Page 50 of A Christmas Duet

“I hate that all these legal issues are happening so close to Christmas.”

“Me, too,” he agreed. “I have the feeling all the guys from the band are as tired of the infighting and bickering as I am. Everything I have is tied up in Cantor Music, and what I learn in the next few days will either make or break me.”

She hoped that by the time Jay returned, everythingwould be squared away and he would be on solid financial ground again.

Jay brushed the hair away from his forehead. “I’ll let Mom know that it doesn’t look like you and Daisy will be joining us for Christmas after all,” he said, his gaze holding hers.

Hailey’s shoulders sank with disappointment when she realized her mom and dad were in Podunk to stay for Christmas and likely beyond. How long, she couldn’t say. It seemed like everything was happening all at once. Jay’s meeting. Her parents’ arrival. The success of her song. Christmas.

“Next year, then,” Jay said, and kissed her forehead. “Tell your parents I have dibs.”

As lovely as that sounded, a lot could happen in a year. A girl could dream, though, and when it came to Jay, Hailey had been doing a lot of that lately.

Jay placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’d like nothing more than to…” He hesitated with the same thoughtful frown he’d worn earlier.

“What would you like?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I’d like to kiss you properly, but your mother is standing guard at the window.”

Closing her eyes, Hailey pressed her forehead against his chest. Her mother was impossible. Still, Hailey couldn’t help feeling that there was something morehe’d intended to say and could only speculate what it mightbe.

“I hate to leave you,” he said again, his eyes looking lost. “Unfortunately, I can’t delay this meeting.”

“Of course you can’t.”

“Remember what you said,” he prompted.

She looked up at him. “What did I say?”

He kissed the top of her head. “That everything would turn out the way it was meant to. I’m holding on to that and pray matters go in my favor.”

She didn’t want their conversation to end and closed her eyes and groaned when she noticed her mother peeking out the window. Julia acted as if Hailey was fifteen and on her first date. How embarrassing.

Jay climbed into his truck and made his way down the road, his headlights disappearing around the bend. Avoiding going back into the house, she waited on the porch as long as she dared before her mother came to collect her.

When she entered the house, her mother stood in front of the fireplace as if to warm herself. “You seem to really like this new friend of yours.”

“I do. I think you’ve forgotten I’m a grown woman and don’t need my mother standing guard over me.”

“I know…I’m sorry. But you were out there so long and I was afraid you would catch your death of a cold.”

That sounded too much like an excuse. Hailey was all too aware that her mother was curious and looking to find out whatever she could about Jay and how serious Hailey was about him.

“Jay has to leave for a business trip. He should only be away a couple days. When he returns, I’ll be seeing him again and I don’t want you spying on us. Understood, Mom?”

“Understood,” she repeated, with a hurt look.

If Hailey was looking for support from her father and sister, she was out of luck. Both sat at the table, working on a jigsaw puzzle, the one her sister had found in one of the upstairs bedrooms. They both pretended to be absorbed in studying the pieces, which was interesting, because Daisy had never enjoyed working on puzzles before now. Well, other than Christmas Day, when it was a family tradition.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” her mother said, her voice cracking.

“I know, I know. You’d rather I was back with Zach.”

“You’re right, I would. But as you said, you’re your own woman and the choice is yours. It’s just that…”

“Just what?” Hailey pressed.

“Zach and you were always so perfect together.”

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