All Chapters of The Saddle Creek Series: Chapter 221 - Chapter 230

Edie's alarm woke her with Alan Jackson singing "I'll go on loving you," one of her favorites. She lay and listened to the song and imagined Tom's handsome face in front of her. Then quiet.Wonder where Gramps is? He usually has the coffee going, and I don't even smell it.She grabbed her robe from the floor where it had fallen during the night and headed down the steps. In the kitchen, she saw everything exactly the same as she left it last night."Gramps, where are you?" she hollered as she reached the bottom of the steps. When she stood outside his bedroom door, she breathed deeply. Surely, he was okay. She knocked and yelled, "Gramps." No answer.She slowly opened the door. He was in his bed, covered with one of Grandma's quilts. He must have overslept. He looked so comfortable. She hurried to his side and shook his shoulder. "Gramps, come on, wake up, sleepyhead." No response. Then she ran her fingertips over his cheek, it was cold. Oh no! She held his hand and then laid h

Edie read the first page, past the obtrusive name, and then went on to the next. The aroma of fresh coffee perked her up, and she continued. When Tom returned with the coffee, she accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, Tom. It smells so good.""I made a fresh pot. I don't like it when it's old." Tom sat in the chair facing her. "Have you had enough time to read it entirely?"Edie sipped her coffee."What do you think?""Gramps took care of everything, didn't he?""He sure did. All the things you feared you'd have to do are already done." Tom sipped his coffee."Let me get this straight and make sure I understand everything. If Gramps had passed while I was in prison, Chase Montgomery would be the executor of the estate, but only until I was released. Once I was released, I was or am the executor, right?""Yes, go on.""Upon Gramps' death, Chase has agreed to purchase the ranch for the fairest value, and all proceeds go to me to do with whatever." She glanced at Tom. "The f

Edie woke a few times during the night when the wind blew hard and wiggled the screens in the windows. She thought of Gramps and how much she'd miss him. Her chest hurt and she thought about how she was going to get through the rest of her life without him. She cried herself into exhaustion and back to sleep. She tossed and turned, waking frequently, and was wide awake when the alarm went off. Throwing on a bathrobe and stepping into her slippers she hurried downstairs. Tom was awake and sitting on the couch. "So, it's true. It wasn't a dream, was it? Gramps is gone.""I'm sorry, but it is true." Tom patted the couch beside him.Tears formed again. "I'm going to make coffee." She left the living room for the kitchen.Coffee brewed while she made toast. She'd gotten the jelly out of the fridge when Tom walked into the kitchen, so good looking in his jeans and white shirt with his sheriff's badge on it.He embraced her. She felt his heat emanating through her body and she relaxed

When the bedroom door opened and Edie stepped out, Tom couldn't form any words. His mouth was dry and heart racing. He ogled her from head to toe. She was beautiful. She wore a clingy red dress that hugged all her curves, and the deep V-neck revealed the tops of her breasts. She wore black stiletto heels that made her legs look like they went on forever."Y-you're beautiful, Edie," Tom stuttered, imagining her legs wrapped around his waist. Edie twirled around. Tom saw her back was bare to her waist, and he locked his legs to keep from dragging her to his bed. I'm the one who wanted to go slow, but I don't know how much more I can take.Edie twisted around until she was against his chest then asked, "Still want to wait?"Tom's body said no, but his heart said yes. She was vulnerable and he didn't want to take advantage of her. But how could he control himself?He leaned in and kissed her lips. "Let's go. Are you hungry?""Starved, but not for food." She winked at him."You'

The following morning, Edie woke and lay still. Where was she? It didn't smell like her room at Gramps, and it sure wasn't her prison cell. The scent of sex was strong. Her legs were wrapped around something hard and hairy, like a man's leg. She squinted and then peeked out. A very muscular forearm lay across her chest, caressing a breast. She turned her head and her gaze found Tom's unusually dark-blue eyes staring into hers."You are so beautiful, Edie. Where have you been all my life?" Tom caressed her cheek with his knuckles."I think we've both been hiding in plain sight." She settled into the bed, still tired, snuggling closer to him, glad it was Sunday morning."Good way of putting it..""Hmph," she moaned, tugging the sheets closer, not wanting to move."You ready for some coffee?" Tom leaned over and kissed her cheek."I'm not ready to get up yet. I didn't get much sleep last night.""And whose fault is that?" Tom asked."Ooohhhh. Just a few more minutes, pleas