Share
Chapter 245
Related chapters
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 246
After dinner, they snuggled on the couch while Carter searched through the TV channels for something interesting to watch. Janelle's head rested on his shoulder. Since she'd left her parents in Michigan last spring, she'd only spoken with her folks once or twice and only when she'd made the effort to call. The calls were uncomfortable, both parties anxious to end them. Her mother had told her many times she should marry a military man like her sister Julie, and travel all over the world. Otherwise, her parents thought she would always be a loser and only attract losers. They made it easy to leave them in Detroit and gave her so many reasons to return to Saddle Creek and Carter.Past Christmases with her parents and her sister whirled through her head. When they were children, it was almost as if the holiday was an ordinary day except for the food they ate. Her mother cooked either a turkey or ham, her mother decorated a three-foot tree while they were at school, and there was an unto
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 247
At the breakfast table Monday morning, Janelle couldn't stop smiling. A bowl of cold cereal never tasted so good. She had a pad and pen beside her and had made some notes. Really, she'd written down everything that needed to be done."What do you think, honey? Should I talk to Susan about using the diner, or should I get the invitations? Maybe I should get the dress, since it may have to be altered. Oh, wait. Who is going to be your best man? And I need someone too.""I think the invitations are word of mouth since they're all going to be there anyway. Susan's already invited us to the diner, so we only have to ask if we can get married there. And we need a preacher, too. Chase will be my best man, Lauren, your BFF from high school, is perfect for your matron of honor. I'm sure Dolores at the dress shop can whip you up a dress exactly the way you want it. She's really good. But the flowers do need to be ordered soon. Sometimes, they're hard to get here, depending on what you want."
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 248
December 21stAfter parking near the house, she sat in the warmed-up car for a minute remembering the first time she'd seen Carter. She'd flown out in late spring to visit her best friend from high school who'd gotten married and had a baby without her there. Lauren and her baby boy, Cameron, picked her up at the airport and, when Lauren pulled into the drive, Janelle saw him. Carter, standing in front of the barn, was the handsomest man she'd ever seen. Lauren opened her car door and had to practically drag her over to him to introduce them.Janelle didn't remember much of the conversation that morning, just his name and that he worked at the ranch. She baked and took him coffee and a pastry using him as a guinea pig. When he finally asked her to dinner at his place, she found out he also lived at the ranch in a really nice log cabin. But she'd already fallen for him.She jumped when a knock sounded on her driver's window. She rolled it down. "Carter, you scared me half to death
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 249
After sharing their plans with them, Carter and Janelle left to meet with Susan. They drove separately, since Carter had to get back to work, and Janelle may want to stay longer to go over other plans with Susan.They pulled into the diner parking lot and parked beside each other. It seemed off with only one other truck in the lot."Let's go," Carter said, "don't get cold feet." He grasped her upper arm and maneuvered her to the front door.The bell above the door jingled when Carter opened it, and he yelled, "Hello, anybody home?"Susan came out from the kitchen. "Look who's here. Come on in," She invited. "I can get you some coffee but that's about it.""Thanks, Susan but, I think we've reached our fill. I know I have," Janelle glanced at Carter."Hi, John," Carter said. "Can we sit down? We have something we want to talk to you about.""Sure, take a booth," Susan said.Carter led Janelle to the nearest booth. There was a tear in the seat, and Susan said, "Don't mind
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 250
Edie had the dress ready for her to step into, she tugged it up, and pushed her arms into the beautiful tufted sleeves with a lacy point at her wrist. The neckline was embellished with sequins and beads, and they slowly diminishing as they flowed through the bodice to the waist. The skirt was flared slightly and scattered with sequins and beads, ankle length but longer in the back than in the front so it appeared as a small train. The back of the dress had a cowl neckline almost down to her waist. Edie zipped and buttoned the dress in back.Janelle stepped up on a round platform in front of three full-length mirrors. She twirled around, watching the train follow her. She loved how the material felt on her skin."You look beautiful. That dress shows off all your attributes." Edie sat on the arm of a nearby chair."What do you think of the train? It's going to be ruined after wearing it to dance in let alone walk in the snow.""Glad you asked. You see this button on the back seam
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 251
Janelle arrived home before Carter, changed into sweats and a T-shirt then flopped on the bed and lay there on her back, her knees drawn up to her chest. She concentrated, her eyes closed, and tried to remember when her last period was, which was always on time. Thinking back, she was three weeks late. The last few days, her breasts were tender, and she'd felt queasy before breakfast. Her period was probably just off track because of the bout of flu she'd had a month or so ago. One more thing to worry about, and she didn't even want to consider what Carter would think or do. They'd agreed to wait until they'd been married a few years. But tomorrow, she'd pick up a home pregnancy test and know for sure.She'd talked to so many people today and made so many mental notes, she only hoped she'd remember them all. She pinched her arm. Ouch! Yes, it was real and not a dream. She was marrying the love of her life and on Christmas Eve. Definitely something special.Her mind wandered to a pi
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 252
December 22ndThe next day, Carter went to work and, a few hours later, Janelle joined him. She'd dressed in layers - a big winter coat, scarf, gloves, and tall boots. Yes, there were already several inches of snow on the ground and more expected today. If they wanted to chop down their own trees, it had to be today.She parked by the house. Carter was outside the barn doing something to a quad four- wheeler. There was only one out, so she assumed they'd be riding together. She headed toward him, a thermos of coffee and some cookies in a backpack she was carrying. And then she saw one of the guys bring out another four-wheeler, and her heart lurched.Janelle stopped beside Carter. Both the quads were running, and they were really loud. She waved and shrugged. He made an adjustment and turned off one and then the other."Why are these out?" She knew what the answer would be. "I've never ridden on one, let alone driven one.""It's either these or horses. These will be faster an
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 253
Lauren soon returned to the kitchen with Cameron on her hip. When he saw Janelle, he yelled, "Anel." It was so cute, Janelle and Lauren both burst out giggling."He's still learning, but he's getting closer, aren't you?" Janelle held her arms out for him, and he came willingly. "Do you have a kiss for me, little man?" She pointed to her cheek and leaned in closer to him. And he kissed her, a slobbery one but a kiss just the same. She kissed his cheek and stuck her nose in his neck and blew on him. He smiled, and again Lauren and Janelle burst into peals of laughter.Once Cameron wanted down and was playing with his toys, Janelle asked Lauren, "Are you ready for Christmas? I see the tree and decorations, and I was wondering about shopping, wrapping, and baking. Are you cooking Christmas Day dinner?""Whoa, all that at once is a little overwhelming. I think I'm pretty much done shopping, but that's about it. I haven't baked anything or wrapped anything, not sure how much wrapping I
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
