All I Want For Christmas: A Sweet Serenade Christmas Novella (5 page)

Matt held the lobby door open, and Hailey slipped past him without a word. He shut the door between them and turned away.

Izzy stood up from a bench and hurried to her. “I can see that didn’t go well.”

“I’ve lost him.” The tears brimming in Hailey’s eyes spilled onto her cheeks.

Izzy pulled a wad of tissues from her purse and handed them over.

Hailey dabbed at her eyes. “Can we get out of here? I must look a mess.”

“You’re beautiful, and there’s only the janitor left, but sure.”

Izzy held the door for them. “Matt’s the world’s biggest fool.”

“No, I’m fairly certain that title belongs to me.”

“We’ve all felt like that.”

The street outside was lit but at least more concealing than the lobby. “Really? You always seem in control of your emotions.”

Izzy’s lips curved in a rueful smile. “I thank God every day for my marriage. Single life tied me in knots.”

“Matt said he didn’t believe I’m finished with Corey.”

“Well, you can hardly blame the man for that.”

“And he all but accused me of making up to him because of his money.”

“Ouch.”

“But I can understand, at least the part about Corey. I went back and forth for so long.”

“You were confused, so how could he not be?”

“And I
have
been focused on my career and making money. He always used to get onto me about it.” The memory brought fresh tears. She wiped them away, uselessly, since more fell to wet her cheeks.

“You can try again after he’s had time to miss you.”

“I couldn’t. The man rejected me in no uncertain terms. I just wish he’d waited until after Christmas. What was he thinking, anyway? Everyone knows you don’t break someone’s heart during the holidays. It’s rude.” They came to a red light, and Hailey tossed her handful of soggy tissues into the trash can on the corner.

“Sometimes it’s hard to plan these things.”

“Whose side are you on, anyway?”

“Just trying to help. Do you want to spend the night at my house?”

The offer was tempting. Going home with Izzy would spare her a lonely ferry ride and having to open the door to an empty house. “What about Carl?”

“My husband loves guests.”

“I don’t have a toothbrush.”

“We have spares in our guest room.”

“Can I borrow something to sleep in?”

“Leave it to Aunt Isadora.”

Izzy’s idea of sleepwear turned out to be black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt with an image of Santa Claus stuffing himself into a chimney. She handed the sweatshirt to Hailey with a mischievous smile. “I thought you needed cheering.”

“Thank you. But I’m not sure this will do the trick.”

The hot water that sprayed through the guest room shower was more effective, and Hailey put on the ridiculous outfit in better spirits. She was sitting cross-legged on the bed brushing her hair when Izzy called through the door. “You want a candy cane steamer?”

“What is that?”

“Open the door and I’ll show you.”

Santa and his reindeer were taking flight across Izzy’s white sweatshirt. Her makeup was gone, and she’d swept her hair into a sloppy ponytail. On a tray she balanced two glass mugs filled with a pink concoction and mounded with whipped cream. Each had a candy cane hanging from the rim beside the handle.

“Those look delicious.” Hailey put the calories she’d already consumed out of her mind and took the steaming mug Izzy offered her. She usually ate sparingly, and walking up and down Seattle’s hilly streets every weekday helped keep her fit. The steamer was lightly sweetened and flavored with peppermint.

Izzy put the tray down on the white vanity and perched on an armchair covered in red velveteen. The drapes behind her, sewn from the same material, created a backdrop that made her look like a misplaced princess from a fairytale. “What are your plans for Christmas?”

Hailey shrugged. “I don’t know yet.” Pride kept her from saying that she expected to spend it alone. The rest of her family lived too far away, and she hadn’t been able to scrape together enough to go and see any of them.

“You’re always welcome to come here.”

“Thanks, Izzy, but I’d feel like a third wheel.”

“We could invite Carl’s little brother. He might even make you forget about Matt.”

“My affections don’t change so quickly.”

Izzy raised her eyebrows.

“Usually.”

Izzy stirred her steamer with the candy cane. “What is it that you want from life? Do you know?”

“I wish I knew. I’ve mostly figured out what I don’t want.”

“That’s a start.”

“Well, then, I’d rather not have such a long commute every day, I don’t like riding elevators, I want a job where I’m valued, and the same thing from a romantic relationship.”

“You’re talking sense,
chica
. Turn it around and you’ll have your answer.”

“What do you mean?”

“You want to either move closer to work or work closer to home. Since you’re not a fan of elevators, I suggest the second option.”

“You mean, quit my job?”

“Sounds like what you want.”

“I wish it could be that simple.”

“It is, but simple isn’t always easy.”

If only she had Izzy’s decisiveness, she’d never be stymied by life. “Thanks. You’ve given me something to think about.”

“Hailey…do you ever pray? That always helps me.”

“I used to, but I haven’t since my parents died.”

“Why? Are you angry at God about losing them?”

“Their accident was that drunk’s fault, not God’s. No, it’s just that prayer and church and reading the Bible were so much a part of life with my parents that praying reminds me they’re gone.” She sighed. “I guess I’ve been pretending they aren’t.”

Matt paced across his office, yet again. He couldn’t get the haunted expression on Hailey’s face out of his mind. He’d waited so long to hear her say she loved him, and then when she had, he’d rejected her. What if she’d been telling the truth? Either way, he shouldn’t have been so rough on her.

Being at odds seemed doubly wrong on Christmas Eve.What would it hurt him to call her and wish her a happy Christmas
?
He shouldn’t do it but spun to his desk anyway.

“Hello?” The receptionist’s voice came over the line.

“Hailey Carmichael, please.”

“I’m sorry. There’s no Hailey Carmichael here.”

“What do you mean? She works there.”

“I’m sorry, sir. There’s no one here by that name.”

“Let me talk to Isadora.”

The phone clicked then rang.

“Hello?”

“Izzy, this is Matt. Is Hailey all right?”

“Last time I talked to her she was fine—heartbroken, but fine.”

“They said she doesn’t work there.”

“She quit, and they let her go early.”

“Quit?” He raked a hand through his hair. “Why would she quit?”

“She’s opening a pottery shop on Bainbridge Island.”

“What?”

“I guess happiness is more important to her than money.”

“You said that for my benefit.”

“So sue me. If you let that woman go, you deserve a lifetime of coal in your stocking.”

“I might already have earned that.”

“She’d forgive you, if you asked. I happen to know she’s home alone tonight.”

“Thanks, Izzy.” Ferry traffic would be backed up for the holiday. He’d better walk on and take a cab to Hailey’s house. Oh, and call his sister. It looked very much like he’d have to skip the Christmas turkey and eat a healthy portion of humble pie instead.

Hailey held down the channel button on the remote control, making images flick by on the screen, but nothing seemed interesting. She switched the television off. All the shows were entirely too cheerful, and she decidedly wasn’t. She hugged a throw pillow while staring into space. Maybe she should go to bed and forget about it being Christmas. An ache throbbed through her. If only Mom and Dad were here to spend Christmas with her.

Was Matt with his family right now?

Thinking about him only made her cry, and she’d already done her share of that. In the week since he’d said goodbye, she’d made some big decisions. It felt good, taking control of her life instead of slaving away for money alone, building someone else’s dream.

She should turn on her Christmas tree lights, but their sparkle would only contrast with the dullness she felt inside. Matt’s gift, wrapped and waiting beneath the tree, presented a problem. What was she going to do with it? She’d made the dolphin birdbath for him alone. Maybe he would accept it as a parting gift.

That wasn’t going to happen. He probably wouldn’t want it reminding him of her.

She flung the pillow away from her. How was she going to get over the man? It didn’t seem possible.

The phone rang and went on ringing. It seemed like a lot of trouble to answer it, but she peeled herself off the couch and went over to it. The caller ID showed a familiar name, and she picked up the receiver. “Hi, Izzy.”

“Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“What are you wearing right now?”

“Sweats.”

“Hmm. Are they clean?”

“Yes, but why on Earth do you care?”

“Good. Any make up?”

“What’s this about?”

Sweet music floated to her from outside. It sounded like…

“Never mind. Just trust me. You want to brush your teeth.”

…the love song from Romeo and Juliet.

She dropped the phone and rushed to the door.

Matt stepped onto the porch, playing his violin. His business clothes seemed a far cry from his gypsy violinist persona. A lock of hair fell across his forehead, and his cobalt eyes slanted a yearning glance at her. The music ended, and he lowered his bow.

“What are you doing here?” My, but she sounded breathless.

He smiled. “Can I come in?”

She opened the door wider, stepping back to allow him inside.”Do you like eggnog?”

“Can’t stand the stuff.” He laid his violin on the coffee table.

“How about peppermint hot chocolate?”

“No, thanks.”

“Mulled cider?”

“Hailey.”

She was running out of beverages.

He took her hands. “I couldn’t let Christmas come without telling you how much I regret hurting you.”

She didn’t know what to say.

“You aren’t to only one who had to recover from a past love.”

Corey had never been more than a crush, as it turned out, but she didn’t want to interrupt.

“Amy threw me over for a richer guy, and that made me worry about your interest in money. It’s stupid, but I lied to you because I was afraid of losing you. I hope you can forgive me for the awful things I said the other night.”

“You weren’t the only one at fault. I was so worried about keeping my home that I focused on the wrong things. I’m afraid I didn’t treat you very well.”

“That doesn’t matter now. I love you, Hailey.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away.

His thumb caught a silver droplet as it fell. “I hope you’ll let me replace every one of those tears with laughter.”

“I love you, too, Matt.” She spoke the words without embarrassment this time.

He put his arms around her and pulled her close. She rested her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Being in his arms felt like coming home. Contentment settled over herm and for a long time they stayed like that.

She lifted her head, and he lowered his to capture her lips in a lingering caress. Sparks ignited, and she melted into him. He ended the kiss and set her away from him with a gleam in his eyes, then dropped to one knee and pulled out a ring box.

Panic shot through her. “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m giving you your Christmas present.” He opened the box and lifted a ring with small diamonds swirling around a large one glinting at its center. “That is, if you want it.”

“Oh, Matt…“ She bit her lip.

His eyes widened. “Don’t you want it?”

“This is a little too fast.”

He stood up and pocketed the ring. “I should have realized that.”

“I mean, I’ve only just begun sorting myself out...”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“…and learning how to love someone else.

“I won’t rush you.”

“Ask me in a year?”

He kissed her nose. “That can be arranged. Meanwhile, I took the liberty of finding a local candle light service. I’d be honored to have your company.”