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"Afraid?"
"Of course not. I'm a big girl."
He turned around slowly. "Fine. Then meet me in town, tonight at six," he said as though he knew she would consent.
"Now wait just a minute!" she stormed up to him, pulling on his arm and making him face her. "You will pick me up at this house and you will take me into town."
"Alright, I'll pick you up. I guess I owe you that much," he murmured, then he left and she pondered whether she made the right decision.
* * *
This was a big mistake, she fretted as she skimmed through her new meager wardrobe for something appropriate to wear. She was playing with fire. But she had set ground rules, and he'd abide.
Savannah slipped into a cool blue cotton sheath dress. She examined herself and combed her hair until it behaved.
Aunt Lucy came to her door and openly admired her taste in clothes. "That's stunning on you, dear. Simple and classic."
"I'm not at all sure I'm doing the right thing, Aunt Lucy."
Her Aunt frowned for a second. "Why in heavens name not? Ben Hogg is a wonderful young man, and it is time he found a nice young lady. Heaven knows his first marriage was a complete disaster."
"His first...marriage?" Savannah swallowed and stared at her Aunt, trying to digest this news with dignity. "Ben was married?"
"You didn't know….?"
"No, I had no idea."
"Was, is right. For all of about two months. If you call that a marriage. She was a little air-head, with nothing permanent on her mind. Poor Ben, he had been smitten good. The girl was a local, but she was sick and tired of being here. Ben didn't know it. Never suspected she had married him to get away from her family. It was a very sad time for him. He changed after that. But he hasn't actually dated in years. Oh, he has an occasional dinner with that little gal with the kid, but that isn't going anywhere. She's looking for a father figure, and Ben has no intention of getting that involved. I don't think Ben is aware of how he seems to take women for granted. It doesn't matter though, I think I heard she got married anyway."
"So...his wife left him?" Perhaps that's how she scared Ben away, she had run from a wedding. His wife had run from him. Yes, it all made sense now. What must he think of her for running out on Chad?
"Yes, he was a mess for such a time. He had loved her dearly. But I think she might have ruined him, until now at least. Maybe he's finally coming out of his shell."
"Oh, Aunt Lucy, you've got the wrong idea here. Ben and I are just...well...friends. He did me a favor, now I'm returning it." Savannah explained as she finished her hair. "You see most of the town seems to feel sorry for him, and constantly ask him about the lady he had been seeing that got married."
"Anyone with a mind at all could see he wasn't interested in her. She hoped, for the daughter's sake, but Ben wasn't silly enough to jump into that."
"Why not jump into it?"
"Because he doesn't love her. She's just not right for him. She's too tame, too settled. He needs someone who will turn his world upside down. Someone with gumption."
"Nevertheless, this is just a favor." Savannah assured her.
"Maybe, and maybe not. I saw something in his eyes I haven't seen in a long time." Aunt Lucy smiled.
Yeah lust! Ben wanted her alright, in his bed, but marriage wasn't in his plans and he had been honest about that. Well, she had been honest too; she wanted marriage and everything that went with it.
"Honestly, Aunt Lucy, you are such a romantic. Ben and I understand each other, quite well. And there is no future with him, not that I would want one with him, but he's made it ultimately clear he isn't interested in marriage. My advantage is that I know that. Besides, I just came from a messed up relationship, I'm not about to jump back on the band wagon. I've learned my lesson. I want marriage, children, the whole nine yards, and I won't settle for anything less."
"You stick to your guns, honey. Give him hell...." Aunt Lucy chuckled and went into the kitchen to fix a cup of tea.
So what was she doing agreeing to go out with a man who blatantly announced he wouldn't marry? Had she lost her mind? She was just as attracted to him. How could she be sure that in a weak moment, he couldn't have his way with her?
She'd simply have dinner with him tonight and stop all the town gossips, then she and Ben could part friends and each go their way. But even as she thought it, the idea of not seeing Ben ever again made her sad, as though she were losing something. She had to stop thinking along those lines.
At six o'clock, Ben arrived for their date. Savannah tried to quell the eagerness to see him again, but she knew she failed when she walked into her Aunt's living room and saw a freshly scrubbed, dressed to the nine's man waiting on her.
Although he wore a pair of new boots, he also wore dress pants and his white shirt was covered by a sports coat. He looked different, sexier, and she knew she was in trouble again. Resisting Ben would have to become a habit if she stayed with her Aunt very long.
