Page 32 of A Christmas Duet

She read him the text.

“You didn’t tell your parents you’re in Podunk?”

“Absolutely not. Not a word. Trust me, it’s better they not know. My mother is a master at getting what she wants.”

“That’s tough,” he agreed. “For her peace of mind, are you going to tell her where you are?”

Hailey automatically shook her head. “Not if I expect a peaceful Christmas. Knowing my parents, they’ll find some urgent excuse to head this way.”

“It’s your decision,” Jay said.

Biting her lower lip, Hailey hesitated. Ignoring the text wasn’t a good option, either. Once she was back home, her mother was sure to hit her with the myriad ways Hailey had ruined their Christmas. More guilt. Hailey was bound to hear how she’d hurt and disappointed the entire family. That her parents had spent every minute of Christmas worrying about her safety.

Hailey started typing.

Please don’t worry. I’m having a wonderful holiday. Love you. I’ll stop by before New Year’s. Promise.

“There,” she said, satisfied that the text would help relieve their fears.

Immediately another text appeared from her mother.

I hope you realize your father and I have been worried sick wondering where you are and why you would leave us this way. Your father has a weak heart, and this is killing him.

“Oh brother,” Hailey said, resting her head against the back of the seat.

“What now?” Jay asked.

Again, she read him the text. He groaned and then laughed. “You mother is laying it on a little thick, don’t you think?”

“Oh yes, that’s how Mom operates. I love her to death, don’t get me wrong, but it’s this kind of manipulation that drives me crazy. Despite my best efforts, I often find myself giving in to it. Not this time, though. Daisy is the smart one when it comes to Mom. She ignores the texts and lives her life exactly the way she wants to.” In some ways Hailey wished she was more like her quirky sister.

“How are you going to answer that?”

Hailey toyed with what to say. Before she had a chance to reply, another text appeared. This time it was from her sister.

At the ding, Jay chuckled. “Your mother again?”

“No, this time it’s my sister.” Curious at her sister’s take on her disappearance, Hailey read the text.

Good going, H. I didn’t think you had it in you to stand up to Mom and Dad. Cheers. Loveya.

Hailey smiled and read the text to Jay.

“Your sister approves,” he commented.

“She would. Daisy is…” Hailey paused, unsure how best to describe her younger sister. “I guess you could say Daisy is her own person. She’s creative in her own way. She tries to live off the grid, well, other than a cell phone. While I excelled in school and sports, Daisy didn’t. Don’t misunderstand me, she wasn’t rebellious, it’s just that we’re completely different. It’s hard to believe we came from the same parents. Daisy protests against paying taxes and believes the government is completely corrupt.”

“Can’t say I disagree with her there,” he joked, chuckling softly.

“She’s dropped out of college four times and has yet to decide what she wants to do with her life other than working craft fairs and farmers’ markets to sell her macramé and organically grown herbs.”

“She sounds interesting.”

“That she is. She’s actually quite lovely, although she lacks direction. She avoids Mom, but Dad has a soft spot for her, so he sends her money without Mom knowing.”

“And this is your biological sister?”

“Yup. Same parents. Same upbringing. Same everything.”

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