Sharp Shootin' Cowboy by Victoria Vane Page A

acquaintance.”
    â€œAnd you’re a marine ?”
    â€œYes, sir. Staff Sergeant Reid Everett, Third Battalion First Marines out of Camp Pendleton.” Reid relaxed his stance and offered his hand.
    â€œI’m Bill Cooper, Haley’s grandpa,” the older man replied, closing his hand over Reid’s. He glanced past Reid to his black truck parked in the driveway. “I remember that truck. Were you the one who drove her home when she went out dancing with Yolanda?”
    â€œYes, sir. We met that night at the Temecula Stampede. She cleaned my clock at the pool table. I’m guessing you taught her that jump shot?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, I did.” The old man chuckled.
    â€œIs Haley at home?” Reid asked.
    â€œNo, I’m afraid she’s not. Why don’t you come on in, Staff Sergeant Everett. You drove all the way out here. Let’s at least get acquainted. Do you like apple pie?”
    Reid grinned. “Yes, sir. It’s my favorite.”
    â€œGood.” Bill opened the door in invitation. “My wife just made a couple of ’em. Come on inside and have a slice.”
    â€œThank you, sir. I’d love some.” He was disappointed not to see Haley, but recognized an intel opportunity when he saw it. Reid removed his cap and followed, only to be assaulted by a pack of aggressively friendly dogs.
    â€œDown!” Bill commanded. “Please pardon my granddaughter’s motley crew of misbehaving mutts.”
    â€œThey don’t bother me.” Reid squatted on his heels to scratch their heads, giving each its due. They were some of the strangest looking mongrels he’d ever seen, but all responded with wagging tails and lolling tongues.
    â€œUgly bunch, aren’t they?” Bill remarked. “Haley has a habit of collecting the ones no one else wants.”
    Reid stored that new Haley insight as he stood. The house was small but neat and filled with the mouthwatering aroma of cinnamon and spice. He felt a momentary pang of homesickness. His mother and sisters loved to bake.
    â€œPut on some coffee, love of my life. We have a guest. My wife, Dorothy,” Bill introduced the petite woman with a slightly faded version of Haley’s green eyes.
    â€œReid Everett.” He once more extended his hand. It completely enveloped hers.
    She regarded Reid with as much curiosity as her husband had. “You’re a friend of Haley’s?”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Reid replied. “Do you expect her back anytime soon?”
    â€œNo, I’m afraid not. She’s gone to Alaska.”
    â€œ Alaska? ” Reid repeated. “I thought she was at UC Davis.” He’d been prepared to drive to Sacramento if necessary, but Alaska? “What is she doing there?”
    â€œShe’s taken the semester off to participate in some wolf study,” Dorothy replied.
    â€œA wolf study? I thought she was going to be a veterinarian.”
    â€œSit down, please,” Dorothy urged and turned her attention to the coffeemaker. “Do you like cheese or ice cream on your pie?” she asked.
    â€œNo thank you, ma’am, just plain.”
    â€œHow about your coffee?”
    â€œBlack. Just having it in liquid form will be a luxury.”
    Dorothy gave him a quizzical look. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œIn the field, we had packets of instant coffee in the MREs but often had to swallow it down dry.” He shrugged. “You learn to make due.”
    â€œHaley changed majors late last year,” Bill finally answered. “She started thinking about it after a summer internship at that wolf place over in Julian. Now she wants to work for one of those wildlife conservation groups.”
    â€œShe went to Alaska to assist one of her professors.” Dorothy placed a cup of steaming coffee and a huge hunk of pie in front of Reid before joining him and her husband at the kitchen table.