A Christmas Duet

Chapter Three

Hailey’s phone rang early the following morning. Lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling, she checked the screen to discover it was her mother. She should have known. No one else would think to disturb her before seven o’clock on a weekend.

Julia Morgan, loving mother that she was, was calling to ask how soon her eldest daughter planned to arrive for the holidays. Hailey groaned, wanting nothing more than to sleep. She’d been awake half the night, chewing over her conversation with Katherine, the text from Zach, and the song she so desperately wanted to write. The offer to use her friend’s family cabin would be a dream come true. She would have as long as two weeks to center herself and work. After feeling creatively dry, that lively, fun melody kept playing in her head. She woke twice during the night, humming the tune.

The mere thought of escaping Christmas with her family lured her like a food addict to a Las Vegas buffet. Even while she attempted to dismiss the idea and put it completely out of her mind, she hated disappointing her parents.

Hailey’s phone chirped once more, and, knowing if she didn’t answer now, her mother would try again and again, she gavein.

“Morning, Mom,” she greeted, hoping she sounded somewhat pleased to hear from her mother.

“Hailey, sweetheart, you should have told me.”

“Told you?” she repeated.

“I heard from Zach. He said the two of you have been talking.”

Hailey flopped back onto her pillow and closed her eyes. She was furious with Zach. This was exactly what she feared he’d do. She should have known that when she’d turned him down flat, he’d use any excuse to wheedle his way into her holidays. He was smart enough to know he had an ally in her mother.

“I think it’s simply wonderful,” her mother gushed.

“Mom,” Hailey said, keeping her voice level. “Please listen, I have no intention of getting back with Zach.”

“He thinks…He said that he’s hoping for a reconciliation.”

No doubt he’d made it sound like a possibility, exaggerating their recent communications. “Zach can hope all he wants. I’m not interested.”

“Now, Hailey, don’t be hasty. You’re wise to take matters slowly. I do wish you had told me.”

Her mother completely ignored the fact that she didn’t want to renew anything with Zach. “It’s been three years. I’m a different person than I was when I graduated from college. We parted ways and moved forward. Zach is wasting his time. I’m not going to change my mind.”

“Hailey.” Her mother seemed shocked. “The two of you are the perfect couple. I said that from the first time I saw you together. Zach is exactly what you need.”

“Mom, please, would you listen to what I’m telling you? I’m not getting back together with Zach.”

A short silence followed. “Oh dear.”

“What?” Hailey asked, tensing for what was coming next.

Her mother’s sigh rang through the call. “I invited Zach to spend Christmas with us.”

“You did what?”

“Don’t be upset, sweetheart. I was so pleased to hear from him. He called because he wanted to send you a gift for Christmas. He feared we might have moved and asked for the right address. We got to talking and then one thing led to another.”

“Mom,” Hailey grumbled. No, no, no, this couldn’t be happening.

Zach knew full well how happy her mother would be to learn the two of them had been texting.

“Before I could stop myself, I blurted out the invitation.” At least her mother sounded somewhat apologetic.

“And Zach couldn’t accept the invitation fast enough, right?” she asked.

“No, no,” her mother rushed to explain. “He refused at first, saying he wasn’t sure how you’d feel about him coming, but then…but then I persuaded him.”

Hailey placed her hand over her eyes, unsure who she should be most annoyed with, her mother or Zach.

“Don’t be upset with me, it’s Christmas. I’ve got everything ready for your arrival. I baked your favorite cookies again and got out Grandma Hazel’s chocolate bonbon recipe, too.”

Zach’s favorite, Hailey remembered. This was exactly what she didn’t want. Her mother would be gushing over Zach, making him feel like part of the family while she did everything she could to avoid him.

“And that’s not all, I have all our meals planned. Zach offered to bring the ham for Christmas Eve, the spiral-cut one. So generous of him.”

“Mom,” Hailey tried again. “Zach asked me about coming for Christmas and I flat-out told him no. He isn’t listening and now he’s gone behind my back…”

“But he didn’t,” her mother insisted. “He called with a legitimate excuse. I was the one who insisted he come.”

“Zach knew my feelings.” Hailey wasn’t willing to give him a pass. Zach was aware what to expect when he contacted her mother. And she’d played right into his hands.

Another short, painful silence followed. “Hailey, be reasonable. I can’t rescind the invitation. It’ll all work out, trust me.”

Sitting up, Hailey leaned against her headboard as her shoulders sank with dread. This was destined to be the most uncomfortable, awkward Christmas of her life.

Her mother seemed to take her silence as acceptance. “How soon can you get here?” she asked. “Your father got us a new car he’s excited to show you. He ordered it in this dark green. I’d hoped for blue, but you know your father. He wanted green, and so I gave in. It’s important to know when to stick to your guns and when to give in. So come soon, okay?”

“Christmas isn’t for another week,” Hailey reminded her. She had no intention of spending one minute more than necessary at the family home. It went without saying that her mother would spend the entire holiday touting Zach’s many fine qualities. There was only so much a girl could take.

“I suppose you have a few things you need to take care of before you leave Portland.”

Hailey leaped on the excuse. “Exactly. I’ve been so busy with school that I haven’t done anything to get ready for Christmas.” She desperately needed time to consider her options. It didn’t look like her mother would be willing to tell Zach it would be best if he didn’t come. The mere thought of being trapped with him and her mother sent her mind into a whirlwind.

“Take the weekend to get caught up,” her mother offered. “Zach said he would be able to get a few days off, and there’s this big Christmas light show we could all attend.”

“Mom, I can’t—”

“Oh sweetie, am I being too pushy? I’m sorry. It’s just that I know how eager Zach is to see you. He said this would be the first time in over three years.”

This was the last thing Hailey wanted to hear. Apparently, Zach was confiding in her mother, gaining her support. It was even worse than Hailey had realized. What really irked her was that he seemed to think she would be so grateful to hear from him that she’d immediately fall in line. It must have come as a shock when she had been less than welcoming. Now he was garnering support from her mother.

“I won’t be there after the weekend, Mom.” She made sure her mother understood that she had no intention of falling into the plans Zach had made with her family.

“Oh, but you must. Zach told me in confidence that there’s something important he wants to discuss with you. I wouldn’t say anything if I knew how you were going to react.”

“Sure he does,” Hailey said, unwilling to hide her sarcasm.

“Now, Hailey Lynn Morgan, you listen to me. Zach was nothing but wonderful. He’s always been kind and gracious. The least you can do is meet him halfway.”

“I need to think,” Hailey said. The idea of spending the holidays with Zach was fast becoming untenable.

“I don’t know what happened between the two of you,” her mother continued. “Whatever it was, I’m sure Zach is looking to make it right.”

“He told you that, did he?”

“Well, not in so many words, but I’m convinced he regrets whatever it was that caused the breakup. We talked for over an hour. We had the best time catching up. Give him a chance, Hailey. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.”

Hailey closed her eyes. Just talking about Zach had her head pounding with the beginning of a migraine. “I need to think. I’ll call you later today to let you know what I plan to do.”

“Good. I hope to see you soon. Love you,” her mother whispered.

“Love you back.”

After disconnecting the call, Hailey pondered the conversation for several minutes. She’d put Zach out of her life, cut all ties, and moved on. After they broke up, she accepted the job at the high school and decided to write music whenever time allowed. That hadn’t happened, and whether it was fair to blame Zach or not, she did.

Anytime she needed to think, Hailey cleaned her house. She spent the morning knee-deep in cleanser as if demon possessed. She scrubbed down the sinks and countertops, vacuumed the carpets, changed her sheets, and wiped down all her kitchen appliances. When she’d finished, her apartment had never shined brighter. Best of all, she had her answer. Slumping down on her sofa, she exhaled a long breath and smiled. She knew exactly what she needed todo.