Page 66 of A Christmas Duet

The decision weighed heavily on her heart.

Her mother was on the porch waiting for her when Hailey returned from her walk. “Is everything all right?” she asked, and linked her arm around Hailey’s elbow. “You’ve been preoccupied and quiet ever since you returned from town.”

Hailey was surprised her mother had noticed, especially with Daisy and Charles’s wedding on her mind. It was all she’d talked about from the moment she heard the news of the engagement.

Hailey offered her a smile, unwilling to bring her family in on this decision. This was one she needed to make on her own.

“Everything is good, Mom. I promise.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive,” Hailey assured her, and forced a smile.

“You’re happy for Daisy, right?”

Hailey nearly laughed. “Mom, I’m ecstatic for Daisy. Charles is perfect for her. Just perfect.”

“I’m happy, too,” her mother said with a delighted lift to her voice. “Knowing my daughter has found her soulmate is the best possible Christmas gift I could ever receive.”

Hailey placed her hand over her mother’s. From the first time she’d sat down with Jay and played a duet, she’d felt like she’d found her own soulmate.

The easy way he’d handed her off to someone else made her wonder if he’d felt any of that special connection she had.

Chapter Twenty-two

On Christmas morning, Hailey and her family gathered around the Charlie Bown Christmas tree that Hailey had decorated with paper snowflakes and popcorn strings. The tree she’d decorated with Jay.

“I swear this is the best Christmas of my life,” her mother declared, holding a cup of coffee as they each took turns unwrapping gifts. The majority of the packages around the tree were ones Zach had delivered. Hailey would say one thing for her ex. He had excellent taste. Seeing that most of the tags were made out to her, Hailey freely shared the unopened presents with her sister.

Not forgetting her parents, Zach had brought gifts for them as well as for Hailey. Her mother was overjoyed with a Christmas cookbook and her father got a giftcertificate for the local golf course. The first gift from him that Hailey opened was a long, sexy silk nightgown. After peeking inside the box, she immediately passed it along to her sister. Daisy would enjoy it far more than she ever would. Daisy opened the box and blushed. Sitting next to her, Charles viewed the contents and grinned broadly.

The cookies and candy her parents supplied were brought out for all to enjoy. While Daisy set to work in the kitchen with their mother, Charles and her father found a chessboard and were deeply involved in a game. Watching the two of them strategize each move, Hailey couldn’t help but feel Charles was more of an expert player than he leton.

By far and away, it was a good Christmas. Hailey avoided thinking about Daniel Stamper and Jay as best she could. When Daisy and her mother finished getting the rib roast in the oven, the family gathered around the fireplace.

“Hailey, grab your guitar,” her father suggested. “This is an old-fashioned kind of Christmas. We should all sing a few carols and then Hailey can perform her special song for us.”

“What a wonderful idea,” her mother agreed cheerfully. The news about Daisy and Charles had put her parents in the best of moods. Hailey didn’t know whatbudget her parents had reached when it came to Daisy’s wedding. Whatever the amount, both seemed content. It was good to know they had reached a compromise.

Sitting by the fireplace with the flames gently waltzing around the logs behind her, Hailey played a few chords on her guitar and started with one of her all-time favorites: “Silent Night.”

She was soon joined by her family and Charles. She played all the classics, and some of the concerns and uneasiness she’d carried with her since the short conversation with Jay eased. Her shoulders relaxed and she gave herself over to the music. It had always been her escape, the one thing that could absorb the tension from the unknown. In music she found peace, and that was something she badly needed this Christmas.

While her family’s voices faded after the last song, Hailey looked over at the ones she cherished and loved most and felt complete clarity of mind. She knew exactly what she needed todo.

Setting aside her guitar, she stood and faced her parents. “Mom, Dad, I hope you’ll forgive me, but I need to leave.”

“Leave?” her mother protested. “We have yet to eat dinner.”

“Hailey?” Daisy’s eyes rounded with concern.

“I need to talk to someone,” she said, as if it wasperfectly normal. Her family stared wide-eyed at her as if she’d lost her mind.

“Where in the love of heaven are you headed?” her father asked with a note of censure.

Hailey loved him all the more that he didn’t question the unexpected suddenness of this decision.

“To Seattle.”

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