.

  "No, what were you going to do, sit there until someone came along to fix it for you?"

  "If I had to, yes." It didn't seem unreasonable to her. "I wasn't about to get out in the rain and try to fix it myself. I don't know anything about changing a flat anyway. That's how I got in such a mess in the first place. I was planning on waiting until daylight and walking to wherever. Or staying here until someone did offer to help."

  "And what if they'd have cut your throat instead of fixed your tire? Did you even consider anything like that?"

  "Then I'd be dead and out of your hair. Besides, in your part of the country, that's highly unlikely."

  "Don't you have a cell phone?" He asked.

  "Yes...but...oh, it doesn't matter." She turned away to dispel a sudden rush of tears. Then biting them back, she faced him again. "I hate them...I hate gadgets, you can never rely on them." When he glanced at her strangely she went on to explain. "Okay, so that's weird too, these days. But haven't you ever noticed how dangerous a cell phone can be? Everyone carries them....everywhere! They drive with them, shop with them. People just quit paying attention to what they are doing. No one even looks at you they are so busy with those gadgets."

  He glanced at her again, and something softened in his expression. He looked even better than the last time she'd seen him. Darn the man.

  He nearly smiled.

  Her whole body responded. How could that be? This man, this particular man, wasn't the least bit interested in her; he'd made that clear since the disturbance.

  "Where are you taking me?" She asked when he started the squad car. "Not to jail again, I hope. Getting lost isn't against the law, is it?"

  "No, but in your case it should be. To the dude ranch, isn't that where you are staying?" came his fast retort.

  "Yes."

  Then without warning, a loud noise alerted him to the fact that he had a flat too.

  "For crying out loud, I don't believe it." He pounded his fist against the steering wheel. He glanced over at her and this time his temper flared. "What are you—a jinx?"

  Savannah's mouth popped open, but she didn't have a reply.

  "Stay here," he commanded as he got out of the car and checked the damage. She heard him mumbling something as he searched the trunk for a jack and slung tools and things around for several minutes.

  Before long he was back and soaking wet. His expression more angry than before.

  "What's wrong, why didn't you fix it?"

  He grimaced and looked away, "The spare is gone."

  "Gone?" she screeched, "but it can't be. I mean you are a policeman, and you are bound to have a spare."

  "I usually do, yes, but now that I think about it, I borrowed his spare and forgot to replace it with another."

  "And this isn’t your car…"

  "Right. But I don't see as how I owe you an explanation."

  She felt herself giggling, and tried to stop, but the more perplexed his face got the more she giggled.

  When he sent her a frown she no longer withheld her laughter.

  "This isn't funny," he bellowed.

  "I don't know. It's pretty funny to me."

  "We're not in a position to laugh right now." This time his face looked less serious.

  "So what are we going to do?" she asked when he was silent too long.

  "The old Dugan ranch is about a ten minute walk from here. You think you can manage to keep up with me in this weather?"

  Savannah sobered and nodded.

  He radioed for help, but the dispatcher was quick to douse all hope of rescue for a while.

  "Sorry Sheriff, Jim's still over in Sweetwater taking that test this weekend, he didn't pass the first one, they let him have a retest, and Martin's probably taking care of his stock. But I'll try to raise him on the radio."

  "Thanks, we'll be at the Dugan ranch."

  "I'll get right on it."

  He gave Savannah his rain slicker from the trunk, and adjusted his Stetson. He wore a light jacket and she knew he was protected almost as well, so she didn't balk about the rain slicker.

  Taking her hand in his he led the way. She hadn't expected him to touch her and the contact brought immediate awareness. Sharp, clear awareness that told her she was in over her head this time. However, that awareness simmered as he pulled her through the rain and mud.

  His long strides were hard to keep up with, but he kept a firm grip on her hand. When she nearly fell down a slight ravine, he grabbed at her, pulling her close. The intimacy of the act was lost on the pouring rain though. "Try to keep up." He barked.

  They walked for what seemed like an hour to Savannah and finally he halted in front of a ranch house.

  It was dark, and looked vacant. Was anyone home? Would they help them if they were?

  "Where is everyone?" She asked as she glanced about the place.

  "It's been abandoned a long time. But we should be able to get in and have some shelter until I can get some help out here."

  The door was locked, so he had to bust it open with a hard shove of the shoulder. He let her through and then tried the lights. They didn't work. He grumbled.

  "Maybe they have some candles around somewhere?"

  "No one's lived here in five years, I doubt there's any emergency supplies. But we shouldn't be here that long. I've used this place many times when the old bridges wash out."

  "The bridge washes out?" she repeated.

  "Nothing to worry about. It doesn't last long, a day or two at most." He explained.

  Through the darkness, she couldn't read his expression, but his voice held some strange sort of tension that rattled her nerves, as well.

  The room seemed empty, from the glimpses she got as the lightening split through the small house.

  The Sheriff moved and made loud noises, but she couldn't tell what he was doing until the lightening flashed again. Then she saw the small fireplace and he was lighting it.

  "How did you light it?" she asked. "I mean you said no one has lived here for a while."

  "They left a lot of old newspapers, I guess from packing up and I busted an old three legged chair they had left behind. The fire won’t last long, but we shouldn’t be here that long."

  She shivered a little and hugged herself.

  When the fire blazed she came forward and warmed herself. Not that it was cold, but being wet made her very uncomfortable.

  She saw the frustration and anger on his
face and wished she could erase all the bad impressions she'd made. It was too late for that though. He already had a formed opinion of her and it didn't look as though he'd changed his mind.

  "I'm sorry for this," she began as she sat on the floor near the hearth. Her clothes were plastered to her, her hair dripping wet. She tried to dry it a little with her hands.

  "Yeah, me too," he nodded and took his hat off.

  He ruffled his hair with his big hands and she imagined what it might be like to run her fingers through it. She liked a man with nice hair. She ignored that urge. The less she had to do with the Sheriff the better right now. He was probably blaming her for all of this and she didn't need any more reprimands.

  When the room grew too silent he looked at her and suddenly smiled, "I guess you can laugh about it now."

  She smiled, glad that he didn't hold a grudge.

  Silently she knew she should be thanking him for coming along and saving her like he did, but she knew he wouldn't appreciate a thank you.

  "So, how do you like the dude ranch?" He asked stoking the fire with scraps of wood he had scrambled from somewhere in the house.

  "I'm enjoying it."

  "And where were you tonight?" His eyes met hers for only a moment.

  "I went to a movie." She felt uncomfortable talking about her evening, when she was supposed to be with him, according to her lies.

  "By yourself?"

  He wasn't going to let this pass. He wanted to know everything. She supposed his job made him inquisitive about everything. But just once, she wished he'd drop it.

  She nodded.

  "All those drug store cowboys out there and not one offered to take you?"

  Drug store cowboys? Is that how he saw them? He seemed so judgmental of people and she wanted to argue the point with him, but this was not the time nor the place. But who did he think he was? She wouldn't have gone if they had asked her to.

  "I didn't go there for dates, Sheriff. Actually, I'm doing a layout for a magazine, and enjoying it no end. So how did you happen by... way out here?"

  "Way out here, it's still my jurisdiction. Actually, I went to look for you, I got a call from your aunt, she wanted to know if I'd meet her at the airport when she arrives, as Helen's son, the woman she went to Europe with won't be available. I told her about you. She's excited about you being here and wanted me to tell you to hang on, she'd be home by first part of next week."

  "Great. I didn't realize you knew her that well."

  "Lucy's lived here all her life, she knows everyone. Out here, as you call it, everyone depends on their friends to help them."

  "That's nice," Savannah sighed.

  He let out a long breath and sighed too, "I'm sorry. About the drug store cowboy thing. And I suppose I shouldn't call them that, some of them are actual ranch hands, but most are there for show. I naturally thought you'd figure that out for yourself. Some of them can't even ride a horse."

  "Really?"

  "I'm a Sheriff Savannah, and it's my job to know what people do. And yes, I do judge people quickly, but part of that comes from my being a lawman, in this business you have to be able to size people up fast. You might not get a second chance. So, if I seem a little cynical, that's why."

  She leaned her wet head against the fireplace and drew a long and deep breath. She wasn't going to fight with him tonight.

  She looked down at herself and laughed, "I feel like a drowned rat."

  "Yeah, well, we'll have you safely home in no time," he said and cleared his throat and moved away.

  She just wanted to get away from here, where things were simple again. This escape was turning into nothing short of a disaster. The lies she had told niggled. But knowing Janet as she did, she knew she would find this little disaster very interesting, too. and before she was threw, she'd blow it up into something it wasn't.

  She pulled her legs behind her and squeezed the water from her skirt as she sat by the fire. He was standing at the window staring out. Probably wishing his deputy would hurry and get there.

  She tried to sit still and not say a word, maybe even go to sleep, but none of those things worked. Not with Mr. Gorgeous in arm's length from her. It occurred to her that even if he was old and ugly, she'd find him quite impressive. He had a sense of honor and honesty she found refreshing. And his ability to size people up, bothered her, because he could probably read her every thought.

  Finally, she went to the window too to stare out in hopes someone would come and rescue her from this misery. A misery she couldn't define.

  "So when are you going home?" He finally asked, not bothering to look at her. She figured he wasn't really interested, just indulging in general conversation.

  "I don't know. I haven't seen my aunt yet. Besides, I was thinking about going to work." She said quietly.

  Now he looked, "Doing what, photographing animals?"

  She stared into the firelight, wondering why all of a sudden her plans were changing so much and she didn't seem able to control anything anymore. "I was thinking about trying to make a living with my photography, yes."

  "Photography?" he raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Do you think you can honestly make a living at it? That isn't an easy task, unless of course you have some connections."

  "Yes, well, I have such an opportunity at the Dude ranch to make good. I'm sure if my photos are original enough, they'd let me do a layout for them. And then I'd get some work. It's very important; it's all I have to look forward to, right now. So please don't bother telling me how ludicrous it is. It's something I really enjoy."

  He listened quietly, studying her face for some sign. What, she didn't know.

  "Why would a rich little gal like you want to mess with a job for, anyway?" He asked seriously.

  "A rich little gal like me? Huh? Just because I don't have a career, so to speak doesn't mean I can't do anything, Sheriff." she said listening to her plan that was quickly developing into a future for her. At least in her mind. "I'll have you know I have a lot of talent, I just can't make a living at most of it."

  "You're probably right about that, but you'd probably have to travel the world if you really wanted to make a living at photography. It can be a tough life, dangerous even."

  She glanced at him, and out of her own musings. Her smile faded, "Maybe, or maybe I'd just do rural work, of the west. Of your little town. I like it here. It's not Dallas or Houston, but it's quaint, and quiet and has such character. "

  "You'd live in a small town, away from all the modern conveniences."

  "Oh please, you do have running water out here I take it. You know what a cell phone is, so I suppose you have satellite TV. I think I could survive in the roughs, Sheriff. All rich girls don't play tennis and go to dances every weekend."

  "Is this part of your escape plan?"

  "Escape plan. I don't have a plan. That's the problem. It was just a passing thought. Forget I mentioned it." She moved back to the fire.

  "What are you really running from Savannah?" his voice became rough and hard. "Did this guy get rough with you, cheat on you, or what? You know I'm dying to know and if you don't tell me, I'll just imagine the worst."

  "It doesn't matter."

  "You're a hard one to figure. What was that all about in the bar, the other day? I'm a pretty good judge of character and I don't think that was part of your nature. What were you trying to pull? The guy must have done something pretty bad. Because I suspect you were getting even."

  Savannah was tired of the lies, tired of the questions. "It's a long, boring story. And it was more to prove a point than getting even. I'm not a revenge seeker."

  "Indulge me."

  She studied him for a second, and then looking away from him she began her story. The truth. "I don't know if I can tell you, or anyone, just yet. There are things I just can't talk about right now, to you or anyone else. And I'm not trying to be mysterious, but I made a promise. I intend to keep that promise."

  He exhaled as though reliev
ed. "It's really none of my business, but I was simply trying to understand why you acted that way in the saloon. It doesn't seem like your nature. Unless I've got you figured all wrong, to begin with."

  Savannah took a deep breath, "I can't explain it to...a man. I mean...I guess you could say it was an ego thing. I'd lost confidence in myself as a woman."

  "Now why would a pretty little gal like you lose confidence?"

  "It's personal."

  "I can guess, you caught the guy cheating on you?"

  She sighed heavily, turned her face from him, "Yes, that's it..."

  He was silent for a moment, obviously not prepared for that one.

  "I'm sorry." He stared down into her face. "I've sort been blaming you, for the break up."

  "I noticed." she stopped unable to finish. "And it's alright with me, if you think I'm to blame. Maybe I am…in a way."

  "Sorry." Ben bellowed.

  He was feeling sorry for her. It seemed almost funny.

  "Well, no one else knew. And it was so...humiliating. I felt cheated somehow. How could I tell anyone? He couldn't. How could I?"

  That much wasn't a lie; Chad had cheated on her, just not with a woman.

  "I can buy that. That is a tough one," He studied her through the darkness for a long moment. "But you very nearly started some big trouble in that saloon the other day. Maybe you need lessons in flirting."

  "Lessons in flirting! Wow! Makes me feel like a very naïve and kind of stupid person. I guess I can't even do that right..."

  "Oh I'd say you did it pretty right, alright. You just didn't know when to apply the brakes, so to speak."

  She nearly laughed, but then it wasn't that funny. If he knew how terribly naive she had been, he'd laugh himself silly. And her ego would go down another notch.

  "A friend of mine came out to the dude ranch. We'd planned on meeting up, as I called her from your place. But then things got complicated again, Ben....I told her....well, I told her...."

  "What'd you tell her?"

  She moved away now. Far away, back to the fireplace and safety, she thought.

  "I told her you were crazy about me and we were dating." She coughed, hoping he didn't pay attention to her statement.

  "You told her what?" he was beside her in an instant.

  She backed against the fireplace, "It seemed the only way to shut her up. I love Janet like a sister, but sometimes ..."

  When he made a strange face at her, she continued. "Don't look at me like that. I couldn't tell her the truth about Chad."

  "So," he bent over her, pinning her. "I'm crazy about you, am I? I'm dating you, am I? And you just got dumped by your boyfriend? That doesn't even add up. She believe you?"

  "It added up to Janet. She knows me too well. I had to lie, don't you see?" she shrank and felt near tears, but was determined not to cry in front of him.

  A flash of lightening lit his face momentarily and she stared up at him. "Oh Ben, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I really didn't think it would do any harm. I certainly hadn't planned on running into you again, so I thought there would be no harm in it."

  "I can't believe she would believe it. I mean, you did just run from a wedding, didn't you?"

  "Yes, of course I did...but...Janet knows me better than I know myself. She never expected me to go through with the wedding."

  A long finger reached out to curl a wisp of hair behind her ear, as he continued to lean over her, "And just how is this little romance supposed to end?"

  She gulped, "Well naturally, I'll have to go back home, or get a job."

  He nodded and backed off. She sighed her relief.

  "And if I play along with this little romance, will it keep you out of trouble and mischief till you do go back home or find a job....or some kind of life again?" His back was to her, and she felt he might even co-operate with her on this.

  "Yes," she jumped up and went to stand in front of him. "Yes, I promise. You don't have to do a thing. I'll handle it. I've already figured it out. Really. It won't even involve you personally; she'll just think it will. We'll meet at the movies, or the restaurant only we won't and no one will be the wiser. Since I'm staying at the ranch, it will be hard for her to check up on me. And my little lie won't have hurt anyone, you see."

  Now it seemed so simple, and especially if he didn't mind so much.

  He grew very silent. The expression she saw through the darkness was contemplating.

  "Okay, I suppose there's no harm in it." He agreed almost too easily. "Especially since we won't have to act it out."

  "Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Like I said, I hadn't planned on running into you again anyway."

  "I'm not a bit worried Savannah, as long as the news of this doesn't spread any further."

  Savannah bit her lip. "Oh it won't. I'll make sure of it."

  "Fine."

  She felt like jumping for joy, like kissing his cheek, but that would be a mistake. He'd agreed to help her keep the secret, but she couldn't throw herself at him. Even if it was tempting.

  "Thank you, Sheriff." she smiled up into his face.

  Content that everything was going to work out, she went to the door and stared out, leaning against the door frame.

  When she heard a howl, she tensed once more and stood erect, waiting to hear the noise again. He came to stand in front of her, "As long as you've gone that far, I can't see any harm in enjoying it a little...." He tipped her chin up and suddenly he was kissing her like no man had ever kissed her. Long breathless kisses that left her weak and pliant and wanting more as his lips feathered her neck he whispered, "The first thing you have to remember about flirting, is not to melt into a man's arms."

  "I can't seem to help it...Ben." she barely whispered. "I'm not experienced at flirting."

  He gasped.

  Her chest rose and fell against his, and he groaned.

  When he pulled away to stare into her face she barely got his name out before he gathered her to him and kissed her again. This time his tongue darted against her lips and she opened for him. She was lost in his arms. Never had a kiss tasted so good, and she matched his dueling tongue and gave herself to the moment. She felt like a piece of chocolate, melting little by little with each thrust of his tongue.

  His hands moved up and down her, and then he felt her shiver.

  "Are you cold....?"

  She tried to pull away, but he held her at arm’s distance, "I wish I were...."

  It was as though her words ignited him, he pulled her gently into the circle of his arms, as his lips feathered hers over and over.

  But this time, she pushed him away, panting as she spoke. "I can't help that I melt in your arms Ben...I can't help that I respond to your kisses. But...it's all wrong and we both know it. I've just come from a near wedding. Just broken it off with another man. I'm not senseless. I'm attracted to you. But, you don't want what I do. You've been honest. So let's stop this madness...between us."

  His smile curled around her like a warm vapor, "It's not madness, honey, it's life. It's a man wanting a woman. And a woman wanting a man. It's nature."

  "I won't be your toy, so this goes no further," she said bravely, wishing she could wipe his frown away, knowing she shouldn't.

  He stiffened, and moved away.

  "Let me get this straight, you're saying you aren't interested in an affair, or a fling. You want the whole nine yards. Wedding bells, is that it? Even though you just ran out on one guy."

  "Don't mock me, Ben. But, yes, that's it. And I know you don't want the whole nine yards. I appreciate your honesty, it makes it a little easier. So there is absolutely no reason to get involved."

  He leaned against the door jam and studied her long and hard. "You are one hard woman to figure, Savannah. But no man is going to marry you without getting to know you a little."

  Savannah felt a deep flush, "That's true, but you've made yourself very clear on the subject and I see no reason to extend our relationship any further. I've been hone
st too. I want a home, a family, a life. You don't. So we shouldn't flirt with trouble."

  He stared through the darkness at her, "Oh you've laid your cards on the table alright, but it doesn't explain that little trip to the saloon, now does it? You went in there trying to get picked up by a couple of cowboys that certainly had no intention of marriage on their minds. If you really mean what you say, you should act like it."

  Savannah hung her head, "I know that was out of character for me. I've never been good at just simply flirting. I've seen my friends flirt, nothing like that ever happened to them. It looked so easy. But I guess I'm just not fickle enough to pull it off right. Chad hurt my ego a little, you don't understand. I was trying to prove something to myself. I did, I can't change what I am. I want the hearts and flowers and wedding bells, Ben. So don't belittle me. I can't help it. I've faced the fact that marriage is something I really want. Some women want careers; want fame, money, glory. I simply want a good marriage."

  She looked over at him, "Is that so wrong?"

  There was a short silence, then Ben nodded, "Not wrong, Savannah, I just think you are going about it the wrong way."

  "That's the problem; I don't know how to go about it at all. I thought I knew Chad inside and out. I dated him for years, we had such plans. We cared about each other, we still do. But…I didn't know him…like I should have. Until one day I realized I didn't know him at all. How can you think you know someone so well, and be such a fool? And how can you know someone else so little, and yet…know them."

  Ben pushed his hat away and came closer. "Maybe it's not how long you know someone, but how well."

  "Yeah...maybe. Well, I know you. I know what you don't want. But I guess…I don't know what you do want. You’re a puzzle to me too."

  "And Savannah," he said, reaching to pull her chin up, he murmured, "You didn't fail at flirting; you just didn't have the right man for the job. Innocent flirting is alright, but you gotta know who you are flirting with and how far to take it."

  Flashing lights interrupted them. She just stood there, too weak to move or react.

  Coming to her senses she mumbled to herself, "I'm in big trouble, now!"

  Chapter Seven