Disclaimer: Sunset Beach and all the characters etc. belongs to Spelling/NBC. No profit of anykind is made out of this piece of fiction, I'm only doing it to entertain the fans. Any connection to the Tv-Serie Sunset Beach is for your pleasure. Do not copy or put this story on a webpage without asking me first. Anja

More than a feeling

by Anja

Chapter 01

Ben Evans tried once more to start his car. Vainly. He got out and opened the hood.

Ben: "Damn, must this happen right now?"

He had looked, whether all cables were solid. He couldn't so anything else. He took his mobile telephone form the coat pocket, to call a garage. But he didn't get any connection.

Ben: "Not this too! Well, then I must walk the way."

He looked his car and started to walk. He had passed a farm briefly before. He reached it after about 15 minutes. He knocked at the door. A young slim woman with dark hair opened him the door.

Ben: "Excuse me for the disturbance, but...."

Meg: "Yes?"

Ben had to gather himself. He had expected an old farmer not a so beautiful young woman.

Ben: "My name is Ben Evans. I have a breakdown with my car and my telephone doesn’t work. My I borrow your telephone to call a garage."

The young woman smiled at him.

Meg: "Of curse, come in."

Ben entered the house.

Joan: "Meg, who was it at the door?"

A distinctive woman entered the corridor.

Joan: "Oh, good day."

Meg: "Mum, this is Mr. Evans. He has a car breakdown and would like to make a telephone call."

Joan approached Ben.

Joan: "Mr. Evans. I'm Joan Cummings and this is my daughter Meg. Come into the kitchen, you can make a telephone call there."

Ben: "Thanks, Mrs Cummings."

Ben followed Joan into the kitchen. Meg remained confused for a moment. She wouldn't be able to forget those eyes and that smile so fast again.

"What a interesting man." she thought.

When she entered the kitchen, Ben just had ended the telephone call.

Ben: "The mechanic wants to come at once."

Joan: "May I offer you something in the meantime? A cup of coffee, perhaps?"

Ben: "If doesn’t make any fuss, a cup of coffee would be fine."

Meg: "May I ask, where do you come from?"

Ben smiled at the young woman.

Ben: "Sure. I come from California. I'm in Kansas here on business and was just on the way to the airport when I had the breakdown."

Meg: "What kind of car do you drive?"

Ben: "A BMW. Why? Do you know anything about cars?"

Meg laughed.

Meg: "Completely not. I only hope that  is nothing serious with your car. George, the mechanic, has only a little garage and he don't always have spare in stores."

Ben: "We wait, perhaps it isn't so bad."

Joan brought Ben the coffee and also put a plate with sandwiches to this.

Joan: "Grasp it quietly. You must be hungry too."

Ben: "I can use a small refreshment well, thank you."

It knocked at the door.

Joan: "I go, you remain with Mr. Evans, Meg."

Joan left the kitchen briefly, however was back already after few moments.

Joan: "Mr. Evans, this was George. Unfortunately, he must take your car."

Ben: "Oh what ever. Than I have to look for a hotel room for tonight."

Joan: "If you like to would be welcome to stay with us in the guestroom."

Ben: "I wouldn't like to make any fuss to you, thank you however."

Joan: "You don't make this, Guest are always welcome us. Meg, you show Mr. Evans the room?"

Meg: "Okay. you come with me Mr. Evans."

Ben: "But only under the condition that you call me Ben."

Meg: "Okay, I'm Meg."

She smiled at Ben and he followed her upstairs.

Chapter 02

Ben: "Do I really not make any fuss to you?"

Ben followed Meg into the comfortably furnished guest room.

Meg: "No, we like to have guest very much. They take a little change to life."

Ben: "You don't have a fax piece of equipment in the house by chance either? I must send papers absolutely important to my business partner."

Meg: "We don't have a fax, but I have a computer in my room with internet, if perhaps this one helps you along."

Ben: "Internet is almost even better."

Meg laughed.

Meg: "This astonishes you? We don't live behind the moon here."

Ben: "Completely no, not determines. What I have seen till now, I like very much."

He looked at Meg at these words and smiled. Meg blushed.

Meg: "I can show you my computer at once if you want."

Ben: "That would be good, then I can take care of it at once."

They went over in Megs room together.

Meg: "The good piece stands there. I got myself the PC after the college. My best girl friend live in California too and so we often have a chat together or we write mails to each other."

Ben: "Do you often pay a visit to your friend in California?"

Meg: I don't have heard from her that frequently since she moved to Sunset Beach. Vanessa works as a reporter for a newspaper and has unfortunelly to much to do."

Ben: "You merely say your friend is Vanessa Hart."

Meg: "Yes. You know Vanessa?"

Ben: "Yes. I'm from Sunset Beach too. Vanessa and her friend Michael are often in my nightclub. And my business partner Gregory Richards is the owner of the newspaper where Vanessa works."

Meg: "Oh, that's a nice surprise. When your are at home again, you absolutely must greet Vanessa from me."

Ben: "I'll be pleased to do that."

Smilingly Ben look at Meg.

Meg: "I'll leave you alone now so that you can finish off your business."

Ben: "It won't last long. May I use your scanner? Then everything goes even faster."

Meg: "With pleasure. But I leave you really alone now."

Meg left the room and closed the door behind herself. In front of the door she stopped another moment.

"And you pull yourself together Meg." she thought "He lives in California and you here in Kansas."

Chapter 03

Ben returned into the kitchen half an our later.

Joan: "Mr. Evans, may I introduce my husband to you? Hank this is Mr. Evans."

The two men shook hands.

Ben: "I'm pleased to become acquainted with you. Your wife was so nice to lend me your guest room for tonight."

Hank: "That's the way it is in Kansas. We like to have guest and I hope for you'll comfortable with us."

Ben thought of Meg and smiled.

Ben: "I like it here really well."

Joan: "Why don't you go for a little walk, Mr. Evans? Meg is outside, she can show you around."

Ben: "This is a good idea. A little fresh air is certainly good for me. See you later."

Ben left the kitchen. Outside he looked around and discovered Meg in a rose garden. She was cutting faded flowers off.

Ben: "I don't know which sight is more beautiful, the roses or you."

Frightened Meg jumped high and blushed.

Ben: "Sorry, I didn't want to frighten you. But the sight was lovely."

Meg blushed again.

Meg: "Thanks Ben. Would you like to look around the farm?"

Ben: "Yes, your mother thought you would like to show me everything certainly."

Meg: "She means that way? Then I would like to make this."

Ben: "However I wouldn't like to impose myself."

Meg: "No, you don't to do this Ben. This is up to my mother. She tries to procure me again and again. Well you must be careful."

They strolled along over the pastures and at fields.

Ben: "I can not imagine that you don't have any friend at all."

Meg: "I was engaged, but then I noticed that Tim had deceived me. However I parted with him at this, but he thinks he still has chances with me."

Ben: "And is it that way?"

Meg: "No not ever if he was the last man left on earth. What about with you? Are you married?"

Ben: "I'm divorced. My wife left me and married my twin brother. I haven't given a woman a chance to come into my life since then."

Meg: "She married your twin brother? This must be even more terrible but to notice that your fiancé deceives you with your best friend."

Ben: "Let us change the topic Meg. Where do you go in Ludlow, if you like to have fun in the evening?"

Meg smiled.

Meg: "It actually only is one place here. The Buckaroo, a bar with dancing."

Ben: "Meg, would you accompany me to the Buckaroo tonight?"

Meg: "I would like very much to do this, Ben."

She gave Ben a smile and he could hardly think that he had a date with this charmed nature.

Chapter 04

Ben was in the corridor downstairs, as Meg the stairs came down. What Ben saw had him breathless. She had a deep red for shoulder available dress on. The dark long hair she had put high, what emphasized her small neck.

Ben: "Wow! I didn't know that I have a date with the beauty queen of Kansas."

Meg blushed.

Meg: "Do you like it?"

Ben: "I can't express it with words at all."

Meg: "Are we ready to go?"

Ben: "I'm pleased, beautiful lady."

Meg looked at Ben and she took his arm and they left the house.

Meg: "Then I show you the exciting night life of Ludlow now."

Ben: "I can hardly wait for it. If everything is so exciting here as you, then it will become an excellent evening."

Ben couldn't solve his look of Meg at all. They reached the Buckaroo a short time later.

Meg: "However don't expect to much. Only Country music almost is played here."

Ben: "This doesn’t disturb me at a so charming company."

They entered the bar. It was very full.

Meg: "A lot of people is always here on a Friday evening as you see."

Ben: "A table for two is available behind. Do you want sit down?"

Meg: "With pleasure."

They gained in a seat and watched sprouting on the dance floor a while.

Ben: "Meg, would you dance with me?"

Meg: "With the greatest pleasure."

Both had much fun when dancing. Ben was a wonderful dancer. When the band made break, they sat down again.

Ben: "I think we are watched by everyone."

Meg laughed.

Meg: "Yes. They will al wonder who is the man at my site. Firstly Tim who is there at the bar and doesn't let us from the eyes."

Ben: "This disturbs you?"

Meg: "What Tim does or thinks don't interests me any more."

Ben: "Good. Would you like to drink something, Meg?"

Meg: "A beer would like to be good now."

Ben: "The I go fetch us one each."

Ben had hardly got up and gone to the bar before Tim came over.

Tim: "Hi Meg. What is this for a type? Where you have digged this one up?"

Meg: "Tim this doesn't  concerns you anymore."

Tim: "Of course it concerns me something, if you dance with a completely strange man."

Meg: "Ben isn't a completely strange man. Perhaps he is the new man in my life and now leave me alone."

Meg hoped to get rid of Tim through this.

Tim: "I don't believe you. You aren't the determined type. This one looks like a businessman and not like the friend of a farm daughter."

Meg: "Please let me alone!"

Tim sat down without asked.

Tim: "Only if you tell me who the type really is."

Ben unnoticed had come up behind Tim and had heard everything.

Ben: "Darling, here is your beer."

Tim frightened jumped high.

Ben: "Does he annoy you Meg?"

Meg: "No Ben. Tim was just to go again. Let us dance Ben."

Meg moved Ben fast to the dance floor.

Meg: "Thanks!"

Ben: "I have enjoyed doing it. I had the feeling that he doesn't let you alone. In addition, I have heard what he has said to you. I hope I wasn't to obtrusive."

Meg smiled.

Meg: "No you weren't this. It was nice."

Ben: "Good. Tim still watched us. May I kiss you?"

Meg: "Do you always ask before?"

Ben: "No. I can't remember the last time I did this."

He saw Meg quite deep into her eyes and kissed her. Meg enjoyed the kiss and replied him.

Meg: "This was lovely."

Ben: "I liked it too. Apparently Tim didn't, he ran out. Would you like to dance more?"

Meg: "Yes, I would like to dance more with you, Ben."

They smiled each other and Ben pulled Meg closer to himself. She put her head on his chest and both enjoyed the closeness of the other one. They simply forgot the place and time. Suddenly they notice that they were almost the last guests.

Meg: "We should walk slowly. On a farm starts the day early."

Ben: "Yes, let us go."

They walked silent on the way back. Both were occupied with their own thoughts. Then they arrived the farm. Ben accompanied Meg to the front of her room door.

Ben: "Thanks for the lovely evening."

Meg: "I have to thank, you finally have saved me in front of Tim."

Ben saw Meg deep into her eyes.

Ben: "I have enjoyed doing it very much."

Gently he took her head into his hands and kissed Meg once more.

Ben: "Good night, my angel."

"Good night." Meg whispered because she could hardly speak in front of only palpitations of her heart. She still looked up Ben for a moment till he had disappeared in his room.

Chapter 05

Meg woke up early in the other morning. Immediately she thought of Ben again. She saw his eyes in front of herself and his smile and she remembered how gently his lips had touched hers.

"Keeps watch on, Meg!" said she to herself "If his car repaired, he drives again and has forgotten you quite fast."

She went down after she had taken a shower and went into the kitchen. Her mother was already there to prepare the breakfast.

Meg: "Good morning Mum."

Joan: "Good morning Meg, have you slept well?"

Meg: "Yes, thank you."

Joan put one plate with fresh scrambled eggs in front of Meg and poured a cup of coffee.

Joan: "And had you two had a beautiful evening?"

Meg smiled.

Meg: "Yes Mum. Ben is a terrific dancer and we had much fun together."

Joan: "You like him well?"

Meg: "Yes already, merely......"

Joan: "What?"

Meg: "Mum, I firstly hardly know Ben and secondly he drives certainly back to California again."

Joan: "And?"

Meg: "Mum be a realist, this can't work. So and now enough of Ben. Is the purchase list ready?"

Joan: "Yes, it lies over there. You want to drive at once or wait you first of Ben?"

Meg: "I'll drive at once. However you can tell Ben, that I ask about his car."

Meg took the purchase list and her moneybag and left the kitchen. She met her father at the door.

Meg: "Good morning Dad."

Hank: "Good morning Meg! Where you want to go?"

Meg: "Shopping. See you later."

She left the house, climbed into the car and drove off.

Ben woke up in a good mood. He hadn't felt so well for a long time. He would never have thought, that something like this would happen to him once again. He got up to take a shower. He entered the kitchen twenty minutes later.

Ben: "Good morning."

Joan: "Good morning Mr. Evans. Have you slept well?"

Ben: "Yes, thank you. Better than in a long time."

Hank: "This makes the fresh country air here in Kansas."

Ben smiled.

Ben: "This can possible well be it."

Joan: "What you like to breakfast on? Scrambled eggs or kind fried eggs?"

Ben: "I don't to be any fuss for you. I take what there is."

Joan: "This makes not the slightest circumstances. Everything is already ready."

She served Ben a generously filled plate and he started to eat pleasurably.

Hank: "May I ask what is your job?"

Ben: "I have a nightclub and an internet café in Sunset Beach. In addition, I prepare a greater project just with my business partner, therefore I'm in Kansas."

Joan: "Meg has gone to shopping to town and she will ask about your car as well."

Ben: "She is already gone? Harms, I would have enjoyed accompanying her."

Joan: "She certainly comes back soon."

Ben smiled.

Hank: "I'll go at work again, the fence must get ready."

Ben: "Can I help you, Mr. Cummings?"

Hank: "Fine, feels ton second better and more fastly, but please call me Hank."

Joan: "Hank, you can't let Mr. Evans work!"

Hen: " I very much like to do this, a little physical work can't harm and please say Ben to me."

Hank: "Well Ben, then have started with us, we are then ready for the noon."

Ben: "Well, I only just put a jeans on."

Ben left the kitchen.

Hank: "I like Ben. A person thinking practically."

Joan: "Not only you like him, Meg also like him. But must you let him work at once?"

Hank: "You have heard it anyway. he has offered it."

Ben returned into the kitchen. He had put on jeans and a t-shirt.

Ben: "Okay, we can start."

Hank got up and the two men went out.