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Chapter 206
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The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 207
At lunch, John arrived with sandwiches and salads for each of them, and they ate at the kitchen table. Susan winced as she sat down and was ready for ice again and bed rest. "My back's hurt before, but I've never had this much pain in an all-encompassing area. It feels like my back is on fire.""Before when your back went 'out, you took it easy and, slowly, the muscles relaxed, and your back was fine. But I think you've strained them, and they are mad." He tangled his fingers all together, and she guffawed at him. "They're all twisted up and hollering at each other. What's so funny?""You are. You're silly. You make me laugh.""Is it a good thing?" He asked."Yes, it is, John. I want to be happy, but for some reason I feel I'm cheating on Eddy. Don't you feel similar with your Liz?""This is probably terrible to say, but I don't. I lost my Liz a long time before she drew her last breath. I watched her die a little bit every day and, in the end, it wasn't her. When she chose n
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 208
John and Ben walked into the kitchen, talking about what needed to be done next. They worked good together. Ben could've been his son. He was about the right age, and John hoped he could hire him on when his current job expired. While they worked together, John asked him questions one would ask in a job interview. He had the feeling the labor-intensive jobs Ben worked weren't in his future. They were weekly paycheck producing, and that was it. Ben had a number of years of college behind him and some good ideas about management. He might be a great assistant manager for the diner, but they had to get it up and running first."Why don't you tackle the paint jobs while I finish this wall. Then you can prep it for paint.""Sounds good," Ben answered and went straight to work.John had already talked to Susan and Mitch about scouting out some other contracting jobs. He needed to follow up on some of them. He could send Ben to do some work without him there to oversee him constantly.
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 209
Only two weeks till Thanksgiving. She'd noticed the cooler air this morning when she came to work. Pretty soon, she'd have to park her car in the garage, so she wouldn't have to shovel or sweep the snow off it.The new windows were clear and bright, and she envisioned the celebration on Christmas Eve. Her boys - Chase, Elliott, Dillon, and Sheriff Mitch - would all be there like they've been from the beginning. Except three of them had children, and Mitch and Ronnie were still newlyweds. Oh yeah, and then there were Tom and Edie, who they'd already invited, and Carter and Janelle. She'd spoke with Janelle today about it. They should be able to attend and then there were Ben and Angela with the new baby.Susan needed another list for invitations and RSVPs and additional food. Or what about having the meal catered? She'd have to ask Janelle for a quote, and talk to John, Avri and Lauren. Dillon's wife Avri, an attorney and Chase's wife, Lauren, were usually the two representing the g
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 210
Susan departed the diner early, leaving John to secure everything. They usually left at the same time but today she'd mixed the ingredients of her famous meatloaf and put it in the slow cooker. When she opened the door, she was overwhelmed by the delicious aroma. She quickly finished the meal and was setting the table when John walked in."You're right on time," Susan waved him in and took his jacket."What smells so good?" John sniffed the air."That delectable aroma is my meatloaf that everybody loves at the diner. Remember, I think I told you about it.""Yes, I remember." John swept a large bouquet of flowers from behind his back. "These, sweetie, are for you.""I haven't received flowers in so long, John. Thank you." She leaned up and kissed his lips. "These are gorgeous, too. Let me find a vase to put them in, and dinner will be on the table in a couple of minutes.""Sure, take your time."There was a partial opening between the kitchen and the living room. John move
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 211
John sat on the couch on the end, he really wanted to loosen his jeans, he was so full of a fabulous dinner. He sipped his coffee and then set it on the side table. He patted the seat beside him. "Come on over here. That's enough work. Bring your coffee and sit with me."Susan sat in the middle of the couch. This had become a routine: eat dinner, clean up, snuggle on the couch with coffee. One or both of them would fall asleep. He carried her to bed and then lay down beside her. He always left before she woke. But, tonight, he had other plans."You wanna watch TV?" Susan asked."No, not really. Probably nothing on anyway.""What do you want to do?" Susan moved closer to him."I know this is a surprise, but I want to talk. To you. Just you and me," John explained.Man, he was nervous. What if she didn't like his ideas? She'd tell him, and that would be the end of that."Okay, what about? You begin." Susan put her mug on the coffee table with his."A number of things, act
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 212
"There you are," John said from behind her. "What a view, huh?""It sure is." Susan, up on her tiptoes gave him a light kiss. "What's the news on the heat pump?""Not good. Hank, who is the owner of the company, by the way, thinks it's worn out. He's going to try replacing some parts, but otherwise we're looking at a big price tag and another delay. We can only do so much in the cold." John rubbed his hands together. "We should've added a fireplace in this room, huh?""That would've been nice, but it would be hard to get the guests to leave." She chuckled. "I do have some space heaters, or I should say I did. I don't remember seeing them in the large storage area by the back door."The front door opened. "Susan, I heard you were back." A nice-looking man, muscles in all the right places and always smelled like horse flesh. He was a natural with them, according to Chase, who would know since Carter was his ranch manager, and breeding specialist."Carter Weaver, it's so nice to
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 213
After a much-needed long nap, at about five am something, maybe a loud noise woke them. "I can't believe we slept the entire night." She shook her head."Me either." John swung his legs to the side of the bed. "I'm going to see what or who woke us up." And he left the room.A minute later, the front door open and close. She lay in bed, missing his body heat, which reminded her of the headache with the heat pump at the diner, which led her to facing another bank meeting with the loan officer, Janet Trumpey.Oh dear, what a mess I've made. This was supposed to be a simple upgrade, so what happened? John had no control over the dishwasher or the extra party/meeting room, or the heating issue. Nor did she. She hoped and prayed the customers would come back and bring all their friends and family.The door opened and closed again. "John, is that you?""Yes, it is." He stuck his head through the bedroom doorway."Find anything?"He shook his head. "It may have been a car backfir
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 214
Susan stuck her head inside the party, and everyone seemed to be laughing and talking at once. They were passing Sam and Elliott's baby girl around. Definitely enough room for all of them, even if they kept having babies. Susan waved, and no one seemed to notice, so she headed back to the front.Ben came through the front door carrying the baby in a carrier. Angela followed close behind."Merry, Merry Christmas. I'm so glad you could make it," Susan said. John hurried to her side and shook Ben's hand while Angela removed five-week-old Logan from the carrier. Logan's cheeks were kissed and pinched. There were so many smells and loud noises."Okay everybody, please find a seat. The food will be served momentarily." Susan headed to the kitchen. The catering staff were ready and, in fact, had already served those in the extra room.When Susan returned to the other party in the front of the diner, Edie was holding Ben's baby Logan, with Tom cooing over him.Suddenly, Ben stood and
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