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Chapter 233
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The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 234
Edie entered the shop like usual through the back door. She placed her lunch in the small fridge and put her purse behind a box in the breakroom. Someone was here because the lights were on, so she proceeded into the store. She adjusted some items and, when she turned the corner, Shirley stood by the front door, watching the traffic outside."Good morning, Shirley. How are you today?" Edie really had to work at being pleasant to this woman who didn't seem to have anything positive to say about anyone or anything."I'm fine. I'm here, aren't I?" Shirley huffed."I'm glad you're here. I miss you when you're gone." Edie continued fine-tuning the items on the tables and racks."Do tell. I doubt you ever missed anyone in your life. I read in the paper about what you did. You should be ashamed of yourself, an ex-con showing your face in this town again. Who do you think you are, anyway?" Shirley scoffed then turned around.Dolores stood in the middle of the store and had heard ever
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 235
Tom left early in the morning, intending to return to the house when the movers arrived. Edie left an hour or so later. Once on the road, the traffic was light. She hummed to the song on the radio as she glanced in the rearview mirror. A small white car came out of nowhere and was close behind her. She slowed to let the auto pass, but it only moved closer behind her. Remembering a short cut, she suddenly swerved onto a dirt road, dust flying from under her tires as she stepped on the gas. When she came to the end of the road and stopped to check for cross traffic, the vehicle was still behind her.Edie parked behind the shop and stepped out of her automobile. The little white two-door with tinted windows came to a complete stop behind her, then squealed its tires driving away. Edie's heart pounded as she entered the shop through the back door. She leaned against the nearest wall and tried to calm her breathing.Dolores poked her head out of her office. "What's wrong? What happened?
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 236
Just then, Dolores came out of the shop and motioned to her. "Edie, here's a copy of the video. Until you get this figured out, I don't want you to come to the shop." Edie shook her head, and Dolores said, "Let me finish, dear. I don't want to take the chance that you'll be hurt."Another unfamiliar car parked two spaces away. Dolores muttered, "Shirley probably wants her last paycheck."As Shirley stepped out of the car, Edie said, "This is Shirley I was telling you about, Tom. Doesn't she look familiar to you?""Yeah, she does. You know who she reminds me of?" Tom asked."Who?""Alice at Janelle's. Doesn't she have the same hairline and mouth, yet something different about their noses?""I wouldn't know. I only saw Alice once, and that was with you the first day.""That's right. It's chilly, so go ahead and get in my car. I'll be right back. I have to ask Dolores something." Tom headed to the back, passing Shirley on her way out.Edie sat in the passenger seat, leaned
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 237
She smelled his manly scent on her where he'd kissed her and laid his head. Memories of their lovemaking made her happy. I think I'm falling in love with Tom. Can that be? Am I capable of actually caring enough about someone to fall in love?Gramps had told her she'd know when it happened - she'd feel it. And what she was feeling was not like any other she'd had before so it must be love.She dried off quickly and dressed. Driving to work, she called Tom. "Hi, honey, I had a thought.""You did, huh? What was it?""I wondered if the note and slashed tires could have been Alice." Edie made the turn into the parking lot."Good idea, I'm going to check with forensics. See if they had any luck with prints.""Good, I'm at work so will you let me know?""Of course, sweetheart," Tom whispered the endearment."Okay, honey, bye." Edie ended the call and went into the shop."Good morning, Dolores. How are you?" Edie asked, finding her boss already at her desk."I'm doing fine,
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 238
Tom and Mitch headed over to Alice's house. When Tom turned into the driveway, he saw a four-door sedan and a royal-blue car, parked in front. Edie said a small white car followed her and looked to be the same car on the video.Tom knocked on the door while Mitch made his way toward the house, surveying the area for anything odd.Alice opened the door an inch then swung the door wide. She jumped into Tom's arms. He lost his balance. Fortunately, Mitch was behind him to keep him from landing on his ass. "I knew you'd come around." Alice kissed his face, all over.Tom set her on the ground. "Let's go inside and talk. We don't need any neighbors passing around ugly rumors."Alice looked at him with bloodshot eyes and placed her fists on her waist. She was medium height, a little pudgy, and usually had a very pretty face. But her face wasn't nice looking at all. It was blotchy."What do you mean 'ugly rumors'?" She used her fingers to make air quotes and stepped forward."Let's
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 239
After a busy day at work, Edie had to practically drag her butt to punch her timecard. Her feet hurt. She wasn't used to standing or getting up and down for eight hours at a time. She envisioned a hot, bubbly soak in the tub, with Tom, of course, and then a leisurely evening at home. Tom's couch was very comfortable. They snuggled together as they watched his large-screen TV.She sauntered to her car, too tired to hurry. She'd unlocked the door and lifted a leg to step in when suddenly someone grabbed her from behind and slammed her into the back door. Someone grabbed her shoulder and whipped her around to face her attacker, Shirley, who held a weapon behind her head, ready to swing.Edie screamed, "Stop, stop! What are you doing?"Shirley gripped the front of Edie's shirt and held tight. Edie would have to rip her top off to get out of her hold. Edie tried punching her in the face, but her arms were too short."I said I was going to make you pay, slut, and I will," Shirley yel
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 240
Edie slept in Saturday until she smelled the coffee. She and Tom had made a deal. Since he was an early riser and left for work earlier than she, he'd make the coffee. She'd grown to love his strong coffee, just like she did the man himself.She threw on some jeans and a long T-shirt and met him in the kitchen. He stood at the sink, gazing out the window at the green pasture, tall with grass. Edie snuck up behind him and curled her arms around his middle. He hugged her."Get enough sleep?" he asked."I sure did. I'm ready for anything.""Like breakfast? Or me?" He turned in her embrace, his arms around her waist."Breakfast sounds good." She stared into his eyes. Always so sincere, no dishonesty there."What about me? I don't sound so good?" He laughed, a deep smooth tenor that bounced off the ceiling."You'll get yours after breakfast." She stood on her tippy toes to kiss him."Okay, I'll take second place. But understand I don't want to be second in your life. I want
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 241
Christmas Eve"Come sit with me and admire our accomplishment. The tree is beautiful, doesn't need anything more." Tom patted the seat beside him on the couch.Edie sat and stared at the beautiful lights on the tree and the sparkly decorations. "You know, this is the first Christmas tree I've ever had the honor of decorating. I love it.""Didn't your grandparents have a Christmas tree when you were younger?" Tom swung his arm around her shoulders."A little tabletop one, and it was already decorated." Edie snuggled against Tom, cozy and content."This will be one of many Christmases that you'll get to decorate a tall tree like this one and the rest of the house.""Now that you mention it, look at everything we've done to this place. I feel like it's really mine. Er-ours.""You did a great job making it homey, too." Tom kissed the top of her head."With the lighter paint, sanded floors, and the new bathroom upstairs, it seems like a new house, doesn't it? It feels like o
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