Share
Chapter 220
Related chapters
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
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 223
Edie read the first page, past the obtrusive name, and then went on to the next. The aroma of fresh coffee perked her up, and she continued. When Tom returned with the coffee, she accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, Tom. It smells so good.""I made a fresh pot. I don't like it when it's old." Tom sat in the chair facing her. "Have you had enough time to read it entirely?"Edie sipped her coffee."What do you think?""Gramps took care of everything, didn't he?""He sure did. All the things you feared you'd have to do are already done." Tom sipped his coffee."Let me get this straight and make sure I understand everything. If Gramps had passed while I was in prison, Chase Montgomery would be the executor of the estate, but only until I was released. Once I was released, I was or am the executor, right?""Yes, go on.""Upon Gramps' death, Chase has agreed to purchase the ranch for the fairest value, and all proceeds go to me to do with whatever." She glanced at Tom. "The f
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 224
A number of friends and neighbors stopped by throughout the remainder of the day and dropped off cakes, cookies, pies, sandwiches, casseroles, and paper products. Edie accepted their generosity with gratitude and invited them to the funeral."Are you hungry?" Tom asked Edie, as he rubbed his tired eyes."Not really, I really wanted to sleep longer but-""Why don't I get out the makings of a sandwich, and we'll snack on whatever it is we want?" Tom asked."Sounds good to me."They snacked around the coffee table in the living room until dusk. Each time Edie glanced through the front door at the encroaching darkness, she had an ache in the pit of her stomach. Then her heart would race, and sweat would trickle down her back. She had a headache and knew she must look a fright."What're you thinking about?" Tom cleared the table."It's getting dark, and I'll have to sleep here alone. Gramps was always here, you know." Her swollen eyes filled with tears.Tom sat beside her on
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 225
Edie woke a few times during the night when the wind blew hard and wiggled the screens in the windows. She thought of Gramps and how much she'd miss him. Her chest hurt and she thought about how she was going to get through the rest of her life without him. She cried herself into exhaustion and back to sleep. She tossed and turned, waking frequently, and was wide awake when the alarm went off. Throwing on a bathrobe and stepping into her slippers she hurried downstairs. Tom was awake and sitting on the couch. "So, it's true. It wasn't a dream, was it? Gramps is gone.""I'm sorry, but it is true." Tom patted the couch beside him.Tears formed again. "I'm going to make coffee." She left the living room for the kitchen.Coffee brewed while she made toast. She'd gotten the jelly out of the fridge when Tom walked into the kitchen, so good looking in his jeans and white shirt with his sheriff's badge on it.He embraced her. She felt his heat emanating through her body and she relaxed
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 226
A few days later, the graveside service was over, and everyone came back to the house to celebrate her grandfather's long life. And to eat all the food that was dropped off earlier. She closed the front door after the last guest left and looked around the empty room. So, this was how it was going to be for the rest of her life. Quiet, cold, and alone.Then Tom popped out through the kitchen doorway, his arms raised in the air. "Everything's cleaned up and ready to go back to the neighbors. We can deliver the dishes in the next few days.""Tom, thank you so much." She hugged him."I have an idea I'd like you to listen to."Edie leaned back and looked into his eyes. "I hope it's good," she said."I was thinking you need a change of scenery. My place is small, nothing like this, but it would be different. Sometimes it helps to get away and put things into perspective. You could come to my place for a day or so."Edie bobbed her head."I'll sleep on the couch, and you can hav
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 227
When the bedroom door opened and Edie stepped out, Tom couldn't form any words. His mouth was dry and heart racing. He ogled her from head to toe. She was beautiful. She wore a clingy red dress that hugged all her curves, and the deep V-neck revealed the tops of her breasts. She wore black stiletto heels that made her legs look like they went on forever."Y-you're beautiful, Edie," Tom stuttered, imagining her legs wrapped around his waist. Edie twirled around. Tom saw her back was bare to her waist, and he locked his legs to keep from dragging her to his bed. I'm the one who wanted to go slow, but I don't know how much more I can take.Edie twisted around until she was against his chest then asked, "Still want to wait?"Tom's body said no, but his heart said yes. She was vulnerable and he didn't want to take advantage of her. But how could he control himself?He leaned in and kissed her lips. "Let's go. Are you hungry?""Starved, but not for food." She winked at him."You'
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 228
While Tom unlocked his apartment door and flipped on the lights, Edie admired his profile, solid jawline, and a straight nose. He was clean shaven, which she loved, and he took her breath away every time. He ushered her inside, and she dropped her wrap on the back of the couch, turned to him, and hugged him."I had the best time of my life tonight, and I don't want it to end by going to bed by myself." Edie kissed his neck and nibbled on his ear."Uh-huh, me, too. But are we ready?" Tom whispered by her ear. He swayed as if still dancing and she went right along with him."Ready for what? For sex? I've been ready." Edie spoke softly against his lips."I haven't been in a relationship for quite a while," Tom said. "And you want to know why?""Why?""Because I don't want a frivolous one-night stand. I want a relationship where we are both serious and agree on the same thing.""What's that?" Edie stopped dancing and looked into his blue eyes. Her knees weakened, and she clun
Latest chapter
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 273
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 272
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 271
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 270
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 269
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 268
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 267
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 266
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 265
