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Chapter 214
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The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 215
Sheriff Mitch Rogers held his wife's hand as they went over to talk to John and Susan. "I sent an old friend over. He's a little younger than us." He pointed his head toward the kitchen. "Anyway, he's looking for a job, and I told him about you. Did he happen to stop in?""Yes, he did, and he got the cook's job. He's had more experience than I've had," Susan said. "No, I'm kidding, but he does have a lot. We think he'll fit in fine.""Are you ready for opening, then?" Chase joined Mitch.Susan said, "Yes, next Sunday we'll be open all day. Six am to ten pm, the usual hours. And meatloaf is the main feature."Yay," Elliott carried his daughter to the front.Drew stood with Chase and Lauren and made a point to get Susan's attention. When he did, he pointed to Lauren's middle. "There's a baby in there too."Lauren concurred."Congratulations!" Susan leaned down to Drew's height. "My goodness. What are we going to do with all these babies?""Love them. That's what I'm going
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 216
Book 2: A Christmas RenewalTom Miles stepped inside Janelle's Coffee and Tasty Pastries. Alice's heart racing, she picked up a cloth, needing to keep busy so she wouldn't lose it in front of him. "Mornin', Tom. What can I get for you?" Alice had had a crush on Tom ever since she'd moved to Saddle Creek a few months ago. He came in every day. She hoped it was to see her, but, so far, nothing had come of it. Usually he wore his deputy's uniform, but today he was dressed casual in blue jeans and a sweatshirt. Must be his day off. She continued wiping the glass of a display case filled with beautifully decorated and decadent pastries."Uh, a coffee and one of those apple pie things Janelle makes with all the crumbles on top," Tom said, after studying all the goodies."You mean the apple strudel? That one right there?" Alice pointed to one of the delicacies placed strategically in the glass case."Yeah, that's it. For some unknown reason I cannot remember the name, dang it." Tom hu
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 217
Edie Benner parked in front of the Saddle Creek Dress Shop. The sign above the door read, Founded in 1939. "I sure hope the original owner isn't still running the place," Edie said while she checked her makeup in the driver's mirror. She touched up her lipstick then stepped out of the car. As she approached the store, she smoothed the wrinkles from the front of her dress pants and fluffed her hair. The front windows had a display of beautiful summer dresses in light flowery prints. She liked them all.She paused, cleared her throat, and opened the door. A little bell jingled, and a small elderly woman came out from the back."Hello, can I help you find something?"Edie wasn't impressed with her. She had a sour look on her face, and that didn't help sales. The typical medium build, middle-aged woman wore a dark mid-length skirt with a beige sweater. Her dull, brown hair was held at the nape of her neck with a barrette, and her tired bloodshot eyes were hazel. Deep wrinkles in her
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 218
Edie changed clothes three times. Her wardrobe wasn't as up to date as she'd like, but with a job, she'd have the money to change all that. Tonight, she wanted to look her best. It seemed important.She put on her only red dress. It was short, midway up her thigh, and she felt uncomfortable. Taking it off over her head, then threw it on the bed. Searching through her closet, she found a black dress she'd forgotten she even had. It still had the tags on it, too, so she hadn't worn it yet. She slipped it on over her head and tugged it down. When she looked in the mirror, she couldn't believe what she saw. It was provocative, low cut in the back, and clung to her in all the right placesA pair of black patent leather high heels she'd worn many times before finished her outfit. She fixed her hair, added a little blush to her too-pale cheeks, a little mascara, and a swipe of pink lipstick, and she was ready. What would Gramps think, she wondered as she slowly descended the stairs."Gr
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 219
When Tom parked in front of Edie's house, she wasn't sure what to do. Did she just get out and walk in the house? Would Tom see her to the door and come in, have sex. That's not going to happen."I'll walk you to the door, make sure you get inside." Tom jumped out of the driver's side, walked around the car, and opened her door. They walked to the porch side by side.Approaching the front door, Edie said, "Thank you so much for a nice time. I really enj - "Tom covered her mouth with his. She quivered as chills ran down her spine. Her heart pounded so loudly she thought he would hear it. His lips were soft and tender and tasted of wine. When he pushed his tongue into her mouth, she felt a spark deep down inside her core. Her arms encircled his neck, and she ran her fingers through his thick hair.When he finally broke the kiss, she was breathless and speechless.Tom turned away then back to her. "I'm sorry. I never meant for that to happen. I-I just couldn't resist. Your lips
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 220
"That would be nice. I'll help you, if that's okay," Tom said."Great, I could use the help. Gramps, why don't you sit in your recliner here and relax until I have dinner ready? It won't be long, okay?" She helped him sit then turned to go."Not much for me, Edie, girl. You know I don't like eating all those weeds." He chuckled."You got it. I'll put extra tomatoes and carrots in yours." Edie smiled at him."Not too much," he huffed."Don't worry, it'll be just the right amount." She went to the kitchen. Tom followed close behind her."Okay, what do you want me to do first?" Tom asked."Let me get the cutting board and some plates. I thought about putting some cooked chicken or tuna on top, so Gramps has some protein. He's looking so frail - " A tear trickled down her cheek, and she brushed it away."It's okay, Edie." Tom pulled her into his arms. "He needs someone like you to give him some love and affection. I'm sure he missed you and has spent too much time all alone
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 221
Edie's alarm woke her with Alan Jackson singing "I'll go on loving you," one of her favorites. She lay and listened to the song and imagined Tom's handsome face in front of her. Then quiet.Wonder where Gramps is? He usually has the coffee going, and I don't even smell it.She grabbed her robe from the floor where it had fallen during the night and headed down the steps. In the kitchen, she saw everything exactly the same as she left it last night."Gramps, where are you?" she hollered as she reached the bottom of the steps. When she stood outside his bedroom door, she breathed deeply. Surely, he was okay. She knocked and yelled, "Gramps." No answer.She slowly opened the door. He was in his bed, covered with one of Grandma's quilts. He must have overslept. He looked so comfortable. She hurried to his side and shook his shoulder. "Gramps, come on, wake up, sleepyhead." No response. Then she ran her fingertips over his cheek, it was cold. Oh no! She held his hand and then laid h
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 222
Edie attempted to stand but Tom put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll get it for you. Just breathe. That's all you have to do." He went to the kitchen, and she leaned back. Wiggling deeper into the sofa, she concentrated on breathing and focused on that's all she had to do.In a few minutes, Tom returned with a steaming cup of coffee, with cream and sugar. She smelled it. "Thank you." She took a small sip. "It's the perfect amount of cream and sugar. How did you know?""I watched you do it a number of times, and I guess I remembered."Tom sat beside her on the couch but didn't say anything."Tell me what you're thinking, Tom.""Do you really want to know?""Yes, yes, I do.""I was thinking you should call Ralph at the funeral home and let him know what's happened. In my experience with these situations, once they know, they take over from there.""What all has to be done there? I mean, I don't think we have any money to buy a casket or flowers or pay the preacher." Edie's
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