She noticed he didn’t say personally or professionally. He hadn’t exactly stated that he wanted to produce her music, although she had gotten the notion he was interested. The assumption was, he needed the money from the settlement from the band. Either way, she wanted nothing more than for them to continue seeing each other. As Jay said, they would be a mere three hours apart.

  Hailey didn’t believe in coincidences. In her heart of hearts, she felt they were meant to meet. If they were able to work together, then all the better. More than once he’d praised her songwriting ability. Surely he must be thinking the same thing she was. She suspected any contract depended on the outcome of the settlement.

  “I don’t want our relationship to end after Christmas, either,” she said as she held his look.

  “Good.” He gave her a brief smile and seemed to relax.

  She hated the thought of him leaving, even briefly. But this settlement was important to Jay and his future.

  Their server returned to take their order.

  Hailey had barely looked at the menu. “Any suggestions?” she asked Jay.

  “You can’t beat Lucille’s chicken pot pie,” he advised her.

  A warm, golden-crusted pot pie sounded perfect to Hailey.

  “I’ll have that,” she said, glancing up at the server.

  “Me, too,” Jay added.

  The server wrote down both orders. “Those pies will be right up,” she assured them.

  “Good, because I’m hungry,” she admitted. The soup Daisy had brought home for lunch had worn off hours earlier.

  Even though Jay would be away for a short while, she would miss him and count the hours until he returned. Having him admit that he felt as strongly about her as she did about him made her heart sing.

  It seemed he was about to say more, but then their meals arrived. Any conversation after that was nearly impossible, as they were interrupted several times by folks stopping by their table, wishing them a merry Christmas.

  Twice people congratulated Hailey and she wasn’t sure why, although one woman had mentioned the song she’d sung the night of the festival.

  Hailey accepted their kind words and cast a questioning look at Jay. He smiled and nodded but ignored the query in her eyes.

  By the time the table was cleared of their dinner dishes and coffee had been delivered, a handful of additional customers had come over to compliment Hailey on her song, telling her they’d listened to it multiple times. Not knowing how that was possible, Hailey looked to Jay.

  “Is there something happening that I don’t know about?” she asked. “Why are all these people coming to the table?”

  “There is, and it’s wonderful news for you,” he said. “I should have mentioned it earlier. Forgive me for being so caught up in my own worries.”

  “It’s all right. I understand. Did someone take a video of us the night of the festival?”

  “They did, and posted it on YouTube. People are loving it, Hailey.”

  “My song?” She could hardly believe her ears. “That’s encouraging, I guess.”

  He laughed softly. “More than encouraging. You and the song have started to go viral.”

  “Oh my goodness.” She pressed the tips of her fingers against her lips, hardly able to believe what he was telling her.

  Jay grinned as if he was as delighted for her as she was surprised. “I checked before I left to collect you and was astonished. There’ve been over a hundred thousand views.”

  This was unbelievable. Immediately she reached for her phone and realized she’d left it at the house. With no cell coverage, she didn’t see any reason to carry it with her. Regret hit her even as the excitement filled her until she found it difficult to hold still. This was amazing. Unbelievable.

  “You’ll be getting a check from YouTube.”

  “You mean I’ll be paid?” This was even more astonishing. The social media channel was actually going to pay her. Who knew?

  “Any time an artist gets more than a hundred thousand hits, the media outlet pays the artist.”

  “Wow. How did I not know that?” she asked, thinking out loud. This only served to tell her how naïve she was when it came to the music business. Which immediately sent a warning signal.

  While Jay sounded pleased, his eyes said something else. Hailey knew she should question him further, but she hesitated, not wanting to ruin the moment. Jay’s thoughts were on his upcoming settlement. It would be easy to bombard him about what all this attention would mean to her and her career. She craved answers and would like nothing better than for Jay to explain the ramifications of all this. But he was understandably concerned about his own future. To trouble him about hers would be selfish and inconsiderate.

  “I’m happy for you, Hailey,” he said as he slid out of the booth and helped her on with her coat.

  Hailey wasn’t sure what any of this meant, although if she was going to collect royalties on her song, then wow. This was like walking through the middle of the best dream she’d ever had. Her head spun with the possibilities of what the future might hold for her.

  Once Jay paid the bill, they strolled around town for a time, his mood somber. He held her hand tightly in his own.

  After a few minutes of silence, Hailey suggested they head back to the cabin. As if he felt the need to end the evening on a positive note, Jay reminisced about his years on the road and his fellow band members, sharing stories of their antics. She was pleased that despite all that had transpired between Jay and the band, he could look fondly upon their time together.

  When they arrived at the cabin, another car was parked beside Daisy’s vehicle.

  “Are you expecting any more company?” he asked.

  Hailey couldn’t make out the model of the black car in the dark. Sitting up straight, she reached for Jay’s forearm. Hope and excitement mingled as she glanced toward the house. “I bet it’s Charles. He must have discovered where Daisy was hiding and has come to talk some sense into her.”

  In her eagerness, Hailey nearly jumped out of the car. Taking hold of Jay’s hand, she raced up the front steps, excited to meet the man who had turned her sister’s life around.

  Hailey threw open the front door and, with a gasp, froze.

  It wasn’t Charles who’d arrived unannounced.

  Instead, it was her parents.

  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 might be.

  “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.