Operation: Married by Christmas (19 page)

“A
re you ready?” Applegate asked, looking down at Haley, his expression grim, his nervousness surprising her. She smiled up at her sweet granddad, the commander of “Operation: Married by Christmas.” She loved it! Just the thought that he loved her enough to bring her and Will together again tickled her soul.

“Well, don't just stand there,” Norma Sue hissed from where she and Esther Mae were hiding behind the door. They were her wedding planners, which was fitting since they, too, had been part of the covert operation to get her married.

“And don't even think—” Esther Mae added, stepping in front of the church exit “—about coming back this way until it's as Mrs. Will Sutton! 'Cause me and Norma might be in our sixties, but we'll tackle you and hold you down this time.”

Haley chuckled. “Believe me, this time someone would have to drag me away from that altar,” she whispered with a wink. Then she looked up at Applegate and nodded.

She'd floated through Christmas on a cloud of happiness. Not taking anything for granted, she'd never felt so blessed in all of her life. But she'd known that the entire town worried as they helped her plan her wedding, knowing her history and that she might choose at any given moment to run. But minutes before as Adela had begun to play the “Wedding March,” Norma Sue and Esther Mae had pulled the doors of the chapel open, and she'd seen Will standing at the altar waiting for her, Haley had had no worries. This was it, her happily ever after.

The congregation of friendly faces turned to watch her, and Haley's smile grew and her heart skipped with happiness as her granddad patted her hand. This was her family. The place she felt loved and safe. The place where she now knew all her dreams would come true.

Will was smiling as her gaze met his. She knew he was as ready as she was to begin their new life together.

“Let's go, Grandpa. I'm ready. I'm so ready.”

Like a horse out of a starting gate, Applegate took off. Haley didn't think that there had ever been a wedding march that had been as fast. Within seconds she was being handed over to Will, and if she hadn't known better she'd have thought Applegate was trying to get rid of her. But one look into his wizened eyes told her that wasn't the case.

Pastor Allen spoke the vows, and Haley and Will managed to make it through the service, though Haley found herself giggling as she said her vows. She couldn't help it. She was feeling so joyful that she was bubbling inside. And Will, why he had tears in his eyes. Tears.

When the service ended, Pastor Allen said that Will could kiss the bride, and he did, and Haley just kept right on smiling….

She didn't think she would ever stop.