Home for Christmas Series Box Set Duet

by Di Jones

  Harmony’s skin flushed a pretty shade of rose pink, her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Emery couldn’t tell whether she was shocked or pleased, but he was happy to have finally told her his reason for coming back.

  Before she could reply, Trisha pulled a chair over and sat down next to them. “Have you discussed the finalists?”

  “We were just about to do that,” Harmony said in a brusque voice, without a hint of a smile, and he wondered why she disliked Trisha so much. “Weren’t we, Emery?”

  “Yes. We were. Why don’t you leave us alone for a few moments, Trisha, and then I’ll bring the list out to you.” She looked as if she was about to argue but he knew how Trisha’s mind worked—she liked to feel important. “Then you can announce it to everyone.”

  She preened and sauntered out self-importantly, giving him and Harmony a few more minutes to sort things out, and then decide who the finalists were.

  He turned back to Harmony. “Look, I can only say I’m sorry so many times. I mean it, Harmony. You’re important to me…even after all these years. You’re why I’m here…can’t you just take that the way it’s intended?”

  The hard set of her shoulders softened and she gave him a tremulous smile. Rather than answering she brushed off his comments, instead asking him whom he thought the finalists should be.

  “Eliza-May Smith will bring the house down.”

  “Yes. I think she should sing with Tommy Butler.”

  “Agreed. Who else?”

  “Mary and Bob Turner have got something, for sure.” Bob was a few years older than both of them, and Emery had looked up to Bob, who’d been one of the best guitarists in the town. Mary, his wife, had a sweet voice that lent itself well to country and western music.

  They took turns going through their favorites and were in agreement apart from one: who should sing a final duet with Emery.

  “I want you to do it,” he told her. You and I are amazing together.” He blushed, wondering if she thought he might be referring to the strong and loving relationship they’d once enjoyed.

  “I haven’t sung for a long time.”

  “Why?”

  “The concert after you left…I tried to…but I froze. It was horrible. I’ll never sing again.”

  “I’ll be right there with you.”

  “Don’t push me on this, Emery.”

  He glanced sideways to see the firm set of her chin and decided not to argue…not right now, anyway. “Okay, I’m going to write this all down and give it to Trisha. She can bring the twelve finalists back in, if they’re all here.”

  Ten minutes later Trisha came back with the dozen excited hopefuls.

  “Hello, everyone. Harmony and I are very pleased to welcome you here. You can sit in on each other for these final auditions. This time, we’re going to bring the number of you down again. We have only six spots for the concert.

  Over the course of the next twelve auditions, a number of spectators and friends floated in and out to watch them and Emery had more than one woman flirt with him. Every time that happened he could hear the low groans from Harmony. Usually that sort of behavior from a jealous woman would have annoyed him, but on this occasion it only fueled his desire to get her back. After all, she wouldn’t be upset by it if she didn’t still care for him.

  The moment the last finalist finished his song, Harmony stood up, put her coat on and left. Emery’s mouth dropped open. What he wanted more than anything was to rush after her, but how could he with the finalists still standing there? There was nothing he could do except let her go. He’d see her again soon. She wasn’t leaving town, he was pretty sure.

  Seven

  Harmony

  Harmony knew she shouldn’t have left the hall in a huff. She was finding it hard to control her jealousy, which had reached alarming proportions. The end result was that she couldn’t bear to be near Emery in case her emotions spilled over and she said something else she regretted. It was hard hearing his voice and remembering the way he’d told her he loved her. She couldn’t stand smelling his cologne, the tickle in her nostrils brought up too many memories of his scent as he lay with his arms around her. It had been years since they’d been together, but all day she thought about the times gone past and the things they’d done together: holding hands, declaring their love for each other and making love. The memories hurt and she couldn’t stand it a moment longer.

  She hurried home, aware that she was late for Thanksgiving dinner and if there was one thing her mother didn’t tolerate it was her daughter being tardy for a meal. Her mother loved cooking as well as hosting the special holidays and Thanksgiving and Christmas were her favorites. Harmony was nearly at her parents’ place when she remembered the cake she’d baked the night before. She turned around and ran back the four blocks to her own house. As she unlocked her front door and walked inside, the quietness hit her like a cement wall and for a few moments she felt isolated and lonely. Don’t be silly, she told herself, the house isn’t any different than when I left it this morning. I’m letting Emery get to me, and I mustn’t do that.

  She headed into the kitchen to be met by her Siamese cat, Honey, who was sitting on the kitchen countertop. She’d also forgotten about feeding her pet, and she glanced at the clock and decided to take a moment to feed her. “I hope you’ve stayed away from my cake,” she told the cat, scratching her behind the years. Honey purred a response, and Harmony picked her up, holding her lithe frame to her chest. “Time to give you your dinner.” She walked to the cupboard, grabbed the packet of cat food and poured it into Honey’s bowl. As the Siamese daintily ate, Harmony washed her hands before putting the chocolate cake into a Tupperware container. “Bye, Honey,” she called before leaving again for the short walk back to her parents’ house.

  She walked through their wrought-iron gate and was about to head up the path to the front door when she saw Emery Dante sitting on their front porch. What on the earth is he doing here? Her heart raced as a number of possibilities flew through her mind.

  “Let me take that from you,” he said, holding his hands out for the round Tupperware container.

  “I don’t need any help.” Harmony clutched the cake closer. She knew she sounded rude but she didn’t care. If there was one thing she didn’t need it was Emery’s help in taking her cake into her parents’ house.

  “I can tell you’re upset. What’s the matter?”

  She stopped and drew herself up to her full height “It’s you.” She pushed past him, but he caught her hands, effectively stopping her from making the front door.

  “What’s wrong with me telling you I’m sorry? Why can’t we give things another try? You know we were good together.”

  Harmony rubbed the heel of her palm against her chest and sadness shadowed her eyes. When she spoke, her voice was flat, as if her anger had evaporated. “Yes, we were good together. Up until the point that you decided I was a ball and chain tying you to Lewiston. Look, Emery, I’m not going to be another thing you regret. Especially not for a second time.” She turned away so he couldn’t see the tears pooling in her eyes.

  “Why do you keep saying that?” His voice was pleading. “Harmony, I never said I regretted loving you. If I said what you said I did—and I don’t think I did—it would be that I didn’t want to regret not pursuing my dream.”

  Harmony dropped into one of the comfortable porch chairs and put the cake beside her. Then she leaned forward, her head in her hands. She was combing her mind trying to remember the specifics of the conversation she’d had with Emery all those years before. His actual words kept eluding her. Is there a chance that in the years since our conversation I’ve exaggerated what he said to me? Maybe his words weren’t as harsh as I remember them? I had been pretty upset after all.

  She straightened and sighed, not able to reach a conclusion. “Look, I don’t want to talk about this now. I’m here for Thanksgiving dinner with my parents. Can we catch up another time?”

  He nodded. “Sure,
but the thing is—”

  The front door opened and a rush of warm air blew over them. She turned to see her parents, welcoming smiles on their faces.

  “Come in, kids, it’s freezing out there.” Her father clapped his hands together to ward off the chill in the air.

  “I’m so glad you could join us for Thanksgiving,” her mother told Emery. “Come in, dear.”

  As Harmony followed Emery into the house she groaned inwardly. Why didn’t I guess Mom would invite Emery for Thanksgiving dinner? That’s just the thing she’d do…never mind the way he treated me before he left. Mom’s a soft touch and she’d hate the idea of him being alone. Why couldn’t he have gone back to LA to spend time with his own family though?

  Harmony was never usually mean and small minded and so she chided herself for her less than charitable thoughts, but she couldn’t help herself, which was why her anger flared when he sat beside her at the dinner table. The last thing she wanted was Emery being in close physical proximity to her, but she knew there wasn’t a way she could prevent him from sitting there. Honestly, it was too emotionally overwhelming for her. Maybe she should run back to her own place, lock herself inside with her cat and have a good cry. The idea was attractive, but wasn’t an option.

  Her mom bustled around the kitchen, bringing out the annual feast of roast turkey with stuffing, potatoes, yams and vegetables to the dining table.

  “Let me help you, Mom.” Harmony pushed her chair back.

  “No, darling, you entertain your guest.”

  But he wasn’t her guest, was he? She hadn’t invited him, her parents had, and so her resentment grew and simmered. She tried to be natural at dinner, to smile and be pleasant as her mother said grace and they all helped themselves to the succulent bird, the huge bowls of parmesan roasted potatoes and vegetables, but she could hardly bring herself to speak. Thank goodness her mother was a chatterer. She didn’t even seem to notice Harmony’s silence and nor did her dad. It might have been a very awkward meal, but she was the only one who seemed to think so from the way the other three were interacting and talking as if Emery had never left years before.

  “I can see that you love your kids, and I can see how much they love you too,” Emery addressed her in a loud voice which tore into the pause in the conversation at the table.

  “Yeah they’re all adorable, aren’t they?” Her breath came out in a rush and she was going to leave her part in the conversation there, but she adored talking about her students. “I’m so lucky with my class. They’re pretty much all amazing kids, and the ones that aren’t, well it’s not their fault.” She took a breath, knowing she needed to explain further in case that sounded as if she had favorites. “A few of them have a hard time at home. But I try to make up for that. I’ve got most of my kids for three years before they reach normal school and it means I become very close to them.”

  “What do you mean a hard time?” Emery asked her.

  “Divorce…that’s tough on kids. It can take them a while to accept that their parents aren’t getting back together. Sometimes they feel as if it’s their fault.” Emery nodded. “And you know, there’s been a lot of unemployment around here. That’s tough on families.”

  “Unemployment is a big issue. It’s not just here in our little town,” Arnold added. “All over the country. But it has hit us hard. Which is another reason I asked you to come back, Emery.”

  “I hope my being here helps.”

  “It will, dear. You’re exactly what this town needs.” Her mother reached for Emery’s plate and gave him a second serving of turkey. “More gravy? Cranberry sauce?”

  “Thank you, Gladys. You always were a great cook.” He grinned. “I can never get a meal like this in LA, unless I go to my parents’ place.”

  "Keep some room for desert, she told him with a proud smile. "I've made my famous pecan pie."

  "I was hoping you would. I haven't had a pie like that for years."

  Her mother asked about his parents and they spoke about them for a few minutes, but Harmony could feel her father’s eyes on her. She looked up and caught his nod toward Emery.

  She took a minute to wait for a gap in the conversation. “What about you, Emery? Tell me about your career.”

  As her father visibly relaxed, Emery grinned at her. “It’s pretty exciting: everything I ever imagined a career in music would be. My band is an exceptional group of musicians who’ve become good friends. I’ve been wondering if I should speak to them and ask them to play at the concert. What do you think?”

  “That would be awesome. How did you meet them?” She was really curious to know because Emery had never had a backup band when he lived in Lewiston.

  “Actually, it was sort of a manufactured band. My agent introduced me to a friend of hers, another agent called Mike Morris. He hooked me up with a couple of session musicians he knew, said they were really good, and it turns out they were. We’ve all become pretty good friends.”

  “It must seem really boring being back here in town.”

  He shook his head and she could see the sincerity in his eyes even before he spoke. “It’s not the slightest bit boring. The truth is my life in LA is very false. There are so many people surrounding me that don’t know me at all, but they think they do. I absolutely love being back here where everyone’s genuine.”

  Harmony could feel herself warming to Emery. Their conversation flowed like an unconfined brook and reminded her of the old days when they would talk about anything and everything. They were dominating the conversation to such an extent that it occurred to her they probably needed to let her parents have some airtime. She blinked as she looked around the dinner table. She and Emery were alone. “Where did everyone go?” she asked.

  Emery laughed. “Do you really need to ask that?”

  “My Dad’s watching the game, isn’t he?”

  “I’m sure he would have dragged me into the living room to watch it with him too if we hadn’t been chatting. I did hear your mother saying that she was going to the community center.”

  “They probably wanted to leave us alone.”

  She felt like she had her old friend back and realized, although she never would have admitted it to herself before, that she’d missed talking to him like this. So much so that she didn’t want the evening to end.

  “Would you like to go for a walk?” she offered shyly, wondering if he remembered that was something they used to do all the time.

  “I’d love to.”

  She called out to tell her father, but there was no answer. “The game,” she said wryly. Then they put their coats on and as they walked outside, even though it was darkening, it seemed as if the light was glowing inside Harmony.

  They walked down the block with their shoulders huddled together in an attempt to ward off the cold air. Harmony stuffed her hands in her pockets, wishing she’d brought her gloves with her.

  “Are you cold?” Emery asked, and before she could even answer he put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her into him. He was warm and as she snuggled into his side, she was filled with a longing for the simpler days like they’d been before he left.

  “Do you remember that time we went swimming down at the lake and someone stole your clothes?” she asked.

  He guffawed with laughter. “Yeah, I’ve never gone skinny dipping since. Unless it’s in my own pool.”

  “Tell me about your day to day life in LA.”

  He spoke of his days, hectic with his music and the fast pace of life in the big city, but despite the trappings of his life she could sense that he wasn’t satisfied with everything he had. And at that realization she suddenly felt sorry for him and with that emotion came forgiveness.

  As they walked and talked the years began to strip away. They trudged through town until the stars were out in the sky and the night air was so cold it sent them back to her parents’ house. Back on the porch, they stopped, and Emery leaned in, then he took his chance and kissed her.

  His
lips were warm and soft, exactly the way she remembered them. Harmony opened her mouth and kissed him back.

  Eight

  Emery

  He’d forgotten how sweet she tasted, but after he kissed her on her parents’ front porch, that kiss was all he could think of. He’d never stopped loving Harmony and that simple kiss brought all his emotions back to the surface. Again he felt like the hopeful boy from Lewiston who wanted to storm Los Angeles, rather than the big-time pop singer who’d already arrived. Emery wanted to hold Harmony in his arms, kiss her, make love to her, and know that from this point in, he’d spend the rest of his life with her.

  It was lucky he didn’t have too much time on his hands because once Emery decided he wanted something—or someone—there was no stopping him. But time wasn’t on his side. Monday was the first official day of the Christmas concert rehearsals, and he’d be too busy to spend much time trying to win Harmony over. He’d have to hope that while they did the rehearsals their bond would tighten.

  In the quaint Town Hall on the edge of Lewiston Square they arrived separately to begin their assigned tasks. It was just like old times. Harmony was working with the staging and the scripts while Emery was orchestrating the musical pieces. Shoulder to shoulder they were pulling together a major show which Emery knew would be a huge success, and he could tell the hordes of volunteers thought so too. All around him was a happy buzz, and he basked in it, making him wonder why he’d never thought of coming home and doing this before. These people were working not for money but for a common purpose, and being part of it felt good.

  “Good morning, son.” Arnold arrived with a huge grin pasted across his face. He held out his hand and shook Emery’s enthusiastically. “Emery, your presence here is having a big effect already. I’ve been talking to a number of retailers this morning and all of them tell me their profits are up significantly. And more people are arriving in town, not just passing through like they’ve been doing for the last year or two. They’re sticking around to shop and eat, and one thing is clear, this concert is going to be a sold-out success. We are very grateful to you, aren’t we, Harmony?”