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"Of course not. I'm not that kind of man, and you know that. But I do have a problem. You see, everyone in town is feeling sorry for me. In a small town people have a habit of pairing people up. Now, I hear it night and day. How she dumped me for Luke Butler."
Savannah rolled her eyes, perhaps his male ego had been bruised. What was she supposed to do about it? She wanted to laugh her own relief.
"So?"
"So, I'm the Sheriff, and I can't have everyone talking' like they do. So...I need your help."
"I'm listening, although I'm not sure why."
"I need you to come to town with me. Be with me. Let the townspeople see us together. So people will quit feeling sorry for me."
"You're kidding!" Savannah nearly laughed until she saw his face. "You're not!"
She couldn't stop the giggling, even when he frowned. "Look this wasn't easy for me to come and ask. But it's the only thing that will stop them."
"But...why me? You must know a hundred other women..."
He shrugged his big handsome shoulders and sighed heavily, "Most of the folks in Junction know me too well. They'd see through it, with any of the locals. But you...."
"But me what?" Savannah pressed him.
"When I locked you up...they all thought it was because I was concerned about you. Cared about you. So it wouldn't seem strange to be seen with you now."
"Concerned? You locked me up....well, I don't know why you locked me up. Perhaps for my own protection. I don't know. I'll never forget that."
"No, I guess you won't. And it was for your protection, Savannah." he said, his voice lowering, his eyes searching hers.
"I don't see any reason I should concern myself with this. It's your problem. If you recall, I had a similar problem with my friend, and I didn't see you stepping forth and rendering me aid."
"You're right, I didn't. I didn't want to get involved with...with a screwball little lady, like yourself."
"Screwball…And now...you do." She stomped her foot in the ground to show her feelings about this.
"It's the only way. You are the only stranger in town. They all know you were at my house, in my jail, and well...it might seem natural if we..."
"We...what?"
He put his hat back on his head and turned away to go. "I won't beg, Savannah."
His voice was low and held some strange emotion. She felt bad about treating him so.. After all, he had locked her up for her own protection. He had seen after her during the storm. He had befriended her.
"Wait. Ben. Okay," she said reluctantly. "I'll help you, at least until they quit talking. I guess I owe you that much. You did take care of me when I got stung. You did keep my secret. I guess I can extend the courtesy. But why don't you just do like I did? Tell everyone you are meeting me, and not."
"As sorry as everyone feels for me, I doubt it would work. They need to see with their own eyes. It won't take long for the word to spread."
"I don't think this is very wise, Ben." she began.
"Why, 'cause we are attracted to each other?" He seemed quite serious.
She fumbled for the right words. "I won't sleep with you Ben. I've never done that, and I won't start now. As old fashioned as it sounds, I'm saving myself."
"I don't think I've asked you to," he added with a slight smirk. "But you've got to be kidding…you're saving yourself?"
"What's so funny. It's true."
"I guess I never saw you as the virgin type. I was wrong."
"And no kissing...."
