Mason shook his head and elevated his shoulders. “And they say teenagers are impractical.”
Chayton just laughed louder.
“Good night, Mason.” Emma’s face burned.
Chayton helped her into the truck and drove the quick mile to Kenworth’s. He insisted on walking her up to the rear door. The store was closed but there were still lights on. Usually a few employees would be there as she started cleaning but by the time she was done it was quiet and deserted. She didn’t mind the solitude or the cleaning.
Glancing up at Chayton, she was suddenly nervous and embarrassed. He was gorgeous in his suit and she’d become Cinderella, slipping back into a t-shirt and jeans. She wasn’t worthy of him.
Chayton wrapped his arms around her back and gave her a quick kiss. “You’ll text me when you’re done?”
“Are you sure you’re okay waiting up? I can have Mason come get me.”
“No way is Mason taking over the privilege of driving you home. He needs his rest before school and practice, plus I thought he had to work tomorrow night.”
“And you don’t need your rest?”
“I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, thinking of you.” He brushed his fingers down her cheek and she leaned into his touch. “Besides, I’ve got plenty to do while I wait.” He grinned. “I want to finish reading The Princess Bride before I turn it into Marian.”
Emma laughed and relaxed. “I finished The Last of the Mohicans and dropped it off yesterday. I kept thinking of you while I read it.” She didn’t think imagining him in a loincloth was something she should share.
“Good. I think about you all the time and picture Buttercup looking exactly like you.” He suddenly stiffened. “I’ll let you get to work. See you soon.” He kissed her cheek then spun and strode away.
Emma watched him go before turning to unlock the door. She screamed when she saw a person on the other side of the door. Jessica pushed the door open, staring at her without the usual smile on her face.
“Oh, you scared me, Jessica.” How long had she been standing there? Emma walked into the building.
Jessica looked over her shoulder at Chayton’s truck pulling away. “Did you have a nice night?”
“Yes.” Emma had no reason to be intimidated by the beautiful blonde. Jessica had always been very kind to her and the girls, but it was obvious the woman was infatuated with Chayton. Who could blame her? Emma tilted her chin to Jessica and walked toward the storage closet.
“Do you really think dating him is a good plan?” Jessica asked from behind her.
Emma whirled to face her. The words confirmed her fears. “Why not?” Her voice was quiet and wimpy.
“You’re a doll, Emma, and such a good mom. It’s none of my business but I don’t see him settling down and being some dad and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
Emma hoped that Jessica was speaking out of jealousy, but she was afraid it was simply the truth. Yet Jessica hadn’t seen how cute Chayton was with the girls, how he cared about Mason.
“Chayton is super educated, unbelievably handsome, and travels the world,” Jessica continued. “Do you think he’s ready to be tied down with three children? You’re so beautiful and nice and I can see why he wants to be with you, but I’d just… be careful before you get too deep.” Jessica’s eyes were sad, her expression kind. That fact hurt as much as her words. She wasn’t trying to put Emma down, but bring her back to reality and help Emma not go through the pain she’d gone through with other men.
“I’ll think about what you said,” Emma finally settled on saying so she didn’t scream or cry.
Jessica gave her a side hug. “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”
“It’s okay.” Emma spun and strode away before Jessica saw the brightness in her eyes. She worked quickly so Chayton wouldn’t have to stay up too late. She considered just having Mason come pick her up, but she was selfish enough she wanted to see Chayton, wanted to enjoy every minute until he realized exactly what Jessica was intoning. He was too good for her and didn’t need the stress a relationship with her would bring.
She texted him at twelve-thirty then waited by the back door. He was there within a few minutes. Emma had scrubbed her hands but they still stunk like the plastic gloves she was required to wear. Chayton was going to realize quickly he wouldn’t want to be with her.
She slipped out the door and locked it. Chayton strode up behind her and wrapped his arms around her midsection. Emma suddenly struggled locking the door. She finally got it turned, dropped the key in her pocket and melted against Chayton. It felt so right to be in his arms.
“I think you were made just for me,” Chayton whispered in her ear.
Emma quivered from his words and the stimulation of his touch. She tried to push Jessica’s spot-on assessment far away and at least enjoy this moment she had with him. Chayton bent down and brushed his lips across the side of her neck. Emma spun, lifted onto tiptoes, and kissed him.
Chayton chuckled. “Wow. You miss me?”
“You have no idea.”
“I think I have a little.”
Chayton lifted her off her feet and kissed her with such passion and desire Emma couldn’t do anything but respond and enjoy each movement of his lips. He finally set her down and brushed the hair away from her face.
“If this is the greeting I get after you work, I’m picking you up every night.”
Emma felt tears prick her eyes. This wasn’t going to last. Chayton would realize it soon and then she’d have to survive without him somehow. “I wish we could just continue on like this.”
“Why can’t we?”
She shook her head and pulled away. The night was terribly cold without his arms around her. “You’re too good for me, Chayton. Everyone else sees it. I’m just waiting for you to realize it.”
“Whoa. What?” Chayton gently reached for her hand. “Who thinks that? And why would they think that?”
“Look at you.” At least he’d changed out of his suit into a t-shirt and Levis, but he still looked classy and amazingly handsome. “You’re well-educated, handsome, you travel the world. You don’t want to be tied down to me and three kids.”
Chayton’s eyebrows pumped up. “I’m glad you think I’m smart and handsome, but Emma, I’m just a regular guy. I’m a school teacher who takes groups on educational trips, not some wealthy world traveler who thinks he’s better than others. And if I could choose to be with any woman in the world, I’d choose to be with you.” He squeezed her hand but didn’t pull her into his arms like she wanted.
“Why?” her voice was small and almost got lost in the space between them.
Chayton licked his lips and took a step closer. He trailed a hand down her face. “You’re the kindest, sweetest woman I’ve ever met. You’re breathtakingly beautiful inside and out. I love talking to you, laughing with you, touching you, kissing you. You can’t think your children would tie me down. I love each chance I have to be around Mase, Addy, and Mar. You’re the best mom I know and those kids reflect that with how fun, kind, and smart they are.”
Emma simply stared at him. She couldn’t believe that was how he truly saw her. “You mean all of that?”
“That and more.” Chayton closed the distance separating them and wrapped his strong arms around her back. “But I think I’ll need to show you the rest.”
Emma couldn’t help but smile as he lifted her closer and took advantage of her mouth. She loved what he was showing her. If his kiss was any indicator he did think very highly of her. Maybe Jessica didn’t think she and Chayton were right for each other, but Chayton did. If he decided to walk away and broke her heart, she’d have to deal with that later because at this moment a crane couldn’t have pulled her away.
EMMA WAS ECSTATIC THAT Mason and Chayton’s team had made a good showing at the local, weekend tournament so far, winning their first two games that morning. Chayton came over to talk to her at the playground where the girls were happi
ly running around after sitting through two games and eating a few bites of the sandwiches she’d packed.
“The team’s looking good,” she said as he sat on the bench next to her. His leg brushed hers and a slow burn started in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t believe how he could affect her with one small look or touch.
“Thanks. They’re a solid group.” He shifted closer and brushed the hair from her face. “After the tournament I’d love to take you and the girls out to dinner again.”
“I think I owe you dinner after Monday night’s meal.” His hand was still on her face and she was having a hard time concentrating.
He smiled and it lit up his handsome face. “No, you owe me lots of kissing after I take you out again.”
“Ah, I don’t know. That’s a pretty steep payment.”
“That’s what I require.” He winked.
“Do I have any choice, then?” She grinned up at him, wondering how this man could make her feel this desirable.
“Of course, but I’m hoping you’ll make the right choice.” His hand slid around behind her neck and he leaned down.
Hoots and hollers came from behind them. “Coach!”
“Wow!”
“Hey, Coach!”
Chayton fixed them with a stern look. They laughed and scuttled away, but the moment was lost. If only her heart would slow down.
“Good luck on your next game,” she said as he stood to leave.
He smiled down at her. His dark eyes sparkled. “I don’t need luck I’ve got Mason.”
She laughed. He leaned down and quickly brushed his lips across hers then turned and jogged to his team who were assembling on a far field to warmup. Emma held a hand to her lips. She was still in dreamland when Addison came and begged for a snack and then they made their way to the turf field for the next game.
The team playing against Mason had an attack who was enormous. There weren’t usually that many thick players in lacrosse as it was a lot about quickness, but this guy could move despite his size. Mason was typically one of the largest players on the field. This guy had him by a couple of inches and probably fifty pounds.
Of course Mason stuck on him like a flea, but the guy actually managed to score against Mason, twice.
“Warding! He’s playing with his off-hand,” Emma screamed so loud after the second goal that Addison put her little hands over her ears.
“Momma,” Addison said, “Stop yelling.”
Emma apologized and Addison returned to her coloring book. Maryn was on her feet beside Emma, holding the little lacrosse stick she’d received for Christmas last year. She rarely set the thing down. Shaking her stick at the ref, she hollered, “Know what a ward is ref?”
Everyone around them laughed.
The opposing team won the face off and the middie passed it straight to the big attack. He drove at Mason again. The kid leapt off the ground, bringing his stick up to shoot over Mason. Mason jumped too, raising his stick to defend. The guy slammed his stick into the top of Mason’s helmet. Emma cried out in horror. The kid’s momentum kept them going to the ground where Mason’s head whiplashed and slammed back onto the turf.
The shot went in and the boy cheered until he and everyone else noticed what Emma dreaded more than anything else in the world. Mason wasn’t moving.
Chayton was hollering and running toward Mason. Maryn was crying and tugging at her hand. Emma couldn’t move. She stood there paralyzed with terror, her entire body shaking. No. Not Mason. She’d lost his dad. She couldn’t survive without him.
One of the other parents, she wasn’t even sure who, came and wrapped an arm around her waist. “It’ll be okay,” they kept saying, “Coach has got him.”
But agonizing seconds slipped by and Mason wasn’t responding to anything. Pulling away from the person’s arm, she sprinted across the field to her boy. The other players slipped out of her way as she approached. Chayton had his fingers pressed into Mason’s neck. He glanced up at her. “He’s got a strong pulse, but he’s not responding. I don’t dare remove his helmet. It could be a concussion, but it might be a neck injury.”
Emma’s entire world lay on that field and she couldn’t do anything but beg the Lord to help her son. She knelt down, tears streaming down her face and grabbed his hand. “Please, Mase. Please wake up, love.”
Time seemed to stand still as they sat there in silence. A man tapped on Chayton’s shoulder. “The ambulance is on its way. I’m a pediatrician. Can I please check him?”
Chayton slowly moved out of the way and the man felt for a pulse and probed Mason’s neck. He glanced over at Emma. “You’re the mother?”
“Yes,” she squeaked.
Chayton came around to her side and knelt next to her, placing his arm around her waist. His solid strength held her up. Emma leaned heavily against him.
“His vital signs are good and I don’t feel anything in his neck but the MRI will be really helpful for that. I think it’s just a bad concussion. Hopefully he’ll wake up soon.”
They heard the roar of sirens and Emma turned to see an ambulance driving right onto the field. The director was probably having a conniption fit. She’d built this turf field with months of hard work and years of accumulating donations. The words “bad concussion” played over and over again in her head. Beau had suffered a bad concussion and it had completely changed his personality, making him into a bitter, controlling, and abusive husband. She choked back a sob. That couldn’t happen to her sweet Mason.
“Mom?” she heard.
She turned back to see Mason’s blue eyes open and focused on her. She gave a strangled scream of joy and bent down to give him a soft squeeze. “I’m here, love, I’m here.”
He tried to sit up, but the doctor pushed him back down. “Wait, son. We need to run some scans and make sure there’s nothing injured in your neck or back.”
Mason obeyed, but he muttered, “My neck’s fine, it’s my head that kills.”
Chayton pulled Emma in tighter. She leaned her head against his chest and tried not to sob, keeping her eyes focused on her son, grateful Chayton was here for them.
“Excuse us.”
“Coming through.”
Two EMTs hurried toward them. They all stood to move out of the way and the EMTs wasted no time getting a board under Mason and strapping him down. They still didn’t remove his helmet. Emma trailed the EMTs.
“You can ride with us, ma’am,” one said.
“I’ll follow you in my truck,” Chayton said. He turned to his assistant coach and the players gathered around. “Fight hard for us, boys. I’ll come back as soon as I know Mason is okay.”
They all nodded and the assistant coach managed to pull them away. Emma climbed into the ambulance and then cried out, “My girls!”
Jessica poked her head in the ambulance. “I’ve got them, Emma. I’ll take care of them and bring them home when you call me.”
“Thank you. I, um, don’t have your number.” She hadn’t even noticed Jessica at the field.
“Chayton has it.”
“Oh, okay.”
As the EMTs closed the door, Emma noticed that Jessica’s hand was on Chayton’s arm. She shook her head. Now was not the time to be jealous of Jessica and worried about Chayton wanting her. Mason’s recovery was all that mattered.
JESSICA HAD BROUGHT THE GIRLS home and settled them in bed. Emma hoped she showed the proper gratitude to her friend when she, Mason, and Chayton had returned from the hospital, but she’d been emotionally and physically spent.
She sat by Mason’s bed, waiting for him to awaken again. The doctor had released him from the hospital after running tests on his spine and brain and Chayton had brought them straight home, helped her get Mason settled, then went back to clean up the lacrosse tournament for the night. He’d missed two of his teams’ games to be with Mason.
The medical personnel and Chayton all promised Mason would be okay, but the stone lodged in Emma’s gut wouldn’t leave. Would he f
ully recover? What if the concussion hurt some part of his memory, made him so he couldn’t succeed at college or life, or changed his personality, made him mean or irritable? She could never forget the way Beau had changed. It was too awful to even think about her son becoming like her ex-husband.
Tears rolled slowly down her face. She brushed them away. It was silly to worry over what might be, but she couldn’t help it. Jacob’s death had taken so much out of her and it still broke her heart to think of her strong, hard-working, and thoughtful first husband not being here to make the world a better place, to fulfill his dreams. She couldn’t allow her son to be hurt if she could help it.
“Mom?” Mason whispered, his voice scratchy.
“Hey, love.” Emma pasted on a smile, though he probably couldn’t see it in the semi-dark room. “How you feeling?”
“Awful.”
She cringed. “Can I get you anything?”
“Some water.”
Rushing for a glass of ice water, she returned quickly to find him sitting up and the lamp next to his bed on. He took a long drink then set the cup on the side table. “You been sitting here watching me sleep?” He smiled a crooked smile at her and her heart wrenched. He looked like her little boy again not the huge man he’d become.
“Yes.” She brushed the hair back from his shoulder.
“I’m okay, Momma. C’mere.” He opened his arms and she sat on the side of his bed and hugged her boy.
The dang tears wouldn’t stop. Mason patted her back like she was the child. “I’m going to be fine. It was just a concussion.”
Emma pulled back and glared at him. “Don’t you say just a concussion like that.”
He smiled. “I never should’ve let you see that movie.”
“The movie has nothing to do with it. Remember when I told you about Beau? A head injury made him like that. Do you want to be like that? Do you want your entire personality changed and you hurt those you love because you don’t know any better.”
“Oh, come on, Mom,” he scoffed. “I’m not Beau. I’m sorry he changed and we all had to suffer, but that’s not going to happen to me.”
Kisses Between the Lines: An Echo Ridge Anthology (Echo Ridge Romance Book 2) Page 28
