Dillon glared at his friends, big grins on their faces, beneath their childhood tree fort. "What's so funny?" Dillon asked."I think I saw the light bulb go off in your head," Chase answered while Elliott sat there nodding his head."Fuck you guys. I have a life. I'm gonna start living it right now." Dillon jogged toward his horse, jumped on and started back to the barn. He gave Bullet his head, and he galloped full out, barn-sour, anxious to get back to the cool barn and his feedbag.He handed the reins to one of the ranch hands and raced to his bike. After leaping on he turned the key in the ignition, pushed on the gas and spun out of Chase's drive, leaving flying dust and dried leaves behind. He sped along the winding road, up and down the mountain road on his way to Avri's house.He was ready to have a two-way conversation and hoped she'd feel the same way. If they could get through this they'd be able to get through any obstacles in the future. He was ready to be a father, a r
Avri raced around the corner and parked in front of Rosie's Diner. She hurried through the front door and almost ran into Susan."Hi," she said, "you're exactly who I'm looking for," Avri said, trying to catch her breath."I am? What can I do for you, Hun?" Susan, the owner, looked up and asked."Remember a few years ago, while I was pregnant, and I stayed in your room upstairs?""Yes, I remember."Avri gripped Susan's arm, hoping. "Have you rented it out since?" What were the chances Dillon's note would still be there?"Don't think anyone's stayed up there since. It's full of junk I've accumulated. Storage stuff. Why?" Susan asked."I think I might have left something behind." Avri asked, "Could I have the key to check?" Avri's hand squeezed Susan's arm tighter."Yes, of course." Susan nodded. "Let me get it for you." She stepped to the cash register, pushed a couple buttons, and the drawer flew open. Searching the contents of a compartment, she retrieved a key and handed it t
VOLUME FOUR: A SADDLE CREEK CHRISTMAS ROMANCE PART 1: FAMILY CHRISTMAS-RUSTLERS AND ROMANCEDedication:This book is dedicated to my late mother, Dorothy Viola Hoy Lowery Semple, who always supported me in my writing and was always the first to download?and leave a review. And without her dragging me to church every Sunday and to Candlelight Services Christmas Eve?I would not know the important?traditions or the true meaning of Christmas in my heart.PrologueSnow and freezing temperatures came early in Saddle Creek, Wyoming, a small townoutside Jackson Hole in the shadows of the Grand Tetons mountains.This year, Chase, Elliott and Dillon had convinced Sheriff Mitch to attend their annual Christmas celebration on December 24th. And of course, it had to be at Rosie's Diner in the middle of town; a mom-and-pop diner; a throwback from the 50's.Rosie's always had a tree ready to be decorated the day after Thanksgiving for anyone whowanted to place a little tinsel or
Lauren rinsed the lunch dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. She glanced out the side window toward the drive numerous times, expecting Chase to be back with her parents. Her cell phone rang, and she yanked it out of her back pocket."Hello," Lauren said, without checking caller ID."Lauren, it's Janelle.""Jan, it's so wonderful to hear your voice. How are you?""I'm freezing my ass off here," Janelle said."It's winter, girl. It's cold here too, with lots of snow on the ground. Great forsnowmobiling."Janelle didn't say anything, so Lauren asked, "Jan, you still there?""Yes, yes, I'm sorry. I want to tell you something and I'm not sure how to say it.""Hey, in all the years we've been friends, and there were quite a few, you've never been at a loss for words. Just spit it out." Lauren said, holding the phone under her chin. "Clint's out," Janelle spat out."What? I must have heard you wrong. Clint can't be out of prison yet. He has another yearor two." Lauren's
"Thanks for joining us, you two. Everything okay?" Lauren's mother, Charlotte, and her father Steve sat at the breakfast table with coffee cups."Yes, everything's fine," Chase answered as he and Lauren entered the kitchen holding hands."Are you hungry?" Lauren asked.Steve and Charlotte looked at each other and said simultaneously, "We're starved." "They don't feed you anything on the planes anymore. Worthless peanuts or pretzels, that'sit," Steve scoffed."How about a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup?" Lauren asked. "That sounds really good and warm," Charlotte said, rubbing her upper arms with her handsand Steve nodded."Okay, you get the soup going and I'll put the sandwiches together," Chase said to Lauren, then dropped her hand."Do you have anything planned for dinner?" Charlotte asked Lauren, wiping her mouth on a napkin. "I sure do mom. It's slow roasting in the oven. We should be smelling it any time now." Lauren set plates and bowls on the t
Chase opened the back door at the same time Lauren's parents entered the kitchen. "Dinner smells good, sweetie." Chase leaned down and kissed Lauren on the lips."I don't really smell anything," Charlotte said, sniffing the air.Steve rolled his eyes. "You know you have no smell sensation, Char, so just stop it. We'll have a great dinner, right Lauren?""You're absolutely right, Dad. Once I put the baby down, I'll finish it up and get it on the table," Lauren said as she started toward the front stairs, she motioned for Chase to come with her. He followed her up the stairs.Chase closed the bedroom door as soon as they entered. "Are you okay," he asked.She laid the baby in his crib and turned to Chase; his arms outstretched. "I'm scared." She hugged his neck. "What'd you find out from Mitch?""It's true, he's out. He's on parole so he's not allowed to leave the state, but Mitch cautioned me about Clint, he could easily violate his parole. Then when or if he doesn't show up to me
Charlotte sat on the side of the tub while Lauren turned on the water and removed Cameron's clothes. Then she placed him in a sling like hammock with just enough water in the tub to touch his lower back. Cameron closed his eyes as she gently ran a soapy washcloth over his body and washed his fuzzy hair. Then she rinsed him off by pouring the tub water over him. Cameron smiled."Mom, Amos told us the other day that babies have a fart thing and when they smile it's because they just farted. Have you ever heard of such a thing?" Charlotte laughed, a deep giggle. "Yes, it's true. Think about it. It gives them relief, doesn't it? Just like adults when we have gas, same thing."Lauren giggled. "You're right. Wait till I tell Chase ole Amos was right.""What's he still doing around here? I thought he retired years ago." "He's retiring at the end of the year, moving somewhere warm. We're going to really miss him." Lauren placed a towel on her lap and wrapped the baby up. "You know he pr
"Okay, Mom. I know what I'm doing. Please, trust me." Lauren said, as her mother sat at the island giving her advice about how to chop vegetables. She'd planned on chicken stir-fry for dinner and since they were going to Janelle's Coffee to meet her girlfriends, she wanted to have everything prepared ahead of time."Sorry. Are you wearing what you have on?" Charlotte asked."My jeans are fine, but I'll change into a different sweater," Lauren answered as she placed everything in the fridge for later."I guess I'll change then, too." "No need, Mom. The pants and sweater you have on are fine, and you look great. Just relax. You're going to have a good time." Lauren tucked her hair behind her ears. "I'm gonna run upstairs to change and get Cameron ready. Be right back." Lauren hurried out of the room and up the stairs before her mother stopped her.Once Lauren opened the front door to go out and because she was taking her mother, she had to go now. Looking over her shoulder she only