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Chapter 28
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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
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 31
Sam glanced at the cowboy again and was pinned to the spot when his blue eyes bored into hers, as if sending a message of magnetism. Her nerve endings tingled. She inhaled deeply and exhaled. She slowly smiled at him."It's yours now," Elliott nodded toward the bar stool with a big smile. "II'm Elliott Bouchard." He stood and held out his right hand."Samantha Williams, but everyone calls me Sam. Nice to meet you, Elliott." She shook his work-calloused hand. Triggers of electricity surged through her fingertips, up her arm, and traveled throughout her body. Her heart jumped into her throat, and she couldn't breathe. A tingle ran down her spine. She quickly pulled her hand away.Sam dropped her bags on the floor at her feet and settled onto the stool next to Mr. Handsome. From the corner of her eye she could see his worn-in jeans fit his muscular thighs just right, and with a red plaid shirt-jacket over a white T-shirt, he reminded her of the actor who played the part of Wyatt Earp i
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 32
Sam sat up straight and looked up at Elliott. "Thank you very much, Elliott, but you really don't need to do this. I have money and I can take care of it myself.""I'm sure you can," Elliott explained, "but I want to buy your supper. Look, it's your first night in town. You're exhausted from your trip and your long walk to the diner. Tell you what. You can pick up the bill the next time. Okay?"She looked deeply in his eyes and saw only sincerity. "Okay," she agreed, "but I'll definitely get the next one.""Good! Would you like to have a drink somewhere? Jackson has some great places open late.""I'm sure they do, but I'm drained and ready for a good night's sleep. I only have a few days to find a permanent place to live and get to know my way around town. I have so much to do before I start work." She laid her head on her forearm lying on the bar. "Whew!" she said as she lifted her head. "I also have to make arrangements with the rental car company to get another car.""Let's get
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 33
Elliott wanted to wrap his arms around her and chase away her chill. "Before you know it, it'll be the Fourth of July," he said, wondering how long she'd be there.Most city slickers didn't last too long after the short summer and the long, snowy, cold winter. He couldn't, he wouldn't, get his heart involved again. He'd learned his lesson with Mariah. He'd fallen instantly and hard for her. His life changed when he'd met her. She wanted the same things in life he dida life with him and wildlife in her backyard. Home grown and beautiful, even on the day she died.Sam interrupted his thoughts when she stopped and turned to him. "I've had a wonderful time getting to know you tonight and I appreciate your hospitality." She turned with him as they walked toward the hotel's front double doors.Elliott stopped and stared into her eyes, pinning her to the spot. "I know we've just met but I feel like I've known you for a long time." He placed his hands in his coat pockets."Me, too. I feel
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 34
Within fifteen minutes, Elliott parked in his driveway. He didn't bother to pull into his attached garage. He'd be leaving in a few hours anyway. He inhaled the clean mountain air, glad to be home after a long day, but wished he would have kissed Sam's rosebud mouth before he let her go.Darkness shrouded the building. He flipped the indoor switch. Hanging his red plaid coat and Stetson hat on a hook on the wall, he walked into the kitchen, pausing to drop his keys on a nearby table. The blinds over the big glass sliding door were open, looking onto a small deck with wonderful views of the snow-covered mountains and a lighted ski run off in the distance.He opened the stainless-steel fridge and took out a beer. He shifted and leaned his back on the granite countertop, twisted the lid off the bottle and took a deep swallow.Not only had he had a productive workday, but he'd also met Samantha, Sam. He turned toward the short hall leading to three bedrooms: one for sleeping, one for an
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 35
Dirty piles of snow and slush run off seemed to be everywhere, in front of the stores, beside the curbs, and even down the allies. Apparently, this area didn't pay much attention to the calendar or the arrival of spring.After paying for her breakfast, Sam ventured outside. The sun had gone behind a cloud, and she shivered, quickly slipping on her light covering. As she turned around, the snow-capped mountain peaks off in the distance and a ski run nearby caught her eye. A typical winter-type town.Meandering along the main street, she peeked in the windows of the now-open stores, sporting their wares, being careful not to go too far from her hotel and risk getting lost. She kept glancing at her watch and at ten thirty she hurried back to her hotel to freshen up and finish waiting for Elliott there.After applying some light makeup and lipstick, she stepped outside the hotel into the bright sunlight. The warmth felt good on her back so she turned, lifting her head toward the sun and
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 36
Elliott parked his truck in front of the house and helped Sam out. She had her camera out of the bag and ready before she left the truck. She stood beside him and slowly made a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn, trying to take in all the surrounding beauty."It's, it's so, so pristine out here, Elliott. Untouched except by Mother Nature. The air is so clean and the smell of horsesit's breathtaking." She laughed."I know what you mean. Every time I come out here, I feel the same way. Let's go play with the horses." Elliott took Sam's free hand, held it loosely, and strolled toward the barn. Leading her to the side of a nearby pasture, they stood in front of an old wooden fence. He let go of her hand, and placed his arms across the top rail, his one booted foot on the bottom rail.Sam started snapping away, taking pictures of frolicking colts in the nearby pasture. The horses, in various robust colors, were grazing, until they sniffed Elliott. One dapple-coated filly started to ambl
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