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Chapter 66
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The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 67
Back at the campsite, everyone bustled around, packing up gear to be stowed on the mule. Elliott saddled all the horses and packed the mule ready for a fast and furious trip down the mountain. He needed to remember Don and Connie were paying customers and he couldn't get them back down too fast. He didn't want them to come away feeling cheated. One last look around at cold fire pits that had been doused with snow and dirt, and he was satisfied they were ready to go.The trek down was always easier and never seemed to take as long. They stopped for breaks at numerous viewing places and then for lunch at midday. They arrived back at the ranch at about four in the afternoon. Don and Connie were anxious to get out of the cold, even though the sun had peeked through and already the snow was almost all melted."You guys go ahead and get your car started. I'll unload your things and bring them over." Elliott smiled at the middle-aged couple as they quickly staggered to their car. Riding a h
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 68
Scruff's heart began to race and he gulped for air as the two men stared at him, expecting answers he couldn't give them. "What? How was I supposed to know? I'm no camera expert." He shrugged his shoulders and shuffled his feet under the chair."No, you're definitely not an expert, that's for sure. We need the small one-by-one inch square disk which would fit right here in this little slot," Gerald said in a soft voice. "See right here." He pointed to the slot as he brought the camera closer to Scruff's face. Then he slammed the camera into his nose.Pain radiated upward throughout his head and he grabbed his nose. Blood started to drip onto the desk. The old man pushed Scruff backward. "Don't be dirtying up my office, you need to get out.""Wait, Dad. I think there's something else he can do for us."Gerald sunk into his chair and looked at his son.Scruff sat in agony, his hand holding his bleeding face, trying to breathe through his nose. "What's that?" Scruff asked in a nasall
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 69
The white pickup started with a gurgle, a rumble, and then backfired. Sam jumped, startled. Her arms were numb from being trapped behind her and taped together so tightly. Scruff sat in the driver's seat of the rickety, barely running truck, and grinded gears until he got it into first gear and pulled forward. The action jerked her head back enough to hit the headrest with a hard thump. At this rate, she would have whiplash.Scruff pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main highway, shifting roughly each time, jerking her head and shoulders back and forth. Sam tried to keep track of all the twists and turns of the roads he turned onto, but not being familiar with the area she was soon lost. She only knew they were out in the wilderness, no houses, stores, or ranches with corrals nearby. Trees soon enveloped the single one-lane dirt road.Where is he taking me? How can I leave Elliott a trail so he can find me?After driving mile after mile, the road continued to narrow, until i
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 70
"Thanks for letting us know about the door. It always helps to have someone looking out for us. We've got to keep the utilities bills low, too," Gerald said as he watched his son make his way back the hall.Elliott glanced between them and turned to go."Uh, Elliott, everything okay? You seem a little distracted," Gerald said, as if luring Elliott to stay longer."Yes, everything's fine." He continued toward the door. Elliott turned toward them and observed Ted was back beside his dad, both with big grins on their faces. He exited through the door, wondering what had come over them since his recent talk about his Dad's property."Randy, how's it going?" Elliott asked as he entered the shop. "Everything's looking good, especially the deposits in the bank. You're doing a great job.""Thanks, Elliott. We got a lot of inventory delivered, too. Emily and I are working on tagging and getting everything out right away. We've got all the sale items on one rack now and closest to the door.
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 71
Sam lay on the hard, dirty, and cold bed, shivering. When she heard someone or something making noise on the stones outside, she became much more alert. Suddenly she heard the key in the lock of the door and tried to sit up. Her wrists were raw from trying to wrench free from the bed, her hands red, traces of blood on the blanket. Her face covered with dried, red snot. Her fur-lined boots kept her feet somewhat warm and weren't as cold as her face and hands.The door opened. She closed her eyes and screamed, "Elliott.""Sorry, missy, but he can't hear you from here and even iffen he could I doubt he would come for you." Scruff entered the cabin and closed the door, no sign of Larry anywhere. "I gave your lover man til morning to show up with the money and iffen he don't I'll get rid of you the same way I got rid of Ralph. Right over the cliff and down in the river." He threw a large log on the fire and she began to feel the heat, the warmth spread throughout her body. She wanted it t
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 72
"Elliott," she screamed."Go ahead, let it all out. No one's going to hear you anyways."She screamed again and tried to break loose of his hold on her. She kicked at him, but he moved too quickly, and her numb legs wouldn't do what she wanted."You ready now, Missy? Times runnin' out, and your fancy man friend didn't show with the money this mornin' so's now it's your turn. You made peace?" he asked as he pushed her even closer."What do you mean, now it's my turn? Who else have you tortured by doing this to them?" she asked, hoping for any kind of delay she could muster."Uh ha, not gonna work on me. You already have the proof in the pictures you done took of me and Ralph up here so's you know the answer already anyway. That's why it's your turn. You ready?" He jabbed and pushed her closer.Both her hands held onto his one arm. "Let go of me, you bastard. If all you wanted were the photos why didn't you ask me for them? I would have been happy to give them to you.""Oh, it's t
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 73
Finally, Elliott reached the rushing rapids down the mountainside. He looked up and down on both sides for anything different or out of place where someone might have gotten out of the water. But he saw nothing than the ordinary. He headed north at a gallop, his eyes searched left, right, and straight ahead for any stomped down grass, or Sam. He couldn't, he wouldn't accept the thought he'd be too late to save her. He'd been too late to help Mariah and that was his fault. This time, he had to make it there in time to save the woman he loved.He kept north, sometimes at a slow pace and at other times he was able to go faster, letting the horse pick and choose the best way to get across the rocky path.He finally saw a dark brown object, on the bank of the raging water, just south of an overhanging cliff. He soon got near enough to see it was Sam, in her tan winter coat, now dark brown because it was wet.He sprang from the horse and rushed to her side. Checking for a pulse, he found
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 74
When Elliott glanced up and saw the flashing red and blue lights from the ambulance, as well as from police cruisers, relief fluttered through his body. He pulled up on the reins when the paramedics ran toward him with a stretcher and necessary equipment."Watch her foot. It may be broken. She's been in and out of consciousness the entire trip." Elliott carefully handed her into their capable hands, then dismounted. He walked his horse over to Mitch and handed him the reins."Thanks for everything today." Elliott shook Mitch's hand and they exchanged hat waves. Elliott rushed to the ambulance to ride to the hospital with Sam.Once the EMTs and paramedics progressed Sam to stable condition, she was set up with an IV drip and wrapped in warm blankets. With ice on her ankle, she started to thrash around. She screamed, "Elliott, Elliott, where are you?""I'm right here, Sam, right here beside you. You're going to be okay, I promise."He rubbed his thumb across the top of her hand. "Do
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