Page 26 of A Christmas Duet

When he finished, Hailey once again found herself speechless. His song swept her away. It was magical.

He paused and set the guitar aside. “There’s more, but you get the gist.

“The decision to move my career in a different direction was one of the most difficult ones I’ve ever made,” Jay said. “I had to face the fact that nothing was going tobring the band back together. If I was going to have a career in music, I would need to forge one myself, hence my starting out on my own as a producer. I seek fresh talent, talent like yours, Hailey. It’s like panning for gold, finding talented composers and performers. It gives me a feeling of pride to be able to encourage and support these budding artists.”

His words went a long way toward boosting her confidence. She wasn’t entirely sure what he meant when he said he supported these budding artists, and hoped to ask him more later.

“Your song is beautiful,” she said, meaning it. “I felt your heart when you sang.” It was as if he was singing to her, reaching into her own heart.

“It’s the emotion I experienced as I wrote it,” Jay explained. “This is something I’ve learned over the years, something you’ll discover yourself as you progress in the business.”

“What?” she asked, curious to know what he meant.

“The power of emotion. Whatever you’re feeling when you write the song is somehow mystically transmitted to the listener. That is what makes your Christmas song special,” he continued. “I could feel your joy in each note. Composing music is your passion and it shows.”

“I experienced that with your song in the same way. Your sadness at the breakup of the band and wishing theothers success as they moved forward came through beautifully. It’s a love song, from you to your fellow band members. But it can have a broader interpretation for a romantic relationship as well, which gives it even more impact. You should record it.” If others experienced even half of what she had, this song would be a hit.

“Perhaps one day. The thing is, I wrote it for me. You’re the only person to hear it. For now, I’d like to keep it that way.”

“I’m deeply honored,” she told him, and she was.

“Shall we play together?” Jay suggested, running his fingers over the chords.

Hailey reached for her guitar again and joined him.

For the next several hours they jammed together. Jay asked her to sing him other songs she’d composed and nodded approvingly with each one. They bounced from there to current favorites, one hit song leading to another. Some they sang, their voices blending together beautifully, and with others, they simply played. Now and again, they’d stop and discuss the lyrics and the composer.

Hailey lost track of time, the hours flew by, and when she happened to glance at the kitchen clock, she was stunned to see it was nearly one in the morning.

Jay seemed surprised as well. “I had no idea it was this late,” he said, getting up from the sofa.

“Me neither.” She didn’t want the evening to end, but she knew he had to work for his mother in the morning.

He reached for his coat and appeared as reluctant to leave as she was to see him go. “Thank you for dinner. I had a great time, one of the best that I can remember in a long while.”

Hailey felt like she should be the one to thank him. “I feel the same.”

He started toward the door and hesitated before turning back to her. “There’s a Winter Festival in town tomorrow evening. Would you like to go with me?”

Her heart skipped a beat. “I’d love that.” She’d intended to go on her own but would enjoy it far more if she was with Jay.

“I’ll come collect you around six, if that works?”

“Sure.”

“Don’t eat dinner before we go,” he said. Then he gave her the biggest smile, nodded once, and walked to the door. He hesitated and then leaned forward and kissed her. The move took her by surprise, and before she could respond, he broke contact and headed out to his truck.

Hailey stood with her fingers pressed against her lips for the longest moment, taking in what had just happened.

After Jay departed, she didn’t feel the least bit sleepy.All she could think about was what a wonderful evening they’d had, and how alive she felt, jamming with Jay on their guitars.

The Podunk Winter Festival couldn’t come soon enough.

Chapter Ten

Hailey was dressed and ready for the Podunk Winter Festival forty minutes before Jay arrived to collect her. She stood at the window off the living room and watched as the headlights to his truck wound their way toward the cabin. While she was excited to attend the event, she was even more eager to spend time with Jay. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about his kiss, convinced it was impulsive on his end and surprising on hers. Still, it felt right. They had shared an enjoyable evening, making music together. His praise for the songs she’d written over the years had given her badly needed confidence. The combination of his company and his encouragement made her feel as if she were walking on a cloud.

Once he arrived, Jay left the engine running andbounded up the steps to her front door. Hailey couldn’t look away. This was the strongest attraction she’d experienced for any man in longer than she could remember. Her draw to him felt magnetic. She’d gradually come awake that morning with a warm feeling, knowing she would be with him again soon.

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