by Leah Atwood
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.
Chapter Four
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 Dvorek’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.
Chapter Five
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 b
lue 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.”
Chapter Six
“Earth to Hailey.” Matt’s soft call coaxed her from her thoughts. He was leaning back in his chair at Seattle Coffee, looking comfortable in his own skin.
She sighed. “Was I staring into space?”
“Again.”
“Sorry. There’s a lot on my mind.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“It’s Corey at work.”
“I thought you were so over Corey.”
“I know I said that.”
“But you’re not?”
She shook her head, not quite meeting his eyes. How stupid to feel guilty, as if she was cheating on Matt. There had never been anything romantic between them.
He sat forward, looking considerably less relaxed. “He’ll hurt you again.”
“You don’t know that.” She took a drink from her mocha, wincing as it scalded her tongue.
“I can guess.”
“It’s different this time. He apologized for…well, for Evangeline.”
“And you believed him?”
“He seemed sincere.”
“Of course he did. The man is slick, I’ll give him that.”
“You have no call to say such a thing when you don’t even know him.”
“I know of him. Remember, I watched you go through the wringer once already.”
“He said he was confused.”
“And I suppose you bought that, too.”
“I’m going to a party with him Saturday night.”
“That’s answer enough.” He pushed to his feet and picked up his fiddle.
“Where are you going?”
“Back to work.”
“But our break isn’t over.”
“Sorry, Hailey, but I think it is.”
“Wait!”
He stopped at the door, his eyes dark.
“Will you be here tomorrow?” Her voice sounded pathetically small.
“I don’t know. I need time to think.”
“Why?”
A couple seated at another table turned their heads to stare at them.
Matt came back to Hailey. “I can’t go through all that again.” He emphasized each word.
“You’re not making any sense. I was the one with the broken heart, not you.”
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart.” He ran his gaze over her face, firmed his jaw, and left her.
She didn’t call him back to explain. Why not be honest and admit what she already knew, had known, and until now had gotten away with ignoring?
Matt was in love with her.
Chapter Seven
Hailey splurged on a semi-formal dress in festive red for her date with Corey, and from the way his gaze slid over her when he picked her up at the ferry, it met with his approval. He drove them in his Geo Metro the short distance to Lake Union, where white lights sparkled in the waters, reflections from the Christmas lights festooning the houseboats. Several parties were in full swing, with music and laughter spilling into the air. Corey led her down a dock to one of the houseboats and rapped at the front door. She smoothed the skirt of her red dress, although it didn’t show any wrinkles. It burst open, and a laughing couple ran out, bumping past Hailey. A woman with impossibly red hair was draped all over Corey. “You look absolutely delicious.” She purred before locking her lips on his.
Hailey stared at the water with a sick churning in her stomach. Corey didn’t seem in any hurry to free himself, and she no longer wanted to be h
ere but had no idea how to handle this situation.
He extricated himself finally and produced a handkerchief. “Tisha, this is Hailey.” He wiped lipstick from his mouth and sent Hailey a pleading look.
“Pretty.” The red-haired woman eyed Hailey. “But when did you go for the wholesome type?”
Corey draped an arm over Hailey’s shoulders. “This one is special.”
Tisha scowled, but then her face covered over in a mask of politeness. The fingernails she dug into Hailey’s shoulders were painted red and set with tiny gems. “I’ll take your coats.”
The last thing Hailey wanted was to give this woman her coat, but Tisha pulled it from her shoulders and made off down the hall. Hailey sighed. She wanted to go home, and they’d only just arrived. Tisha came back without their coats, and they followed her into a living room with lacquered furniture arranged on an oriental rug almost covering the hardwood flooring. The party was already going, with chattering people cramming the room and a bartender behind a long counter near the kitchen working to keep up. Over a cranked speaker system, Koko Taylor’s smoky tones belted out the lyrics of Merry, Merry Christmas.
Corey steered her toward a side chair upholstered in red silk and shouted beside her ear. “Tisha’s a little…enthusiastic where I’m concerned.”
“Is that what you call it?”
“Let me make it up to you. Can I get you something to drink?”
“A glass of white wine.”
“Sure.”
“Chablis? Chardonnay? Riesling? Pinot Gris?”
She wasn’t much of a drinker, so she didn’t know what to choose, but she made a stab at it anyway. “Riesling?”
He smiled. “I’ll be right back.”
Tisha had other plans for him, as it turned out. She pulled him aside, relieved him of the glass of wine he’d been bringing to Hailey, and sipped it while keeping him tied up in a long conversation. Corey caught Hailey’s eye and gave a small shrug, but she wasn’t convinced of his victim status. Why had he brought her in the first place if he was going to abandon her? Maybe it was Tisha, rather than Evangeline, he’d wanted to make jealous. Whatever the truth of that, she had no intention of waiting around to find out.
