Frederic Bean

“Trey watched her depart with a curious feeling of anticipation as his eyes fell to the sway of her hips. "I wonder what she's carrying in that buggy that requires an armed escort?" he asked himself in a whisper. "She's a pretty thing," he added, stirred by a moment of desire, a feeling he hadn't known for many lonely years.”
― Frederic Bean, Santa Fe Showdown

“I have a different feeling inside me when you kiss me," she said. "A strange feeling, a feeling I never had before."

Trey was seldom at a loss for words. But just now, staring down at Maria's beautiful face with her admission ringing in his ears, he struggled to find the right thing to say. "I reckon I get a funny feeling, too," he said. Then he laughed softly. "I suppose it could be this cool mountain air."

His remark brought a frown to Maria's brow, though her eyes held amusement. "Why can't it be that feeling you told Carlos about?" she asked. "The feeling that comes between a man and a woman who are. falling in love with each other?"

Now his heart was beating rapidly. He knew he must choose his words carefully. "I suppose it could be," he said hoarsely. "Is that what you think it is?"

ght tilt of her face She mocked him with a look, a slight as she arched her eyebrows. "I have no experience with this feeling," she replied. "You are the first man who ever made me feel this way."

She was pushing him toward a statement that love was beginning between them. And though he rec-ognized it, he was reluctant to make the admission openly. "You're a beautiful woman, Maria," he said. "Any man would be a fool not to feel special when he holds you in his arms."

She wouldn't let it drop at that. "You haven't said that you could love me, Trey. Could you?"

He caught his breath and thought about his answer. "I know it's possible. I've been alone for so long. "

She traced a finger across his lips, and her expression softened again. "Are you afraid of being in love with me?" she asked.

He swallowed hard when he heard the truth of it. "Maybe," he answered. "Maybe I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself.'

She stood on her tiptoes then, and kissed him. It was a deep kiss, and her hand closed around the front of his shirt. Her lips were soft and warm, and for a moment, Trey lost himself in the feel of her mouth. and the tingling sensation that raced down his arms. He tightened his embrace around her shoulders, and he heard her moan softly. Then, as if she thought better of her actions, she pulled her mouth away and

stepped back, pushing him back with her palm. "We both need time," she said, "to find out how we feel about each other.”
― Frederic Bean, Santa Fe Showdown