Jessica’s smile seemed a bit forced, but was still radiant. “You too, Emma. Kiss the girls for me.”
“I will, thanks.” She slid into her seat.
“See you tomorrow,” Chayton murmured, shutting her door softly.
Emma started the car, hoping to drive away before she heard them talk and flirt.
“Are you… dating Emma?” she heard Jessica ask.
“No,” Chayton answered much too quickly.
Emma jammed the Explorer into gear and squealed away. She’d heard plenty. Her face was on fire and the little girl’s chattering was giving her a headache as she drove home. She was so stupid to entertain these fantasies about Chayton. That was all they could be, silly fantasies. She wasn’t Cinderella and he wasn’t her prince.
Mason helped her settle the girls into bed and then went to work on homework. Emma had an hour before she needed to go to work. She wished she could just fall asleep, but she’d tried napping before work and it messed her up, making her even more tired and it would take her longer to clean. She’d have to make herself wait to sleep until she got home around one in the morning. The girls were usually great to let her sleep in while they played quietly in the mornings and Addison having kindergarten in the afternoon worked well, especially when Maryn napped and Emma got a little extra sleep herself.
She saw the book Marian had requested sitting on a side table. She’d searched at the book store and the thrift store for The Last of the Mohicans and struck out. A visit this afternoon to the pawn shop was a success when she found a nice hardcover collector’s edition of the book and the rough-looking owner had let her buy it for five dollars. She didn’t know if that was actually the price or if he just felt bad for her. She knew he used to gamble and fight with Beau, but he’d always been kind to her.
Opening the book, she started reading to pass the time until work. Her heart was thumping loudly within a few minutes as all she could picture was Chayton in a loin cloth. Finally, she shut the book and closed her eyes, but it didn’t help, the image wouldn’t leave.
“Argh!” She stood and paced the room. Chayton had been very quick to tell Jessica that he and Emma weren’t dating. She was a silly, old lady with a crush on her son’s good-looking coach. Things like this probably happened all the time. She just wished she knew how to get over it.
Chayton settled into his leather recliner with The Princess Bride. It was a sweet kind of torture to read the book and picture Emma as Buttercup. After an hour he gave up concentrating on the book, closed his eyes, and let himself savor images of Emma. She was a classic beauty, whether she was wearing that red sweater that fit her curves so well or an old lacrosse t-shirt. Her dark eyes and blonde hair were an exotic combo. He didn’t think she wore much makeup, but he was a guy and really didn’t know. He could tell the difference between her natural beauty and the expertly applied makeup on Jessica’s eyes and lips. Jessica was a fun, spunky girl and he imagined most men would find her attractive. There wasn’t a spark for him and it was obvious she liked him, but he just didn’t feel it.
His thoughts strayed back to Emma, remembering how devotedly she’d taken care of her girls at dinner and giving most of her chicken and mashed potatoes to Mason. Did she eat enough? Did they even have enough? He worried that him going to dinner tomorrow night would tax their already strained finances, but she’d invited him. It did seem like things had been better for them since Beau got arrested and Drew and Chelsea gave them so much last Christmas. Mason had been able to play a lot of competitive tournaments this summer and go to recruiting camps so they must be doing okay.
As he thought through everything Emma had said and the looks they’d shared earlier tonight, a remembrance of her face through the side window of her car when he’d told Jessica they weren’t dating stabbed him. Dang. Why hadn’t he been brave enough to say yes, we’re dating exclusively? He laughed at himself. What would Emma’s face have looked like then? Or maybe he could’ve said, “I wish.” Would Emma have taken that as flippant or flirtatious?
He was so interested in Emma, he worried how the meal would go at her house tomorrow. Would he be able to stay nonchalant or would these feelings keep building until he had to admit to her that he wanted a chance, even if they decided to wait until after Mason graduated in the spring.
Chayton focused on the open book. If he was lucky he could read himself to sleep. There was nothing to do but wait and see how tomorrow went.
MARYN AND ADDISON WAITED by the picture window as Emma ran around the kitchen stirring, shredding, adding and flavoring. She wanted this meal to be perfect. She didn’t let herself dwell on why she wanted to impress Chayton, but it was there nonetheless. Maybe nothing would come of it, but it wasn’t wrong for her to hope and dream.
“Coach is coming!” Maryn hollered, running to open the door before he even reached their small front porch. She flung it wide. “Hi, Coach.”
Addison followed more sedately, her hands folded together in front of her, dressed in a favorite sweater and skirt. The only time Emma wrestled Maryn into a dress or skirt was for church. She was in an old t-shirt and jeans today and happy as ever not being dressed up.
“Welcome to our home, Dr. Liechty,” Addison said.
“His name’s Coach, not doctor. He doesn’t check if our hearts is a beatin’.” Maryn tugged on his free hand. “Come in. Why you got that?” She pointed to a large bag of Dove dark chocolate.
Chayton cleared the door frame and grinned at Emma. “Mason said they were your mom’s favorite.”
Emma almost melted like the chocolate would in her mouth. “Thank you, Chayton, that’s very thoughtful.”
“His name’s Coach,” Maryn insisted, shaking her head in exasperation.
Chayton set the chocolate on their small table, knelt on Maryn’s level, and patiently explained. “People call me a lot of names— Chayton, Coach, Doctor, Mister. I don’t mind any of them.”
“People call you names?” Maryn put a hand over her mouth as she giggled. “Do you knock ‘em down with a cross stick?”
Chayton chuckled and straightened. “Not usually.” He focused on Emma and she had to steady herself against the counter. “Can I help with anything?”
“No, thank you. It’s all ready.”
“Please sit, sir,” Addison said. “You’re our guest.”
Emma smiled and opened the oven to pull out the beef enchiladas. A wave of warmth swept over her as she noticed Chayton watching her with a look of appreciation and her girls offering him the tortilla chips and homemade guacamole. Chayton was giving her girls another experience they rarely had— entertaining a guest in their home. She set the enchilada pan on a hot pad then grabbed the salad and dressings out of the fridge and the corn from the microwave.
She sat down and smiled. Maryn and Addison were sitting so close to Chayton she wasn’t sure how he was going to move enough to eat anything.
“Can I pray?” Maryn asked.
“Sure, love.”
Maryn blessed everything including the bad guys to turn good and nobody to be friends with Satan. She finished by blessing the blessings and a loud Amen.
Chayton’s smile was wide as Addison primly served him food and Maryn chatted his ear off about lacrosse and which of his players needed to run faster and how Josh was the best shooter and of course Mason was the best defender. “Mason has a best stick skills, better than you I bet.”
“I bet you’re right,” Chayton said.
When Maryn shoved some chips in and had to stop talking to chew, he said, “This is amazing. The guacamole is better than anything I’ve tasted.”
“Thank you.”
They both reached for a few extra chips at the same time and their hands touched. Their eyes met and held and Emma forgot all about food, her beat-up house, even her children took a back seat to the communication happening between her and Chayton.
Maryn interrupted the moment by demanding her mom cut up her enchilada. Emma easily sliced it up and Mar
yn immediately shoved a bite in.
“Where’s Mason tonight?” Chayton asked.
“On a date with the princess,” Maryn yelled around a mouthful of cheese and tortilla.
Emma nodded.
“Ah. Is that hard on a mom?”
She finally found her voice, “It’s scary, but they’re good kids. You probably know Kaitlyn better than I do.”
“She is a nice girl.”
Dinner passed quickly with Maryn continuing to dominate Chayton’s time, but he made an effort to engage Addison and Emma in the conversation. Emma wasn’t sure what to think about this night. The looks Chayton kept giving her hinted that he was interested, but surely the idea of an instant family would have a single guy running. Also, he’d made it clear to Jessica last night that he wasn’t interested in dating Emma. He thought of Emma as a friend and she needed to be happy with that. He’d probably expected Mason would be here and they could talk lacrosse and he’d have the chance to eat home-cooked food. All these thoughts made her a bit depressed, though she couldn’t help but enjoy how charming Chayton was with her and the girls. She looked around at all of them and had this sense of completeness, like part of their family had been missing without Chayton here. The thought terrified and thrilled her.
Maryn and Addison finished eating, cleared their dishes, and asked to go play outside. The house was suddenly too quiet. Emma stood and cleared the table. Chayton was at her side, helping her put things in storage containers and in the fridge, then loading the dishes while she rinsed.
“Thank you. I didn’t expect you to clean up.”
“My momma would have my hide if I ate someone’s delicious food then didn’t help clean up.”
She smiled and he returned it. Her breath caught at the beauty of this man. What was he doing in her outdated kitchen? She wondered how the bleach-stained counter, off-white fridge, and pockmarked linoleum looked to him. Pathetic. He should be out dancing with someone beautiful like… Jessica.
“Did Jessica decide on a trip she wants to go on with one of your groups this summer?” she tried to ask casually as she handed him a stack of silverware. Their fingers brushed and it set off a warm current in Emma’s skin. She needed to stop this infatuation. Now.
“No. I think it would be hard to leave her job for too long and I don’t have any openings in my week long excursions. She really seems to love her clothes.”
“She’s done amazing stuff with Kenworth’s. I heard she has a degree in apparel merchandising.”
“Something like that.”
The conversation lagged. Emma handed over plates and cups, trying hard not to brush his fingers each time and reveal to him how much she craved his touch. The sink was almost empty when he said, “I’m sorry that I said to Jessica that you and I weren’t dating.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “You shouldn’t be sorry. I’m sure you wouldn’t want Jessica to think we were dating.”
“Why not?”
“Well, she’s so beautiful. You should keep your options open.” She handed the rinsed casserole dish to him and dried her hands on a towel.
Chayton set the dish in the dishwasher, closed it, and turned to her. “What if the option I wanted was to be with you?”
Emma leaned against the counter, otherwise she might fall over. He glanced down at her, his dark eyes intriguing. She wanted to jump into his arms. Which was probably insane. She was a responsible mother, not some flighty girl who fell in love with the good-looking lacrosse coach. No matter how kind and intriguing he was.
She swallowed past her very dry throat and said, “Is that smart? I mean, you’re Mason’s coach.” Oh, she was dumb, dumb, dumb. The man had said a romantic line and she’d squashed it.
Chayton took a step closer. There was nowhere for her to go with her back pressed against the cabinets. “There’s no policy on dating a player’s mother—someone I consider a good friend but I’d really like to get to know better.” He smirked. “Kind of like the fight at the game yesterday, we just make it up as we go.”
“What are we going to make up?” Emma licked her lips and studied his handsome face.
“You and me.” He smiled. “I like the possibilities.”
Emma gulped and had to admit on a whisper, “So do I.”
Chayton wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her to him. Emma’s stomach tumbled. She couldn’t catch a full breath as her arms went around his neck of their own volition.
“I always like to give the cook a kiss for thanks.” His eyes flickered to her lips then came back up to concentrate on hers.
“Always?”
“Well, when the cook is this pretty.”
“You think I’m pretty?”
“Actually… I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
She flushed from the compliment and the heady sensation of being in his arms. “That’s exaggerating a little bit, I’m sure.”
“Nope.” Chayton lowered his head and his warm breath on her mouth was driving her crazy. “Marian asked me to find The Princess Bride. I couldn’t help but read a little bit and all I could think of was you. You’re much more beautiful than Buttercup.”
Emma laughed unsteadily. “Buttercup was supposed to be the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Exactly.” Chayton moved even closer and his lips softly brushed hers. Emma caught a breath. He grinned against her lips then covered her mouth with his own and manipulated her lips in a warm, wonderful pattern. Emma lifted onto tiptoes, aching to be closer to him. Her entire body tingled. He continued kissing her with a passion she could never remember feeling. Emma was like a starving woman who had tasted her first bite of chocolate. She devoured it, entangling her fingers in his hair and savoring each sensation of his touch and his kiss.
“Momma! Get your hands off of Coach,” Maryn hollered from the back door.
Emma lowered off her toes and released his mouth. Chayton kept her close, but turned and looked at Maryn. “It’s okay, sweetie. I liked it.”
“Yuck!” Maryn banged back out the door, screaming, “Momma was eating Coach like when Rapunzel pushed herself on Flynn!”
Chayton chuckled as Emma blushed. “I guess I’d better go.”
“Thanks. Leave me to explain that one.”
“I can stay. Have a heart-to-heart with the future lacrosse player.”
Emma was still trying to catch her breath but relishing each moment that Chayton kept her in his arms. She shook her head. “It’s okay. I’m just not sure what to tell her.”
Chayton kissed her gently and whispered, “Tell her Coach wants to spend every minute possible with her momma and she’d better get used to seeing us kiss.”
“Wow. Does Coach always get his way?” Emma traced a hand up his neck and across his jaw.
He moaned softly. “Always. If you say no, I’ll make you run sprints.”
Emma laughed, feeling more light and happy than she could ever remember. “Guess I’d better say yes, then. I hate to run sprints.”
“Guess you better.” He captured her mouth again. His kiss touched her with its sincerity and the desire that each touch conveyed for her. Much, much later he broke away and asked quietly, “Is that a yes then?”
“Definitely.” Emma giggled like a teenager.
Chayton grinned and released her, but took her hand. “Walk me to the door?”
“You sure are bossy,” she teased.
“Comes with the territory when you coach. Can I see you tomorrow?”
“Oh, now you’re asking?”
“Don’t tease me. I need you like Mark Antony needed Cleopatra.”
“Wow.” Emma vaguely remembered Mark Antony loving Cleopatra so much that he killed himself when he heard she had died. That was more than wow, but she had no clue how to respond. She squeezed his hand. “Can you come over for dinner? I’ve been saving a roast.” Yep. She was ruining another romantic moment. Hopefully Chayton spoke the love language of food like most men.
&n
bsp; “I’d love to.” He opened the front door, but paused. His hand rubbed the door knob for a second before he asked, “Emma. Are things okay for you, um, financially?”
Emma’s face flared. “We’re fine.”
“Would you tell me if you weren’t? You’re still working nights at Kenworth’s, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but we’re keeping on top of things. Mason doesn’t have to work as much as he used to and we get social security and benefits from the army.” How awkward to admit all of this to him. “I’m just very careful with money so I can help Mason with extra expenses he’ll probably have at college and build up my savings. Plus, I’m trying to start a side business making jewelry.” She couldn’t believe she’d just told him that. Not even Mason knew about that.
“Good for you.” He nodded, his eyes filled with pride for her. “You’re an impressive lady, Emma, but I would love to help if you ever need anything.”
Emma shook her head quickly. Her pride would never allow her to ask for help, especially from him.
“Maybe I could take you out for hamburgers again or something even better.”
“That sounds great.” Dinner she would accept, but any other help was out of the question. It was embarrassing and thrilling when someone had spoiled their family last Christmas. She would never complain as the people had been thoughtful enough to sign Mason up for a competitive team for the summer and several recruiting camps. Because of them she’d been able to get on her feet again and Mason’s dreams of a lacrosse scholarship had come true. They didn’t have a lot of extra, but her children were happy and she’d even started pursuing one of her dreams— designing jewelry and selling it online. If her business kept growing, she might be able to quit Kenworth’s next year.
It was odd, though, when she thought about last Christmas. The donor seemed to know a lot about lacrosse, giving Mason not only the opportunity to play on a competitive team and go to recruiting camps, but a long pole for Mason that he’d only dreamed of, money at an online lacrosse site, a small lacrosse stick for Maryn and girly toys for Addison. The person had known a lot of details about their family. She studied Chayton and her embarrassment increased. “Did you…” She licked her lips and forced out the words, “Give something anonymously to our family for Christmas last year?”
Kisses Between the Lines: An Echo Ridge Anthology (Echo Ridge Romance Book 2) Page 25
