Chapter Sixteen
Hailey nearly groaned aloud. Jay paused just inside the door when she did.
Her mother’s confused gaze immediately went to Jay before she glanced back at her daughter. “Hello,” she said, looking at Jay again. “Who are you?” Julia Morgan asked, staring at him as if in shock.
“We wanted to surprise you,” her father piped in, coming to stand next to his wife with his arm around her middle. “And what a surprise to find Daisy here as well.”
Daisy tossed Hailey an apologetic look, silently relaying that she had nothing to do with this unexpected visit.
“I’m Hailey’s mother,” she said, again directing the comment to Jay.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Jay returned, ignoring the odd vibes coming from Hailey’s mother.
“And you are?” her mother asked.
“Mom,” Hailey said, gently placing her hand on her mother’s forearm. “This is Jay Cantor, my friend.”
“Your friend,” her mother repeated, as if someone had knocked the breath out of her. Her hand went to her chest. “I don’t believe you mentioned anything about having found a new…friend.”
Thankfully, her father stepped forward and extended his hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Jay. Any friend of our daughter’s is a friend of ours.” He said this and looked pointedly at Hailey’s mother.
The two men exchanged handshakes. “Thank you, sir,” Jay said.
“I’m Rich, and this is my wife, Julia.”
“Jay and I only recently met,” Hailey explained. “We were out to dinner. I’ll admit finding you here is a surprise.”
“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision,” her father explained. His eyes shifted to his wife, letting Hailey know this had been all her mother’s doing.
“I see,” she murmured, her heart sinking. She’d come to Podunk for solitude and her entire family had shown up. First her sister and now her parents. She wouldn’t be shocked if the George Washington High School band arrived next or, heaven forbid, Zach.
“You say Jay is a new acquaintance.” Her mother sounded almost relieved.
“Like I said, I met Jay shortly after I arrived,” Hailey supplied.
“Does he know about Zach?” her mother asked in a stage whisper, as if Jay wouldn’t be able to hear when he clearly could.
It was all Hailey could manage not to stamp her foot in frustration. Instead, she gritted her teeth and nodded. “He does. He also knows Zach is someone of no consequence in my life.”
Hailey was about to remedy the assumption of her mother’s that she and Zach were getting back together. Before she could get the words out, Jay said, “I should be going.”
Her mother nodded as if that was a brilliant idea.
Hailey couldn’t blame him for wanting to leave as quickly as possible. Her mother seemed determined to bring up Zach, making it uncomfortable for everyone.
Instead of arguing, Hailey said, “I’ll see you out.” She pretended not to notice her mother’s pleading glance asking her to stay.
“I think your friend can find his way to the door,” she blurted out.
Hailey glared at her mother with enough fire for the other woman to shrug and turn away. “Okay, if you insist.”
As soon as Jay and Hailey were outside and the door was closed, she hurried to apologize. “I’m so sorry,” she said with a moan. “My mother is being obstinate. As I mentioned earlier, she’s Zach’s biggest cheerleader.”
“No worries,” Jay said. He looked uneasy, and Hailey couldn’t blame him. Little wonder he was eager to escape. It went without saying that her mother would use every excuse under the sun to bring up Zach.
“Zach means nothing to me,” she reiterated.
“I know,” he said, and offered her a weak grin.
Hailey realized a lot was hanging over his head and wished there was something she could say or do to reassure him that everything would work out the way it was meant to. His future with Cantor Music hung in the balance. It only made sense that he was preoccupied.
“It will all work out, Jay,” she said, in an effort to put his mind at ease.
“From your mouth to God’s ear.”
“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, everything would 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 more he’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.”
“Perhaps we were at one time, but no longer,” Hailey told her.
“Zach made a mistake,” her mother continued. “He’s sorry and would do anything he could to make it up to you.”
“Mom, listen, please. There’s nothing Zach can say or do that will change my mind.” Especially now that she’d met Jay, although she didn’t say as much. That would be like dropping a bomb into the middle of their conversation.
Wanting to turn the subject away from Zach, she said, “If you wanted to surprise me for Christmas, you certainly did. I had no idea you were headed this way.”
“We should have let you know we were coming, but we didn’t know how to reach you. I told your father we should just surprise you.”
And what a surprise it was, Hailey mused.
“Your father and I couldn’t bear the thought of you being alone for Christmas, so we decided to bring the holiday to you,” she announced cheerfully. “It’s a bonus to find Daisy here with you as well. Now we can have a real family Christmas.”
“I went shopping earlier and have got Christmas dinner covered,” Daisy supplied, glancing up from the puzzle table.
“Oh, and I brought all your favorites with us, too,” her mother added. “I baked those snowball cookies you girls both love, and an entire batch of divinity.” She clasped her hands with delight as she rambled on about the special treats she’d packed into the car, including gifts and everything she needed for her famous cornbread stuffing.
“You won’t need to work so hard,” Daisy countered without a beat. “I’ll help.”
“You cook?” Their mother seemed worried.
“Daisy is an amazing chef,” Hailey cut in. “You should taste the meals she’s prepared for me the last couple days.”
Daisy beamed her a grateful smile.
“Well, of course, if she wants to, I’d welcome her help. I just remember as a kid she had trouble following a recipe.”
What her mother didn’t know was that there was a good reason for her sister’s kitchen disasters.
“I rarely use cookbooks,” Daisy said without going into a long explanation. “I cook from the heart.”
“And everything she makes tastes like heaven,” Hailey said, going to her sister and hugging her from behind as she sat at the table.
Taking the cue, Daisy asked, “Did you and Dad arrive hungry? I can whip up something if you are.”
“No need,” their father supplied. “We had dinner on the road.”
“I could certainly do with a cup of tea, though,” her mother said.
“I’ll get it,” Hailey offered, not wanting to take Daisy away from working on the puzzle.
Her mother followed her into the kitchen. “This really is a lovely cabin, at least from what I’ve seen of it thus far. It certainly is a long way from civilization, though.”
That brought up the question Hailey most wanted to ask. “How did you and Dad know where to find me?” This secluded cabin had more traffic than a Macy’s department store during the holidays.
Her mother released an exaggerated sigh. “That’s quite a long story.”
Knowing her mother as well as she did, every explanation became a detailed dialogue. “Let’s sit down with our tea and you can tell me.” She carried both cups to the sofa in front of the fireplace.
Once they were seated and Hailey took the first sip of the hot brew, she looked to her mother to explain.
“It all started with Shelly Fieldmen.”
“Who?” The name wasn’t familiar.
Her mother shook her head dismissively. “You don’t know her. I met her ages ago. She’s in my book club and isn’t one of my favorite people, especially after this.”
“Why’s that?”
Her mother released an elongated sigh. “Our group met yesterday, and out of the blue, Shelly mentioned she saw your performance on YouTube. She recognized you from the family photo over the fireplace when I hosted the club meeting, and of course she recognized you by name.
“When I found the video she mentioned, I was astonished to learn you had over a hundred thousand hits after only a couple days. Shelly said you and your song are all over the internet. Your dad and I viewed the video several times. At first, we couldn’t understand why your song, which is fun and catchy, would cause such a sensation.”
Hailey had wondered that herself.
“Then it was obvious,” her mother continued. “It reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas and family. In the rustic setting of a small town with the audience joining in. Fathers with their children sitting on their shoulders. Couples with their arms around each other. Snow softly drifting down outside the bright strings of lights on the gazebo. It was everyone’s picture of the perfect Christmas.”
“We’re so proud,” her father inserted. “We always knew you had talent.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I remember when you were in grade school you were constantly making up songs,” her father continued. “Your mother and I had no idea your childish ditties would one day make you famous.”
“I’m far from famous.” As she remembered it, her singing and made-up songs had often been an irritation to her parents. More than once, Hailey recalled both her parents asking her for a few minutes of peace and quiet so they could think.
“It won’t be long before your name is a household word,” her father piped in proudly. “And I, for one, couldn’t be more pleased.”
Hearing the love and pride in his voice was more validation than learning about the success of her song. Hailey had always had a close relationship with her dad. She noticed as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, and she felt one form in her own.
“I don’t understand how any of this relates to you finding me,” Hailey said, drawing the conversation back to how her parents had located her.
“Well,” her mother said, as if it should have been obvious. “When I saw the video, the banner above your head said you were at the Podunk Winter Festival. It made sense that this town was where you’d hidden yourself away.”
“That’s when your mother decided we should come join you for the holidays,” her father added. “And that nice lady from the hair salon was happy to tell us you were staying at the Stockton cabin and give us directions.”
“I meant to tell you how pleased and happy we are for you when you arrived, but I got distracted by that Jay fellow,” her mother said.
Only now did Hailey realize how much that one performance had the power to impact her life. She was overwhelmed and shaken. She needed Jay to explain everything to her, and he was gone. Her lips trembled as she made her way into the kitchen.
She leaned against the sink while she attempted to absorb what all this instant celebrity status might mean.
“Hailey?” Daisy joined her. “Are you all right?”
“No,” she admitted, not anywhere close to being calm and controlled. “I feel as if my entire world has been turned upside down and I have no idea what will happen next.”
Daisy squeezed her arm. “You don’t need to do anything now. Take one day at a time.”
“I wish Jay didn’t have to leave.”
“He’ll be back soon and will advise you. He’s someone you can trust, right?”
Hailey nodded. “Yes. Definitely.”
“Then wait until he returns and the two of you can sort this out together.” What Daisy said made sense.
Their mother joined them in the kitchen. “What are you girls chatting about?” she asked.
“We’re talking about Christmas,” Hailey said quickly, before Daisy had a chance to speak.
“Yes, our first real family Christmas in ages.” Her mother’s voice rose with happiness. “I can’t remember the last time we were all together like this.”
“It’s wonderful that we’re all here,” Daisy agreed. She gave Hailey’s arm a comfortable, reassuring squeeze.
“I couldn’t be happier.” Her mother sighed as if their being together was a dream come true. “The only thing that would make it better is if you and Zach—”
“Mom!” Both Hailey and Daisy cried in unison.
“Sorry. Sorry,” her mother said, and raised both hands as if surrendering.
Why her mother would continue to hope for a reconciliation was beyond Hailey. She was as stubborn as Zach, thinking a few words would convince her to give him another chance.
Sighing as though saddened, her mother’s eyes pleaded with her. “I’d so hoped—”
“Mom,” Hailey said in warning. “Don’t go there.”
“I know, I know,” her mother continued. “It’s just that your father andI—”
“Leave me out of this,” her father intervened, raising his hand. “Julia, give it a rest. You’re pushing way too hard.”
“You’re right,” she said, and sounded sincere. “I’m just finding it hard to let go of Zach and you as a couple.”
“Try harder. It’s not going to happen.”
The sound of a car door closing broke into their conversation.
Hailey’s eyes flew to her mother. All this talk about Zach suddenly made sense. It couldn’t be, could it? No, please. Say it isn’t so. Hailey had to know, even when she realized she wasn’t going to like the answer.
“You told Zach where to find me, didn’t you?”
Her mother’s guilty look said it all.