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.”
Chapter 14
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.
Chapter 15
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 t
ime 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.”
Chapter 16
A choir’s singing spilled from the entrance to a tall building that looked like it had been standing in place for at least a century. The service had already started, with the lower seats filled, so they took carpeted stairs to the balcony.
The choir seemed to be singing in Latin. Matt was frowning. Maybe listening to imperfect music bothered him, because the choir was pretty bad. To his credit, he didn’t wince.
The pastor began speaking in a foreign language. Portugese? Spanish? Hailey sent Matt a puzzled look.
The corners of his mouth quirked, and a smile broke loose. He leaned close. “Do you speak Spanish?”
“No.”
“Neither do I.”
After the pastor finished his sermon, the choir sang again. An older woman stepped forward for a solo. Her voice wavered on and off pitch, but the joy that radiated from her face made her song beautiful. And then the church grew hushed.
“What’s happening?” She whispered the question.
“I think we’re waiting for midnight to arrive.” Matt gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s almost Christmas.”
The church bell tolled midnight, echoing the joy in her heart.
Note from the Author
Thanks for spending some time with me this Christmas. I hope you enjoyed reading All I Want For Christmas, the first A Sweet Serenade Christmas novella. I based this story on my own experiences as a classically-trained vocalist and as an assistant underwriter for an insurance company in Seattle. Like Hailey, I worked on the top floor of a skyscraper and walked a mile to and from work each day.
My heroine’s struggle to decide her path was very much my own during that time frame. I’m glad she decided to take the time to sort herself out before she considers marriage, although I suspect she’ll wind up with Matt.
The fear of being hurt is something most of us can understand. Matt took extreme measures to hide from love and had to face the dishonesty of his actions before he could risk his heart again. Now he and Hailey need time to nurture trust.
Other Books by Janalyn Voigt
Look for Blue Christmas, the next installment in the A Sweet Serenade Christmas novella series, in autumn 2016.
Meanwhile, if you are interested in purchasing Janalyn’s other books or want to be notified when her new titles release, please visit http://janalynvoigt.com and sign up for the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt email list. You’ll receive book extras, monthly updates, special offers, and episodes of the Story Circle Podcast.
I write in more than one genre. DawnSinger and Wayfarer are the first two books in Tales of Faeraven, a medieval epic fantasy series that will ultimately contain four books. Deceptive Tide, a novel set in the San Juan Islands, will release early in 2016. Hills of Nevermore will lead out the Montana Gold series, a set of three historical romances set in Montana’s gold rush era, slated for a 2017 release.
Izzy’s Candy Cane Steamer Recipe
You’ll find the recipe for Izzy’s candy cane steamer at Janalyn’s website. If you give it a try, be sure to let her know what you think. While you’re there, you can also claim free printable Christmas planner pages. If you’d enjoy reading about literary sites for the books Janalyn recommends, visit the Literary Wayfarer blog.
A Special Request
Readers often aren’t aware that authors need their help in putting the word out about their books. Leaving a review is one of the best things you can do to help your favorite novelists stand out in a crowded literary market. A review can be as short as a couple of sentences. If you would like to provide a review, please visit the Amazon page for Janalyn Voigt, click on the cover of All I Want For Christmas, and scroll down to the Customer Review section. You have my sincere and heartfelt thanks. Thanks for reading!
All I Want For Christmas: A Sweet Serenade Christmas Novella Page 5