Runaway Bride

  * * *

  Ben had been miserable ever since he stopped by to see Savannah. She practically admitted she'd been dating this Jimmy Walker. Not that it was his business, but she was playing games with him, and he knew it. She had no feelings for this Jimmy Walker, whoever he was. He'd bet his life on that.

  He felt suddenly like a caged tiger, contained and yet not contained. There was restlessness in him that he couldn't explain or deny.

  Why had she insisted on bringing Maria up, that night? He didn't want to talk about his ex. He didn't want to think about his ex. He had gotten over Maria so long ago; he wasn't sure when it happened. But the love was gone from that relationship almost before it got started. He'd learned a hard lesson in life. Maria taught him well. He didn't need marriage. Despite Savannah's sweetness, he felt he was right not offering her more.

  All he knew was that he was consumed with his feelings for Savannah. She was everything any man would want. And he wanted her...body and soul. So why couldn't he just let it happen? Maybe being hog tied to a woman like her wouldn't be so bad. Maybe he'd enjoy it.

  Ah, Savannah would never enjoy living in a little town like Junction, and he sure wasn't moving to the city. He was happy here. Content! At least until she hit town he was.

  That's when he decided to make the call. He had to put a few things straight in his mind. He had to know if Savannah was telling him the truth about her runaway marriage. So he called Chad. It took some time finding the number and even with the help of information. When he did it was late and he had obviously woken Chad.

  "Are you Chad Huntington II?" Ben asked angrily into the phone.

  "Yes, yes...who is this?" came the groggy voice.

  "The name's Ben Hogg, I'm Sheriff over in Junction."

  "I see, well, what has that to do with me, sir?" Chad asked obviously still not understanding who he was.

  "I'm trying to find out exactly why Savannah Kingsley ran out on you."

  There was a pause, a silence and Ben looked at the receiver as though it had two heads.

  Hadn't he heard him?

  "Well?"

  "I don't understand. Who are you?" Chad asked again.

  "Ben Hogg."

  "Never heard of you," Chad said about to hang up.

  "I know that. And I'm sorry for bothering you at this hour, but I've got to know...it's important."

  "Obviously you know Savannah. Didn't she tell you?" Chad asked bleakly.

  "Tell me what?"

  "I guess...I thought she would have told everyone by now, hoped she would have...but well, the truth is..."

  "The truth is what....?"

  "I'm gay." Came the contrite voice over the phone. "There I've said it, and it feels wonderful being able to say it aloud."

  Ben looked at the receiver again. "Come again?"

  "I said she found out I was gay. That's why she ran out on me. Gee, it's not that hard to say aloud anymore. In fact, it's a relief being able to announce it to someone...anyone. Look, I don't know who you are or what you want, but thanks... you don't know how much you've helped me."

  And he hung up.

  Ben sat staring at the phone for a long time. Never in his life had he dreamed this kind of situation. But now his concern was for Savannah. Poor, sweet, unsuspecting Savannah had gotten herself into a situation that demanded she do something. Thank God she had the sense to run away from it.

  Deep down he had known there had to be a reasonable explanation for her doing such a thing. It almost made him feel guilty for calling Chad. But he was relieved to know the truth.

  Now he was faced with his own feelings for her and what he aimed to do about them.