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Chapter 17
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The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 18
The tension in the truck was as thick as the morning fog on the mountaintops. Chase hadn't said a word, hadn't even looked her way. She squirmed on the bench seat. She hadn't felt comfortable since breakfast when he'd kissed her and then made a quick getaway, as if burned by her touch. She didn't know what it was, but something felt wrong between them. She stole a glance at him out of the corner of her eye and wondered what she may have said or done that would make him react this way.She didn't know him very well and still wasn't sure what to expect. One thing she didn't expect was to be riding to town with the quiet, brooding man he'd suddenly become. She turned her focus to something more pleasant. The magnificent view overwhelmed her. Snowcapped mountains in the distance, lush new green growths on the trees, and wide-open space in between. But, after a few minutes and all the beautiful scenery, she was suffocating in the silence. "This is such a beautiful part of the country."
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 19
Lauren opened the door to the dress shop and a bell jingled above. A middle-aged woman walked out from the back. Her blackish-gray hair was pulled up on top of her head in a tight bun and her glasses dangled on her chest by a gold necklace. She was dressed casually in black slacks and a black print top. "Good morning, how can I help you today?" Her blue eyes brightened as her gaze traveled from Lauren's head to her toes. "Well, I've been invited to your town dance, and I have no idea what would be appropriate to wear. Can you make a recommendation?" Lauren began to look through the racks of clothes."Ah, the spring dance. I remember it well. It's always so much fun, and I think I've got the perfect dress for you. It comes with a matching sweater, which you'll appreciate come the chilly evening." The store assistant walked over to a rack and searched for the right size, then pulled out a simple coral sundress. "This looks about right," she said, holding the dress up next to her. "G
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 20
Lauren watched the rolling green hills, painted with wildflowers, rush past the window. She loved the dress, but was ticked off at Chase for insisting on buying it. She wanted to simultaneously kiss him and strangle him. She'd never be able to repay him unless she found a job. She had a degree in Criminal Justice and had supported herself as a legal assistant back in Michigan, but that felt like a lifetime ago. Maybe she could find something as fulfilling in Saddle Creek or somewhere close. She'd worry about locating a place to stay after her first paycheck came in. Leaving the ranchand Chasewould be hard. Her throat tightened as she held back her tears. How could she survive without seeing his face every morning or hearing him whisper her name? She wouldn't live a day without caressing his bronze body as only a woman could do with a man. She swiped away the moisture in her eyes. The cab of the truck seemed to close in around her. A knot formed in her stomach. She couldn't think stra
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 21
She stared at the barn from the open window above the sink. What was happening out there? Chase's face had turned red with anger when Amos told him about another theft, but Lauren didn't hear any yelling from the barn office. No one came flying through the door, landing on his backside. Chase was probably handling things in his usual calm and composed way.Just like he'd curbed his temper, turned to her with kindness in his eyes, and told her to go into the house. Would he always be tender to her if she lived with him day and night, during their lovemaking, when she had his babies? Oh my god! A thought struck her between the shoulder blades and knocked the breath from her lungs.She'd never really thought about their sex together resulting in a baby. What if she was pregnant already? She touched her abdomen with her hands, almost hoping there was a baby already growing inside her. What will he or she look like? Will they have his gorgeous blue eyes and blond hair or my bright eye
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 22
Lauren ran to her bedroom and closed the door. Mrs. Lauren Montgomery. She wouldn't mind if she were his to take care of for the rest of their lives. Alone in her room, his words somersaulted around in her head so fast she wondered which were hers and which were his. "Look in my eyes and tell me you don't have feelings for me, that your heart doesn't jump into your throat every time you think about me, every time you look at me." She lay on the bed, her overloaded head full of thoughts she desperately wanted to clear. She couldn't shake Chase from her mind. She tried to think of nothing, but that didn't work, because his words just kept coming back, echoing with every passing second. How could she figure out how she felt about him, and figure it out fast? Could marrying him really be the answer to all her problems, or would it cause more? How would marrying him keep Clint from invading her future? Surely Clint will give up trying to find me by then.She didn't want to be responsible
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 23
Lauren woke early, dressed, and again beat Chase to the coffeemaker. She sat at the table and watched the sun rise on a beautiful, clear, and dry day as she pondered her immediate future. She was getting married.One thing she'd learned about the handsome rancher was he didn't rush into anything. He thought everything through and through. Sometimes he thought it to death, and she surmised he'd done that before proposing to her as well. She could only hope he'd had the right idea and she'd made the right decision.She'd have to get used to the sound of Lauren Montgomery instead of Lauren McCray. She rolled her tongue around the new name. At least I'll have the same initials. Then again, maybe I won't bother changing my nameat least not till we get past the first year. * * * *Instead of jumping out of bed as soon as he smelled the coffee aroma wafting into his room from the kitchen, Chase lay there thinking about his bride-to-be. He snorted. That was nothing new. She'd been the o
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 24
Lauren smiled at all the lights adorning the town of Saddle Creek. It was lit up like a Christmas tree. Couples strolled up and down the boardwalk, coming and going to the dance. Some were decked out in jiggling silver spurs, big silver-and-gold belt buckles, and bolos, while others wore contemporary jeans and shirts. Country music echoed from the barn, and light spilled across the boardwalk, highlighting the people. They entered the barn and the aroma of fresh hay and food assailed her nostrils. In one corner, a live band played a country tune and her nerves thrummed along with the music. A table full of food and drink was set up across from the band. Pushing through the crowd, Lauren and Chase made their way to the food table to unload their contribution of food. They got a drink and loaded a plate of food and found a nearby table to sit and listen to the music. Chase greeted everyone, nodding his head or waving as they walked by. When the country band played their first slow son
The Saddle Creek Series Chapter 25
Chase's anger boiled. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his heart pounded in his ears. He couldn't get there fast enough to keep Clint from smashing his fist into Lauren's beautiful face. His fury toward the man who had dared to put his hands on her again turned red hot. "You ready to pick on someone your own size now, asshole?" Chase came up swinging and threw the first punch. Clint hit the ground not far from Lauren, but pulled himself up and swung at the rancher. Chase ducked and landed a solid blow on his opponent's right side of his face. Lauren had told him that Clint had broken her jaw once before and it had to be wired shut for months. He hoped he'd broken the bastard's jaw. He hoped his mouth would have to be wired shut for months, too. Chase waited while Clint rolled to his hands and knees and staggered to his feet, then he let him have it with a left jab. Cartilage crunched, and blood spurted from Clint's nose as he fell, bruised and broken, to the dirt. Chase
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