Operation: Married by Christmas. Debra Clopton

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СКАЧАТЬ 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 СКАЧАТЬ