Operation: Married by Christmas (12 page)

Caught off guard, Haley set her packages down on a table. It wasn't that she hadn't expected questions, but they'd just spent the day together and this was the first time they'd mentioned Will.

Lacy shrugged apologetically. “We know we're being nosy, but we're your friends—at least we want to be. And we wondered if you might need to talk. You don't have to if you don't want to. Say the word and we'll mind our own business.”

“Hey,” Sheri said, elbowing Lacy. “Speak for yourself. Tell all is my motto. Give us the scoop, girlfriend, because I'm getting some major vibes sparking between the two of you old lovebirds. It's been killing me all day not to ask, but Lacy threatened my life if I didn't make you comfortable first. You're comfortable, right?”

Haley laughed. So they'd planned it all along. She wasn't sure whether to be insulted or relieved that these two cared enough to win her trust first. But, knowing them as she felt she now did, she also knew that they had no agenda except to help and support her. It was something Haley wasn't used to. She'd become so accustomed to being guarded with her thoughts because of the colleagues she worked with that she felt as if God had reached down and given her a gift by placing Lacy and Sheri in her path.

She just didn't know what to say. What could she tell them? She didn't know herself what was going on between herself and Will.

“Well,” she sighed, pulling garland and ribbons from the bag because her hands needed something to do. “What can I say? I used to love him.”

“Yes!” Lacy whooped, her hand knocking over a candle.

“Whoa, girl,” Sheri warned, catching the candle before it hit the ground. “She said
used
to.”

Lacy looked sheepish. “Sorry,” she squeaked. “I missed that part.”

It was easy to do, Haley thought, picturing Will kneeling in front of her as she sat in the swing, his eyes sad….

She ended up telling them about how she'd felt all those years ago. It was a great relief to talk. In all the years, she'd never told anyone her reasons for running. But Lacy and Sheri listened, consoled and, surprisingly, agreed with her.

“Listen,” Lacy said, hugging her. “You did what you had to do. Who truly knows if you messed up or not? What's important is that if you trust God, He can make it all work for good. And if you ask Him, He can lead you in the decisions you make now.”

“He helped me,” Sheri said, with a wink. “He had His work cut out for Him, but I finally trusted Him enough to see where He was attempting to lead me. So hang in there, and seek Him with all your heart and things will work out. Speaking of my very own heartthrob…” she said.

Haley and Lacy turned to see what she was looking at through the large plate-glass windows. Haley saw Pace sauntering across the street toward the community center, looking as if he'd just stepped off the pages of a Louis L' Amour western.

“That,”
Sheri sighed, “is the most beautiful man in the world and he's all mine, all mine! God is good. I'll be back to help in a minute.”

With that, Sheri hurried out the door and jogged off the sidewalk to be immediately engulfed in her rugged husband's embrace. Haley's heart sighed at the sight.

“Haley,” Lacy said, breaking into her thoughts. “Any time you need to talk, we're here for you. And if you get a wild hair to relocate back here—” she lifted an eyebrow “—you just remember the town can use you.”

Haley looked at Lacy. Relocate. There it was again.

Lacy lifted a brow and toyed with a ribbon she'd picked up from the table. “I can't help being an ambassador for Mule Hollow. Your line of expertise would just be a great addition. Mule Hollow is growing and that means the need for houses. What woman is going to want to live in a bunkhouse?”

Haley thought about the colorful town and for the first time really thought seriously about moving home. Could she?

“I don't know, Lacy. That's a big step. I have responsibilities, a great life.” The words sounded hollow to her ears; she wondered if Lacy heard it, too.

“But is it the life you want? Just think about it. God has a purpose for everyone, and I'm not saying I know better than you what your purpose is, I'm just saying maybe you could pray about it and be open to options. Being part of building up this town has enriched my life so much. We are building a legacy here that was almost lost until a year ago when the ladies came up with this plan. I really do think you are a link in helping it succeed.”

Haley had to admit Lacy made it sound enticing…worthwhile. “Thanks, Lacy. I can't promise anything, but I'll pray about it. Right now I think I'll go make a few changes to the props before the guys get here.”

Lacy hugged her. “They look great, by the way. Thanks.”

Haley nodded then hurried over to her corner and grabbed a pencil. But before she started to work, she closed her eyes and said a prayer for the Lord to guide her steps.

It felt good to be asking Him for direction and to have friends who supported her in her quest.

H
aley held the nail in place, squinted with one eye and proceeded to let the hammer fall where it would. She was thrilled when it wasn't on her thumb.

“Looks like you got a little better at that than I remember.”

Will's soft whisper just beside her made Haley jump, but she didn't squeal and for that she was grateful. When she turned her head to glare playfully at him she almost lost her breath. He was so close, and she knew any sound she'd been tempted to make would have died in her throat.

“I,” she said and swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to his lips and the teasing half grin he wore. He looked so much like the college boy she'd fallen for. “I got lucky,” she managed to say. He would never know how much the odds had been against her poor thumb making it out of that situation unharmed.

He tugged his hair and stepped back, giving her space. She wondered if he realized that he was making her nervous. Had been all evening.

“Want me to finish it for you?”

“Sure. My thumb thanks you.” She handed him the hammer and stood watching as he proceeded to drive the nail home thus making for a much sturdier support behind the painted prop. It was a large rock, one of many that sat out in front of the bridge.

“It takes practice, is all. I've had my share of busted thumbs that had nothing to do with you.”

She didn't believe him for a minute, but gave him points for trying to make her feel better about herself. His grin wasn't hurting anything, either.

She laughed. “Yep. They're really fun. I enjoyed myself.”

He reached for another nail, his fingers brushing hers as he took it from her open palm. “You seem a little more at ease.”

She studied his profile as he hammered in the nail, knowing it was true. At least, it had been, when he met her probing gaze she wasn't so sure how long the feeling would last. The man always had made her knees go weak, and letting her guard down around him made her susceptible to her old habits. Especially the habit of being totally and completely in awe of him. He was a nice man. He'd greeted everyone and offered to help anyone who needed him. The fact that he was helping at all spoke of his generosity. She knew he was pushing himself to meet his deadline, but here he was. Lacy's words were hanging over her shoulder taunting her.
Relocate.
Could she come back to Mule Hollow? Could she take being around Will like this and not find herself lost again?

When his gaze dropped to her lips then lifted to her eyes, she almost jumped back. Despite everything that had happened between them, the chemistry was still there. He felt it, too. It was obvious. Confused, Haley raked her hand through her hair and pulled her eyes away. “I need to go check on the painters,” she muttered and hurried away.

She just needed a few moments to get her head back on straight. That was obviously not going to happen standing anywhere near Will.

But even as she picked up a paintbrush to help the other guys paint the river, she knew it would take more than crossing a room to get away from the feelings he'd stirred to life inside of her.

 

Will wasn't at church on Sunday. Applegate informed Haley, though she hadn't asked for any information, that Will had gone to visit his parents in Austin. Haley was relieved that she didn't have to face him since her thoughts were still befuddled. Her stomach went bottomless every time her mind drifted to Thanksgiving Day beside the swing when he'd admitted that he'd been wrong. And then the way he'd kept looking at her last night as they'd worked together on the props.

The best thing was to stay busy and try not to think about him. She had plenty to keep her busy. With Christmas only four weeks away, Mule Hollow had gone into overdrive decorating the town and gearing up for the Christmas program. Lights were strung down Main Street and boxes of oil lanterns were brought out along with lassos and tinsel. Oh my, was there ever a boatload of tinsel!

She'd had little time to think about much of anything except getting ready for the production. Why, every moment she was being asked to lend a hand with some other project during the day, and the evenings were spent working on props for the play.

She was working on decorating Main Street on Tuesday when Will showed up to install the tracks he'd constructed to make sliding the large backgrounds into place on the stage easier. Haley watched as he and Clint carried the tracks inside. She was busy outside wrapping a porch post in lights and greenery and was glad she hadn't been inside working when he showed up. She couldn't deny that her heart did a rumba knowing he was near. Not trusting her foolish feelings, she intentionally remained outside.

She was standing on a ladder hanging a lantern and paused as her attention was drawn down the street. Applegate and Stanley were supervising the building of a manger scene at the edge of the field where everyone would be parking on the nights of the play. Haley felt sorry for the two bewildered cowboys who were trying to be patient with the checkers players. Single women from miles around loved any excuse they could get to make a trip to the cowboy-laden town, and it was expected that the turnout for this year's Christmas production would be at an all-time high. Haley couldn't help thinking that the two cowboys were enduring a lot to help the cause.

“I feel sorry for Luke and Justin.”

At the sound of Will's voice, Haley almost fell off her ladder.

“Steady there,” he said, placing his hand on her back. “I didn't mean to startle you.”

Haley tried to look unaffected, standing straight on the rung and gripping the roof with her free hand. “Oh, hi. Did y' all get the tracks set?” she asked, hanging the lantern she'd almost dropped. She lost her fight to appear casual and unaffected by his appearance when her boot slipped on the rung as she reached out toward the hook.

Coming to her aid, Will steadied her again with his hand on her back. “Yes, we did. I came to seek your approval.” To his credit he didn't say anything about her clumsiness.

“My approval?” she asked, distracted by the feel of his hand casually resting in the center of her back.

“You did do most of the work. I thought it only appropriate that you give the okay.” He held his hand out to her, his eyes twinkling up at her.

He looked so handsome. “I—I'm sure it looks fine,” she stammered at the touch of his hand, not wanting to get off the ladder. Not wanting to put her sweaty hand in his.

He frowned. “Haley, let go of the ladder and come look at what we've done. I'm not going to bite, you know.”

Challenged, Haley plopped her hand in his just to show him that she wasn't afraid of him. Hoping he would think the heat was making her sweat like a man. She hopped off the ladder and pretended nonchalance. The last thing she wanted was for him to know that he messed with her equilibrium. Pulling her hand free, she strode across the street toward the convention center. “How's your family?” she asked. Oh, yes, that was a good one. Talking about family was a sure sign that she was hunting for solid ground.

“They're good,” he said from just behind her. “Mom said to tell you hello, and she said to invite you down for Christmas. Applegate, too.”

Haley came to a screeching halt and stared at him. “No. I mean, tell her thank you, but that…well, that would be a little awkward.”

Will shrugged. “I told her you would say that. But she said I was to extend the invitation anyway. So that's what I'm doing.”

Haley gave him a tight smile. What had she expected—that he would want her to be there?

Inside, she took one look at the track that would help guide the plywood scenes into place and couldn't help smiling openly at him. “That is so cool.” It really was. “I thought you guys were going to have to hide behind the curtains and hold the backgrounds in place.” Instead, the tracks would hold them up and, like little train-track rail changes, the flick of a lever allowed the backgrounds to interchange with ease. The bridge, which was in three different scenes and quite bulky, would have its own set over to the side and be darkened out when not in use.

“I'm glad you like it.”

“I do. This is really going to work well, isn't it?” Hands on hips, she studied the whole setup.

“Believe it or not, yes.”

Haley shot Will a sideways glance. “You sound like you had your doubts.”

He nodded. “It isn't all about the tracks working, but everything coming together. When the ladies approached me to help I thought it was a big undertaking. I have so many deadlines to keep straight—my deadline, the Christmas program—it's all running together. I didn't have one hundred percent to give to the production, so if you hadn't been on board there's no way these props would look so fantastic. You saw Nate's Popsicle trees before you enhanced them,” he grinned. “That's what we'd be looking at right now if you hadn't used your talents to save the day. Thank you. I think Nate's artwork would have been a distraction from the importance of the story. Not that his help wasn't appreciated.”

Haley got the distinct impression that poor Nate would be poked fun at for years for his efforts in the arena of art. “At least he tried,” she said.

Will dipped his head to the side. “At least,” he echoed and grimaced. His brown eyes danced as they met hers.

“You are going to tease him unmercifully, aren't you?”

He nodded. “Oh, yeah, but not too terribly. It's been a major step to get him involved at all.” He paused, his smile gone. “Since his wife died, Nate hasn't done much of anything except work. This has been a step forward for him.”

Haley suddenly understood the quiet cowboy more. “I didn't know.”

Will shrugged a shoulder. “He's not one to talk about it.” He paused, cleared his throat as his gaze touched her gently before he looked away. “He's a good man. This has been good for him. Even if he doesn't believe so.”

Haley nodded, moved by the care she heard in Will's voice. She could feel her defenses crumbling.

“Have you eaten?” he asked, catching her off guard.

Haley shook her head before she realized she was setting herself up.

“Then let me buy you lunch?”

Haley bit her lip, told herself she was a grown adult woman and, that being the case, she had nothing to fear from eating lunch with Will.

“That would be nice,” she said and immediately saw the folly in her assumption the second he smiled.

 

Will walked ahead and held the door of Sam's Diner open for Haley, then braced himself for the looks of speculation he knew were coming. He was grateful that Applegate and Stanley were still down the street harassing Luke and Justin. Truth was when Will and Clint had been installing the tracks, Clint pushed him, asking him again what was holding him back from asking Haley out.

There was plenty holding him back. But Will figured lunch was a step forward. Like Nate, this had also been good for Will. Still, it was the only step he was comfortable with and he wasn't too comfortable with that. Although he'd been surprised that Haley said yes to the invitation it was obvious he wasn't the only one uncomfortable.

Will had to give Sam credit when he didn't make a big hoopla of the two of them sitting down across from each other in a vacant booth. Instead, the wiry little man just asked them for their order and went about serving everyone else. Which wasn't many since it was midday and most everyone was out working cattle—except for the two poor cowpokes who'd gotten snared by App and Stanley.

He toyed with the salt shaker as she looked everywhere but at him. “I heard you've been looking at some real estate,” Will said, curiosity getting the best of him. Haley looked surprised that he knew.

“I guess I hadn't realized anyone knew I'd been poking around a few places.”

He grinned. “Nate saw your car in front of the old Novis place the other day and mentioned it. It's adjacent to his ranch. And Mark Carson saw you over at the Lawsons' abandoned place.”

Haley sighed, tilting her head slightly. “I forget, news travels fast out here. Yes, I was just looking. I look wherever I am. I try to gauge the markets.”

“Ah, the ladies won't like that. In their minds, they've probably got you halfway moved back.”

“They and my grandpa, but it's impossible. I've got too much going on back home. My assistant is driving me crazy. This dead zone and not being able to reach me on my cell has simply done her in. Applegate's answering machine is going to explode if she keeps calling.”

“Didn't you have time scheduled for a honeymoon?” He suddenly felt churlish. “Sorry. Tell me to mind my own business if you want.”

“I—I had only planned a week. But I…” She paused and studied her hands for a second. “But I really needed a break. I've been running on fumes for months. I didn't know how true that was till I got here. So—” she took a long breath, looking as if it had taken her some time to make the decision “—I'm taking the holidays. If I lose some listings, I just lose them. I need time off.”