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"No, you are right, Beth, that's the way it usually happens. But…when I saw you, I knew I needed to act upon my gut instinct. I'm attracted to you. I don't have a lot of time for shopping for a wife. But when I look into your eyes, I see something. And I get the impression you see it too." He turned to look out on the meadow, firming his lips and nodding. "Look out there, Beth. What do you see? A field of bluebonnets, they are undeniably beautiful, aren't they? Just like I find you, undeniably beautiful. I want you to understand. Originally, I wanted to help your folks. I knew when your father lost that money that I had put him in a spot. But I didn't connect him with you. I just came out here that day to see if there was anything I could do to get the money back to him. When I realized he was the man with the big family and not enough food on the table, I wanted to help. You see, I'm a gambler, but I have a few ethics too. Taking food out of a family's mouth is not how I want to live my life. And then I saw you again…I got a little side-tracked. I'm attracted to you. I'm not easily attracted to women I don't know why. Perhaps because I've known a few. However, you sort of stood out. I see so much in you that I like…"
She didn't say anything so he raised her chin once more and looked into her eyes.
"Don't you like anything about me?"
She hadn't expected him to ask that question. But the longer he looked into her eyes, the more her resistance began to melt away. "I…I think you are very handsome. I thought that the minute I looked at you. You look as though you've had a lot of responsibility too. I like that. A man should know about things, know how to take care of things."
He chuckled aloud. "Well," he shrugged, "That's a start at least. But the older you get the more you will realize that handsome is as handsome does."
"I don't know anything about being a wife…I can cook and sew, and I know how to work the land, but…" She admitted suddenly. "I guess what I mean is…I'm immature for my age."
He leaned against the tree and sighed, "Don't worry, I don't know anything about being a husband either."
She moved so she could see him, "Are you a good gambler?"
"Yes, I'm very good at that."
"Well, at least we won't be broke, then huh?" She smiled at him.
"Then you accept my proposal?" He asked standing up straight and waiting for her answer.
"Do I have a choice?" She asked softly.
Looking into her very soul, he smiled. "Yes," His eyes darkened with something akin to desire, she thought. "Of course, you do. Everyone should have a choice. If you say no, then I'll leave and won't come back. I'll leave the money for your folks though, I don't want them to starve. I like you and your family."
Shocked, she stood there staring at him. Beth's expression suddenly changed, and she came closer. "You'd do that for them? You'd not press charges and send my father to jail?"
He smiled again, "I guess I would do it for you…Your folks are good people, just come upon hard times is all. They invited me to supper when they had very little to offer to a stranger. I was impressed. They have taught you all manners and principles. I like that too. You are Christian and I am too."
"I don't understand you." She shook her head. "I didn't expect you to be so generous or kind."
"That's alright, I don't understand it either. But I can think of no other woman I'd rather have by my side, day by day…. than you!" He said sincerely. "And I really don't know why. But it's true."
"But…you don't love me!"
"I'm not sure about that, either. I've never been in love. but I sense a kindred spirit, somehow. It's the closest I've come to loving a woman. So I don't discount it."
"Love to me is something you day-dream about. Something that is there, but you aren't sure about it."
"So what's your answer?" He asked standing so close she could smell the light scent of him. He smelled good for a man. He smelled as though he bathed regular. He shaved every day too. She liked that. He was a clean man.
"I think…I need another kiss to decide." She smiled at him.
"What a little temptress you are. God help me…" He whispered just before his head bent to kiss her soft lips again.
This kiss was just as tender, just as sweet as the first one. Her legs trembled beneath her and obviously he realized it, because he held her tight against him, so she wouldn't fall. His drugging kisses made her swoon, and moan raggedly in her throat. Suddenly her arms flew around his neck and she pulled him even closer. Despite being forced into this relationship, she had to admit, the man knew how to kiss.
"Dear God…" she heard him whisper.
Suddenly heat rushed up her cheeks as she strained to be closer to him. He kissed her entire face, from her eyebrows to her nose, to her chin and then back to her waiting mouth.
When he finally turned her loose, she smiled almost shyly. "I think I like this…kissing."
"Well, I can oblige that any time." He grinned.
"You have a very nice smile…" She uttered almost under her breath.
"And you're a virgin! You might just kill me." He stared deep into her soft brown eyes. He pushed her blonde hair back behind her ears, and suddenly he was kissing her again.
