All I Want For Christmas: A Sweet Serenade Christmas Novella (2 page)

“I have a question for you.”

Hailey jumped. Immersed in another policy, she hadn’t heard Corey approach her desk. She glanced up into blue eyes fringed by golden lashes “You startled me.”

“Sorry.” He shifted closer, opening the file he carried. “I’m working on a water damage claim for a Percy Harris. Does the name ring a bell? You set up the policy for cancellation.”

“I remember. The agent bound coverage without verifying ownership and found out afterwards there’s a co-owner who isn’t related to Percy. That created the liability issue, forcing cancellation.”

His gaze traveled over her face as she spoke, and now he rested a hand on her shoulder. “Thanks for clarifying that.”

She couldn’t seem to find the breath to reply.

He squeezed her shoulder and moved off down the hall.

Izzy popped out of the next cubicle, a knowing smile on her face.

“Don’t say it.” Hailey covered burning cheeks with her hands.

“If that wasn’t a trumped-up excuse to talk to you…”

“It had to be. I would have made a note in the system, and there’s documentation in the file.”

Izzy whistled beneath her breath. “He’s losing no time replacing Evangeline.”

“You don’t think he’s trying to do that?“

“What else?”

“I’m not ready to deal with this.”

“Be careful what you wish for,
chica
.”

Hailey frowned. When she’d first met Corey, she’d wanted very much for him to pay attention to her. Now she wasn’t so sure. He was on the rebound, for one thing, and she couldn’t pretend he hadn’t hurt her. Thank goodness the work day was almost over, because her concentration seemed to have followed Corey down the hall.

Watching the clock proved irresistible. By time to leave, she’d slipped off the flats she wore for business, stowed them in her desk, and tied her tennis shoes. Her day bag went over her shoulder, and then she was out on the sidewalk. The sky looked gray but no rain had fallen yet. She might make it to the ferry without having to put up her hood. She didn’t like waiting for the bus, so unless it was raining hard or snowing, she walked the mile to the ferry.

Pike Place lay along her route. In the summer she avoided the crowds it drew, but during the off-season months taking the steps through the old market was the best way to reach Alaskan Way, the broad street by the water that led to the ferry landing.

A bronze pig stood at the entrance to the market, waiting for donations to help the needy. Rubbing her snout was supposed to bring luck. Hailey had never tried it. She hurried past vendors displaying their wares and passed the famed fish market stall just as a salmon sailed through the air. Tossing fish was a popular Pike Place tradition, although how the fishmongers’ customers managed to catch the slippery creatures, she had no idea.

The elevator carried her down to the top of the hillside climb, outdoor stairs that connected Pike Place and businesses on the docks. She took the boardwalk to the ferry terminal and showed her monthly pass at the door. In the waiting area, she pulled the latest Diana Bradford romance from her day bag. She’d had to stop reading at a particularly harrowing place, while the heroine and hero were being threatened by hungry lions with the villain in hot pursuit. It didn’t take her long to pick up the story thread and lose herself in the action.

“Hello.” Tania Hermon, another commuter, lowered herself into the next chair with a gusty sigh.

Hailey closed her book. Whenever she and Tania found themselves on the same ferry, they liked to pass the time by talking. “How’d the interview go?” Tania’s mortgage company struck her as unstable, so she was setting her sites elsewhere.

“It went well. Hopefully I’ll hear soon. I really want this job.” Tania’s job at her mortgage company struck her as dead-end, which was why she was making the shift.

“I hope you land it.”

“What about you?”

Hailey shook her head. “I turned down the interview.” The same head hunter who had recommended her for the opening at Brown called every once in a while to find out if she was happy in her position or wanted to interview for something different. She’d refused all the interviews she’d been offered so far, but maybe she should reconsider. It was beginning to look like staying at Brown wouldn’t help her career. Sad to say, but sometimes the only way to move up was to change companies.

The ferry docked and off-loaded cars and passengers. They lined up to board as part of the regular commuter herd. Crossing Puget Sound on the ferry to reach her desk on the twentieth floor of her skyscraper each morning and then returning to her Kitsap Peninsula home at night made for a long day. But moving to Seattle meant letting go of the house her parents had left her. She’d had to remortgage it to pay off the bank and now had a hefty house payment, but she couldn’t bear the idea of selling her childhood home.

Renting her house out would free her from the commute, but she wasn’t ready to do that, either. It was all she had left of her parents. Besides, living in Seattle cost too much despite housing prices being a little better in outlying areas. That must be how Matt managed to live in the Ballard district, but she had no idea how he managed. It was hard enough to keep up on with a mortgage on the less expensive side of the water.

Hailey walked with Tania across the gangway and found seats at the back of the ferry beside a window. She sagged in her seat, letting the day’s tension drain from her. She was grateful for a cushy job that challenged her intellect, but sometimes she felt like a princess escaping an ivory tower. Tania pulled out a scarf she was crocheting for a Christmas gift. From the dining area came the riffling of a deck of cards, and nearby a man strummed a guitar and sang the blues.

Tania wanted to compare in detail the benefits of the job she wanted as opposed to the one she hoped to leave. Hailey tried to pay attention, but the music reminded her of Matt, and her thoughts drifted to him. Maybe she should invite him to her side of the water, but she could think of several reasons that wouldn’t be a good idea. First and most important among them was the fact that she wanted to so much. If she was honest, a part of her admired him for remaining true to his art, even if that meant living hand-to-mouth. She hadn’t been brave enough to do the same thing for herself. Now she was trapped by ‘golden handcuffs,’ working a job that sustained her without giving much extra, a job that did nothing to fulfill her artistic leanings.

She had to keep the mortgage paid and the lights on, didn’t she? Not for the first time, she wondered what Mom and Dad would think she should do. If only they were still alive so she could ask them. They’d passed down a lot of wisdom over the years, much of it gleaned from the Good Book. She’d followed their example, but she hadn’t wanted to read the Bible since the funeral. Maybe that was why she felt so rudderless, though. The ferry rocked and swayed, and she closed her eyes. A moment later, she was sitting up as the momentum slowed. “Goodness. I must have dozed off.”

Tania, glanced up from the book she was now reading. “You did. It’s already time to line up.”

They waited with the rest of the commuters for the ferry to dock at Bainbridge Island. The gangplank lowered, at last, and they hurried across it and down a long, covered ramp. Hailey wished Tania a nice weekend and boarded the bus that would take her in bumper-to-bumper traffic across the bridge to the car park on the Kitsap Peninsula side of Agate Pass. Sometimes she brought her Kia to the ferry landing, but most days the cost of parking was too high to justify the expense.

Seated shoulder-to-shoulder beside a stranger, she leaned her head against the head rest and closed her eyes as the bus jerked and swayed.

Please God, if it’s okay with you, I don’t want to live like this anymore.

The cobalt glaze covering the inside of Matt’s new mug welled over the rim to drip down the fired clay exterior, making the humble vessel a thing of beauty. He turned the mug over and ran his thumb over the name etched into the bottom,
H. Farley
. The image of Hailey bent over her potter’s wheel with her auburn hair swinging as her hands lovingly shaped this work of art took his breath away. He dragged himself rather painfully back into the moment, poured coffee into his mug for the first time, and carried it outside.

Lavender, heather, and candytuft embraced the boulders below his deck, and an edging of ornamental grasses swayed in the winter wind. The sun was sitting on the water, and a track of amber fire ran to it. The color reminded him of the way Hailey’s eyes had sparked at him this morning, and a smile touched his lips. At least he could make her feel something, although he was probably dreaming to think she would ever believe they belonged together. He had only to tell her the truth to make her see him differently, but that was the problem.

He sipped the hot brew in his cup, letting his gaze wander past the garden to the dock where his runabout kept a low profile. Seagulls wheeled into the sky, cawing.

It was just as well Hailey had turned down his invitation. He’d known she would, of course, or he wouldn’t have made it. If she ever came here, she’d guess at his income. He couldn’t let that happen. The woman was entirely too focused on money, and he’d already been down that particular road one time too many.

No, if Hailey ever said she loved him, it would be to the rag-tag musician he made of himself whenever they met. She didn’t need to love his music, but he had to know she loved him for himself alone.

She would be on the ferry right now, heading home. He knew it was too much to hope, but he couldn’t help wishing her thoughts would turn to him. Sometimes when she looked at him, it was easy to imagine a deep connection between them. If she ever let on that she felt it too…

Easy man.

He went back inside, cued the music system, and eased into his favorite armchair. Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor swelled over the speaker system, and he closed his eyes, letting the strains transport him to peaceful shores.

The ringing of his cell phone jerked him back. He almost ignored it, but when he saw the name on his screen, accepted the call. “What?”

“Oh, but you sound grumpy.” Laura’s quick laugh rang in his ear. “Is that any way to greet your favorite sister?”

She was his only sister, so that was a moot point. “Sorry. Is ‘what do you want’ any better?”

“Never mind. Am I interrupting something, perhaps?”

“Well, yes. ‘From the New World.’”

“Ah. Well, I won’t keep you long. I was just wondering if you’d made up your mind about Christmas Eve dinner.”

“When do you need to know?” He hated to put her off but wasn’t sure he had the stamina for another matchmaking session. Laura seemed unable to fathom that anyone would want to remain single a moment longer than necessary.

“As soon as possible.”

“All right.”

“All right, you’ll come?”

“All right, I’ll decide soon. Thanks for the invitation, by the way.”

“I thought I’d invite Angela Goldsworthy, too. Do you remember her?”

“Vaguely.” He tried to place a face with the name but couldn’t.

“She’s Art’s cousin.”

His sister’s husband seemed to have all sorts of cousins. “I’m drawing a blank.”

“You made quite an impression on her at Easter.”

The image of a plump woman with hungry eyes and a jarring laugh chimed in. “Oh, yes.” At least he knew what he’d be getting into if he said yes.

“You should give her a chance.”

His feet hit the floor, and he sat forward in his chair. “Look, Sis, I know you mean well…”

“Angela is a sweet girl.”

“I’m sure she is, but—“

“You have to get over Amy sometime.”

Could she be any more blunt? “I’ll let you know.”

If only he could tell her he’d be bringing Hailey. Good grief, but he had it bad.

Hailey restrained the ridiculous urge to bolt. What could a few minutes alone with Corey in an elevator possibly hurt?

“Going up?” Since they were on the ground floor, there was no other way to go but up. He laughed at his own joke, but she didn’t. He seemed awfully chipper today, a fact that shouldn’t make her nervous, except that it did.

Corey hit the button for their floor, and the elevator vibrated into motion. He smiled at her. “Did you have a nice weekend?”

“I went Christmas shopping.” Her voice came out a little breathy.

“Better you than me. I hate Christmas shopping.”

“It can be fun if you don’t leave it to the last minute.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it. Say, I’m going to a houseboat party on Friday. Want to come? It’ll be low key with just a few friends.”

“I don’t know…”

He leaned toward her. “I’d really like you to be there.”

She eased backward, fetching against the elevator wall. “Thanks for the invitation, but I’m not sure...”

“Please?” He was close to her again, somehow.

The elevator pinged at their floor, but as it shuddered to a stop, she couldn’t seem to move.

“Say you will.”

She was drowning in ice blue eyes. “I will?”

“Thanks. You won’t regret it.” The door opened, and he glanced past her, then dropped a kiss on her lips.

Hailey went still from surprise. The kiss could have been pleasant if she’d been in any way ready for it and if it had happened in a better time or place. Putting her hands against his chest, she shoved him away from her.

Someone cleared her throat, and he broke the contact. Hailey dragged her eyes from Corey’s and looked straight into Evangeline’s narrowed eyes. Corey marched them both out of the elevator, holding her like a shield before him.

“You’re a jerk.” Evangeline’s voice dripped venom as she glared first at Corey, then Hailey. “And you’re welcome to him.” She swept past them, and the elevator doors thudded shut behind her.

Hailey stepped out of Corey’s arms and tried to pull her arm free of his grip. “Let…go…of me.”

“Hailey, wait a minute, will you?”

“Why should I?”

“Because I want to talk to you.”

“I don’t like being used.”

“It wasn’t like that.” 

“Oh, really?”

His mouth opened but as footsteps rang in the hall, he closed it again, releasing her so quickly she stumbled. Heat crawled up her neck and flamed into her cheeks. Kelsey passed by them with a nod and a slight smile. He wasn’t scowling today, and that was a relief. At G. W. Brown, Incorporated, employees weren’t supposed to become involved with co-workers. Of course, several office romances had already flown in the face of that rule.

Corey pulled her down the hall toward the information technology department, where his office was located.

“Stop that.” She put on the brakes.

“I’m just trying to find somewhere more private to talk.” He hissed near her ear.

“I need to get back to work. Can’t we shelf this until later?”

“All right.” He let her go. “Meet me for break?”

“When?”

“Say, two? How about in the little garden behind the building?”

“Two o’clock, then. In the garden.”

“I’ll see you there.” Putting his hands in his pockets, he walked away.

Hailey was forced to follow, since her desk was the same direction he was heading. She lagged behind, regretting her decision to meet him. What sort of mess was she getting herself into?

By the time the display on her computer read two o’clock, she’d worked out what to say to Corey. Unfortunately, her carefully-worded speech deserted her as soon as she saw him waiting for her on the ground floor outside the elevator. Gone was the frantic man of earlier, and in his place stood the poised, good-looking individual she’d admired for so long. He held the door for her, then took her hand and guided her through the entrance gate into the walled garden. It was pretty, even in winter with the roses bare and the fountain at its center turned off. Cedar benches set on flagstone pavers lined the stacked stone walls. They had the place to themselves, which wasn’t so surprising in the dead of winter.

He pulled her into his arms and lowered his lips to hers, covering her instant protest. This time his kiss wasn’t quick or light. Surprise and an overdose of chemistry gave him the advantage, but after her first delay, she wrestled out of his grip. “Will you stop doing that?”

He grinned. “Did you know your lips pucker when you pout? I couldn’t resist them. I’ve wanted to kiss you properly for a long time now.”

“You certainly hid it well.” Pouting? Is that what he thought she’d been doing? That he was unruffled while she was flustered and panting annoyed her further.

He gave her a wounded look. “Don’t you believe me?”

“I’m not sure I should. Let’s talk about Evangeline.”

“She means nothing to me.”

“I might believe that if you didn’t sound so bitter.”

His jaw worked. “If you must know, Evie dumped me.”

“That explains why you tried to get back at her with me.” She stepped away from him.

He followed her. “Don’t think that. I wanted you before Evie came along. She just distracted me with…well, because of--”

“No need to spell it out.”

Putting a finger under her chin he tilted her face to the light. “Forgive me?”

She’d cried into her pillow, walked around with an ache in the pit of her stomach, and endured having to see him with Evangeline. “I’ll…try.”

“You won’t regret it, I promise.”