The gentleman with the balding head adjusted his glasses as he squinted up at the titles. “I’d have to check, but… perhaps.”
Karen’s breath caught. She said nothing as she scribbled a few more notes, and then waited by the door until Haley led them upstairs.
“All the furniture is old, old. Not sure that it’s worth anything. Papop said he hadn’t been up here in three years. He couldn’t get up the stairs. I slept on the sofa until he passed, then moved out to the barn. Hated being here all on my lonesome. It’s much too big. Too many…” She stopped by a row of old photographs in gold metal frames. “Memories.”
Karen offered a sympathetic smile, but remained quiet, though she continued to make notes on her little sheet of paper.
“What’s up here, Miss Madison?” asked the balding man. He pointed toward the winding stairs leading up to the crow’s nest.
“Come on.” Haley’s boots pounded up the stairs. The men shuffled more quietly. Karen’s spike heeled boots, which had to be tricky to maneuver in this weather, clicked as she made her way up last.
Maybe she knew of a possible buyer, and was taking notes so she’d know what to tell them about the condition of the house. Now that they’d cleaned it up some, it wasn’t looking near as bleak as she’d believed it to be.
“My, look at that view,” said the third man, who’d been quiet up to that point. He chuckled. “It makes you feel as if you’re on top of the world.”
“Yeah, it does. My cousins and I would pretend to be pirates.”
After they’d filled their curiosity, she led them back the bottom floor.
“There’s a basement, too, am I correct?” Karen asked.
Haley nodded. “Cain’t even tell you what’s down there, but I know there is one.”
“Shame he closed himself in during his last years.” Karen tucked her clipboard into her large shoulder bag, then announced they should be on their way. Before she exited the front door, she stopped, “Will you be playing tonight, Mr. Winters?”
“Yes, ma’am. Have a couple of musicians from town who said they’d come out and join me. Should be fun.”
Karen clapped her gloved hands. “Wonderful. I’ll make sure to get the word out. People have really enjoyed your music and will want to hear more. Including myself. Good day, now. See you both at the tree lighting.”
Haley wasn’t sure how to read the expression on Ethan’s face, but he seemed as pleased as a pup at its mother’s teat over Karen’s compliment. She spoke the truth. He was such a wonderful violinist. Suddenly, she had a sneaking suspicion about what he was keeping from her.
Had New York finally called?
Her breath caught. She needed to find out. But he was already heading back outside with Wally following, hoping he’d be doing something fun. “I’m going to blow off the drive and shovel the sidewalk. We don’t want anyone slipping around when they come out tonight.” He tucked into his coat and was gone before she could open her mouth to ask.
She glanced down at her long list. Fine. She’d not ask today. Too much going on. But tomorrow he’d need to come clean.
The rest of the day flew by. They rode the carriage out to the tree-lighting ceremony, snuggled beneath a furry blanket to keep the cold off. She wondered if it was this romantic for her grandparents. No wonder Papop popped the question to Memaw then and there.
Haley was glad for the excuse of the cold to redden her cheeks, because she wasn’t feeling chilled at all.
Ethan kept hold of her hand all through the ceremony and the mayor’s speech. He squeezed her fingers often when heard something he liked. Then he’d lean in close and say, “This is really exciting what they’re doing. You know? I sure hope it works out.”
She hoped he’d remain here to witness it, but, for some reason, she had a feeling he would be better off if he didn’t.
Once the people dispersed, Haley and Ethan took a group with them back out to the house. The Beetle Brothers drove the other two carriages on loan by the Millers who lived on the south side of town. The Miller family stabled horses and raised livestock on their land.
For the rest of the night, people filtered in and out. Aunt Daisy eventually arrived with Mr. Alton, who found a comfortable chair in the garden room, close to where the musicians played.
Daisy waved him off. “He’ll stay there for the remainder of his days if that handsome boy keeps playing beautiful music for him.” She squeezed Haley’s hand. “How are you, dear? I must say, you are absolutely glowing tonight. And I’ve seen that glow enough to know what it means.”
“Auntie! I’m just flushed from the cold outside. And all these people. I had no idea—”
“Everyone who remembers the good days will remember that they included fond times at the Madison Holiday Hoopaloozas.” She removed Haley’s apron. “You, my dear, are the hostess tonight. Go on out and mingle while I keep the tables supplied for you.”
And so Haley moved around the crowd and found many were interested in her ideas. Some offered suggestions. Others talked about how Emma Madison always dreamed about turning the old house into a sustainable business after the kids moved away.
“But then she took ill,” reminisced one of Aunt Daisy’s friends. “Shame, you know?”
Haley’s head was spinning with all the old stories people passed around. In the background, Ethan’s enchanting music played on. He never seemed to tire. She brought him a couple of mugs of the mulled cider. The last time she stopped to see if he needed anything, he handed her his phone. “Will you plug that in? My charger is in the kitchen. It’s nearly dead.”
Glad to have a break from the crowd, she headed to the kitchen. Most likely she needed to make more cider, but when she checked the large pot, they still had plenty. She plugged in his phone and turned to fill another plate with cookies. She’d baked hundreds of them it seemed.
From behind her, Ethan’s phone played his Black Bird song. She glanced at it, not really intending to read anything, but the message popped up on the screen, then faded. However, she’d been able to read enough. NY is waiting 4 ur response. R you….
So, she’d been right. His chance to go for his dream had finally come and he was dragging his bottom like a dog on a leash for the first time. Well, she would not be the reason anyone missed out on their dream. Not when she was fighting so hard to make hers happen. No, siree.
Ethan Winters needed to go to that audition. And she had to find a way to convince him, no matter how much it felt as if she’d swallowed a knife. No, she refused hold him back. But how to make Ethan see reason…?
She slowly walked back out into the fray of people and set the cookies down on the table. Aunt Daisy seemed to be having the time of her life serving the guests as they came in. The last group entered, with Bill Benton tromping in behind them.
“Hey there, Haley Belle. Got any of that warm cider for a poor, cold driver?”
“Sure.” An idea began to form. But she’d hate herself for it. No, she couldn’t do that to either of them. She poured a mug and handed it to him.
Bill was a nice guy. Much too nice to do what she was thinking of doing. But how else could she drive Ethan off? He needed to go. He needed to shine.
As Ethan finished off his rendition of “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day” the crowd applauded. The music rang in her spirit. So beautiful.
“Hey,” Bill pointed upward. “You’re standing under mistletoe. Know what that means, don’t you?”
She gave him a smile that felt part grimace. “You betcha I do.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ethan finished his set and called Joe back to the keyboard while he took a break. He couldn’t believe how many people actually came; even more than he had envisioned possible.
He needed a place to sit and hopefully a moment with Haley. Sometime tonight he needed to tell her what he’d been battling with for the past twenty-four hours. Finally, he’d made his decision.
As he maneuvered through the crowd, he caught sight of Haley ta
lking to Bill Benton. For a moment he was sure she’d seen him, but she turned away. He started over toward them when Snowbelle leaned in and kissed Bill right on the lips.
Ethan’s steps faltered when the kiss lasted for much longer than necessary. Way too much longer. He almost tripped over his own feet, but managed to do a ninety-degree turn away from them. Without missing another step, he rushed into the kitchen. Anger blazed like the fire crackling in the hearth. What was she doing? With Bill?
Something wasn’t right. Had he been played for an idiot these past couple of days? No, he’d spent enough time with Haley to know she had an innocent heart, not a manipulative one. He propped his elbows on the island counter, really feeling like a bonehead now. Why had he run?
There was mistletoe hanging all over the house. Bill must have taken the opportunity to get a kiss from her. He’d admitted to having a crush on her but had never let on that there was or ever would be anything serious between them. Matter of fact, Bill often gave Ethan tips on how to woo Haley, which he found amusing.
But what if that had changed?
Something had changed, that was for sure. What passed between Haley and Bill wasn’t just a friendly peck.
Ethan spotted the green light flashing on his phone. A call or message. He rushed over to his cell and swiped his finger over the screen. Stephen wanted an answer. He’d given Haley his phone. Had she seen…?
Things were making much better sense. Just as he turned to go back out and find her, she sauntered into the kitchen, a strange look on her face. She smiled, but that smile didn’t seem to reach her baby blues that were narrowing on him. “Nice playing, Mr. Music Man.”
“Thanks.” He started to point toward his phone.
“Say, Bill asked me to take the next group back to town with him. Told him I’d—”
“You saw the message, didn’t you?”
Her fake smile faded and he didn’t miss the flexing of her jaw as she pursed her lips.
“Haley, be honest with me.”
She shot him a deadly glare. “Like you were honest with me? You got that call from New York. Yes, I saw it.”
“Listen… I—”
“You’re going.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him like they were about to draw pistols.
This was no showdown. He’d made up his mind. “Go where? I’m exactly where I wish to be.”
She smacked her palms on the island countertop and leaned forward. “To New York.” She pointed her pink-polished finger at him. “Look, I am not going to be the killer of nobody’s dream. Not when I have so many of my own. You gotta go.”
“No, I don’t. In my heart, I have a pretty good idea of what I need to do. I just need to figure how to work it out.”
“You can work it out by getting yourself to that audition. You have to. Look, Bill says your car is done.”
“I know the progress of my car. I’m the one who’s been doing most of the labor, Haley. I’m not leaving.” Ethan shook his head. He wasn’t leaving her. “No. I love you and—”
“Well, I don’t love you. I’ve been thinking, too. I was out of my mind yesterday. It’s just everything that’s going on. I’m not thinking straight.”
Her hateful words stoked his fury. She couldn’t mean that. Not after the way she kissed him yesterday. He started to shake his head.
“Even if you did stay, Ethan Winters, there’d be no chance between us. None. I’ve decided I’ll be much better off finding someone local. Someone who belongs here.” She moved closer and poked her finger into his chest. “That’s. Not. You.”
He tried to wrap her in his arms, but she shoved him away. “Don’t touch me. I want you out of my house. You need to go on home and quit hiding.”
“Wait, I’m not—” How could she say that? However, deep down, it was partly true. He didn’t want to go home a failure.
“Yes, you are; especially if you let this opportunity pass by. I bet deep down you think you’ll fail anyway and that’s why you’re hiding here.”
“I’m not hiding!”
“No? Then go home. Go deal with your own family. Go after your dream, Ethan. This is what you’ve wanted.”
He reached across the counter for her hand. “Not…” She jerked back. “Anymore.”
She moved toward the back exit. “Look, I don’t need some fly-by-night do-gooder interrupting my plans. I want you out of my house by tomorrow. Got me? You’ve outstayed your welcome.”
She couldn’t mean this. Tomorrow she’d see things differently.
“I must have been out of my mind, letting you get to me.” Before she pushed out the door, she stopped. “Bill invited me out to his place for a while. I’m riding back to town with him now. Your car will be here by morning. Bob said he’d bring it out for you. Good-bye, Ethan. Thanks for your help.” Her face blanched, her cheeks reddening. He was sure tears gathered in her eyes, but she turned away too quickly for him to be sure. “Have a great life.”
The door slammed, reverberating all the way through him. He started to go after her when the phone rang with his song.
At that same moment, Mrs. Alton entered the kitchen. “Where’s Haley? Her guests are leaving. Mr. Alton is exhausted and I’m going to have to leave, too. I was going to try to clean up.”
“I’ll take care of it, Mrs. Alton. Don’t worry about it.” He walked her to the door and helped her slip into her coat. As people left, they went on about how beautifully he’d played. How he should be playing professionally. How they’d not heard anything like him. So beautiful.
Mrs. Alton patted his cheek. “Such a handsome one you are. Such talent. Haley is right. You are a shining star. I hope you find great success, wherever you end up. I’m sure some great orchestra will snatch you up in a heartbeat. Haley said you were waiting for a call. Best jump on that if it comes, boy. Opportunities like that don’t come often. Grab the reins while you can.”
Mr. Alton shook his hand. “Very nice, son. Very nice. I see greatness in your future.” Offering his wife his arm, Mr. Alton led her outside where the others were gathering to catch a ride back to town.
Ethan stepped out onto the porch, waving goodbye as they piled into the carriages.
“Hi-yah!” Bill’s voice called out.
Ethan caught sight of a blue carriage pulling out of the line. Sitting beside Bill was Haley. She didn’t bother to look back over her shoulder.
His heart iced over as they disappeared around the bend, the darkness swallowing them.
Evidently, she did mean it. Or, at least, she’d made up her mind to not let herself love him, even if she really did. He would wait until morning. Let things simmer down. Tomorrow he’d try one more time to reason with her. Maybe they could work out a compromise. She couldn’t really stay with Bill; she didn’t have it in her.
He returned to the house and began gathering the leftover food. There wasn’t much. They’d nearly run out. He bagged the cookies and then poured out the last bit of cider. As he worked, he kept stealing glances out the window. Her truck was still parked by the barn. She had to come back with her horses and put them up for the night.
Another hour passed as he finished cleaning up and turned off the lights. When he went up to his room, he dared another peek out the window. Lights burned from the barn. The carriage was parked beside the truck. He thought about going over there. Now that everyone was gone, and things had settled down, he could try again to talk to her.
But before he turned from the window, the lights went out. Two people left the barn, with a dog following in the beam of a flashlight. One of them climbed into the driver’s side of the truck and started the engine. The cab light showed Bill. She was still with him. Haley locked the barn door, and hurried to the passenger side. She climbed in and slid over to the middle where she sat close beside him. Wally sat beside her in the passenger’s seat.
They pulled out, and Lady Blue headed to town.
She’d be back. She was just taking him home. Ethan sat in the c
hair where he could see out the window when she returned. As he waited, his eyes grew heavy with exhaustion.
The blaring brightness of the sun shining in through his window finally woke him the next morning. When he peered out the window, Haley’s truck was still gone. Ethan bolted up from the chair.
Where was she? He glanced down at his phone. It blinked with a message.
Swiping his finger across the surface, he realized he’d missed two calls from Stephen and one message from Haley.
Car should be in the drive. I’m at Bill’s. Not coming back. Go ahead and clear out. Nothing here stopping you.
He fell into the chair, feeling as if he’d been kicked in the gut. But that wasn’t true. There was something here for him. Why wouldn’t she … he rested his head in his hands. Maybe she was right. He had to at least try. What if he’d gotten it wrong?
* * * *
Haley returned home late the following evening. She didn’t bother to go up to the house. Wally had been with her, and the horses were cared for before she’d left the night before. She had asked Bob Benton to open the corral door so they could go out and graze. He’d promised to take care of it when he dropped off Ethan’s car.
She took one peek up at the dark house. His green Camaro was gone. That’s all that mattered.
He’d tried to call her twice. She finally sent him one last message she was sure would send him running. She told him that she was going to be getting custody of her little sister and wouldn’t have time for a relationship. As she’d expected, he’d stopped calling her after that.
Nobody wanted to be burdened with her extra baggage. Her old fiancé surely hadn’t.
Not that she had much hope at the moment of getting Lex out of her mess. Even if she could have taken her in, she was being charged for shoplifting along with her public intoxication. She wasn’t seventeen yet, and already a criminal. Haley didn’t want to think about it.
The way things were going, she’d not be able to offer Lex any help before she turned eighteen, anyway.
After bringing in her horses, she gave them a bit of feed, then went into her little room and collapsed on the bed. “Come on, heater,” she begged the old machine. “Don’t give out on me yet.” She’d meant to go purchase a new one, but had been too busy. She snuggled under the pile of blankets and her biggest coat. Wally curled up beside her. At least he helped give her some warmth.
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