More than a feeling

by Anja

Chapter 16

Ben woke up and looked at the sleeping Meg in his arm. He still couldn't take hold of his luck that Meg was actual with him. He tenderly brushed a hair strand from her face. Meg slowly opened the eyes and gave Ben a smile.

Ben: "Good morning, my angel. Have you slept well?"

Meg: "Good morning Ben. Yes, I have slept very well."

Ben: "Good."

He bent forward and kissed Meg tenderly.

Meg: "Mmmm, is there more of this?"

Ben: "As much as you would like."

They passionately kissed each other again.

Ben: "Today will I prepare us the breakfast."

Meg: "Oh, this doesn’t have time yet?"

Ben: "Unfortunately no, I have an important meeting with my business partner Gregory Richards this morning. But I have time for you the whole afternoon."

Meg: "Well, then I'll look around in Sunset Beach this morning."

They were interrupted through the ringing from the telephone. Ben removed the listener.

Ben: "Evans."

Joan: "Excuse if I disturb so early Ben, but Vanessa told me that Meg is with you and I absolutely must talk to her."

Ben: "No problem Joan, moment."

He passed the listener on to Meg.

Ben: "Your mother. It seems to be important."

Meg sat up und took the listener into her hand.

Meg: "Mum? What have happened that you call so early? Is everything all right with Dad?"

Joan: "Good morning, darling. I'm sorry, if I disturb you, but your aunt Mave and uncle Josh had a serious car accident last night. Dad and me have to fly to Houston today to see to the ranch once. In addition, there are Jason, Katie and Lizzy which we must take care of too."

Meg: "Oh my God! How are the both? Are they seriously hurt?"

Joan: "The sheriff who just called us, couldn't tell us about this."

Meg: "When do you fly?"

Joan: "We could get a flight within two hours. It is only in such a way, that,,,,,"

Meg: "Good Mum. I'll take the next flight home and look after the farm at once."

Joan: "I'm so sorry Meg, that you must get home, but we can't leave the animals alone."

Meg: "Don't worry, I already can do this."

Joan: "Good. I let Jesse know, that he shall look after the animals till you are at home."

Meg: "Don't worry Mum. Call me as soon as you know something over aunt Mave and uncle Josh."

Joan: "Good Meg. Say Ben hello again from me and excuses the early intrusion once again."

Meg: "Mum, don't worry about this. Bye and greetings for Dad."

Joan: "Bye Meg."

Meg established the listener.

Ben: "What has happened? Is everything all right with your parents?"

Meg: "Yes, but the sister of my father and her husband had last night a serious car accident. Mum and Dad will fly to Houston today to look after the ranch at once. Aunt Mave and uncle Josh have three little children, which also must be provided."

Ben: "Oh my God! How are the both?"

Meg: "This Mum couldn't say yet. Ben, I must back to Ludlow, someone must take care of the animals."

Ben removed the listener of the telephone and dial a number.

Ben: "Hi Jack. It's me, Ben Evans. How long you need to make the jet cleared for take-off?"

Jack: "Hi Mr. Evans. I would be saying in one and a half hours we could start."

Ben: "Well, then prepare everything and we'll there."

He established the listener briefly to dial just again.

Ben: "Hi Gregory, it's me Ben. I'm sorry if I disturb so early, but it's important."

Gregory: "It's okay. What is wrong?"

Ben: "I must move our meeting, something important has come between."

Gregory: "This isn't possible, Ben! Today we still must absolutely work something out, otherwise the whole business bursts."

Ben: "Can't you regulate this alone? I absolutely must go to Kansas."

Gregory: "I'm afraid not, Ben."

Ben: "Damn it!"

Meg listened in on everything.

Meg: "Ben, you don't need to come with me to Ludlow. Take care about your business. I already make this."

Ben: "Really?"

Meg: "Really! After all I did grew up on the farm."

Ben: "Listen Gregory, however I come to our meeting later. I must take Meg to the airport before."

Gregory: "Okay, bye."

Ben established the listener.

Meg: "I think I should go to pack."

Ben: "Yes, the company jet can start in one and a half hours. I'm sorry, Meg, but I follow as soon as I can."

Meg: "Well, I wait for you."

They kissed each other once more.

Ben: "So, while you pack, I still make a fast breakfast for us."

Meg: "Thanks Ben."

Ben: "I'm pleased."

They got up. While Meg began to pack, Ben went down into the kitchen to prepare the breakfast. Half an hour later Meg was ready with packing and went down into the kitchen for breakfast.

Meg: "I'm sorry that I must depart so fast again. I have felt very well here."

Ben: "Good, then you will come back hopefully."

Meg: "I'll be glad to come again."

Ben: "Well, I'll wait for you. On the way to the airport we must over in the Deep once again. I have something there, which you shall take to Kansas."

Meg: "Oh what?"

Ben gave her a smile.

Ben: "A surprise, I don't still say anything. Are you ready?"

Meg: "Yes, let us drive."

Ben: "You want so fast away of me?"

Meg: "No, really not. It's only that I'm so worried."

Ben: "I understand. Come on, let us drive."

He took Meg's suitcase. They left the house and drove off. Ben stopped at the Deep and got out.

Ben: "I'm here just again."

Meg: "It's okay."

Ben entered the Deep and after few minutes came out again. He held a basket in his hand.

Meg: "What is in this?"

Ben: "Look, this little guy always has bummed around at the trash cans. I think with you on the farm he has it better."

Meg saw in the basket form which a little black tomcat looked.

Meg: "Oh my God Ben, he is so sweet. You are right, I think, the life on the farm he'll like."

Ben: "And I hope you think of me every time, if you see him."

Meg: "Oh, this I'll do. Every time, if I'll stroke Benny, I'll think of you."

Ben: "Benny?"

Meg: "Yes, I think the name looks right for him and he reminds me, that you have given him to me."

Ben leant over to Meg and kissed her.

Ben: "So, it becomes time. Your jet waits."

They spent the rest of the way to the airport silently. When they arrived there Ben took Meg's suitcase from the car and accompanied Meg to the jet. The pilot already waited for her.

Ben: "Hi Jack. Everything ready?"

Jack: "Of course. We can start at once. Where we'll fly?"

Ben: "You must Ms. Cummings bring back to Kansas and take care of her."

Jack: "I'll do my best, Mr. Evans."

The pilot took Meg's suitcase and packed it into the airplane.

Ben: "So, now we must say good bye. I promise you as fast as I can, I'll follow."

Meg: "Well, I'll wait for this. I'll miss you Ben."

Ben took Meg into the arm and kissed her tenderly.

Ben: "I'll miss you also very much. Call me as soon as you are at home."

Meg: "I'll do this. Till then Ben."

Ben dried a tear from Meg's cheek off and gave her a smile.

Ben: "I'll come so fast as I can, my angel. I love you."

Meg: "I love you too."

Meg climbed into the airplane and Jack closed the door behind her. Ben stepped back and watched how the airplane took of

Chapter 17

Meg was back in Ludlow again since three days. She missed Ben very much and she knew that Ben missed her just the same. Several times on the day speak on the phone to each other or wrote each other short mails, so that they always knew what the other one just did. Meg was in this morning as always got up early to feed the animals. Now she returns back into her bedroom to call Ben. She sat down on her bed and dialed Ben's number.

Ben: "Evans."

Meg; "It's me Meg. Good morning."

Ben: "Good morning, my angel. Have you slept well?"

Meg: "Yes thanks, but I'm missing you."

Ben: "I know exactly what you mean, I feel also so alone."

Meg: "When does your meeting start with Gregory today?"

Ben: "In half an hour. I hope that we finally come further today. What is Benny doing?"

Meg: "Oh, he feel very well. He lies here next to me and I stroked him."

Ben: "I get correctly jealous of the little tomcat. I would like to be with you in his place."

Meg: "I also wish you would be here with me."

Ben: "And what will you be doing today?"

Meg: "I'll go to town for shopping at once."

Ben: "I'm sorry my angel, but I must leave now."

Meg: "Okay, I'll call you today at noon."

Ben: "Good. I love you."

Meg: "I love you too. Bye."

Ben: "Bye."

Meg established the listener. Just at the moment when Meg wanted to leave the room, the telephone rang.

Meg: "Meg Cummings."

Joan: "Good morning. It's me."

Meg: "Good morning Mum. Are they any news?"

Joan: "Your aunt Mave gets out of the hospital today. She had fortunately only a couple of contusions and a brain tremor."

Meg: "These are good news. And what about uncle Josh?"

Joan: "Well, as it looks, he still must remain longer with his complicated fracture of the leg in the hospital. However, I still will remain a couple of days to help Mave. Is everything all right at home?"

Meg: "Yes, everything is all right here, Mum. Stay there and help aunt Mave and uncle Josh. Don't worry about me."

Joan: "Well, I'll call you again."

Meg: "Yes, do that. Greet everyone kindly from me. Bye."

Joan: "Bye Meg."

Meg established the listener, took her bag and drove into the town. She finished her purchases and when she was on the way back to her car, she meets her best friend Jill.

Jill: "Hi Meg! I haven't see you for a long time."

Meg: "Hi Jill! It's right. I was in California for a couple of days."

Jill: "In California? However, you must tell me everything about this. Do you have time? Do you like a cup of coffee?"

Meg: "Well, I've got half an hour. Let us go into Grace's café. I'll just take my purchases to the car first."

Jill: "Wait, I'll help you."

She removed a bag from Meg and they took the purchases to Meg's car. After they had packed the purchases into the trunk, the two young women went in Grace's café. They looked for an available table and ordered themselves coffee.

Jill: "So and now tell me, what have you done in California?"

Meg: "Well, my friend Vanessa lives there."

Jill: "Yes, you have already told me about her. She is a reporter, isn't she?"

Meg: "Yes. She had birthday and her friends had planned a surprise party for her and I was the surprise guest. And imagine, Ben has had picked up me with the company jet."

Jill: "Ben? Who is Ben?"

Meg: "Ben? Oh Ben is the most lovable, tenderness man of the world. He is simply indescribable."

Jill: "It's seems, you are falling in love."

Meg: "Yes, it was love on the first sight. As I have looked into his wonderful blue eyes......"

Jill: "And where you have become acquainted with this dream man?"

Meg: "You won't believe it! He stood simply in front of our door."

Jill: "Simply like that?"

Meg: "Well, he had a breakdown with the car and wanted to call a garage."

Marcy, the waitress, came and brought the coffee.

Meg: "Hi Marcy. How are you?"

Marcy: "Hi Meg. Thanks I'm fine and you?"

Meg: "I couldn't feel better."

Marcy: "I'm sorry Meg, but I have no time at the moment. Liz isn't there and there is the chaos here."

Meg: "It's okay Marcy. We'll talk another time.

"Marcy: "Have a lot of fun you both."

Meg and Jill: "Thanks."

Marcy returned to her work again.

Meg: "What was we talking about?"

Jill: "You have told me, that Ben had a car breakdown and wanted to make a telephone call."

Meg: "Oh yes. Unfortunately, his car had must into the garage and Mum has loaded him as so long to stay with us."

Jill: "Tell me, was he the mysterious stranger, with whom you were in the Buckaroo?"

Meg: "Yes, this was Ben. And he lives in same town as Vanessa and the two are very good friends."

Jill: "Well and you were in California with Vanessa and with Ben?"

Meg: "Yes and I tell you, Sunset Beach is a dream town. Ben has a big house directly on the beach."

Jill: "And what a job does Ben have, if he can send even a company jet?"

Meg: "Ben is a partner of a company, the Liberty Corporation and he owns an Internet café and a nightclub."

Jill: "If everything is so terrific, why you then again here in Ludlow?"

Meg: "Unfortunately, my aunt and my uncle in Texas had an accident and Mum and Dad had to go there. Well and one finally must take care of the animals. Well, I have got home again."

Jill: "And Ben? Is he also here?"

Meg: "No unfortunately. There are a couple of business problems at the moment there and he can't go away, but I return as soon as my parents are here again to California."

Jill: "Oh Meg, I envy you. It's seemed you really have found your dream man."

Meg: "Yes, this is Ben."

She looked at her watch.

Meg: " I'm sorry, Jill, but I still must get food for the chickens and went to the farm back."

Jill: "Okay, however, I'll drop in within the few next days and you can then tell me more about your Ben."

Meg: "Okay. Can you pay for me too? Marcy is very busy in the moment."

Jill: "Regard yourself as loaded. Bye."

Meg: "Thanks. Bye Jill."

For farewell the two young women hugged each other and Meg left the café. They hadn't remarked, that Tim had sat behind them and has got their whole conversation.

"We would see about whether you want to go back to Ben again!" thought Tim and left the café too.

Meg still drove to the food store and then home. She took the bags with the purchases from the trunk and was about to enter the house when somebody stepped behind the bushes out.

Meg: "My God! Must you frighten me so? What do you want here at all?"

Chapter 18

Almost three hours already lasted for the meeting between Ben and Gregory and an end wasn't in view yet for a long time.

Gregory: "We simply don't get further at this point. However, we must find a solution absolutely, otherwise the brits don't get in."

Ben: "I know. Lets us go through the cost estimate once again."

Gregory: "Ben we have to made this already four times within the last two hours."

Ben: "Yes, however, do you have a better idea?"

Gregory looked to the watch.

Gregory: "Let us have a break first. Olivia and I wanted to meet for lunch. We begin after this from the start once again."

Ben: "Well, I'll go to my office. Meg wanted to call me."

Gregory: "Well, seem to be the great love."

Ben smiled.

Ben: "Meg is the love of my life. I knew it immediately when I saw into her lovely eyes for the first time. I can't imagine a life without Meg any more at all."

Gregory: "I'm pleased that you have got your courage to face life back finally again. Also will I become acquainted with this special woman sometime?"

Ben: "Surely as soon as she is back from Kansas again."

Gregory: "Well, I'm already pleased."

Ben and Gregory got up.

Gregory: "So we meet here within two hours so again?"

Ben: "Ok. See you."

Both left Gregory's office. Ben went over to his office. He sat down at his desk, removed the listener of the telephone and dial Meg's number. However, Meg didn't answer, he let it ring for a long time.

Ben: "Meg where are you? Maybe you have written a mail to me, because you haven't the time for call me at the lunch time."

He started his PC, but here either he didn't find any message of Meg.

Ben: "This isn't like you at all Meg. Where are you?"

Nervously Ben got up and went to the door. He opened it and went into the anteroom to the desk of his secretary.

Ben: "Tina, has Ms Cummings called here?"

Tina: "No Mr. Evans."

Ben: "Are you sure?"

Tina: "Yes Mr. Evans. I have noted all calls for you. Here."

Tina presented Ben a list with the callers.

Ben: "Good Tina, thanks. I drive home now. If Ms Cummings should call, please call me on my cell phone."

Tina: "All right."

Ben left the office and the Liberty Corporation quickly and drove home. Perhaps Meg had called there and left a message on the answering machine. When he arrived at home, he went to his answering machine directly. Easier he saw, that the little red light flashed.

Ben: "Hopefully a message of Meg."

He pushed the button to hear the message.

"Hi Ben, It's me Mark. I only wanted to tell you that everything was with the delivery all right this morning. See you later, bye."

Ben: "Damn it! Meg where are you?"

Once more he reached for the telephone and dialled Meg's number, in vain!

Ben: "I'm making myself worries Meg. Where are you?"

He looked at the watch and stated, that it was time to go back again to the Liberty corporation. He left his house and drove back. Before he went in Gregory's office, he checked once again whether Meg had sent a mail in the meantime, however nothing. The feeling that something happened to Meg would be bigger and bigger. Ben desperately tried to concentrate himself on the meeting with Gregory.

Gregory: "What is the matter Ben? Aren't you more at the thing at all?"

Ben: "I'm worried about Meg. She wanted to get in touch with me today at noon, however, she didn't do it."

Gregory: "She simply forgot the time."

Ben: "No, this doesn't looks like Meg. In addition she must take care about the animals. No, Gregory, I'm really worried."

Gregory: "Perhaps you should try to call her once again."

Ben: "Yes."

He took his cell phone from the bag and dial Meg's number. He let the telephone ring once more for a long time.

Ben: "Nothing! Gregory I'm sorry, but I immediately must go to Kansas and look up what is wrong with Meg."

Gregory: "This isn't possible now Ben, you can't drive now. We must think of our project."

Ben looked at Gregory furiously.

Ben: "Gregory, I'm not interested in the damned project at the moment. I only must know what is happen to Meg."

Gregory: "Ben, you can't go now, by which our whole business could burst."

Ben: "It then bursts just, damned. I don't want and can live without Meg any more."

He took his cell phone once more and dial a number.

Ben: "Hi Jack, it's me Ben Evans. Make the jet ready I immediately must to Kansas. When can we start?"

Jack: "Good afternoon Mr. Evans. The jet is cleared for take-off and we can start in half an hour."

Ben: "Good, I'm soon there."

Already he established and before Gregory still could say something, he had left the office. He went to his secretary once again to you give some instructions.

Ben: "Please, Tina cancel all my appointments for the next days, I must go away. I get in touch with you as soon as I know when I come back again."

Tina: "Alright Mr. Evans."

Ben was already gone again, too. He drove on the fastest way to the airport. Jack already expected him there.

Ben: "Everything clear Jack? Can we start?"

Jack: "Everything is OK."

Ben: "Then let us start, I'm worried about Meg."

They climbed the jet and few minutes later Jack got of the control tower the permission to take off and soon afterwards the jet was in the air. The flying time dragged on for Ben infinitely for a long time. The jet had hardly landed in Kansas, Ben left the airplane and went to the car rental. He rented a car himself and drove off to Ludlow.

Ben: "What ever has happened, my angel, I'm soon there."

Ben drove as fast as he could and had reached the farm of the Cummings after an hour running time. It started already to dawn. He stopped the car and got out. The first what he saw, were two purchase bags, which lay on the ground in front of the front door and the contents scattered lay around.

Ben: "Oh my God! Meg what was happened here?"

Chapter 19

Ben: "Oh my God! Meg what have happened here?"

Ben looked around. Unless the car of Meg and his Ben couldn't see anyone else. He knocked at the door.

Ben: "Meg! Meg, are you there? It's me Ben! Please, open the door!"

But nothing moved in the house.

Ben: " Meg where are you and what have happened?"

He touched to the doorknob and noticed astonished, that the door wasn't locked and entered the house. At the moment as he wanted to call Meg once more, he heard a voice and a rumble, which came from upstairs. Worried Ben went upstairs. When he arrived he heard a masculine voice coming from Meg's bedroom. Quietly he went on and saw by half the being open door. What he saw had him the breath break off.

He saw Meg sitting in a rocker. He saw to his great horror that her hands were tied up to the chair. Tim stood with the back by the door. He held an almost empty whiskey bottle in his hand.

Tim: "Damn it Meg, I lose slowly the patience with you. When will you finally marry me now? I don't want to wait for a long time yet!"

Meg: "Tim to the very last one, I will never marry you! I don't love you!"

Tim: "But your Mr. Wonderful? What has he what I don't have? And where he is now where you need him, then?"

Ben furiously entered the room.

Ben: "Here you bastard!"

Tim turned round and before he could understand at all what was the matter, Ben's fist already met him in the middle of the face. Tim rolled the eyes and sank to the ground dazedly. Ben didn't take care of Tim further and hurried to Meg.

Ben: "Meg, my angel! Everything OK? Has the bastard injured you?"

Meg: E2809EBen! Oh Ben!"

Ben: "Wait I untie you once."

He undid the bonds and Meg fell crying him around the neck.

Ben: "Schscht, calm down, my angel. I'm here. Has Tim injured you?"

Meg sobbed and saw at Ben with tears filled eyes.

Meg: "No Ben, Tim hasn't injured me, I'm only very frightened."

Ben: "Now I'm here and he'll do nothing to you more, I promise this to you."

Meg took Ben into the arm again and she slowly calmed down. Suddenly Meg yelled out.

Meg: " Ben!"

Ben turned round and saw that Tim was standing up and swayed towards him. He took at there with the bottle. Ben could make way just on schedule.

Ben: "You damned bastard!"

Ben knocked Tim down once more.

Ben: "So and there you remain now till the police is here. Meg where is the telephone?"

Meg: "Please, let me make this."

Ben: "Are you sure?"

Meg: "Yes, absolute."

She took the telephone receiver into her hand and dial.

Officer: "Police station of Ludlow, Officer Miller is speaking. What can I do for you?"

Meg: "Hi Jim, Meg Cummings is here. Please, can you send an officer to me?"

Jim: "Hi Meg. Has something happened?"

Meg: "Yes, Tim has attacked me today."

Jim: "Oh my God! Are you injured? And where is Tim now?"

Meg: "I'm all right Jim and Tim is here. My friend still has come on schedule and has overwhelmed Tim."

Jim: "Well, I'll come as fast as I can. See you."

Meg: " Thanks, see you."

She established the listener and turned round to Ben again. Ben took her once more into his arms.

Ben: "Come here, I'm with you now and Tim can't do anything to you."

Meg: "Ben, what do you do here at all?"

Ben: "After I had heard nothing from you today at noon I was worried about you. I had the feeling that something was wrong."

Meg: "I'm so glad that you are here."

Ben: "Meg, I have felt that you need me and have cancelled everything and has come to you. I love you and wouldn't like to lose you any more."

Meg: "I love you too."

Ben: "I will never leave you alone again. This won't give more opportunities for Tim to injure you. I promise this to you."

Ben tenderly kissed Meg. It knocked at the front door at this moment.

Meg: "I'll answer it. This will be certain for Jim."

Ben: "Well, I look after Tim in the meantime. As it looks he comes back slowly to himself."

Meg left the room. Ben went over to Tim and helped him.

Ben: " You bastard come here and sit down here!"

Tim: "Let me off. And let Meg alone, she is my girl."

Ben: "However, I think Meg see this different!"

Tim: " I know Meg for already my whole life and I know what is the best for her!"

Ben: "So? However, it didn't look like that to me after all!"

Tim jumped to his feet furiously and started on Ben. Meg and the police official entered the room at this moment. He grabbed Tim and laid out handcuffs for him.

Jim: "So Truman, I hope you calm down at once!"

Tim: "What shall this Jim? I have done nothing anyway? I only wanted to talk with Meg. I love her anyway!"

Meg: "You call kind this love? Ties me up to the chair and tries to impose your feelings on me and mentions the also kind love?"

Tim: "What should I do, then? You don't listen to me any more and since this one has twisted your head there, it isn't to talk with you any more at all."

Meg: "Let Ben alone. He is the man who I love!"

Tim: "No, I'm this and you also will notice that you are only toys for Ben!"

Jim: "It's enough Truman! Sit down!"

Tim dejectedly sat down.

Jim: "So Meg and now tell what passed exactly, please."

Meg: "When I got home of shopping from town today at noon, Tim has waited for me here. When I have refused to talk with him, he has grabbed me and dragged into the house. Of course I have tried to defend myself but I haven't arrived against him. He then finally has brought and tied me up to the rocker here."

Once more tears ran Meg over the cheeks. Ben took her into the arm again.

Ben: "Calm down, I'm there and Tim can't do anything to you now."

Jim: "And what has happened further?"

Meg: "Tim has then begun to drink and kept on and on at me for hours. Suddenly Ben then was in the door and overwhelmed Tim and freed me."

Tim: "He knocked me down! You should him arrest Jim, not me!"

Jim: "Truman just finite your damned mouth! You don't have to be put to demands in the position certainly!"

Tim: "Whom do you trust actually more? You already know me for a long time or unite completely foreign parts?"

Jim: "I only do my job. And in the last time, you often have drunk and then announced that you fetch Meg back for you no matter lately, foreseen by this. You come along now at once. A night in the cell will be good for you."

Jim grabbed Tim at the arm and shoved him from the room.

Jim: "Meg, please come to me tomorrow, so that we can prepare a protocol and also ask you." he consulted to Ben.

Ben: "All right Officer, we'll come just tomorrow in the morning."

Jim: "Good. Go on Truman!"

He led Tim outside to his car and put him in. Meg and Ben followed the both.

Jim: "Hasn't he really injured you either Meg?"

Meg: No Jim, unless I got scared, I'm all right."

Jim: "Good, See you tomorrow."

He sat down behind the steering wheel of his car and drove off. Ben took Meg into the arm.

Ben: "Come let us go back into the house again."

Meg: "I must provide the animals first. I then follow at once."

Ben: "Shall I help you with this?"

Meg gave Ben a smile.

Meg: "No, I make this fast alone."

Ben: "Are you sure?"

Meg: "Yes quite sure. Tim can't do anything to me more now. Go and wait in the house for me. I also hurry."

Meg went back into the stable and Ben returned into the house. He went into the kitchen to cook tea. Just as he was ready, Meg came back into the house.

Ben: "Everything all right?"

Meg: "Yes, the animals are fed."

Meg: "Mmm, exactly what I need now. Lets us go over into the living room."

They took the teacups and went into the living room.

Meg: "What do you think of this, if I put on a fire in the fireplace?"

Ben: "Sit down and relax, I will make this."

Ben went over to the fireplace and already after few moments a fire was burning. He went over to Meg and sat down next to her on the sofa.

Ben: "Are you really all right?"

Meg: "There is only one thing that you still can do for me and it's to take me into your arms."

Ben consulted her to himself and kissed her tenderly.

Ben: "Better?"

Meg: "Yes, much better. Ben?"

Ben: Yes my angel?"

Meg: "I'm so glad that you are here."

Ben: "I'm also glad that I'm with you. So and now try to relax and to sleeping."

Meg: "Yes if you promise me to hold me tight the whole night."

Ben: "I'm pleased to do this."

Meg lay back in Ben's arms and already was she fallen asleep for a short time later.

Chapter 20

Meg woke up early at the next morning. Her view fell on the sleeping Ben beside her. Both had last night fallen asleep on the sofa. Carefully Meg tried to get up.

Ben: "Well you don't want to leave me alone here anyway, my angel?"

Meg: "Good morning Ben, I didn't want to wake you up."

Ben: "Good morning my angel. Have you slept well?"

Meg: "Yes, thank you. I feel very safe in your arms."

Ben kissed Meg tenderly.

Meg: "Mmm, do I get more of this?"

Ben: "As many you like."

He kissed Meg once more very passionately.

Meg: "I'm so glad that you are here."

Ben: "And I'm glad that I still have come on schedule."

Ben saw Meg deep into the eyes and once more they kissed each other passionately. Meg started to unbutton Ben's shirt.

Meg: "Mmm, you feel so good. Love me Ben, now."

Ben: "Your wish is my command."

He kissed Meg. Slowly he let his mouth wander over Meg face and then continued his way about of her the neck.

Meg moaned: "Oh Ben, I have missed you so."

She pulled Ben to herself and kissed him passionately.

Ben: "I have also been you missing so much."

They slowly pulled out each other. Tenderly they kissed themselves again and again and stroked each other. They made passionately and tenderly love. After this they held each other in their arms.

Meg: "Ben?"

Ben: "Yes my angel?"

Meg: "Thanks that you were coming."

Ben: "I love you and I couldn't bear it, if something happens to you."

Meg: "I love you too."

They kissed each other again.

Meg: "What would it be like with breakfast? You must be hungry anyway."

Ben: "Oh yes, I'm very hungry."

Meg: "Well I'll then go just to take a shower and after this I'll make the breakfast for us."

Ben: "Sounds good. May I accompany you? Perhaps you need help to wash your back?"

Meg gave Ben a smile.

Meg: "Sure and you can also certainly use help."

Ben: "Of course."

Meg: "Lets us go."

She took Ben's hand and led him upstairs into the bathroom. They returned into the kitchen half an hour later. Meg made coffee, moved the pan to the stove and fetched eggs from the refrigerator.

Meg: "Would you prefer scrambled eggs or fried eggs?"

Ben: "Scrambled eggs."

Meg: "Well, you shall get this."

She took a bowl from the cupboard and started to mix the eggs. In the meantime Ben put the dishes at the table. When the eggs were ready, they sat down at the table and started to eat.

Ben: "Do we want to go to the police at once after the breakfast?"

Meg: "I must feed the animals first and then we can drive."

Ben: "Well, and we still must after this buy a few things for me. I have brought nothing."

They ended the breakfast and while Meg fed the animals Ben washed the dishes. When they were ready, they went to the police station. When they was to enter the building, Tim and his father just came out.

Tim: "Meg.....I'm so sorry!"

Meg: "Go to hell Tim and leave me alone."

Tim: "Please understand me Meg, I only wanted ... ... it is only .... believe me Meg I love you."

Meg: "I'm not interested what you tell me. Leave me simply alone."

Tom: "Meg, I would like to apologize for the behaviour of my son. I'll take care that he doesn't annoy you again. I can't believe it at all, what he has done to you."

Meg: "You aren't responsible for this Mr. Truman. Tim is adult and he should know what he has done."

Tom: "Yes, this should he. Are your parents still in Texas?"

Meg: "Yes and they also will remain there a couple of days."

Tom: "Are you the whole time alone on the farm?"

Ben: "No more no now. I don't leave Meg alone again."

At these words Ben looked at Tim furiously.

Tom: "Good and I'll try to keep Tim away of you. Tim come on, as of home with you."

Tom shoved his son with these words to outside. Meg and Ben were welcomed by Jim inside.

Jim: "Good morning Meg, good morning Mr. Evans."

They sat down and Jim took the statements away from both. When he had written everything down, Meg and Ben signed the protocol.

Meg: "And what happens to Tim now?"

Jim: "His father has bailed him out. The court decided then what happens further. Are you still alone on the farm?"

Ben: "No, I don't allow this any more. I'll stay here as long as, Meg's parents come along back and then I' ll take Meg with me back to Sunset Beach."

Jim: "Well, then is Meg at least far away of Tim."

Meg: "So, was this everything now?"

Jim: "Yes, you can go now. If Tim appears in your proximity once again, then call me."

Meg: "Good, I'll do that. Bye Jim."

Jim: "Bye you both and take care of Meg."

Ben: "Yes, I'll do that. Good bye Officer Miller."

Ben and Meg left the police station. They drove into the town, to buy few things for Ben.

Meg: "However, I'm afraid you won't get so fine suits like in California here."

Ben: "No, a few of simple shirts and jeans are also much better here. Maybe I still get a couple of Cowboy boots for this."

Meg: "Let us go to the store of Susan. You find everything certain there."

They entered the shop. Ben bought a couple of black and blue Jeans, a few of shirts, a couple of Cowboy boots and a Cowboy hat, which excellently suited him. He retained a jeans and a blue shirt at once.

Meg: "Mmm, you look handsome. You should wear jeans more often."

Ben smiled at Meg.

Ben: "And doesn't more occur to you to this?"

Meg: "However, we should rather drive for this home anyway."

Ben: "Meg Cummings you are unbelievable."

He pulled Meg to himself and kissed her.

Ben: "However, you are right, we should rather drive home."

He took Meg's hand, went to the car and drove back to the farm. When they arrived there they saw somebody were sitting at the bench in front of the house.

Meg: "Oh, this is Jill."

Ben and Meg got off the car. Jill run to Meg and hugged her.

Jill: "My God Meg, I'm so glad, that nothing happened to you. When I heard of this just now, what Tim had done, I immediately went over to you but you weren't here."

Meg: " Ben and I were at the police station, because our statement still had to be taken and after this we were still shopping."

Jill: "Ben? You mean your Ben?"

Meg: "Yes. May I introduce the love of my life to you? This is Ben Evans. Ben this is my best friend Jill Milton."

Ben and Jill shook each other's hands.

Jill: "Nice to meet you Mr. Evans and thanks, that you have saved Meg."

Ben smiled.

Ben: "Call me Ben and I wouldn't never allow it, that somebody hurts Meg."

Meg: "Why so we still stand here outside? Let us go inside."

All three entered the house. Jill, which behind Meg entered the house, whispered to Meg: "Wow, I only can say."

Ben grinned, because he also had heard Jill's remark.

Ben: "Why don't you both go into the living room and I'll fetch us some ice tea?"

Meg kissed Ben on the cheek.

Meg: "You are the best."

Ben blinked to Meg and went into the kitchen. The two young women went into the living room and sat down.

Jill: "Wow, your Ben is fantastic. I can understand now why you are in the seventh heaven."

Meg: "Yes, Ben is quite special, simply indescribably."

Jill: "Where did he know at all, that Tim has attacked you?"

Ben: "I felt that something had happened to Meg."

The two young women hadn't noticed that Ben had come into the living room with the ice tea. He poured everybody a glass and sat down besides Meg.

Meg: " Ben was the most only one to this I could think."

Jill: "Wow! I would never have thought, this gives it to something like that."

Meg: " I also not, till I have met Ben."

Jill: "And how long you want to stay in Ludlow Ben?"

Ben: "Until Meg's parents are back again. I won't leave Meg in no case alone here."

Jill: "And then Meg? Will you go with Ben to California?"

Meg: "Yes, because I can't imagine a life without Ben any more."

Ben bent forward and kissed Meg tenderly.

Ben: "And I without Meg also no more."

Jill drank her ice tea and then said goodbye.

Jill: "Now I have seen, that you are in good hands, I'll go home again. It was nice to have become acquainted with you Ben."

Ben: "Quite for my part. And you can visit Meg in Sunset Beach any time."

Jill: "I'll do this certainly. Bye you both."

Jill got up and left the house. Ben took Meg's face between his hands and kissed her passionately.

Meg: "Wow, for what was this now?"

Ben: "For this that you want to return to Sunset Beach with me again."