A/N- So so sorry for the long delay. I had exams, then traveling, now back to school. Plus a little bit of writers block. Well no more delay, here goes.

Sarah couldn't seem to get the young man out of her mind. He was so familiar, yet so mysterious. His tall muscular frame and ruff hands had proven that he was accustomed to hard work. The feature that she could not quit thinking of was his captivating eyes. When he looked at her she felt as if he was seeing right through her, and into the most private and hidden part of her soul. After the party she had inquired about him to her father, but he told her that he had not seen such a young man. Sarah was going crazy trying to figure out who he was. It was as if no one knew of such a man, or if they did they were not saying. Noticing this Harriet asked Sarah to join Bud and her on a picnic. Sarah had accepted hoping that it would take her mind off of the mysterious gentleman.

Mackenzie Stables

"So, you didn't tell her who you were?"

"No."

"Well why not son?"

The young man sighed and began to pace. "I haven't spoken to her in four years, and I know she does not remember me."

"Son, you two were best friends since you met, why would she not remember you?"

"It's not that she will not remember me, it's just that she may not want to remember me."

The older man was getting frustrated by his son's vagueness. "Why?"

"Dad things did not end well with us."

"What do you mean? From what you told me all you did was not eat breakfast together. Did something more happen?"

The younger man sighed. "Dad just drop it please. I don't want to talk about this now." the young man turned to leave.

"Fine, just answer me this." The young man stopped and stood with his back to his father. Seeing he had his son's attention the older man continued. "Even if things have ended, why can you not begin again?"

The young man shook his head and left the stables. He decided to take a stroll in the park; maybe the fresh air would help him clear his head. He was sitting on a bench thinking about the question his father had posed, when he saw her. She was laughing, and the sun was gleaming off of her beautiful hair. She was so delicate and perfect. Oh, how he wished he could hold her hand, dry her tears, and chase away her fears like he used to. Unfortunately he could not get too close to her, because eventually she would find out his true identity. He got a mischievous grin upon his face. She did not have to know his true identity, at least not yet. He stood up determinedly, buttoned his jacket, and approached the group.

Not wanting to seem rude he walked slowly and pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket. He let it go, and allowed the wind to blow it over to where she was sitting. He smiled when it landed right in front of her. He walked quickly towards her.

"Oh I beg your pardon. This wind is blowing a little harder than I thought."

As she handed him his handkerchief she looked up at him. He smiled andgazed into her eyes."Why Miss. Mackenzie what a pleasure it is to see you here."

She jerked her hand away, and took just a few seconds to compose herself again.She gave him a polite smile. "The same to you Mr. .... Mr." she looked at him hoping to trip him up and in doing that perhaps he would reveal his name.

Unfortunately for her he had caught on. He stood to his full height of 6.4'."Smith, Mr. Smith." he smiled smugly.

She burned with anger, this man was so infuriating. "Well, Mr. Smith" she emphasized his name. "What brings you out today?"

He sighed and looked around then back at her. "Well it was a beautiful day, so I decided to take a walk and see if I, by chance, might stumble across a beautiful woman." he gave her a big smile. "It appears that I have succeeded."

Harriet giggled and nudged Bud; who was wishing with all that he had that he could become invisible. Sarah tried not to blush, but she was unsuccessful. 'I could throttle that man!' she thought. 'But look at how cute he is.'

He then turned to Bud and Harriet. "Might I steal her from your company? It will only be for a little while. I have some business to discuss with Miss Mackenzie."

Sarah looked discretely at Harriet and shook her head no. Harriet simple ignored her. "Of course, do not let us stop you."

'Add Harriet to my top ten list of people I want to hurt.' Sarah thought angrily.

He turned to Sarah and smiled. "Shall we?" he asked as he extended his hand to help her up.

She forced a smile. "Yes let's." She placed her hand in his, and he lifted her up as if she weighed no more than a feather. She took his arm, and they began their walk along the winding path. "So what business did you want to discuss with me?" The continued to walk, although he slowed their pace down.

"I must confess that I lied." She turned and looked angrily at him. She was about to say something when he pressed on. "I did not think that you would be willing to walk with me, and I really wanted to talk with you again."

She sighed and they again began to slowly walk along the path. She decided that since she was stuck with him that she might as well try to make casual conversation. "So, were you born and raised here in Richmond?" She looked up at him, and he smiled down at her.

"Yes mam; I was raised not far from your lovely home."

She was again surprised by his response. He knew her name, where she lived, and many other private things. "Oh." She thought that since he grew up near her that he may know who and where Harm was. She had wanted to talk to him so bad. "Do you know Harmon Rabb Jr.?"

"Yes," he said quickly and with no emotion. "What do you want to know about him?"

She smiled inside; finally she was going to have some answers.

"Where is he?"

"Gone."

"I figured that much. Where has he gone to?"

He stopped and turned to look in her eyes. "I do not know." he said forcefully "Why would you care about where he is?"

He anger began to build up inside of her. "Because he was and is a very close friend of mine." she said sternly.

After she said this his features softened a little. "Has he not contacted you?" He paused and she shook her head no. "Surely a 'close friend' would try and keep in touch."

"I am sure he has been too busy to worry with me."

He simply nodded his head and began to walk towards a bench sitting beneath a large Weeping Willow. She followed and sat beside him.

"Do you have a suitor?" She shook her head. Why did he ask her that? It had nothing to do with what they had previously been discussing. He cocked his head and smiled at her. "Surely you have had at least one suitor," his smile dissipated and his look grew warmer. "Or are you waiting for one particular man?" She sat stunned. No one had ever asked her that question. She had often wondered why ever since she had met Harm that she had never been attracted to another man, at least not romantically. Now that she had met this man she was beginning to forget her feelings for Harm. He sat there watching her facial expressions. He began to ponder on how she had lit up when he said he knew Harm. PerhapsHarm was the man she was waiting for. "Are you waiting for him?"

She looked into his stunning eyes, and immediately whatever she had planned to say flew out of her mind. "On who?"

He leaned in closer to her. "On Harm."

She swallowed hard. "Maybe," was all she could say. Her chest was heaving up and down, and she tried to steady her breathing. He put his large hand on the side of her face. She leaned in closer, their noses touching. "Maybe not." He closed the gap and gave her a gentle kiss on her soft warm lips. She went to kiss him again, but he pulled back.

"I must leave." He stood up quickly, but she stopped him from leaving by grabbing his arm.

"Don't, please." They stood toe to toe.

"I must. I have some business to take care of. Goodbye Mac." He kissed her hand.

"Will I see you again?" She began to have a sense of deja vu. She knew what his answer would be; he would say 'we shall see' then leave.

"No, I am truly sorry, but I must leave." he turned and hurriedly ran down the path.

She stood there surprised. She slowly touched her fingers to her moist lips. That kiss had reminded her of yet another kiss that was followed by a goodbye, although that kiss had happened many years ago in a dark cool barn. Sarah turned around and began to walk to where Bud and Harriet were. She was so confused. How could she have such deep feelings for a man she barely knew?

A/N- Well here you go. Hope you enjoyed it. I can not promise a quick update but I will do my best. Please keep reviewing I love reading your opinions. God bless!