A Christmas Duet

Chapter Eleven

Shocked speechless, Hailey shook her head. She wasn’t a professional singer. Performing before such a large crowd was beyond her. Jay cast her an encouraging smile and held his arm out to her. Apparently, this was what that look he’d given her earlier had been about. Panic tightened her chest, and she stopped breathing. This couldn’t be happening. Several people turned to look at her, since Jay had been at her side the entire evening. Despite feeling close to hysteria, she realized Jay was going to insist that she get up on the stage.

After a couple awkward moments, he came down the steps and walked toward her. He grabbed hold of her hand, and half dragged her forward.

“Jay,” she protested under her breath. “I can’t.”

“Sure you can. Pretend we’re back at the cabin and sing the song the same way you did then. You’ll do great, I promise.”

Inhaling a calming breath, she gave a weak nod. She didn’t know if she was going to be able to sing with her throat bone-dry from apprehension and nerves. With the lights focused on her, she could barely manage to breathe.

Jay leaned close and whispered into her ear, “You have nothing to worry about. Everyone loves you already.”

Standing side by side with Jay gave her courage. Her voice trembled with the first few notes, but as she continued, confidence took over and soon she was fully involved in the song. She did as he suggested and blocked out the audience. When she came to the chorus, she glanced up and saw that people seemed to be enjoying the catchy tune. Several people had their phones out, recording the song.

Hailey had written four verses, and by the time she reached the chorus for the third verse, the crowd joined in, singing along with her. Jay was right.

Have a very merry Christmas

A very merry Christmas

A very merry Christmas

this year

When she finished, she received thunderous applause.

Thelma joined them onstage and slapped Hailey hard across the back, hard enough to cause her to nearly fall forward. “Thank you, Hailey. That was a darn good song.”

Jay leaned close and whispered, “That’s Mom’s way of saying she approves of you.”

“My goodness,” Thelma said, and placed her hand around her ear. “Is that sleigh bells I hear? Could it be Santa?”

The children cheered and the audience cleared a path for Santa’s arrival.

“Are you mad about me bringing you up onstage?” Jay asked, smiling down at her.

Surprisingly, she wasn’t. Instead, she was walking on air. “That was…the best.”

“The crowd loved it. Didn’t I tell you it was a great song?”

“You did,” she agreed, and impulsively threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.

Jay hugged her back.

“Thank you for one of the best Winter Festivals of my life.”

“It was one of my favorites, too.” He took Hailey by surprise, bending her back and over his arm as he soundly kissed her. And this time it wasn’t done on impulse. He let her know the kiss was as intentional as it could get.

Hailey’s only thought was how perfect it felt to be in Jay’s arms, as if this was where she was always meant to be. There was no urgency, no rush or demand. Put simply, it told Hailey that Jay was as attracted to her as she was to him. It also said how pleased he was that she’d set aside her fears and sung her song in public. Before an audience. For her, their kiss was validation of all she felt toward Jay.

As they strolled back to where he’d parked the truck, Hailey noticed families with young children leaving, their toddlers asleep in their arms, their small heads resting against their fathers’ shoulders. It was such a heartwarming sight to watch these exhausted little ones who’d enjoyed the festival and time with Santa.

Pulling out her phone to go through the photos she’d taken, Hailey noticed several unread text messages. It wasn’t unexpected, since she had only briefly turned on her phone since she’d arrived. She most often communicated with family and friends via text messages. The majority of those listed were from her mother. Hailey debated if it was a good idea to read them or not.

She must have audibly groaned, because Jay glanced at her with a quizzical look. “Is something wrong?”

“No…Yes,” she said, and rolled her eyes, convinced she already knew what her mother had to say. “My mother is texting me, and that’s not a good sign.”

He cast her a sympathetic glance.

Once inside the truck with her seat belt fastened, Hailey continued to stare at her phone, internally questioning if she should read and respond or play it safe and ignore the messages.

Jay sat next to her and urged her. “Do it,” he advised. “If they don’t hear from you, they’re bound to worry.”

He was right. She’d hesitated because she knew her mother all too well and the woman was Nolan Ryan when it came to pitching guilt. Turning her mother down for anything had always been difficult, and more often than not, Hailey gave in. Not this time, though. Her mother had stepped over the line, inviting Zach to spend Christmas with them without talking to Hailey first.

She opened the first text and immediately wished she hadn’t.

I cannot believe that my daughter, whose father and I have raised with tenderness and love, would abandon her own family at Christmas. You said you needed to get away. At Christmas, Hailey? Really? For the love of heaven tell me where you have disappeared to for my own peace of mind.

“Oh dear,” Hailey muttered.

“Bad?” Jay asked.

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.”

Jay shook his head as if he found it hard to believe.

“Oh, and she falls in love at the drop of a hat. The last time we spoke, her latest love interest was…brace yourself, a musician.”

Jay laughed. “And her name is Daisy?”

“Yup. I think my parents must have had some inkling when she was born that she would become a flower child.”

She started typing.

Thanks, Sis. I appreciate the support. I’m having a wonderful time. I met a fellow songwriter, and we attended a local Winter Festival in Podunk. Yes, there really is a town in Oregon named Podunk. I’m doing what I love most, composing music. Love you. Whatever you do, don’t tell Mom and Dad where Iam.

“One thing about Daisy is that she has always supported me with any decision I make,” Hailey told him. “She might be quirky, but she is my sister. I know without a doubt she’d do anything for me.”

“You really can’t ask anything more from a sibling. My sister, Ruth, is the same; she thinks any music I write is pure genius.”

“We’re both fortunate, then.”

“We are,” he concurred.

Another text popped up. Her mother again. Hailey would be wise to turn off her phone. She knew if she opened and read it she’d soon be sorry. Despite her reservations, she read it anyway.

“My mother,” she said, when Jay raised his brows in question.

What about Zach? He told me how sorry he is and that he’s never stopped loving you.

Hailey dropped her head. She didn’t know what it would take for her mother to accept that she was over Zach. Way over. Her mother hadn’t accepted anything Hailey said when it came to her former boyfriend. She suspected Zach had used every opportunity to convince her mom that with a little time, he’d be able to win Hailey back.

She wanted to blame him, but that was unfair. She was the one who’d allowed Zach to infuse doubt into her heart. With logic and statistics, he’d hammered at her dreams like a combine plowing through a field, undermining her confidence in herself and her talent with his pessimism.

She read the text again and set the phone down on her lap. She was only beginning to find herself again. She was stronger now, confident, and she refused to be swayed.

“You want to talk about this?” Jay asked, his voice caring and full of concern.

Likely he’d been able to read the text for himself, as it was clearly visible.

“Are you running away from Zach, Hailey?” Jay asked, in a way that tugged at her heartstrings. “Is he the reason you’re in Podunk instead of being with your family?”

She had to be honest with Jay, not to mention with herself. “Not entirely. Zach and I broke up a long time ago. He’s been in touch recently, claiming he made a mistake. The thing is, I’m not interested, only he isn’t listening. I’ve moved on. Unfortunately, he doesn’t believe I mean it, so he went behind my back to enlist my parents’ support, especially my mother’s.”

Jay glanced her way and nodded, silently encouraging her to goon.

“When he didn’t get the answer he wanted,” she continued, “Zach knew she would side with him, and then my mother, being my mother, took matters into her own hands and invited Zach for Christmas. Without even consulting me. At the same time, my friend Katherine offered me the cabin. It felt like the perfect solution. I’d hoped that both Zach and my mother would get the message—I’m not interested in getting back together with him.” She paused and added, “I’m convinced all Mom sees is the opportunity for grandchildren.”

“What about Daisy?”

“Daisy has no plans to marry, or so she says, and from the men she’s dated, that’s probably a good choice. My sister has a big heart and she’s constantly looking to save lost souls.”

“She isn’t likely to provide your mother with grandchildren, then, is she?” he said. “And right now, Zach is your mother’s best hope of getting what she wants.”

“Exactly. Mom assumed after Zach and I graduated we’d marry and quickly supply her with grandchildren.”

“What happened?”

Without going into a lot of detail, Hailey described the breakup. “Zach is a good guy, he really is, and I sincerely thought I loved him. You know what they say about opposites attracting? Well, that was Zach and me. He was the nerdy tech guy with his goals to work in AI. And I was the dreamer set on making my mark in the world of music.”

“Don’t ever discount the power of your dreams, Hailey,” Jay advised, his voice deep with sincerity. “I’ve said that before, because it’s important. Who would believe I’d make a decent living playing guitar in a band? I started out forming a band that played in my garage, remember?”

“I know how impossible it sounds, but I can’t not try, despite the odds,” Hailey admitted.

“Ignore the negativity of others,” he advised.

While Hailey knew what he said was true, it was easier said than done, as the cliché went. It was a cliché because it was true.

“And now, out of the blue, Zach is interested again,” Jay said, as if thinking out loud. “Do you think your lack of interest has made you all the more appealing in his eyes?”

Hailey had no idea. “I don’t know.”

Jay appeared to mull this over. “It’s probably what prompted him to approach your mother, right?”

“It was a smart move on his part. Mom was more brokenhearted than I was when Zach and I split.”

“Are you sure about your feelings?” Jay asked, his hand tightening around the steering wheel, as if this was information he needed to know.

Without hesitation, she responded, “Positive. Zach was my first love, and our relationship was great until it wasn’t. I think what I found to be the most disappointing aspect of our breakup was how willing he was to let mego.

“At first, I believed once he thought about it, he’d change his mind. All along I’d supported and encouraged him; I’d always assumed he would do the same for me. To discover he wouldn’t came as a shock. He keeps saying that since he’s now established in his career, making a good salary, that he’s willing to support my dream.”

“Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?” Jay asked.

“It was.” She couldn’t deny it. “At one time, but no longer. I’m stronger emotionally now and would far rather find success on my own, without relying on anyone else.” She glanced at Jay as he sat beside her in the truck cab. “Being with you the last few days has been a tremendous boost to my belief in myself. It may take a few years. And, really, I don’t care if it does. At some point in the future, I’ll be writing music and making a living at it.”

“I believe that, Hailey, and I mean that with everything in me.”

She choked out a whisper. “Thank you.” Emotion swelled in her chest, and she distracted herself by scrolling down the long list of unread text messages. She found six from Zach. Six.

Jay’s gaze followed hers. “Are you going to read those?”

“No,” she stated decisively. “I have nothing to say. I’m here to concentrate on writing music. Anything he wants to tell me would be a distraction I don’t need or want.”

“I can appreciate that more than you realize.”

“How so?” she asked, although she could guess what he meant.

“I’m in Podunk for Christmas for much of the same reason you are. The breakup with the band left a lot of hard feelings all around. I didn’t want to get caught up in the court battle that’s been going on ever since the split. Like you, I’ve moved on, and I’m working hard to make Cantor Music a success. I hate the infighting and dealing with the attorneys. This time with my family is helping me clear my head. The best thing I can do when it comes to figuring out this financial mess is to wait until I hear from my attorney. It’s a struggle, and I won’t have my feet under me until the ruling is made.”

Jay had casually mentioned the band’s breakup, but Hailey hadn’t known that his finances were held up until a settlement was reached.

“I felt the urge to return to my roots for this Christmas,” he continued. “Little did I know I’d be fortunate enough to meet you.”

“Nor I you.” It felt like fate, stars shining down on them, that they should stumble upon each other in Podunk. In retrospect, Hailey should thank the raccoon invasion, as that was what led her to meeting Jay.

Hailey considered his situation. “It seems we are both at a crossroads in life.”

“So it appears,” he concurred.

Thinking she’d had quite enough upheaval after reading her texts, Hailey turned off her phone and tucked it away.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He looked surprised by her appreciation. “For what? I didn’t do anything special.”

“But you did. Talking helped clear the spiderweb’s sticky strands inside my brain.”

Jay grinned. “You ready for me to drive you back to the cabin?”

“Ready.”

Jay started the truck and backed out of the parking spot. Once they were on the road, he reached for her hand and gave it a tight squeeze. “Stay true to yourself, Hailey. You have the talent and the passion; don’t allow anyone to destroy that.”

“I won’t,” she said, more determined now than ever.

They rode in companionable silence on the way to the cabin.

“I’d sort of pushed Christmas aside, but after tonight, I’m full of the holiday spirit,” she said as he made the turn leading to the cabin.

“You need a tree, then. You can’t celebrate Christmas without a tree.”

“You mean one from your lot?”

“Nope. A real live Christmas tree that you and I are going to cut down ourselves. Are you game?”

“Count me in,” she said, sitting up straighter, excited to be spending more time with Jay. She hoped they could be together every day. Nothing would please her more or make for the perfect Christmas.