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