Page 33 of A Christmas Duet

Jay shook his head as if he found it hard to believe.

“Oh, and she falls in love at the drop of a hat. The last time we spoke, her latest love interest was…brace yourself, a musician.”

Jay laughed. “And her name is Daisy?”

“Yup. I think my parents must have had some inkling when she was born that she would become a flower child.”

She started typing.

Thanks, Sis. I appreciate the support. I’m having a wonderful time. I met a fellow songwriter, and we attended a local Winter Festival in Podunk. Yes, there really is a town in Oregon named Podunk. I’m doing what I love most, composing music. Love you. Whatever you do, don’t tell Mom and Dad where Iam.

“One thing about Daisy is that she has always supported me with any decision I make,” Hailey told him. “She might be quirky, but she is my sister. I know without a doubt she’d do anything for me.”

“You really can’t ask anything more from a sibling. My sister, Ruth, is the same; she thinks any music I write is pure genius.”

“We’re both fortunate, then.”

“We are,” he concurred.

Another text popped up. Her mother again. Hailey would be wise to turn off her phone. She knew if she opened and read it she’d soon be sorry. Despite her reservations, she read it anyway.

“My mother,” she said, when Jay raised his brows in question.

What about Zach? He told me how sorry he is and that he’s never stopped loving you.

Hailey dropped her head. She didn’t know what it would take for her mother to accept that she was over Zach. Way over. Her mother hadn’t accepted anything Hailey said when it came to her former boyfriend. She suspected Zach had used every opportunity to convince her mom that with a little time, he’d be able to win Hailey back.

She wanted to blame him, but that was unfair. She was the one who’d allowed Zach to infuse doubt into her heart. With logic and statistics, he’d hammered at her dreams like a combine plowing through a field, undermining her confidence in herself and her talent with his pessimism.

She read the text again and set the phone down on herlap. She was only beginning to find herself again. She was stronger now, confident, and she refused to be swayed.

“You want to talk about this?” Jay asked, his voice caring and full of concern.

Likely he’d been able to read the text for himself, as it was clearly visible.

“Are you running away from Zach, Hailey?” Jay asked, in a way that tugged at her heartstrings. “Is he the reason you’re in Podunk instead of being with your family?”

She had to be honest with Jay, not to mention with herself. “Not entirely. Zach and I broke up a long time ago. He’s been in touch recently, claiming he made a mistake. The thing is, I’m not interested, only he isn’t listening. I’ve moved on. Unfortunately, he doesn’t believe I mean it, so he went behind my back to enlist my parents’ support, especially my mother’s.”

Jay glanced her way and nodded, silently encouraging her to goon.

“When he didn’t get the answer he wanted,” she continued, “Zach knew she would side with him, and then my mother, being my mother, took matters into her own hands and invited Zach for Christmas. Without even consulting me. At the same time, my friend Katherine offered me the cabin. It felt like the perfect solution. I’d hoped that both Zach and my mother would get the message—I’m not interested in getting back together with him.” Shepaused and added, “I’m convinced all Mom sees is the opportunity for grandchildren.”

“What about Daisy?”

“Daisy has no plans to marry, or so she says, and from the men she’s dated, that’s probably a good choice. My sister has a big heart and she’s constantly looking to save lost souls.”

“She isn’t likely to provide your mother with grandchildren, then, is she?” he said. “And right now, Zach is your mother’s best hope of getting what she wants.”

“Exactly. Mom assumed after Zach and I graduated we’d marry and quickly supply her with grandchildren.”

“What happened?”

Without going into a lot of detail, Hailey described the breakup. “Zach is a good guy, he really is, and I sincerely thought I loved him. You know what they say about opposites attracting? Well, that was Zach and me. He was the nerdy tech guy with his goals to work in AI. And I was the dreamer set on making my mark in the world of music.”

“Don’t ever discount the power of your dreams, Hailey,” Jay advised, his voice deep with sincerity. “I’ve said that before, because it’s important. Who would believe I’d make a decent living playing guitar in a band? I started out forming a band that played in my garage, remember?”

“I know how impossible it sounds, but I can’t not try, despite the odds,” Hailey admitted.

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