Elliott and Sam strode, loosely holding hands, the few short blocks to his office. When they rounded the corner and Sam saw the sign Bouchard Outfitters, she exclaimed, "Oh wow, Elliott, it's like your name up in lights, isn't it?""Yes, it is." Elliott opened the front door and chauffeured her inside with his hand on her elbow. The door closed behind them and a young man, about twenty-five, stepped out from behind a small counter."Hi, Randy. Everything going okay?" Elliott paused and asked the young man."Everything's great," Randy said, glancing back and forth from Elliott to Sam. "We received the new shipment with spring items so we'll be moving racks around to set up a larger sale rack. The invoice is on your desk. No new trips scheduled either.""Thanks, Randy. It sounds like you and Janice have everything under control. I'll leavoh, let me introduce you to a new friend of mine." Elliott glanced at Sam, and then proceeded to make the formal introduction.Sam shook Randy's ha

Elliott drove to Saddle Creek and parked in the driveway of a large white house with black shutters, the swing on the wide front porch swaying in the cool breeze. Motion lights on the side of the house and the front porch turned on automatically, making the piles of snow glisten."Whose house is this, Elliott? I know we're in Saddle Cre" Sam gasped as she looked around at the neighborhood, then settled on Elliott's face. "Is this your house, Elliott? Oh my gosh, it's beautiful. I love the big trees surrounding it, protecting it from all the neighbors.""Not that there are very many neighbors, but certain times of the year the B&B does get busy." Elliott chuckled. "Let's go take a look. I know it's dark, so wait for me to help you out. The icy frozen footsteps can be hard to navigate." Elliott pulled the keys from the ignition and jumped out. He met Sam and put his arm around her shoulders as they maneuvered their way to the front porch.Once they reached the front porch, Elliott dre

After a sleepless night, Elliott dreamed of blue eyes flashing intermittent with Mariah's green eyes, while he tossed and turned. He finally started his day earlier than usual. Dressed in his work jeans and heavy coat, he headed to the ranch. He worked most of the horses individually for a couple hours, then found Pedro, the ranch foreman. Leaving instructions for the rest of the horses, as well as for the ones he'd recently worked, Elliott headed back to his house and a quick shower.Elliott finished his shower, dried, and tied the towel around his waist. When he looked in the mirror to shave, he noticed his hair was getting a little long and bushy down on his collar. He would need a haircut soon. Wondering what Sam would think of his shorter hair, he began his morning routine of shaving and planning his day.Thoughts of Sam in his arms entered his mind and kept coming to the forefront of his attentions. He knew he had a busy day with calls and appointments to make in the morning an

Samantha scurried around her hotel room, fixing the pillows on the bed over and over again, making sure the chair at the desk was pushed in all the way, placed just right. She wanted everything to be perfect when Elliott arrived. She looked in the mirror too many times to count. Admitting to herself she looked good, she twirled, watching her long, red print skirt whirl about her legs and pulled down the back of her matching long red sweater.Knock, knock, knock, she heard on the door. One more glance in the mirror to make sure her necklace was centered, she took a long, deep breath and exhaled as she strutted to the door, her back straight, head held high. She put her hand on the doorknob and hesitated for only a second.Finally, she turned the knob and pulled open the door. There stood Elliott in all his resplendent glory. So happy to see him, it was all she could do to contain herself from running into his arms."Hi you, come in for a minute. I need to get my coat.""You look bea

Elliott pulled his truck in front of the entry doors of the Travis Bed and Breakfast in Saddle Creek. Elliott's house was located catty-cornered from the large wraparound porch of the B&B and at just the right angle he could see the upstairs windows. After directing Sam where to park, he helped her from her car and up the front steps. He knocked on one of the double stained-glass doors, and then opened it. He set down one of the two pieces of luggage he'd carried in with him.Victoria Amley hurried down the winding staircase to meet her new guests. Elliott had called ahead of their arrival and explained why they'd be checking in so late. He had gone to school with her and she hadn't aged a bit. Tall and willowy, her beautiful face lit up when she looked down at Elliott. Long auburn hair hung in a long braid down her back and her bright green cat-like eyes didn't seem to miss a thing. She was dressed casually in a midnight blue velour two-piece pantsuit and slipper socks, and she looke