Operation: Married by Christmas

He’d also felt an obligation to come home. He had a business that could thrive from any locale, so it just didn’t feel right to stay away any longer. He figured the least he could do was give back to the community that had given him so much growing up. In truth, he’d missed Mule Hollow. He’d decided it was high time to put the ghost of his past behind him, and that could only be done if he came back to Mule Hollow and faced at least part of it.

He studied their beaming faces. “Well, maybe I could find some extra time—”

“That’s our boy!” Norma Sue exclaimed and slapped him on the back so hard he choked. “We knew you’d come through for us.”

His eyes watered as he struggled for air, nodding along with them. He was a wimp and they knew it. Still, he couldn’t help smiling back at them…after he finally stopped choking.

On her second morning in Mule Hollow, Haley was awakened at sunup by Applegate. He was on his way to Sam’s but wanted her to come to the diner around nine for breakfast with him. Sam’s Diner had been the mainstay of the community for as long as she could remember. She agreed to breakfast without a fight. Sam’s eggs were to die for and his coffee…Well, there wasn’t anything like Sam’s coffee.

At eight o’clock she called her office and spoke to her assistant. Sugar relayed the consensus of the office—it was exactly what Haley had believed it would be. “Girl, if you’re crazy enough to walk out on a free ride like Lincoln Billings,” Sugar said, “then you’ve obviously gone off the deep end and need a break. And a therapist!”

Financially, Haley could afford the time off, but career-wise she felt vulnerable. She imagined that her employers were wondering if the stress of working with their high-end clientele was getting to her. Sure, they were being cooperative, but she knew they wouldn’t wait long for her to return. Haley knew firsthand how competitive the market was. They had to keep up or lose out. If she couldn’t cut it, they’d be forced to find someone who could.

Haley pushed the pressure aside and focused on taking it one day at a time. She’d been working at the speed of light for so long it was going to be hard for her to slow down, even for a little while. But something deep inside of her was telling Haley she had to back off. And she was just tired enough to listen.

Promptly at nine she drove into town and was shocked at what she saw. Mule Hollow had changed so dramatically that she was rendered speechless. Main Street had always been a straight shot of wood-fronted buildings dissected by a county road with a few adjacent buildings and anchored on the far end by the majestic turreted home of Adela Ledbetter. It had always had the look of an old western town. When one was approaching Mule Hollow, it stood out on the horizon like a weathered plank fence with a few broken boards. When she’d left, most buildings had been vacant and so worn that it was depressing. Today, her first glimpse of the rainbow of color was so vivid she gasped with shock.

There was the bright pink building she’d read about in Molly Popp’s weekly newspaper column—it still amazed her that her home had a syndicated weekly column written about it. Not only did she read it, but it was sometimes breakroom talk at the office. Haley stared at the pink hair salon surrounded by all of the other colorfully painted buildings. It had taken a newcomer, Lacy Brown, to help liven up Mule Hollow. Her building, the one that had sparked the change, stood out like a flamingo in a spring bouquet. Haley was floored and saddened by the new upbeat appearance….

Not saddened that such a wonderful thing had happened, but that she’d been in such a hurry to leave the dying town behind ten years earlier that she hadn’t seen any value in it. It saddened her that it took an outsider to see the potential. It saddened her to realize that she hadn’t stuck around to help revitalize her home town. Guilt at her selfishness began to leak in around the corners of the memory. Then again, she was the town’s little Haley Bell, who would have listened to her if she’d suggested that they paint the town blue and pink?

No one would have. They would have patted her on the head and had a good chuckle.

Cutting the thought off, she turned into the parking space in front of Sam’s Diner. She had gotten where she was in her career by adhering to a strict set of rules. She didn’t look back…. At least she tried not to look back. Still, memories stole up on her at times, forcing her to push them away in order to focus on achieving her new goals. Looking back stole energy away from her forward progress, from achieving her future. Looking back was not productive. And Haley was very productive.

Aside from that, she knew firsthand that sometimes looking back hurt far too much.

Then why had she come home?

That question was ridiculous. She’d come to see her grandpa. Hadn’t she? She’d come home to rest. Or was she searching for something? Something that had caused this restlessness that had stolen over her in the last few months.

She was almost to the steps when she heard someone call her name. Spinning around, she saw Brady Cannon striding across the street. Brady had been ahead of her in school and loved to pick on her growing up. He was now the sheriff of the town and had recently married. Applegate said he was as happy as a rabbit in a carrot patch. Looking at him now, Haley believed it.

“I heard you were in town, Haley Bell, Haley Bell,” he said, smiling.

Despite how she’d hated the teasing “Haley Bell” chant growing up, Haley laughed as he swept her into a bear hug. It seemed like a thousand years since she’d heard the familiar chant that he and his friends—including Will Sutton—used as they followed her around tugging on her pigtails. Nothing had given them more pleasure than to tease her when she did something they thought was funny.

“How are you?” he continued as he let her loose and stared down at her.

Brady was one of the tallest men she’d ever met. A giant of a guy who had always wanted to escape Mule Hollow the same way she did. He’d done it, too, and now he was back. She wondered what had changed his mind and brought him back. She wanted to ask him, but now wasn’t the time.

“I’m doing okay,” she said, tipping her head up to see his face.

“Okay? From what Applegate tells us, you’re setting the world on fire out there in the land of the rich and famous. Just like you dreamed.”

“Yeah, well, it’s a living.”

He studied her. “Is that a little disenchantment I hear in that reply?”

What could she say to that? “Maybe. Not sure,” she admitted. “But whatever you do, please don’t tell Applegate or he’ll start a campaign to get me to move back home.”

“And would that be so bad?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know.” She glanced down the street. “Things certainly have changed since I left.”

Brady smiled. “Things are looking up for our little metropolis.”

He looked so happy. Haley studied him. “Sheriff, I believe marriage agrees with you.”

“God has really blessed me, Haley. I don’t regret being a cop in Houston, but it took coming back to Mule Hollow for me to find my heart.”

“Are you sure you’re the same guy who used to torment me and dream of leaving Mule Hollow behind?”

He grinned. “Do I sound sappy?”

“Oh, yeah. But nice. It’s got to be a great feeling. Not that I would know…” Her voice trailed off, letting the rest go.

“It’s obvious you made the right decision calling off another wedding.”

Haley frowned. “What?”

Brady’s eyes twinkled. “Yes, I know about it. You know how fast word spreads. What I’m saying is, if you’d loved the guy like I love Dottie then you’d understand the sappiness. And you’d be on your honeymoon right now rather than standing here in the middle of Mule Hollow talking to me.”

“True. I guess I just can’t help wondering if there is something wrong with me. You know? Three tries and I’m still running. Needless to say, I’m giving up on weddings.”

Brady surprised her by giving her a quick hug.

“Don’t do that. Life isn’t a straight road, Haley. You might be surprised at where its twists and turns may lead you. Believe it or not, God is in control. Come on inside. I didn’t mean to keep you away from your breakfast.”

“I have missed Sam’s eggs,” she admitted.

“They’ve only gotten better over the years. He’s pretty sappy himself these days since he and Adela tied the knot. It’s not Adela Ledbetter anymore, but finally Adela Greene.”

“I think that is so wonderful after all these years,” Haley said as he held the swinging door open for her and she stepped inside. There was no place on earth that smelled like Sam’s combination of coffee, eggs and the scent of old pine wood floors. Memories crashed though Haley’s mind in such a vivid wave that she came to a dead halt.

As did every conversation in the diner.

Chapter Three

Okay, so why did she feel like the prodigal daughter? The question drummed through Haley’s head as every eye in Sam’s gave her the once-over. First up, then down, painstakingly slow, she felt the gazes moving over her. Of course, she’d expected it. She knew she looked out of place in her black silk pantsuit and her four-inch heels. She was, to say the least, overdressed. But she only had what was in her suitcase. A suitcase packed with honeymoon outfits…. And since she and Lincoln had been headed for the Riviera, her outfits were not exactly what you would classify as everyday Mule Hollow attire.

She wasn’t a blusher. Instead, she lifted her chin, feeling as if someone had hit the pause button on the movie of her life.

She saw cowboys she’d grown up with and a few faces she’d never seen before smiling at her. Not surprising was the fact that even though she didn’t know all the faces, it was clear from their expressions that they knew exactly who she was. It wasn’t all cowboys, either. There were women in the mix looking her up and down, too. There were Esther Mae and Norma Sue grinning like possums. And their buddy, sweet Adela with her shining blue eyes and white wispy hair, smiling kindly as if she knew what thin ice Haley was skating on. Because Mule Hollow was too small to have its own school they’d always shared a centrally located school about twenty miles away with two other small communities. Looking around the room, she was startled to see cowboys she recognized. Obviously the cowboy way had had more of a pull on them than the girls, because she didn’t recognize any of the women. No wonder Norma Sue and the others had resorted to advertising for women to move to town.

And they were smiling, too. As if they were more than glad to be living and breathing Mule Hollow air. As if they could live here for the rest of their lives.

Suddenly, as if the pause button had been released, the diner erupted into sound and movement. Yet Haley’s mind continued to move in slow motion as everyone started clapping and shouting.

“Surprise!” They all yelled together. It was only then that she understood the reason Applegate had insisted she meet him at the diner. This was her welcome home gathering!

Grinning, Brady looked down at her. “I was running a bit late out there.”

“You could have warned me,” Haley said out of the corner of her mouth, trying to quell her sudden sense of vulnerability.

“And ruined all their fun? My job is to keep the peace around here.”

Chuckling, he watched as Haley was engulfed by a herd of old friends.

Sitting at the counter, Will watched the town welcome Haley. They’d done something similar when he’d moved back to town. There was nothing like the warmth of Mule Hollow. It was a place where once you belonged, you always belonged. But watching Haley’s shell-shocked expression, he couldn’t help wondering if the feeling was mutual.

Haley had created quite a life for herself in California, and by the almost robotic way she was receiving the hugs from everyone he was more than certain that she didn’t share their feeling that she had “come home.” Some things never changed.

She looked great, though. Will couldn’t deny that the years had been good to Haley. Her skin glowed and her golden hair gleamed in the light like polished brass, setting off her green eyes. She had the most amazing eyes, big and expressive, they dominated her oval face. When she smiled though, when she really smiled, it was as if she lit up the world. At least that was how it had felt to him.

“Hey, buddy, you okay?”

Will glanced at Brady as he took the stool next to him at the counter. Turning away from watching Haley, Will picked up his coffee and nodded. “Yeah, I’m just suffering from aftershock.”

“By the frown on your face I’d already figured that one out.”

Will met Brady’s sympathetic gaze. “That obvious?”

“’Fraid so.”

“Brady, can you tell me why I came here this morning?”

“I could make an educated guess if you want me to.”

Will shook his head. “Forget I asked. That’s a can of worms I’d rather not open.”

“I can tell you from experience that unfinished business has a way of catching up to you at one time or another.”

Will drank his coffee instead of trying to come up with an answer. He could deny it all he wanted, but he’d come here this morning because every man had his weakness.

His happened to be Haley Bell Thornton.

Haley made it through the whirlwind of welcomes as she was led around the room by Applegate. His obvious joy at having her home was making her feel so ashamed. It had been six years since she’d been here for her grandmother’s funeral.

She was a skunk, all right.

A selfish skunk.

Spotting Will sitting at the counter didn’t help matters. It took every bit of her self-control not to turn around and run out of the diner. She didn’t have the energy to face him this morning. This homecoming was hard enough on her guilt-ridden heart without having to face him, too. Especially in front of everyone.

“Will, here she is,” Applegate called out before she could figure a way around facing him again. She was appalled at Applegate’s proclamation as he directed her toward Will.

“Haley,” Will drawled, tipping his head toward her in greeting while his eyes bore into hers.

He wasn’t wearing his hat and she couldn’t help noticing that he still wore his thick sable hair in a traditional cut, parted on the left and combed back off his face. The cut accentuated the strength of his jaw and the prominence of his cheekbones. She was certain looking at him made women other than herself forget to breathe when looking at him. But enough of that.

She forced a smile and was certain it came out looking as if she’d swallowed a tablespoon of castor oil. “Will,” she gritted out as Applegate looked expectantly from one to the other. His smile, so big that every tooth in his mouth showed, was the only reason Haley maintained her position.

She was shocked when suddenly Applegate slapped a hand on Will’s shoulder, the sound cracking through the room like a backfire. “That ain’t no way to say hello to the person what was almost yer intended. Give her a hug, son.”

Stunned, Haley stared at her grandpa. How could he? Will had always been a gentleman, and Applegate was taking advantage of that fact. “That’s okay,” she gasped. “You don’t have to get up.”

A gleam she could only read as a challenge flashed through his dark gaze, and to her horror he stood up.

“App’s right, Haley. The least I can do is give you a hug.”

Before she could do anything to stop it, she found herself wrapped in Will’s arms. Oh my. If she’d thought she was confused before—well she was a mess now. Because though it had been ten years since she’d left him at the altar, she had never forgotten how right it felt to be held in his embrace.

“See thar, ain’t that nice,” Applegate thundered.

As quick as it happened, it ended. Will suddenly dropped his arms and stepped back. Haley had been so stunned by the embrace that her arms remained limply at her sides. Where they belonged, she reminded herself.

His expression was unreadable and though she knew he’d hugged her to pacify her grandpa, the oddest sensation came over her when she looked into his stony eyes. Had those eyes really once looked at her with love? They were so distant now that it was tough to imagine such a thing.

“So how’s your new ex-fiancé?”

His clipped words were spoken in a low voice, but those standing around watching them had no problem hearing them. Like a deflating balloon, Applegate’s smile drooped into a heavy frown and a ripple of gasps could be heard behind her.

Startled, but not really surprised, she met Will’s unflinching gaze with one of her own as she straightened her spine. If she’d learned one thing over the last few years, it was to stand her ground.

She lifted her chin. “I’m fairly certain that Lincoln is celebrating at this very moment. After all, he dodged a bullet.”

Will lifted his eyebrow. “I can understand that perfectly. As I’m certain fiancé number two would, as well.”

So he wanted to make a scene. So much for him being a gentleman, she thought, as her blood pressure inched upward. “Is that so?”

Not breaking eye contact with her, Will pulled money from his front pocket and slapped it onto the counter by his plate of uneaten eggs and bacon. “Believe me, darlin’, the day you walked out on me was the best day of my life. I figure it saved me a costly divorce and a valley of trouble in between.”

Haley’s hands knotted into fists to keep them from shaking as darts of anger and humiliation shot through her. Other than the pounding of her heart that Haley hoped no one else could hear, the room had become as silent as a tomb. Why had she come home? It certainly hadn’t been for this…this melodramatic confrontation.

With one last cold stare Will walked through the small crowd as it parted to make way for him. He never looked back as he hit the swinging door and disappeared into the cold morning light.

Which left Haley at the counter to face her friends alone.

As mad as she was at Will, she couldn’t help thinking that it was about time she was the one being walked out on. She’d be the first to admit that she deserved it. At least in part. But that didn’t mean she liked it, and it certainly didn’t mean she was going to take that kind of treatment like the timid little mouse she’d once been.

“Ha!” she huffed in delayed reaction, then stormed out of the diner after him.

He was opening his truck door when she buzzed down the steps toward him. The loud shuffle of feet could be heard as the diners filed out onto the sidewalk behind her.

“Will Sutton,” she snapped. “You can judge me and be angry at me if you want to because I left you standing at that altar ten years ago. But hey, guess what? I didn’t see you coming to get me.”

She’d almost gotten married three times, and the truth was that the only man of the three she’d expected or wanted to come after her had been Will. And he hadn’t.

Why was that? He’d said he loved her. If you loved someone, didn’t you try to hang on to them? Didn’t you fight for them? Despite their argument and her bruised heart, she’d expected him to care enough to come after her. To try and make things right.

His cold stare raked over her. “It wouldn’t have mattered if I came after you. You’d made your choice.”

Speechless at his coldness, Haley watched him climb into his truck, back out onto Main Street then drive away. “It might have,” she whispered into the chilling wind, knowing it was true. She’d been a young woman struggling with self-esteem and identity issues everyone around her seemed oblivious to. Especially the man who professed to love her. Despite what he thought, his coming after her would have mattered. That he didn’t think so still stung. And, amazingly, proved he continued to have the ability to hurt her. Even after all these years.

Chapter Four

Haley bit her lip as she realized she’d just made a scene in front of everyone standing behind her. How could wounds so old feel so raw and fresh? She closed her eyes and struggled for calm. She and Will had planned to marry a week before Christmas ten years ago. Their almost wedding anniversary was coming up and, truth be told, there hadn’t been a Christmas season that didn’t pass without her thinking about what might have been…if only he’d cared enough.

Reeling in her emotions, Haley clasped her palms together and plastered on a smile as she watched him disappear down the street. She was determined that no one would know just how much she’d been shaken by Will Sutton’s condemnation.

Condemnation.

Just who did the man think he was? She frowned, and her temper started escalating again. Sucking in a cleansing breath of cool air, she had to really concentrate to put on her saleswoman’s face—the everything’s-going-my-way face.

It was hard to do sometimes, but she wasn’t making her way up the ladder of success by accident. Nope, she’d faced harder people than Will over the last few years, kept her wits about her and come out on top. She learned early on that many of her fellow real-estate agents would weasel and lie and connive to take her sales at every opportunity. Five-and six-figure commissions tended to bring out the worst in people. It had taken being tricked out of a few commissions and having to eat peanut butter for a month, but she’d finally smartened up and shucked the small-town gullibility…on the inside. On the outside she learned that her open and friendly face was her number-one moneymaker. Once she’d learned to watch her back and not trust anyone but herself, things had started to happen. Haley could smile with the best of them and charm her way right to the bank. The saying Don’t Get Mad, Get Even went a long way toward the truth.

Haley spun around, smile in place. “I don’t know about all of you, but a good fight in the morning makes me so hungry I could eat a bear. How about it, Sam? It’s been far too many years since I had your bacon and eggs.”

To her surprise, everyone was smiling at her even before she’d turned around. It was a bit disconcerting, but instantly her fake smile turned genuine. She had forgotten just how sweet Mule Hollow residents could be.

“One plate of eggs and bacon coming up, Haley Bell,” Sam said, holding the door for her as everyone parted and let her enter the diner first.

“See, what’d I tell y’ all,” she heard Applegate say to Norma Sue and Esther Mae as she passed by him. He was grinning, and Haley’s heart felt good in that moment. Since her grandma Birdie had died, he just hadn’t been the same. And though he didn’t say much about it when they talked, Haley knew he missed her something fierce. Again, guilt settled on Haley’s shoulders.

Before she could sink with the weight of it, the majority of people started telling her goodbye, streaming back out of the diner on their way to work. The exuberant salon owner, Lacy, whom Haley would easily have recognized from Molly Popp’s description in the newspaper columns, threw her arms around her and hugged her. Then she dashed off. It was as if she were standing there one minute and—poof—she was gone with only the swinging door to prove that she had indeed been there. Haley was completely taken by surprise, and she couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her. So that was the woman who’d helped bring about this amazing change in Mule Hollow and its Main Street.

Haley decided then and there that she would make it a point to meet Lacy again.

“She’s always like that,” Esther Mae said. “We get a real kick out of that one.”

“She seems really fun,” Haley said and started to follow her grandpa back to his table.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Norma Sue said, grasping her by both shoulders and aiming her toward a booth. “Haley Bell, you come sit with us.”

Haley glanced at Applegate and he started to protest, but Norma Sue cut him off. “Now remember, Applegate, you and Stanley have a checker game calling your names. Besides, you and Haley Bell can visit after y’ all go home.”