All Chapters of The Saddle Creek Series: Chapter 201 - Chapter 210

John Davis, Mitch's uncle, sat on the porch, his foot touching the floor every so often to keep the rocker moving. The noise from the night bugs filled the cool air with a sense of peace, and the country farm smell of the horses in the barn was a relaxing elixir. He missed his wife Elizabeth of almost fifty years. She'd been good to him, took care of him, but they never had any children. He had no one to give his last name to, let alone any legacy. When he died, the Davis name would end.Their home, or his home in Montana was too lonely and had too many reminders of their long and mostly happy life together. Everywhere he saw her handicrafts: the curtains she made for the kitchen window, the embroidered pillowcases, the afghan she'd crocheted to cover her feet on cold winter nights.It had only been a few months since he'd laid her to rest, but it seemed like years. She'd died inside when she received the diagnosis of terminal cancer about six months ago. She'd said her goodbyes th

"Sorry, I guess I got carried away." John turned toward the counter where he'd placed his clipboard."It's okay, I-it was good. It felt good. We're celebrating, aren't we?" Susan followed and stood beside him. "What do we do first?""I already have the wall down and the new one ready to go, so I need to figure out how much lumber I need and schedule the electrician. You probably know the best in town, so why don't you schedule him and a plumber. We want all the innards of the place to be clean and ready to go." John picked up the clipboard and moved over to where he intended to build the wall."Okay, I can make those calls. Any preferred time?" she asked."No, I'll be here all day, so anytime is fine.""When are you going to pick up the lumber?" Susan asked."I'm not. We'll have it delivered. Don't have a truck big enough anyway. I hope I can get it soon.""Yeah, me. too. Since we have the money it's work, work, work. I've been wanting to do a deep clean on the grill and

"Hi, there. I noticed you're doing some renovations, and I'm looking for some work for a little extra money. My wife's pregnant with our first baby and had to quit working, so we're a little short of cash right.""What's your name?" Susan knew almost everybody in town, since they'd all at one time or another eaten at her establishment. He sure did look familiar. The patterned blue shirt worn over dirt streaked T-shirt and knee-torn blue jeans indicated they'd already seen an eight hour or more day."I'm Ben Paige, my folks live at - "Susan said, "I know your folks, looks like you grew up when I wasn't looking.""Yes, ma'am, I guess I did," Ben answered."What type of work do you like to do?" John crossed his arms over his chest."I'm open to anything. I have a full-time job, so I could only work nights and weekends but, as you know, every little bit helps."Susan and John looked at each other. "Yes, we do know.""How's your balance, Ben?" John asked."It's fine, I wo

At lunch, John arrived with sandwiches and salads for each of them, and they ate at the kitchen table. Susan winced as she sat down and was ready for ice again and bed rest. "My back's hurt before, but I've never had this much pain in an all-encompassing area. It feels like my back is on fire.""Before when your back went 'out, you took it easy and, slowly, the muscles relaxed, and your back was fine. But I think you've strained them, and they are mad." He tangled his fingers all together, and she guffawed at him. "They're all twisted up and hollering at each other. What's so funny?""You are. You're silly. You make me laugh.""Is it a good thing?" He asked."Yes, it is, John. I want to be happy, but for some reason I feel I'm cheating on Eddy. Don't you feel similar with your Liz?""This is probably terrible to say, but I don't. I lost my Liz a long time before she drew her last breath. I watched her die a little bit every day and, in the end, it wasn't her. When she chose n

Only two weeks till Thanksgiving. She'd noticed the cooler air this morning when she came to work. Pretty soon, she'd have to park her car in the garage, so she wouldn't have to shovel or sweep the snow off it.The new windows were clear and bright, and she envisioned the celebration on Christmas Eve. Her boys - Chase, Elliott, Dillon, and Sheriff Mitch - would all be there like they've been from the beginning. Except three of them had children, and Mitch and Ronnie were still newlyweds. Oh yeah, and then there were Tom and Edie, who they'd already invited, and Carter and Janelle. She'd spoke with Janelle today about it. They should be able to attend and then there were Ben and Angela with the new baby.Susan needed another list for invitations and RSVPs and additional food. Or what about having the meal catered? She'd have to ask Janelle for a quote, and talk to John, Avri and Lauren. Dillon's wife Avri, an attorney and Chase's wife, Lauren, were usually the two representing the g