Page 62 of A Christmas Duet

“We need to leave that decision up to my sister.” Although Hailey believed that once her sister saw Charles, she wouldn’t be able to resist him or the love he offered.

He nodded. “Okay, I understand. I’ll do anything topersuade her to give me a chance. I love her. I want to marry her, if she’ll have me. My mother loves her, too, and wants grandchildren one day.”

Hailey couldn’t help it, she started to giggle.

The smile left Charles’s face. “What’s wrong? Am I rushing things…I do that when I get excited.”

“No, I was thinking that your mother and our mother are going to become the very best of friends.”

“Your mother knows mine?”

“Not yet. Never mind.”

“But…”

“I’m parked outside. But before I take you to Daisy, I need to talk to someone first.”

“Sure, no problem. I’ll wait here, no matter how long it takes.”

Hailey patted his hand and stepped outside the diner. A quick check inside the store and she learned Thelma hadn’t returned. Although this was a last resort, Hailey dug into her purse for her phone. She hadn’t heard it ding, indicating she had a message, but then she’d been preoccupied with meeting Daniel Stamper.

For a long moment she debated if she should contact Jay or not, afraid she might be interrupting the meeting or his negotiations. Unwilling to wait, she pressed the numbers that would connect to him. An eternity passed before he answered.

“Hailey?”

“Is this a bad time?” she rushed to ask. “If you’re busy now, we can connect later.”

“The meeting has already happened,” he said.

From his tone alone Hailey could tell the outcome had been a major disappointment. “What happened?” she asked, although she had a fair idea the news hadn’t been good.

“Wasn’t it you who said the attorneys are the only winners in situations like this?”

“No, I think you were the one to say that.”

“I should have listened to myself,” he mumbled.

“Are you going to be okay?” Her heart automatically went out to him. So much of his future was wrapped up in the outcome of these proceedings.

“I’ll survive and so will Cantor Music.”

Her relief was instantaneous. “That’s great news.”

“I shouldn’t have burdened you with any of this,” he said, and sounded regretful.

“When will you be back?” she asked, eager for his return.

His hesitation told her he wasn’t coming back even before he said the words.

“I’m staying in Seattle,” he said. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m disappointed myself. Unfortunately, I’m needed here for the time being. I have several importantdecisions to make, and being in Podunk is too much of a distraction.”

“But it’s Christmas, or it will be in a couple days.” She remembered he’d mentioned he’d promised his mother he would be with his family after being absent several years running.

Hailey feared she was one of those distractions he didn’t need. “You can’t stay in Seattle by yourself,” she whispered, her words escaping before she could think better of letting him see how disappointed she was. On his behalf and on her own.

“Listen, I hate to disappoint you—disappoint everyone—but I need to be by myself to think things through.”

“Okay, I understand. Before you go, can I ask you something? Something important.”

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