All Chapters of The Saddle Creek Series: Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

A few hours later, Dillon was sleeping in his own upstairs. Mitch had helped Dillon up the stairs and into bed where he fell asleep almost instantly. Avri and Drew took turns checking in on him to make sure he was warm enough and had no signs of hyperthermia, but he continued to sleep soundly.Avri and Drew baked Dillon's favorite cookies and sang Christmas songs. When Drew yawned early afternoon after lunch, Avri said, "Drew, how about we rest in bed with Daddy?""I'd like that, all of us in bed like before Daddy went away.""Okay, let's go. We'll snuggle and rest and maybe even fall asleep. We were up really early this morning, weren't we?" Avri said, as she took her son's hand and walked up the stairs with him."Yeah, Daddy surprised us early, didn't he?" Drew asked, as he jumped on the bed and toes off his shoes."He sure did but we have some Christmas surprises for him too," Avri tousled his hair as she lay down beside him, careful not to disturb Dillon."Yeah, we do. Wait t

"Hello?" An older woman came to a stop when she saw Ronnie."Hello, I'm Veronica, but everyone calls me Ronnie. You must be Marie Weaver, the housekeeper." Veronica held out her hand. "We spoke on the phone."Instead of shaking hands, Mrs. Weaver beelined it across the room and hugged her tightly. When she stepped back, she said, "I'm so glad to finally meet you, Ver - , I mean Ronnie. You're much prettier in person than pictures I've seen over the years. Your eyes are so crystal blue, and you look so much like your aunt." Mrs. Weaver placed a warm hand on each of Veronica's upper arms. "I've heard so much about you for so many years, it's so wonderful to finally meet you.""Really? I had no idea Aunt Sally, uh, uh, had me in her plans. She never told me anything." Ronnie's gaze searched the room, found the stone gas fireplace, and she moved toward it. "Sorry, I'm freezing. Not used to this weather yet." She chuckled and held her hands out to the warmth while she continued scanning

Mitch let the outside door slam behind him and walked the few feet into his office doorway. MugShot sat up, and Mitch scratched behind his ears before he rounded his desk. MugShot sighed and laid his head down on his front paws. Deputy Sykes snored in Mitch's chair, his dirty boots propped on the corner of his desk. Mitch knocked the muddy boots to the floor with his gloved hands. Damien jerked awake, grabbing for the desk but only reached air in an attempt to catch himself from falling to the floor. His ass hit the hard surface with a thump, and he quickly clambered to his feet, his right hand massaging his butt."Any calls?" Mitch asked, settling in his still-warm leather chair."One call, and Adam took care of it. It's been quiet." Damien shuffled his feet.The outside door opened, and Damien stuck his head out of Mitch's office then turned back with his eyes wide, his eyebrows raised. Mitch stepped around him and halted at the sight of who marched inside. Simultaneously, his

"Well, you should be thankful I'm here, I am a guest after all, and like I said, I only need a place to sleep. I eat at Rosie's most of the time.""Who's Rosie?" Ronnie asked and then wished she hadn't. She sounded like a jealous girlfriend."You haven't been to Rosie's Diner yet?" She shook her head, and he continued. "I can't believe it. It's where all the happenings are that make Saddle Creek such a great small town.""That's all well and good, but why are you raiding the fridge in my kitchen, in the middle of the night, and in your bathrobe, to boot?""I'm hungry, I couldn't sleep, and the stew smelled so good when I came in, I helped myself. Sometimes I don't get to eat, so Marie and Aunt Sally always welcomed me to the leftovers. Even if I only wanted a snack." He overlapped each side of his robe across his lap. Then he picked up his fork and stabbed at a piece of meat.Ronnie didn't move but simply shook her head. He was a paying guest helping himself to leftovers in t

After a few chuckles, Elliott said, "I think we all know where Miami is located on a map, but what we don't understand is why anyone would live there. It's hotter than hell in the summer, hurricanes and monsoons, and full of tourists in the winter. This is God's country. The way it's supposed to be with four seasons, beautiful scenery and wildlife, and, fun for everyone, right, Dillon? You agree with me, don't you?"Directing her gaze to Dillon, she saw a glimpse of pain in his eyes before he lifted them to her face. "I sure do, Ell. This is God's country. It's beautiful here, especially when viewed from a motorcycle." His eyes stared at Chase, one on one.Chase waved his hand in front of Dillon. "Now, you know I'll disagree with you there. I think it's a much better view from the backside of a horse, but I'm sure Mitch would disagree with me since he avoids horses like the plague. Ever since his big bronc wreck, right, Mitch?""Geesh, why don't you just tell her everything about