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Chapter 191
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The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 192
Janelle searched the barn for Carter but didn't see him. She hadn't brought him coffee and a sweet like usual this morning. In fact, she hadn't seen him since they returned from the cabin and their horse ride yesterday afternoon. She retrieved a cupcake from a basket and headed to the barn. It was late morning, and she wasn't sure where Carter would be or what he'd be doing. He wasn't in the round pen working with any of the horses.Walking through the middle of the barn, she stopped and petted a couple of the horses on their noses. She wished she'd brought some carrots or apples for them. She walked the entire length of the barn and then headed back to Carter's office. When she reached the hallway, she heard a woman's voice but couldn't decipher the words. Continuing, she reached the doorway and gasped."But all I want is to get married and have a family," Tory said.Carter stood beside his desk with Tory, the pregnant girl she'd just met yesterday, and she had her hand on his c
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 193
Janelle took the remaining goods and entered the building. A bell above the front door jingled when she opened it. The scent of burnt coffee wafted in the air. The room, small and quaint, had a large but empty glass counter and shelves except for an antique cash register on the end. A double coffeemaker sat on a counter behind. It was a small space but had appeared much bigger from the outside, and she wondered what could be behind the wall. Her heart raced, and her palms were sweaty.She heard voices coming from her right. And then a young woman, in her late twenties, huge with pregnancy, waddled through the doorway."What can I get you?" she asked Janelle."Do you have a menu?""No, no, only regular and decaf. Which would you like?""I'll take a small regular."The woman turned away and returned with the coffee. "Cream and sugar are on the table over there." She pointed to a table under a window with napkins, packets of sugar and a cream pitcher."I see the place is for
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 194
"I can't believe it. You're not usually impulsive. What happened?" Lauren's eyes widened, she cocked her head, and lifted an eyebrow."It was such a good deal, rock-bottom price, and you know I can't pass up a bargain.""Where'd you get the money?" Lauren asked, moving back on the chair."I used some of my savings," Janelle said."But your savings were to buy a house." Lauren shook her head and folded her arms over her stomach."Yes, and I made a great investment with a great return to add to my remaining savings for retirement and I have a house, too."When Lauren stared at her, Janelle felt the need to explain further. "I worked at a bank, remember, and I made some other really good investments. I've learned a lot about finances, and I just put it to good use." Just then Chase came in the back door."Hi, Chase, yo - " Janelle began.Lauren cut in. "Honey, you'll never believe what Janelle just did."Chase leaned down and kissed her. "Oh, I think I have an idea."J
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 195
"Mom, Dad, so good to see you," Janelle said, as she lugged her bags to the back of the car. Her dad popped the trunk, and she loaded them inside. "I'm so glad you were able to pick me up." She climbed into the back seat."Of course, no problem at all. We want to hear all about your trip and why you cut it so short," her mother said in a stern voice. "You didn't really get your money's worth from what I can figure.""I have so much to tell you. Have you had dinner yet?""Yes, we have. You know we eat at six o'clock sharp." Her mother glanced at her with a "did-you-forget" expression."Yes, I do know. I was going to treat.""Well, if you'd given us more notice, maybe we could have planned on that.""So, let's wait till we get to the house and can sit in the living room and talk, "Janelle suggested, as she relaxed in the back seat; her to-do list churned in her head."That's fine. Your father has to concentrate on driving now anyway. The traffic is awful this time of night,
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 196
It was late in the evening when Carter sat at his desk in the barn office, staring into his empty cup. What had happened to Janelle? He hadn't seen her for two days, not coming and not going and definitely not in the barn. Maybe she was embarrassed because of Pete, but he'd told her he'd fired him. So, where was she? Why no baked goods and coffee for breakfast or any time of day? He hadn't been eating dinner with Chase and Lauren, too hard to be around Janelle."Carter, here you are." Chase poked his head through the office doorway."Hey, come on in." Carter pushed back his chair and stood."I've been meaning to talk to you, see how you're doing," Chase said, taking a seat in front of the desk and placing his ankle on one other knee."The ranch is doing great. Coming along like we planned," Carter answered. He shifted his feet."I do have a question though.""Shoot.""Do you know what Janelle is up to? I haven't seen her in two days, and she had been bringing coffee and b
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 197
Carter loved working with the horses, so he stayed busy. Satan and Midnight were doing well, and for stallions that was saying something. He'd boarded a couple of mares to be bred, and that was happening tomorrow. He'd sent a ranch hand after some supplies earlier when he saw Lauren leave with the baby.Dinner hadn't been the same with them since Janelle left, and he kept waiting, watching, expecting her to jump out from around a corner. When Lauren parked the car later, he wondered if she'd heard from Janelle. He headed her way, but she hurried into the house. Chase brought the truck around and went inside as well. Carter stood at the barn door and wondered what was going on. He was about ready to see if everything was okay when Chase came out of the house carrying a trunk. Lauren followed with a floor lamp.Carter walked over to the truck. "Need any help?"Lauren shrugged. "Yeah, I do, if you wouldn't mind. I have a recliner I need some help getting down and onto the truck."
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 198
Janelle opened the door, stepped aside, and, with a sweeping motion with her arm, said, "Please come in."Carter entered and Janelle closed the door. She scrutinized his face as his eyes swept across the room on a three-hundred-sixty-degree circle. But he gave nothing away."Carte-" she began."No. Let me get this off my chest. I can't wait anymore.""Okay, take a seat. Can I get you a drink?" she asked.He backed up and sat in the recliner then slid to one side and motioned for her to join him in the oversized chair. Janelle didn't wait for a second invitation and quickly squeezed in beside him."Let me explain to you about Tory. I met her for the first time when you did at my mother's for dinner. She only came to the ranch the next day to thank me for listening to her ramble on about her boyfriend, who, by the way, arrived the next day and convinced her to marry him. They're now in Miami, planning a wedding."Janelle coughed and fiddled with her collar; a tingling swept
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 199
VOLUME SEVEN: A SADDLE CREEK CHRISTMAS COLLECTION 2Book 1: A New Diner for ChristmasSusan Malloy glanced at her longtime friend, Lori Witherite, sitting across from her at a glass table on the lanai. A warm morning ocean breeze flipped her hair off her face while she sipped an iced coffee."It sure is beautiful here in Florida. I love it." Susan pushed her hair behind her ears."Yes, it is, and you've worked so hard for too many years not to enjoy it year-round." Lori smoothed the tablecloth."But what about the summer? I'm not sure I'm cut out for such humidity for so long. Yesterday afternoon was too hot for me, and it's only May. I must have really thick blood." Susan grinned. "I'll be inside most of the year," she complained then took a long drink of iced coffee."Nothing wrong with looking at this view through the window, is there?" Lori beckoned to the tumbling ocean waves."No, that's true, but what about my lifelong friends in Saddle Creek? They're like family t
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