Free Operation: Married by Christmas by Debra Clopton Page B

two checker players argued that there were restaurants in Ranger that supplied the peanuts and told patrons to throw the shells on the floor when they were done. Sam had been quick to point out that there was a big difference in throwing shells on the floor and spitting shells on the floor.
    Will glanced toward Haley’s high-powered sports car parked in the drive. “Can you tell me where I can find her?” The thought of her driving a car like that was a little scary to Will. But he reminded himself that she wasn’t his to worry about, and she could drive what she wanted.
    â€œMaybe,” Applegate said, gazing up from beneath his fuzzy caterpillar eyebrows. “Don’t need ya going out thar givin’ her a hard time, though. She didn’t come all the way out here from California to be harassed by the likes of an old flame.”
    Will stepped back. Is that what she’d told him? “Sir, I don’t know what she told you, but—”
    Applegate scowled and pointed the duck at him. “Don’t ya get smart with me. I was purdy good with my hands when I wuz your age, and I’d hate ta have to get up thar and shame you—”
    Will couldn’t quite grasp the picture of Applegate taking a swing at him. “Sir, I don’t know what’s got you so riled up, but I assure you that I didn’t mean to do anything to upset you like this.”
    â€œâ€™Tain’t me that I’m worried about. It’s my Haley Bell. You need to apologize, and I mean good.”
    Will let out a long breath and kept his mouth shut instead of pointing out that was exactly what he’d come to do. But this was between him and Haley, and he wasn’t going to let Applegate intimidate him into letting him in on what was going on. If Haley wanted to tell the world her business, that was her choice. He chose not to.
    â€œSir, if you could just let me know where she is.”
    â€œShe went out on her horse fer a spell.”
    â€œHer horse.” Will glanced toward the barn.
    â€œYer welcome to take one of the other horses out if you had a mind to do such a thing. They could use the exercise.”
    Will brightened. “I think I’ll do that, sir. Is there a certain one—”
    â€œMuffin could use a ride.” Applegate lifted a brow. “If you can handle him. He’s a bit ornery.”
    Will hid a smile, remembering the big black and how Haley always had given her animals cutesy names. “I think I can handle him, sir.”
    Applegate shrugged. “Okay, have at him. He’s the black.”
    â€œI remember, sir,” Will said, tipping his hat in respect for Haley’s grandfather as he headed toward the barn. Applegate always had been protective of Haley. Since he and Birdie had helped raise her, Will didn’t blame him. Haley’s dad worked on the pipeline, which meant he was on the road most of the time, criss-crossing the country. Haley’s mother chose to travel with him and they lived in a large travel trailer, only coming home when work was periodically slow. Because of it, Haley had lived most of the time with Applegate and Birdie. So the older man had a right to be protective of his granddaughter. Will was pretty certain if he ever had any kids, especially little girls, he’d be a boyfriend’s worst nightmare. Of course, he wasn’t Haley’s boyfriend anymore. But he didn’t think it appropriate to point that out to App.
    It didn’t take Will long to saddle the big black and head out. There hadn’t been any reason to ask which way Haley had ridden out. After this long an absence from Mule Hollow, there was only one direction she’d have gone—toward the river. Haley always loved the river, and she and Will spent many hours riding the trails that followed along its peaceful banks. Back then Muffin had been a spunky two-year-old, and Puddin, Haley’s favorite horse, hadn’t been