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Chapter 85
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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
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 87
Dillon left the office and headed out to Chase's ranch. He'd recently moved into the old Moser place to house sit for the winter while the elderly couple vacationed in a warmer climate. Arriving in town with few belongings meant getting a fully furnished place so this was perfect for him. Still kind of newlyweds, Chase and Lauren needed their privacy. Dillon unpacked a few special items into an empty drawer in the living roomstill not sure why he wasn't quite ready to part with the hand-carved, wooden-handled knife he'd stolen during his captivity or the memorable dog tags.A myriad of questions flew through Dillon's mind. Ready to ask Chase, Dillon hoped his old friend had some answers. He parked his truck beside Chase's and joined him on the front porch where he and his wife snuggled on the swing in the cool evening air.Dillon took off his hat and nodded to Lauren. "How's it going?""Good. Supposed to be a pretty sunset and get cold tonight. Not sure I'm ready for winter yet." Ch
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 88
After Drew fell asleep, Avri dozed off, half sitting, half laying on the soft comfortable love seat in the family room. Awakened by the sound of tires on gravel, she stepped to the front window in time to see a truck parked in her driveway.Dillon. It could only be him.Her hands trembled as she pulled her hair out of her face. Somehow, she needed to calm her heart and get herself under control. She jumped when she heard the knock on the front door. After a quick look up the stairs, she rushed to the door, hoping the sound hadn't disturbed Drew.She grabbed the doorknob but didn't turn it. Then she heard his voice calling her name, "Avri." The voice she'd yearned to hear call her name for far too many years. The voice she hoped could answer her many questions. The only voice that could make her nerves tingle.Avri didn't want him to wake Drew so she turned the knob and glanced up into his bright, blue eyes.She was taken aback by his appearance. Dressed in chino pants and a long-s
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 89
Avri was not going to back down from Dillon. She was a grown woman now, even with weakened knees. She moved away from him and sat on the side of the bed.Picking up her clothes, she moved to stand beside the bed while she pulled her sweater over her head, and then turned to him while zipping her skirt. "Where have you been all this time, Dillon? I need to know."He didn't answer right away, but she heard him breathing. "Why? Will it change the way you feel about me?""It would absolutely, if you have a wife and kids off somewhere." Avri stomped to the bedside table and turned on the lamp."No, no." He sat up and threw his legs over the side.Avri's hand flew to her mouth, and she gasped when she saw the crisscrossed scars on his back. Appalled, her mouth opened wide, anger fisted her hands over her lips.How could someone have done something like that to him? Her Dillon."I was trying to stay alive most of the time. There's never been anyone else for me, only you," Dillon paused
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 90
Outside Josh's house, Dillon sat in his car, patient. He'd sit here as long as he had too, eating cold pizza for breakfast if necessary. Now he was in his element. Dressed all in black, night goggles over his eyes, deputy badge on his belt with his handgun tucked in his shoulder holster, he opened his car door and stepped out on a pile of brush. Getting his bearings, he stretched and warmed up his stiff muscles.He observed the property from all sides. The houses in this neighborhood were spread outnice and quiet, no one around. The windows were open to the cool night air. Except for the windows on Josh's little house. They were closed tight, and some had bars across them. The house was dark. Maybe Josh had a make on his truck when he followed him and snuck out the back door.Making his way from cover to cover, he arrived soundlessly at the back door. He stood stock still against the aging building and listened. Hearing nothing, he proceeded to the nearest window without bars, about
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 91
Dillon, exhausted from his night of surveillance, had gone without sleep for longer periods of time. But, as he lay in bed, he couldn't remove the memory of Avri, flushed and satisfied as she lay in her king-size bed or their heated conversation after. Their words continued to swirl around in his mind, refusing to allow his brain to rest.He was troubled about how they'd parted and the last words he'd said to her. "I guess we're done here then." Hearing them again, inside his head, they sounded sofinal.He wondered why she was so upset with him. He'd left the noteshe was the one who hadn't followed up on their plans. She hadn't stopped him from leaving when he'd hesitated so she must be done with himhis greatest fear. Fear of not being wanted or loved, never good enough, not amounting to anythingresults from a childhood of bullying, beatings, and verbal abuse.Avri's love for him was what had kept him going day after day while in captivity. If he didn't have her he didn't have a lif
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 92
Avri stared at Dillon. "I qualified for Special Forces and went on many important and vital missions. I can't tell you very much because everything was top secret. Then I was captured and held prisoner for way too long in a place I never should have been. That's about it. Everything, all the details, are classified. I can't talk about them," Dillon said.Dillon couldn't or wouldn't meet her eyes. Why not? Was he telling her the truth? Or, as she sensed, only part of the truth. What wasn't he telling her? Was the truth he was hiding something he was never allowed to mention?"Dillon, come on. I'm not asking you to reveal federal secrets. I want to know why didn't you contact me and write to me?" Avri asked."We've gone over this before. At first, I waited for you to contact me. When you didn't, I thought we were over, that you'd met someone else," Dillon said, the sadness in his voice pulled at her heartstrings."Well, as I said, I never received the mysterious note you mentioned,"
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 93
Dillon worried all afternoon about how he left it with Avri. He wanted to talk to her again, but it was so hard to put his emotions into words. On his way home after work, he drove by her house. Her car was parked in the driveway instead of in the garage and that, in itself told him she was going out again. He hoped it wasn't with that sleaze-ball, Josh Hawkins.He took advantage of searching the National Crime Information Center today, but came up again with nothing. He already knew where Josh lived; now he needed to find out where he worked and with whom. That was the utmost important detail at this time. Following Josh around all day should provide him with enough knowledge to put it all together.Choosing to follow Avri tonight and make sure she was safe, Dillon turned the corner and circled the block. He parked in Elliott's backyard facing Avri's front yard from the side. Dillon didn't trust Josh; bad energy vibes emanated from him and he'd learned to trust those senses the hard
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