All Chapters of The Saddle Creek Series: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

"I'll see if I can get a locksmith out here pronto while you have a talk with Dot. Maybe a sympathetic woman will yield more helpful answers, help her remember." Mitch pulled his cell from his pocket."I'll try my best, but I don't think she's going to remember much." Ronnie unclipped her keys from her belt. "I'll call as soon as I learn something. Where do you find a locksmith around here?""I'm going to call one in Jackson. He's pretty fast to respond, but I'm also going to call my good friend Chase just in case. He owns a horse ranch and always has some hands looking for extra work.""Okay, I'm on my way to the hospital."Ronnie drove the short distance to the rural hospital and entered Dot's room. Dot's cheek was bandaged, and discoloration marred the skin around the wound. Her eyes were closed when Ronnie approached, but when she touched her shoulder, Dot's eyes fluttered open. "Hi there, Dot. Do you remember me?"Dot squinted, opened and closed her eyes, probably trying

Sheriff Rogers followed by Deputy Adam turned their vehicle lights off before approaching Ronnie's vehicle. Once parked out of sight, they flashed a light through the windows and seeing nothing, they opened the driver's door, clicked the trunk button, and it opened. Nothing inside. Their flashlights shone brightly, streaking the dark night. Leaves rustled and limbs scraped together in a gust of wind.Mitch was beside himself when Ronnie wasn't at the house, hadn't been there yet, and didn't answer her cell. In fact, her phone was right there on the front seat. He never should have stayed behind and done all that paperwork. He should have followed her home, made sure she arrived safely. He could do the paperwork at the house. His heart sank when they found her personal vehicle parked in the weeds and behind a tree without her in it. He didn't want to think about her being abducted or maybe even killed for knowing too much. But what did she know? Had she told him everything? He was qui

Ronnie's eyes flashed open, her senses on full alert. The hair on the back of her neck stood straight out. Mugsy sat up, his ears up in listening mode. Her hand automatically found her weapon from under her pillow. She held it in her hand, listening to every sound inside and outside the house. Something woke her. Then she heard the creak. Someone had walked up the back stairs. She didn't think it was Mitch, and most guests never knew about them.She jumped out of bed in her flannel pj's, not bothering to grab her robe, thinking it would be too cumbersome and just get in the way. She opened her bedroom door and peeked out. With her weapon down at her side, she slid against the wall to the breakfast room. Mugsy whined, probably because she didn't take him with her, but she could only handle so much.Ronnie worked her way through the family room and to the back stairs. There was no one at the top or in the hallway, so she trod lightly up. She was almost to the top when she saw a man c

In one fluid movement, Chase jumped onto his beautiful horse and was off like the wind, almost as if he and the horse were one entity. Since Mitch had known him, he'd had a special knack with horses. He related to them: the caring, training, riding, breeding, everything. There wasn't a horse that didn't like him.Mitch relaxed and leaned into the tree behind him. He was surprised Damien hadn't said a word. He'd tangled with Chase before and must've learned something. Mitch was thankful for that alone."Might as well sit a spell and get comfortable. Mom, Dad, do you need anything?""Nope, we're good," his dad said."I'm tired and just want to go home and get in my own bed," his mom answered as she folded her legs under her. She rubbed her arms, shivering."Here you go, Mrs. Rogers. Let me wrap this around your shoulders. It'll keep some of your natural heat inside." Ronnie placed her jacket on his mother's back then stood beside Mitch."Thank you, Ronnie, for all your help t

Ronnie quickly dressed and hurried to the kitchen. Marie placed a plate full of aromatic meat and veggies at her place at the table; she couldn't remember when she'd last eaten. "Thank you, I'm famished." She placed the notebook next to her plate. "Where's Mitch?" She opened her napkin and placed it on her lap."Right here." Mitch walked up behind her. He pulled out his usual chair while Marie hurried over with a full plate for him.His chair scraped the floor, the sound like chalk on a blackboard, and Ronnie shuddered. "Thank you. This smells so good." Mitch grabbed a soft, warm roll out of a basket and slathered it with butter.Ronnie played with her food, her body hungry but her mind confused and tired. How could Mitch be so calm? Ronnie massaged her forehead with her fingers. She felt the pressure and the necessity of locating Parker on a wanted poster, but what if he didn't have a record? They'd have to search for the body or convince Damien, somehow, to talk.Mitch's cell