All Chapters of The Saddle Creek Series: Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

Dinner was casual, with discussions ensuing about ranch issues, horse breeding, and plans for the next day, Sunday."Do you go to church?" Janelle asked.Chase and Lauren glanced at each other and answered simultaneously, "Sometimes.""The church isn't far away, and if you want to go, you're more than welcome to take my car," Lauren said, before stuffing a big bite of bread in her mouth."No, no it's okay. I just wondered. I didn't really bring any dress-up clothes, thinking we'd go shopping for them. After all, it is one of the things we do best, right?"Once Lauren chewed and swallowed, she said, "I have plans to take you downtown, see the sights as well as taking you to all my favorite shops. We can make a day of it.""Perfect. Do you have many chores to do around the house?" Janelle didn't want to take her away from her work. "I'm here to help, not just sit around and take up space.""I'm awake early and get most of it done before the baby gets up. And if I ever need

"Carter, Janelle, are you in here?" Lauren called out from the front door of the barn.It took a few seconds to register, since she'd forgotten her surroundings and lost track of time. They leaped away from each other. Janelle answered, "Yes, we're here in the grooming area. Come on back."Lauren and Cameron were dressed warm. "Thanks for starting dinner for me, Jan. I really needed another hour of sleep.""No problem. I'm glad to help." Janelle squeezed Cameron's pudgy cheeks. "And how's my little man today?" Cameron smiled at her, jumping in his mother's arms, and Janelle laughed. "We're running into town for some groceries. Do you want to come along," Lauren asked."Not really. I agreed to groom Pretty Girl, and I just started. You know I can't go back on my word." Janelle ran her hand over the horse's side."That's fine. I won't be gone long. Do you want anything?""I'd like to make some cookies, so I'll need whatever baking supplies you don't have on hand," Janelle

The next day, Janelle stayed in the house, away from the barn and Carter for two reasons. She couldn't guarantee she'd keep her hands off him, and she never wanted to run into Pete again. He gave her the creeps. Her stomach had been in knots the rest of the day.She spent the day browsing through recipes, and making a list of ingredients she needed for grocery shopping. Carter avoided her at dinner and that made her uncomfortable. She couldn't wait to get to her room and breathe freely again.Plopping on the bed, she wished she was with Carter in his cabin or even the office. He intrigued her like no other, and it had been a while since she'd even wanted to be with a man at all. But she had to admit, she wanted Carter.All of him.After sulking a few more minutes, she showered and slid under between the sheets. She looked forward to another riding lesson tomorrow, and this time she'd actually ride the horse.****Janelle woke early, rested and raring to go. She baked oatmea

Carter set two places at the countertop bar in his small kitchen. His cabin offered no space for a dining room. He tossed the salad, prepared the dressing, and marinated the steaks. He built a small fire in the cast-iron stove that served to heat the entire house during the winter. He surveyed the living/kitchen combo for any dirty clothes or dust he may have overlooked, but he saw none.He'd assigned the evening feeding to a couple of reliable hands and allowed extra time to clean his house, especially his bedroom and bath. He looked out the window facing the big house. No Janelle yet, and it was a couple of minutes past six. But women expected to make a special attract-attention entry.As nervous as a teenager on his first date, he paced in front of the fire. When he thought about it, it was his first real date in about two years. His long hours of work had paid off in the growth of the breeding program of the ranch, but his love life had taken a direct hit.At a light knock on

Carter couldn't stop whistling, or humming. He closed his eyes and remembered the softness of Janelle's skin, her lips, and her scent unlike any other woman he'd ever been with or known, not that he'd been with very many.He saddled up Pretty Girl and Goodfellow and walked them outside, ready for Janelle's riding lesson. The front door of the house slammed, and Janelle walked toward him. He gulped; she took his breath away. She wore blue jeans with mid-calf cowboy boots and a teal-colored light sweater, a denim jacket over her arm."Hello there, my handsome man." Janelle rose on her tippy toes and kissed his lips.He cupped her neck, tugged her close to him, and plundered her mouth, taking everything she offered. Pretty Girl nickered, and Janelle stepped away, ending the kiss."So, I'm your man?" Carter asked, handing the reins to her."Uh, for now you are, right? While I'm here?"Carter was teasing her but wasn't sure she knew it, so he quickly answered, "Of course I'm you