Read Online Operation: Married by Christmas by Debra Clopton - Free Book Online

riding a bucking bronc.
    He turned to stand beside her. “Thank you.”
    She couldn’t help reaching out to touch it, to trace the outline with her finger. “It’s round,” she said, stating the obvious. “What will you do with it?”
    â€œI’ll make a steel band that it will set in, and then I’ll mount it in that. Like a cameo.”
    He gestured toward a rectangular gate frame filled with bars except for the center. It was going to be a massive gate. A piece of art itself.
    To her relief, Will moved away from her. “I’ll set it today, then powder coat it black and mail it out next week.”
    Haley followed him with her gaze then studied the rest of the room. There were many of the rectangular frames already built in various sizes around the room. Though they were empty, she couldn’t help wondering what would end up in them.
    Applegate had told her that Will was very busy. She could see why. Her gaze boomeranged back around and met his.
    â€œDid you bring the play and Lacy’s wish list of scenes?”
    Unnerved by his closeness, Haley put on her game face and waved the notebook. “Where do you want to discuss it?”
    He continued to study her for another minute, his expression blank. “Come up to the house. It’s warmer there. I tend to work with the doors open.”
    She wanted to say no. That they should just get to work and get this over with. Instead, glad to leave the awkward moment behind them, she followed him in silence up the walk, past the flower beds that were brimming with pansies, their little purple and yellow faces calmly holding their own in the cold morning air. Will had always had a way with plants, a trait he’d inherited from his father. It was a quirk she’d liked about him. Not many young men actually enjoyed fiddling with flowers. Will hadn’t ever seemed to mind that the other cowboys teased him about it.
    Looking at his handiwork, Haley took heart from the strength of the dainty flowers facing the chill. “So,” she said, turning to the safety of small talk. “I love what you’ve done with the place. Where are your parents now?”
    â€œThey moved to Austin a few years back. They wanted to be closer to my sister and her kids, and Dad wanted to get my mom closer to her doctors. She’s had some health issues.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear that.” And she was. His parents were lovely people. His mother was an especially gracious and godly woman. “I’m sure being near Terri and the kids is good for her.”
    â€œWe think so.”
    He held the door for her, and she brushed past him as she stepped into the kitchen of his home. It was an odd feeling to step into the house she’d thought she would share…. Haley pushed the thought away.
    She was a strange, strange woman. A week ago she’d been about to marry another man, and here she was now reminiscing about Will Sutton.
    â€œCan I take your coat?”
    She jumped at the sound of his voice so close beside her and at the touch of his hands on her shoulders. He was only touching her to help her out of her coat, for goodness sake.
    â€œOh, sure. Thank you. It’s warm here…I freeze—”
    â€œI remember.”
    She met his gaze over her shoulder and a ridiculous little tremor raced along her spine. He remembered.
    â€œYes, well,” she laughed, her nerves showing. “I’m sure you would. I complained enough.”
    Yanking her arms free of the coat, she all but ran away from him, totally mad at her weak knees. But he smelled so good. Always had.
    Lifting her chin, she walked to the far side of his kitchen, putting as much space between them as possible. She leaned her hip against the counter, wrapped her arms across her waist and watched him hang her coat on the rack next to the door. The room rang with the silence.
    There was nothing between them. Nothing.
    Hadn’t been for