"How long will it take?" she shrieked as though that thought wasn't supposed to happen.
"He said he'd get right on it, but it might take a few days to get the part, but he'd try to put a rush on it for you." Ben replied. "Why, are you in a hurry?"
He had read her every thought. Why not, they were both keenly aware of the attraction. He had a feeling she had felt this strange electricity between them too, and she wanted no part of it from the way she acted. That was good, wasn't it? Then why did he feel just the least bit disappointed that she didn't want any part of him. He'd never experienced anything like the feelings this woman stirred and if he was wise he'd run, because she was trouble, with a capital T.
If he knew what was good for him, he'd want her out of here too. But oddly enough, he would like for her to stay long enough to explore why. And besides, he told himself, he was investigating that car, and her identification.
"I guess I should be thanking you, for putting up with me, but really, I hate being a bother to people."
"No bother, just rest." he said as he rushed toward the door. He had to get out of here, put some distance between him and temptation.
* * *
Savannah sighed heavily as she leaned back against the pillows. She should be marching out the door about now and leaving this little paradise behind, but for the life of her she didn't feel like moving. The welts were still appearing all over her and she felt like one giant fever blister.
She wanted to cry, wanted to run, wanted to hide. And she wanted that Sheriff to kiss her too. In all her life she had never been so brazen. But the Sheriff was definitely woman shy. She had to get that through her head, and fast. He wasn't interested, and she shouldn't be. Hadn't Chad been a big enough experience for her? How could she be this attracted to a man, after such a thing happening to her own wedding? It made no sense, no sense at all.
The doctor came and administered a shot, then told her to rest until tomorrow. He didn't want her operating any machinery for at least a day and he'd have a look at her before she left town.
Savannah bit her lower lip when she saw the dismay on the Sheriff's face. He wasn't pleased with being stuck with her either.
Mrs. Johnson waited on her, informing her that the Sheriff would return soon, as soon as he took care of some trivial problems. Little things, like... someone had broken a glass in the school building, someone had a complaint about a car being parked in the wrong place half the day.
It was after sun down before the Sheriff came back and she'd been sleeping. When she woke, she found him sitting beside her looking at her with the biggest frown she'd ever seen.
"Oh I'm sorry; I didn't hear you come in." She said sitting up in the bed, trying to act alert and well, yet failing miserably.
"Mrs. Johnson said that shot knocked you out. You've been sleeping most of the day. I was beginning to worry."
"Great, I probably won't sleep a wink tonight." She grumbled. "I should be out of here by now. Any word on my car?"
"Um...yes, as a matter of fact, I wanted to talk to you about that."
Savannah watched him closely, a shadow of doubt on her face. "Oh?"
"You want to tell me about it, or must I?" He firmed his lips and glanced at her. He knew the truth about the car. She had to come clean and tell him.
The blood left her face, her eyes clouded with tears, and she knew she was pouring it on a little too thick. He handed her a tissue and waited. He wasn't impressed. She'd have to level with him, if she wanted his help.
"It belongs to my parents. But I guess you know that by now. When I left the church, I had to have a car. I was at the wedding, my car was at home. I'd ridden there with my parents to the church. Chad lives across the street from the church. The man I was going to marry. Well, I couldn't take someone else's car, could I? I took theirs. Have they filed a complaint?"
"'Fraid so. I'll have to check it out, you know. I'm still waiting on proper id, too. Would you like me to send a message to your parents? At least let them know you are alright? You didn't tell them where you were going or anything?"
"No, there wasn't time, they were already in the church, waiting for us to arrive from across the street. There simply wasn't time and I really didn't want to deal with their reactions so soon. I needed time to think. You don't believe me?" she gasped. A message to her parents? No, she wasn't ready for that.
Seeing the alarm in her face, he felt guilty as hell for checking her out, but knew he had to do it. "Sure...I believe you. It's a formality Savannah...besides, who could make up such a story? Now about that message? No matter how bad the problem is, you should at least let them know you are okay."
She stared at him. "Oh... I suppose you could tell them I'm fine, and will be in touch soon. But that's all, please…"
"Alright. That's better. We'll talk about this when you're feeling better." He grinned. But she was still frowning.
He started to leave but paused in the doorway. "Why did you run out on the fella?"
"It's a long story."
He nodded and smiled again. "I'm sure it is. Indulge me."
"You wouldn't be interested."