"What happe" Allen, the hotel manager asked, his voice trailing off when he saw the disarray. "Oh I see. How did someone get in here? Did you lend your key to anyone?""Of course not. I'm as surprised as you by all this." Sam motioned with her hand to encompass the entire room. "Wait till you see the message in the bathroom."Allen stepped out of the bathroom with bewilderment written all over his face. He shook his head as he glanced around the room, as if making an assessment."Well, at least everything is reparable, nothing that can't be fixed. I assure you, ma'am, this is a very safe and secure hotel and we will get to the bottom of this. Have you called the Sheriff?""Yes," Elliott answered as Mitch walked into the room, followed by a deputy."Gentlemen let me get out of your way and find another room for Ms. Williams, so she can remove her things as soon as possible," Allen said as he hastened toward the open door."Allen, that won't be necessary. I'm taking Ms. Williams to
Elliott pulled his truck in front of the entry doors of the Travis Bed and Breakfast in Saddle Creek. Elliott's house was located catty-cornered from the large wraparound porch of the B&B and at just the right angle he could see the upstairs windows. After directing Sam where to park, he helped her from her car and up the front steps. He knocked on one of the double stained-glass doors, and then opened it. He set down one of the two pieces of luggage he'd carried in with him.Victoria Amley hurried down the winding staircase to meet her new guests. Elliott had called ahead of their arrival and explained why they'd be checking in so late. He had gone to school with her and she hadn't aged a bit. Tall and willowy, her beautiful face lit up when she looked down at Elliott. Long auburn hair hung in a long braid down her back and her bright green cat-like eyes didn't seem to miss a thing. She was dressed casually in a midnight blue velour two-piece pantsuit and slipper socks, and she looke
The next morning, Sam waited on the porch, breathing in the cool, fresh air, pacing to stay warm, for Elliott to pick her up. When he arrived, she jumped inside his already warm vehicle. He leaned over and lightly kissed her cheek. He drove a short distance before parking outside of Rosie's."Good morning, Susan. How've you been?" Elliott asked as an older woman with graying hair met them with menus and led them to an empty booth."It's a great morning so far. Haven't seen you or your friends for a while. Where have you been keeping yourselves? Out of trouble, I hope."He laughed, a loud guffaw echoing through the place. "I've been busy, helping out at the ranch every morning and working at the shop." He placed his hand on the middle of Sam's back as they followed Susan to a booth on the right side of the restaurant and helped her off with her jacket. He took off his jacket and hung them both on hooks at the outside end of the booth."Let me introduce you to Samantha, or Sam, as sh
Hues of reds, orange, and yellow streaked across the horizon. A horse in the corral whinnied and Sam caught a scent of hay and horse manure from the barn. She listened to Elliott's slow and even breathing as they sat on the front porch at his parent's house, holding hands, slowly rocking back and forth. No words necessary. As the sun lowered in the sky, the air became cooler and she shivered in her seat.Elliott's mother stuck her head out the front door, just in time."Dinner's ready, you guys. Come on in and get warm," she said before closing the door.Elliott stood and held his hand out to Sam. When she took it, her heart raced, and a shiver ran through her.****Sam looked into Elliott's blue eyes and smiled. Unclasping their hands, they stood together, and he pulled her to him. He leaned down and kissed her. She kissed him back, and wrapped her arms around his neck."Ready to go?" Elliott took her hand, and with his usual cowboy swagger drew her to the door. Stepping inside,
Elliott motioned for her to sit. He quickly joined her on the comfortable sofa, and reached for her hand. His father smoked a pipe and wisps of smoke curled around his face and the scent of cherry tobacco swirled throughout the room.His mother sat across from his father, her feet crossed at the ankles, a ball of yarn at her side and whatever she knitted or crocheted on her lap. Both appeared fine if not a little sullen."Dad, Mom, have you given any more thought to mining and mineral rights?""Sure have, son." His father turned to look at Elliott. "And your mother and I agree with you. We don't even know those two guys or what they do and wouldn't venture into something without your advice."Elliott looked at his father and then at his mother, who nodded her head. "Okay. I'll stop by their office tomorrow and take care of it." Elliott looked at both his parents for approval. After they nodded their heads at him, he said, "Right now, Sam and I need to head home. But I'll be back in
When Sam left PowerUP PR, she walked next door to Elliott's shop, gazing in casually at the gems and stones in the highlighted windows between the two stores. She looked through the storefront window of Bouchard Outfitter's and realized more new spring and summer apparel was there than previously. Before, there had been ski jackets and pants, helmets, and so on. Now spring and summer activities had arrived along with the necessary clothes. She pulled open the door and entered."Hi Randy, how're you doin' today?""Pretty good so far, it's still early, maybe too soon to tell," Randy Musser, the store manager said, always kidding."I see a lot of new merchandise, so I assume you've been really busy with it.""Yeah, it's a season change time of year. We've got some great deals for next winter, though, and I think a couple of the lifts are still running, too." Randy separated a pair of flannel shirts too close together on the round circling rack displaying some sale items. "Can I help y
"Hi, yourself." Warmth hit Sam's face as she walked through the door, unbuttoning her coat. What was that glorious smell? "Your place is very homey and dinner smells wonderful. What is it? Fresh vegetables, I think I smell cucumbers, and something in the oven?" She licked her lips and swallowed."Ah, that would be a fresh salad chilling in the fridge and potatoes baking in the oven. Are you hungry?" He ran his hand through his slightly too-long wavy hair that she loved. She wanted to run her hands through his soft hair while kissing his sweet lips."I'm starving, I had a quick lunch, seems like hours ago. How was your day?" Sam asked as she walked closer to him. Soon reaching his side, he leaned over and lightly kissed her cheek. She turned her face toward him and kissed him on the lips. Her breath shortened, her heart raced. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer."I miss you," she whispered against his lips."Me too," he muttered as he delved into her mouth ag
Sam trailed Elliott after slipping on her jeans, pulling her sweater over her head, to the kitchen and did as he asked. He went out the door onto the deck and she could hear him cleaning the grill. She set the table for two, making herself at home, opening and closing doors and drawers in the kitchen. The salad from the fridge and salad bowls from the cupboard were placed on the table. Using tongs, she placed some salad in each of their bowls. Now, for salad dressing, there was a ranch-like dressing, the only one in the fridge, and she placed it on the table, as well.When Elliott stuck his head in the door, she saw he had put on a different jacket. "Can you hand me the steaks, please?" he asked. "I have them marinating there on the counter." He pointed to the rectangular box-like container sitting on the counter beside the fridge.Sam handed the container out the door. "Salad's ready to eat if you're really hungry.""I'll be back in a minute. It won't take the steaks long."The sm