Page 47 of A Christmas Duet

Hailey had heard a similar sentiment from a few of her friends who’d filed for divorce.

“Most important, I can’t hold out financially any longer. I’m going to need the settlement if I’m going to make a success of Cantor Music.”

“I can only imagine how difficult this must be. I’m sorry, Jay,” she said, and stretched her arm across the table to take hold of his hand. She squeezed his fingers, and he squeezed back.

“My attorney advised me to sign the papers as soon as they arrive, which they did this afternoon.”

“How soon will you leave?”

“First thing in the morning.”

“Oh, okay.” A disappointment for sure, but understandable that he would need to settle his business affairs before he’d be able to move forward. Even from the few things he’d mentioned, she knew the outcome of this legal entanglement weighed heavy on him.

“If all goes well, it should only take a day, two at the most. I’m planning on returning before our dinner plans for Christmas. This is one Podunk Christmas I have no intention of missing.”

Hailey was relieved to hear that he wouldn’t be away long. “This will be my first Podunk Christmas.”

“I hope it will be one of many,” Jay added, reaching across the table.

She wasn’t sure what he meant, and had to assume he thought she would use this time every year to return to the Stockton cabin for a respite to write her music.

“This has been a good time for us both,” he continued. “We’re each here for different reasons. I feel as if we were destined to meet, don’t you?”

“I do,” she agreed. She felt more alive in this backwoods town than ever. Meeting Jay had changed everything for her in a positive way. “I’ve loved being here so much, I hate the thought of returning to Portland,” she admitted.

Jay folded his much longer fingers around hers. “Thething is, we’ll only be three hours apart. I don’t want our relationship to end after the holidays.”

She noticed he didn’t say personally or professionally. He hadn’t exactly stated that he wanted to produce her music, although she had gotten the notion he was interested. The assumption was, he needed the money from the settlement from the band. Either way, she wanted nothing more than for them to continue seeing each other. As Jay said, they would be a mere three hours apart.

Hailey didn’t believe in coincidences. In her heart of hearts, she felt they were meant to meet. If they were able to work together, then all the better. More than once he’d praised her songwriting ability. Surely he must be thinking the same thing she was. She suspected any contract depended on the outcome of the settlement.

“I don’t want our relationship to end after Christmas, either,” she said as she held his look.

“Good.” He gave her a brief smile and seemed to relax.

She hated the thought of him leaving, even briefly. But this settlement was important to Jay and his future.

Their server returned to take their order.

Hailey had barely looked at the menu. “Any suggestions?” she asked Jay.

“You can’t beat Lucille’s chicken pot pie,” he advised her.

A warm, golden-crusted pot pie sounded perfect to Hailey.

“I’ll have that,” she said, glancing up at the server.

“Me, too,” Jay added.

The server wrote down both orders. “Those pies will be right up,” she assured them.

“Good, because I’m hungry,” she admitted. The soup Daisy had brought home for lunch had worn off hours earlier.

Even though Jay would be away for a short while, she would miss him and count the hours until he returned. Having him admit that he felt as strongly about her as she did about him made her heart sing.

It seemed he was about to say more, but then their meals arrived. Any conversation after that was nearly impossible, as they were interrupted several times by folks stopping by their table, wishing them a merry Christmas.

Twice people congratulated Hailey and she wasn’t sure why, although one woman had mentioned the song she’d sung the night of the festival.

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