A Christmas Duet

Chapter Thirteen

“Daisy?” Hailey’s sister wore black rubber boots and a full-length orange skirt with a turquoise sweater, and had a long red scarf draped around her neck.

“I knew I’d eventually find you,” Daisy said as she squeezed the breath out of Hailey. She paused when she noticed the tree. “And, look, you’ve got a Charlie Brown Christmas tree just like the one we had as kids.”

“Yes…We put it up today.”

For the first time, she seemed to notice Jay. “Hello,” she said, turning her attention away from Hailey. “You’re a surprise.”

Jay’s eyes clashed with Hailey’s.

“Jay, my sister, Daisy. Daisy, this is my friend, Jay Cantor.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Daisy’s eyes zeroed in on Hailey as she arched her brows. In a stage whisper, she leaned toward Hailey and said, “Just wait until Mom hears about this.”

“I should be getting back to town,” Jay announced.

Hailey hated to see him go. Actually, though, it was for the best, so she could have a heart-to-heart with her sister and send her on her way.

“I’ll be back soon,” he said, and then, glancing toward Daisy, he leaned forward and kissed Hailey. “Promise,” he whispered, and was gone.

As soon as the door closed, Hailey whirled around to face her sister. “What are you doing here?” she cried, and then instantly felt guilty for her complete lack of welcome.

Daisy blinked several times, disappointed and hurt. She seemed to think Hailey would be eager for visitors and throw open her arms, grateful for the company.

It took her sister a moment to answer. “You’re alone. At Christmas. I came to cheer you up.”

“I don’t need cheering up,” Hailey protested. She could only imagine what Jay must be thinking. She’d been looking forward to sharing the song she’d started working on that morning, and now with her sister’s unexpected arrival that time had been taken away from her. Feeling the need to do something, Hailey rushed out the door to catch Jay before he could drive away.

He was in the process of loading up the snowmobile when she caught him.

“Jay…I’m so sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for,” he said. He appeared more amused than frustrated, which made her feel even worse.

Hailey hadn’t bothered to grab a coat, and the chilly wind cut right through her sweater. Not that it mattered; she had to get the situation straight between them before he left. “I should never have mentioned the Podunk Winter Festival to Daisy…I had no idea she’d be able to find me.”

“It wasn’t all that hard,” Daisy said from behind her.

Hailey spun around, nearly tripping over her sister as Daisy continued down the steps.

“There’s no need to leave on my account,” Daisy told him.

“It’s not a problem,” Jay assured her. “I should get back. Mom could use my help at the store.”

Hailey wanted to weep. She should have known better. Should have realized the minute she mentioned Podunk to Daisy, her sister would consider it an open invitation. As much as she loved Daisy, having her sister stay in the cabin would ruin everything. Hailey knew that Daisy, being Daisy, wouldn’t give her a moment’s peace. As for composing music, it was a foregone conclusion that it would be impossible with her sister around.

Turning to face Daisy, Hailey demanded, “How did you ever find me? This cabin is practically off the grid.”

“Finding you wasn’t hard, but locating the cabin was,” Daisy told her, as if she was proud of herself. Her sister had never been good with puzzles or directions. That she had gotten through the maze of turns leading to the cabin was nothing short of a wonder.

Jay finished securing the snowmobile on the trailer and added, “I introduced you at the festival, remember?” he said, looking up at Hailey. “Your song created a buzz, and afterward people in town were asking about you. It makes sense that word got out about you staying at the Stockton place. All Daisy had to do was ask.”

“He’s right,” Daisy said. “As soon as I said your name at Lucille’s Diner, a lot of folks were helpful, especially when they learned I was your sister.”

Hailey tilted her head up to stare at the gathering gray clouds in the sky and sighed. Her sister’s arrival was a disaster. The skies, which had earlier been clear and sunny, seemed to sense her mood as storm clouds gathered in the distance.

“It’s freezing out here,” Daisy announced. “I’m going back inside where it’s warm.”

With her sister inside, Hailey hung her head, feeling defeated and miserable.

Sensing her mood, Jay came up the stairs and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Whatever happens, it will be okay, understand?”

Oh, how she wished that were true. “You don’t know my sister,” she whispered, grateful Daisy had returned to the warmth of the house.

“You’re right, I don’t know your sister, but I know you. The music inside you will make its way out with or without Daisy. You’ll manage.”

Hailey wanted to believe him, although her doubts remained. “When will I see you again?” So much for their jamming sessions and cuddling alone in front of the fireplace. That would be impossible with Daisy underfoot.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow. How about I take you to dinner in town? Our restaurant choices are limited, but Lucille’s place has a great down-home menu. I think a little comfort food might be just what you need.”

The promise of a date with Jay helped raise her spirits. “Okay,” she said, eager to be with Jay again soon.

He kissed the top of her head. “Now get back inside before you freeze to death.”

“Bye,” she said, her heart in her throat. She loved Daisy, she really did, and would do her best to be a good sister.

“See you soon,” he promised.

With her steps heavy with reluctance, Hailey returned to the house. To her surprise, Daisy was nowhere in sight.

“Daisy,” Hailey called out, wondering where her sister had gone. When she didn’t get a response, she tried again, louder this time.

Her sister appeared at the top of the stairwell. “Where do you keep the sheets?”

It appeared that Daisy had already made herself at home. She pretended not to hear the question. “Come down so we can talk,” Hailey said.

Daisy started down the stairs and plopped on the sofa while Hailey remained standing, pacing, as she formulated her thoughts.

When Daisy appeared to notice the look on Hailey’s face, she asked, “What’s wrong, sis?”

Unable to formulate words, Hailey tossed her hands in the air. Everything was wrong. She rubbed her palms together and took in several deep, calming breaths.

Daisy appeared oblivious to Hailey’s mood. “Jay seems nice.”

“He’s wonderful and…” Rather than continue, Hailey got to the point. “We need to talk about your visit.”

Daisy sat up straighter and pulled back her shoulders as though she had managed a big accomplishment. “I became a regular sleuth. When you said you were in Podunk, I thought it was a joke, but I found it on the map—a real town. Then I decided I couldn’t let my only sister spend the holidays all by herself.”

“But—”

Daisy didn’t let her finish. “Tell me all about Jay. How’d you meet?”

Daisy continued to avoid discussing her unexpected appearance, almost as if she was afraid Hailey would ask her to leave. She seemed rather pleased with herself, smiling as she spoke, only Hailey noticed she didn’t seem quite like herself.

“I know showing up like this wasn’t in the plan,” Daisy finally said when Hailey ignored the question. “When I talked to Mom, she said Zach was coming for Christmas. No way was I heading to Tacoma with Zach there.”

“You mean to say he still insists on coming, even knowing I won’t be?” When would he accept that she had no interest in getting back together? He seemed oblivious.

“Apparently, he’s on his way. I didn’t know he’d been in touch until Mom mentioned it. I was never fond of Zach. Mom was positive he was destined to be another Bill Gates. You aren’t seriously considering getting back together, are you?”

“No way. That ship has sailed.” Hailey noticed how Daisy continued to lead the conversation away from her visit. “I want to talk about you…being here,” Hailey said again.

“Oh yes, I got sidetracked. I found Podunk on the map—”

“And someone in town told you where I was staying,” she said, cutting her sister off before she went on another long explanation of her sleuthing skills.

“Yup, that’s exactly what happened. I met this guy on the street. Think he might be like an attorney or something, because he told me he’d been cheated out of some award having to do with a Christmas tree competition.”

Despite everything, Hailey smiled. She knew all about the decorated Christmas tree wars in Podunk. “The thing is,” she tried again. “I came to Podunk to be alone.”

“At Christmas?” Daisy’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head as though she was shocked.

“Yes, at Christmas.”

“You know Mom had a conniption when you told her you weren’t coming for Christmas.”

Hailey was already aware of her mother’s feelings. “Since I’m not in Tacoma with Mom and Dad, you should be,” she said, thinking that might help them deal with their disappointment.

“They don’t want me there, I’m an embarrassment,” Daisy stated dismissively, waving her hand as if to prove her point.

“Daisy,” Hailey cried, aghast. “That’s not true. No way are you an embarrassment. You’re quirky and fun and talented and—”

“Maybe I don’t embarrass you,” she interrupted, “but we both know I’ve never quite fit into the family.”

Hailey found it hard to believe her sister felt this loss of connection. “Daisy,” she said, feeling dreadful for her sister. Hailey sat down next to Daisy and took her hand in hers. “You’re wrong. It hurts me to think you’d believe something like that.”

Daisy dismissed her words. “You might not believe it, but when I called Mom, she didn’t sound all that inviting. All she could talk about was Zach’s visit. Sorry, sis, spending Christmas with Mom and Dad wasn’t an option. I’d feel like a stranger in my own house.”

Something was off. Hailey wondered about Daisy’s sudden interest in being with the family over the holidays. For the last several years she’d found a convenient excuse to stay away. Something had changed? She wanted to reassure her sister that she was loved, but before she could, Daisy continued.

“I understand why you decided to spend Christmas in Podunk,” she said, “and I don’t blame you. Mom should never have invited Zach. If I were you, I would’ve escaped, too. The thing is, you shouldn’t be alone on Christmas. That’s just wrong, and that’s why I’m here,” she said, as if her arrival had solved everything.

“Avoiding Zach isn’t the only reason I escaped. I wanted this time to compose music, relax, and enjoy the solitude.” She couldn’t be any blunter than that.

Staring pointedly at the Christmas tree, Daisy seemed pensive. “Apparently, not all your time is spent alone.”

“Okay, fine, Jay and I put up a tree. It was his idea. I was perfectly content to forgo anything having to do with Christmas.”

“I find that hard to believe,” Daisy insisted. “You might say the tree was all Jay’s idea, but I know you, big sister. You couldn’t help yourself. You cheerfully went along with the idea.”

It would be a lie to denyit.

Giving a knowing shake of her head, Daisy continued. “You’re like Mom when it comes to Christmas. You love the holidays.”

At one time that had been true. But that was before her breakup with Zach, before she got bogged down with her job at the high school. Christmas had been a special time with her family. In past years, when both Hailey and Daisy were in college and home on break, they’d bake cookies and candies to deliver to family and friends. Daisy would enhance the baskets, leaving Hailey and her mother to deliver the treats.

Looking back on what had once been a season for family fun, Hailey realized the joy that surrounded the holidays had been lost about the same time she’d set her guitar aside.

When she told Daisy she craved this time alone, it wasn’t an exaggeration. She needed music with the same desperation as she required oxygen. If she couldn’t write, she might as well shrivel up and die. The sole purpose of this time in Podunk was to kick-start the creative side of her brain. It’d been working beautifully, too. With Daisy’s arrival, that was at risk.

“You should know, Jay’s a successful musician and he’s been helping me. I’ve felt creatively dry for far too long.”

“A musician?” Daisy brightened and then her face fell. “I fell in love with one of those a while back. He was incredibly talented, but unfortunately, he was an irresponsible flake.”

Oh dear. Daisy was about to go into another of her long-winded stories.

Daisy laughed loudly. “If you can imagine, he wanted to move in with me and let me support him.”

That was truly worth a laugh.

Leaning toward Hailey as though this was of high interest, she said, “I want you to tell me about you and Jay, and don’t leave out any details.”

Hailey refused to get sidetracked yet again. It was apparent her sister wasn’t going to take the hint. “Daisy, you know I love you.”

“Of course. We’re sibs.”

“Right. And I feel I can be direct with you.”

“Of course.” The light in Daisy’s eyes dimmed.

Instantly, Hailey realized her mistake. After feeling rejected by her parents, Daisy waited, her spine stiff, as if preparing herself for yet another rejection.

Her sister raised her hand, stopping Hailey from speaking. “I understand. You want me to leave.”

Hailey swallowed hard. Although she sincerely wanted her sister gone, she couldn’t do it. Her sister needed to know she was loved. “Of course not,” Hailey insisted, willing to sacrifice her time. Somehow, some way, she’d figure out how to work around her sister. It simply wasn’t in her to send Daisy away.

“You don’t? You mean I can stay?”

“Of course you can. We’ll have a Charlie Brown Christmas the way we once did, with just the two of us.”

Instantly Daisy brightened, and she smiled. “I understand you’re here for a purpose, and I promise I’ll be quiet as a mouse. You’ll be able to sit with your guitar for as long as you want. I won’t make a peep.”

“I’d appreciate that, but like you said, it’s Christmas. Remember how as a family we used to put jigsaw puzzles together every Christmas day? I found a few in a cupboard. We’ll start our own traditions, just you and me.”

Daisy slouched back on the sofa as though relieved. Tears gathered in her eyes, and when she spoke her voice wobbled as if she was holding back her gratitude. “That sounds like a great idea.”

Hailey didn’t know what had brought Daisy to her front door. Whatever it was, she suspected it had far more to do with something else than not wanting her to be alone for Christmas. Daisy was her sister, and for some unknown reason, she needed Hailey. No way would she let Daisy down. The music would come when the time was right.