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Chapter 22
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The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 23
Lauren woke early, dressed, and again beat Chase to the coffeemaker. She sat at the table and watched the sun rise on a beautiful, clear, and dry day as she pondered her immediate future. She was getting married.One thing she'd learned about the handsome rancher was he didn't rush into anything. He thought everything through and through. Sometimes he thought it to death, and she surmised he'd done that before proposing to her as well. She could only hope he'd had the right idea and she'd made the right decision.She'd have to get used to the sound of Lauren Montgomery instead of Lauren McCray. She rolled her tongue around the new name. At least I'll have the same initials. Then again, maybe I won't bother changing my nameat least not till we get past the first year. * * * *Instead of jumping out of bed as soon as he smelled the coffee aroma wafting into his room from the kitchen, Chase lay there thinking about his bride-to-be. He snorted. That was nothing new. She'd been the o
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 24
Lauren smiled at all the lights adorning the town of Saddle Creek. It was lit up like a Christmas tree. Couples strolled up and down the boardwalk, coming and going to the dance. Some were decked out in jiggling silver spurs, big silver-and-gold belt buckles, and bolos, while others wore contemporary jeans and shirts. Country music echoed from the barn, and light spilled across the boardwalk, highlighting the people. They entered the barn and the aroma of fresh hay and food assailed her nostrils. In one corner, a live band played a country tune and her nerves thrummed along with the music. A table full of food and drink was set up across from the band. Pushing through the crowd, Lauren and Chase made their way to the food table to unload their contribution of food. They got a drink and loaded a plate of food and found a nearby table to sit and listen to the music. Chase greeted everyone, nodding his head or waving as they walked by. When the country band played their first slow son
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 25
Chase's anger boiled. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his heart pounded in his ears. He couldn't get there fast enough to keep Clint from smashing his fist into Lauren's beautiful face. His fury toward the man who had dared to put his hands on her again turned red hot. "You ready to pick on someone your own size now, asshole?" Chase came up swinging and threw the first punch. Clint hit the ground not far from Lauren, but pulled himself up and swung at the rancher. Chase ducked and landed a solid blow on his opponent's right side of his face. Lauren had told him that Clint had broken her jaw once before and it had to be wired shut for months. He hoped he'd broken the bastard's jaw. He hoped his mouth would have to be wired shut for months, too. Chase waited while Clint rolled to his hands and knees and staggered to his feet, then he let him have it with a left jab. Cartilage crunched, and blood spurted from Clint's nose as he fell, bruised and broken, to the dirt. Chase
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 26
A car passed going in the opposite direction with its high beams on. Lauren closed her uncovered eye in agonizing pain as a dreadful headache began pounding in her ears. She leaned her head against the window and concentrated on the hum of the tires on the road, her hands folded in her lap and relaxed.When they reached the outskirts of Saddle Creek, Chase slowed and turned left into a motel parking lot. He parked and turned off the ignition. "We're going to stay here tonight so you can get right into bed. That way, we can pick up your prescriptions in the morning, before we head back to the ranch. Stay here, and I'll be right back to get you after I check us in." He didn't wait for her to question his plans. He just opened the door and got out. Lauren kept her eyes closed and her head against the window, thankful Chase had, once again, thought of her comfort. Her body ached and the medications hadn't kicked in yet. She was glad they'd stopped for the night. The long drive would'v
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 27
Lauren stirred. Chase opened his eyes to the early morning sunlight shining through the blinds. He looked at her beautiful face. Though marred on one side, she was as flawless to him as the day he'd met her at Rosie's Diner. Her hand moved on his chest and played with a patch of hair. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer, ran his hand through her luxurious hair, and pushed it behind her ear. She groaned but didn't open her eyes."How are you feeling this morning, sleepyhead?" He caressed her arm. "I hurt all over. I know he only hit my face, but I must have landed hard on the ground.""You need to rest and let your body heal. Even Doc said so.""Uh-huh." She moaned as she wiggled deeper into the blankets."We'll have to get up soon and start back to the ranch. I'll go get your prescriptions at the drugstore while you get a hot shower. You'll feel much better then, I'm sure." He attempted to sit up, but she held him close."Do we really have to go? Can't we stay here a
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 28
"Lauren, I'm back," Chase yelled from the other room."Okay, I'll be right out."She quickly dressed and stepped outside the bathroom. The scent of fresh-brewed coffee and pastries almost sent her to her knees. Chase stood at the table where he'd placed the bag of goodies beside two steaming cups of coffee. He studied her from head to toe. "You look refreshed.""And you look happy, even cheerful. What's up?""I called Amos back." He pulled out a chair for her and took the lids off both cups. Lauren didn't know what smelled better, the hot coffee or the sugary aroma coming from the bakery bag. She sat at the table and pulled a glazed donut from the bag. It was still warm. Oh, God. Her mouth watered so badly she had to swallow before she could ask. "So, what did he say?"While they shared donuts and coffee, Chase relayed the news from Amos."That's fantastic!" Her words came out through a mouthful of donut.Chase grinned. "Anyway, I want to get back to the ranch and talk to th
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 29
VOLUME TWO: AN UPTOWN GIRL AND A COWBOYMaybe being passed over for the coveted promotion of Sales Manager at PowerUP PR firm was the best thing that would ever happen to her.Samantha William's suitcases sat by the door. A horn blasted outside Traveston Towers, one of New York's modern apartment complexes, announcing the cabbie's arrival. She took one last look around what she'd called home for the past four years, marveling at the bright, clear light shining through the large windows. Dust motes drifted over the few remaining packing boxes stacked against a wall. The rays reflected off the protective glass in a picture frame, which held a picture of her late parents, left standing alone on the mantle, a reminder of the immense upcoming change in her life. She hurried over to wrap up the frame and shoved it into her oversize carryon. The taxi honked again.Time to go. There was no time to change out of her work suit or torturous heels after an early morning meeting at the office.
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 30
Twisting side to side, Samantha looked up and down the road, but didn't see another car coming either way. Damn it. She would have to walk. After all, it was only two miles to the nearest town. The sound of her heels on the asphalt sounded like gunshots as she headed toward the silhouette of the towering mountains looming in front of her. Her eyes, now adjusted to the dark, scanned the dim area. No buildings nearby, no lights at all. She shivered. The air, cooling off now since the sun had gone down, would only get colder. She longed for her heavy jacket she'd placed in one of her missing suitcases.No stores in sight. So isolated. No barn or shed for shelter. No hotels, or motels, no open-all-night 7-Elevens, no gas stations, no shopping malls, no people, and no traffic to flag someone for help. How do people live out here?She twisted her foot on a small rock on the road, kicking it aside, and heard a crack. She put her now heelless shoe onto the pavement, glanced down, and perused
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