Page 21 of A Christmas Duet

She raised her chin slightly. “Okay, since you asked, it’s Podunk’s Winter Festival.”

Hailey didn’t understand why Jay’s mother wouldmake these assumptions about her. “It sounds like fun to me.”

Thelma’s eyes sparked approvingly. “It’s the biggest event of the year around these parts, but small potatoes to anything you have time for.”

Hailey frowned. “What makes you think that?”

“Ellie Stockton told me all about you when she called.”

Hailey had never met Ellie Stockton, and said as much. “What did she say?”

Thelma looked bored with the conversation. “Only that it was to be understood you didn’t want to be disturbed and preferred your own company. She explained that you’re a good friend of her granddaughter Katherine.”

She couldn’t discount that. Peace and quiet was the whole point of this trip, so that she could focus on her music over the holidays. “Even a big-city girl like me is game for a little fun now and again,” she told Thelma.

Thelma nodded. “Good to know.”

“When is the festival happening?” Hailey asked. From all the activity at the city park, it must be sometime soon.

“Tomorrow night. It’ll start with a parade and then move on over to the park. Guess you must be accustomed to crowds. Like I said, this is Podunk’s biggest celebration of the year. Folks from towns all around the area make it part of their holiday tradition.”

“I’d like to come.”

Thelma smiled. “I’m happy to hear it.”

“Thanks,” Hailey said, wondering why Jay’s mother had gotten the wrong impression about her. Something must have gotten lost in the translation between Katherine and her grandmother.

She loaded her grocery bags into the trunk of her car and then wandered down the sidewalk. Several of the business owners were hustling about in front of their shops. Outside each storefront were small live Christmas trees, decorated with ornaments that reflected the specialty from the store.

The café had miniature pie ornaments along with tiny coffee cups and teaspoons dangling from the tree’s limbs. The bakery decorated their tree with rolling pins, measuring cups, cupcake ornaments, and candy sprinkles with a dusting of flour that flocked the tree.

The tree in front of the beauty salon, called Lovely Lather, which Hailey thought was a rather clever name, caused her to smile. The usual star on the treetop was a blond wig, and the ornaments were a blow-dryer, clipping scissors, and curlers used for perms.

“You like our tree?” a young woman with purple hair, standing out front, asked Hailey.

“I think it’s adorable.”

“Good, then I hope you’ll vote for us.”

Looking down Main Street, Hailey realized what thetrees lining the sidewalk were about. “It’s a competition?”

Surprise showed in the young woman’s eyes. The name badge on her shirt identified her as Elizabeth. “Yes, and each shop owner takes it very seriously.”

“What’s the prize?”

“The trophy, of course. Herbert Stephens won last year. He’s the lawyer in town. He doesn’t even have an office on Main Street.” Elizabeth shrugged, bracing her hand against her hip. “He set up his tree near the front of the park. A lot of us believe he offered discounted services to those who voted for him, which, I should add, is a clear violation of the rules.”

Hailey was curious how a lawyer would decorate for the competition. “What was on his tree?”

“Paper,” Elizabeth said. “Strips of paper cut into snowflakes. The word around town is that his son, who’s in kindergarten, cut them out.”

Hailey hid her smile over the small-town intrigue. “That’s why you believe he cheated?”

Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth explained. “Three divorces and a couple lawsuits in January. What more evidence do we need to prove he bribed folks with discounts on his legal fees?” She arched both brows as if that was a clear indication that Lawyer Stephens had been underhanded in his efforts to collect the trophy. “No one in town was willing to accuse him of cheating, though.”

“Why not?” Hailey found all this amusing and did herbest to hide the fact that she had trouble holding back a smile.

“He’s an attorney!” Elizabeth said, as if that should have explained it. “Anyone who cast aspersions against him was sure to find themselves in court. No one was willing to take that risk.”

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