All Chapters of The Saddle Creek Series: Chapter 191 - Chapter 200

Janelle searched the barn for Carter but didn't see him. She hadn't brought him coffee and a sweet like usual this morning. In fact, she hadn't seen him since they returned from the cabin and their horse ride yesterday afternoon. She retrieved a cupcake from a basket and headed to the barn. It was late morning, and she wasn't sure where Carter would be or what he'd be doing. He wasn't in the round pen working with any of the horses.Walking through the middle of the barn, she stopped and petted a couple of the horses on their noses. She wished she'd brought some carrots or apples for them. She walked the entire length of the barn and then headed back to Carter's office. When she reached the hallway, she heard a woman's voice but couldn't decipher the words. Continuing, she reached the doorway and gasped."But all I want is to get married and have a family," Tory said.Carter stood beside his desk with Tory, the pregnant girl she'd just met yesterday, and she had her hand on his c

"I can't believe it. You're not usually impulsive. What happened?" Lauren's eyes widened, she cocked her head, and lifted an eyebrow."It was such a good deal, rock-bottom price, and you know I can't pass up a bargain.""Where'd you get the money?" Lauren asked, moving back on the chair."I used some of my savings," Janelle said."But your savings were to buy a house." Lauren shook her head and folded her arms over her stomach."Yes, and I made a great investment with a great return to add to my remaining savings for retirement and I have a house, too."When Lauren stared at her, Janelle felt the need to explain further. "I worked at a bank, remember, and I made some other really good investments. I've learned a lot about finances, and I just put it to good use." Just then Chase came in the back door."Hi, Chase, yo - " Janelle began.Lauren cut in. "Honey, you'll never believe what Janelle just did."Chase leaned down and kissed her. "Oh, I think I have an idea."J

It was late in the evening when Carter sat at his desk in the barn office, staring into his empty cup. What had happened to Janelle? He hadn't seen her for two days, not coming and not going and definitely not in the barn. Maybe she was embarrassed because of Pete, but he'd told her he'd fired him. So, where was she? Why no baked goods and coffee for breakfast or any time of day? He hadn't been eating dinner with Chase and Lauren, too hard to be around Janelle."Carter, here you are." Chase poked his head through the office doorway."Hey, come on in." Carter pushed back his chair and stood."I've been meaning to talk to you, see how you're doing," Chase said, taking a seat in front of the desk and placing his ankle on one other knee."The ranch is doing great. Coming along like we planned," Carter answered. He shifted his feet."I do have a question though.""Shoot.""Do you know what Janelle is up to? I haven't seen her in two days, and she had been bringing coffee and b

Janelle opened the door, stepped aside, and, with a sweeping motion with her arm, said, "Please come in."Carter entered and Janelle closed the door. She scrutinized his face as his eyes swept across the room on a three-hundred-sixty-degree circle. But he gave nothing away."Carte-" she began."No. Let me get this off my chest. I can't wait anymore.""Okay, take a seat. Can I get you a drink?" she asked.He backed up and sat in the recliner then slid to one side and motioned for her to join him in the oversized chair. Janelle didn't wait for a second invitation and quickly squeezed in beside him."Let me explain to you about Tory. I met her for the first time when you did at my mother's for dinner. She only came to the ranch the next day to thank me for listening to her ramble on about her boyfriend, who, by the way, arrived the next day and convinced her to marry him. They're now in Miami, planning a wedding."Janelle coughed and fiddled with her collar; a tingling swept

A week later, Susan opened the door to the Saddle Creek sheriff's office. When Mitch peeked around the corner of his office doorway, his face lit up. Susan opened her arms, needing a hug from a familiar face at home. After the embrace, she said, "It's so good to see you, Mitch. I was so excited to get back here, I almost got my first ever speeding ticket.""It's good to see you, too, Susan. Sorry about the ticket but it's for your own safety." Mitch smiled."And the cop reduced it to a warning since it was her first one ever," Lori interjected. "Suse, you have to tell the whole story. Good thing I was there with you or you'd still be bawling along the side of the road."Mitch, this loud-mouthed broad is my best friend since we were kids, Lori Witherite. we're ready to get back to work. Oh, Lori, this is Sheriff Mitch Rogers."Lori and Mitch shook hands."Are you going to sell the diner or revive it?" Mitch stretched his arms above his head."We're going to make it better th