Share
Chapter 78
Related chapters
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 79
Days passed without incident, each one bringing a brand new sunrise. Dillon mucked stalls, fixed fences, cleaned tack, and even exercised horses. Enough work during the day tired him out and helped him sleep easier at night, but the nightmares continued. Not always the same, but they all ended in a scream for help.Chase never entered his room again. Nothing he could do. Dillon worked harder than most ranch hands to make up for waking Chase and Lauren every night with his screams.Mid morning on the fourth day after Dillon arrived, he was sweeping up straw in the barn when Chase appeared at his side. He slapped Dillon on the back."Ready to take a break and go for that bike ride? I had the boys uncover your motorcycle and gas it up. It's ready to go. Thought you'd want to take a ride into town and check on Avri."At the mention of her name, Dillon attempted to swallow but his mouth went dry, his chest suddenly ached, and his heart raced. Dillon stopped raking and stared at Chase. "
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 80
When Dillon returned to the ranch, Chase was working with a horse in the round pen. He coasted the bike into the barn to the same place where it had been parked for the last four years. Rubbing his sleeve across the chrome gas tank, he wiped away the slight dust that had accumulated from his ride. Man, I sure have missed you.Dillon removed his helmet and stood beside the bike while Chase strolled over."How was the ride?" Chase asked, as he coiled a rope in his gloved hands."Great. I'd forgotten how much I love to ride. Brought back some great memories.""Did you visit with Avri?"Dillon couldn't look Chase in the eye."Well, how'd it go?" Chase muttered, turning his head toward the setting sun. "Did you talk to her?"Dillon glanced at Chase, dumbfounded. Didn't his best friend know him at all? "I couldn't. I just sat there on my bike and stared at her. Then I tore off without even a wave. I'm such a dick." Dillon ran his hand through his hair."Wanna go for another ride, thi
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 81
Dillon groomed both the horses, fed them and gave them fresh water. He'd procrastinated long enough.He strolled leisurely toward the front porch, nodded to Chase and climbed the steps. After Dillon relaxed in one of the rocking chairs, Chase asked, "Are you ready to venture out for some good fries covered in gravy at Rosie's?""Sounds good. When?" Dillon answered in a monotone."Tonight. Thought I'd give Lauren a break since she cooks every night. I also invited Mitch and Elliott, but Mitch is on duty and can't make it. Elliott's in for a surprise. He doesn't know you're back yet," Chase said, rocking back and forth in his chair.Dillon removed his black hat, placing it on his lap. Memories of late night parties and drunken times with his friends swirled in his head. He smiled and licked his lips. It had been too long since he'd had a good meal from his favorite eating place, mostly because it was one he had dreamt of when he'd been starving."Will she be there?" Dillon asked."
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 82
"No, no, nothing. IIt's, you've been so down. Actually, the last few times we've been together you've been too quiet. I wondered what you were thinking. You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" Josh said, eyeing the full restaurant."I know. Sorry, I've been a little preoccupied.""Is it something with your boy, Drew? Does he need a talking to? You know I'll be glad to help you with him," Josh dropped his hands to the table and stared. His grey eyes had turned hard with his comment, not the kind, loving softness she expected to see regarding her son.She shook her head. "No, he's fine. I haven't had much time to spend with him. Michelle's babysitting tonight, and I do need to get going. I want to read him a story and tuck him in before he goes to sleep.""That's all well and good, but he is almost four years old. He doesn't need his mother as much now as he did when he was younger. And from what you've told me about his babysitter, Michelle, she's wonderful with him. He'
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 83
Once outside the diner, Avri jerked her arm away from Josh's heavy possessive hand."So, who was the crude dude back there? Do you know him?" Josh asked."He's an old high school friend. We all grew up together." Avri spit out the words choking her, while her blood pounded in her head. She walked toward her car, pulling her coat closed against the cold night air, as Josh followed. If he expected a kiss goodnight, he was going to be extremely disappointed.She wanted to get away as fast as she could. She had to deal with the feelingsGod, there were so many emotions slammed at her right now. She felt everythingpain and anguish, pity and anger to carnal desire from standing so close to Dillon. She could have reached out and touched him. Almost. And she'd wanted to touch him so badlyto fall into his familiar embrace and inhale his scent, to return to the night when they'd made love and their son."Not a very friendly man, is he?" Josh commented as he looked back at the closed door. She
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 84
Restless, Dillon paced the front porch of Chase's house. All he could think about was how much he wanted to see and talk to Avri. Now was the right time. He was ready. Past ready.Jumping over the few front steps, he jogged to the barn. The sun had already gone down and the night air had turned cold. He drove his new truck into Saddle Creek.He parked, staring at a house he almost didn't recognize. When he'd visited there many years ago, chasing one of the Sutter girls, the yard was almost bare with tall weeds growing around the front porch. Now, the yard was lush, and flowery shrubs grew along the walkway and the front porch. He wasn't familiar with this house; this house was so much more. Avri had done some renovations, and he liked what she'd done. It looked like herwarm, welcoming, and home.Walking toward the front porch steps, he hesitated and stopped, twirled around and took three steps back.No, I want to see her, talk to her. I'm ready.He pivoted and strode to the front
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 85
Dillon's eyes popped open; his body on full alert. In the darkness he could feel warm flesh against his. His hearing intense, he lay motionless in complete silence. Something woke him, but he couldn't see or hear anything. Then the scent of lavender floated in the air. He closed his eyes, searching for reality. He'd had the same dream so many times but this appeared to be real.He reached out his hand and touched soft, smooth flesh. Avri.It wasn't a dream. It was real. He was home. Home with Avri again.He didn't want to disturb her so he lifted the covers and slid out. He stood by the bed; a feeling of de ja vu compressed his chest. Grabbing his clothes from the floor, he stealthily left the room. As he dressed in the hall he listened intently for any sound of her arousal. With none, he made his way to the front door. Along the way his eyes were drawn to a small metal car, bright red, lying on the edge of a step. Did she have children? Staring at the small plaything he walked back
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 86
Josh Hawkins often worked late. He liked the solitude and knowing for sure there was no one hovering outside his open office door. Alone at his computer, he pulled up the Swiss bank account he'd created when he'd first started this gig. He'd accumulated quite a bit of money in a short period of time. Proud, he patted his chest. Although posing as a fake venture capitalist, he'd been successful after numerous jobs throughout his career. Relocation and new identity was frequently necessary, but he had a blast meeting new people from all over the country and stealing their money.As much as he hated to admit it, he'd fallen hard for Avri. He'd even tolerate her son, if it meant getting closer to her through the boy, but he'd never liked kids; never envisioned having any of his own. But for the opportunity to have Avri, he'd consider putting up with the little guy before he could get rid of the kid. Boarding school was always an option, if necessary.He'd never been able to get to second
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
