Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology (Echo Ridge Romance Book 1)

by Lucy McConnell

  “Shhh.” Dad patted her back and exchanged a look with Reese that said, Take care of her.

  Reese stepped forward and allowed her dad to transfer Mom into her arms. She checked the snow falling through the front window. It came down in half-dollar flakes, and she knew it was cold out there. She shuddered, thinking of Grandma in the driveway with nothing but her bathrobe on.

  Dad patted them both on the back before sprinting away.

  “I can’t do this anymore.” Joy slipped to the floor, where she sat, wiping her cheeks with her sleeve. “Mom deserves better.”

  Reese sat beside her and laid her head on Joy’s shoulder. No words of comfort or advice came to mind. Reese was as lost over the whole thing as Joy. She missed her grandma, the way she used to be.

  Joy sniffed loudly. “I thought we could hold it together, between the four of us, until Clark left for school. But we’re not going to make it that long. We’re going to have to hire someone, and I just don’t see how we can afford another employee.”

  “They wouldn’t be full-time. We’d only need someone while the four of us were gone, and that doesn’t happen often.”

  Joy shook her head. “Honey, it’s not fair to you or Clark. Clark should be able to go to a basketball game, and you should be dating and having girls’ nights with your friends.”

  “I want to help with Grandma. I love her, too.”

  “I know you do. But you’re going to want a family of your own soon, and I can’t let you miss out on that.”

  Reese didn’t want to talk about the possibility of a family at all, and especially not the possibility of a family with one guy in particular, since she wasn’t being fair to him right now. However, there was one thing she did want to talk about. “I’ve been thinking about an online store. I’m sure we could bring in enough to pay someone to sit with Grandma. With Santas, we could pay for this month and maybe part of January. Hearts would help for February. Shamrocks for March. Eggs for April. Mom, this could work.”

  Joy stared at the grain in the floor.

  Reese wasn’t sure if she’d heard any of part of what she’d just said. “Mom?”

  Joy brought her eyes up from the floor and gave Reese a sad smile. “I can’t take on one more thing right now. I just … it’s overwhelming.”

  Reese felt her breath catch. One more push. Just one more might sway her mom in favor of expansion. “I’ll do it. I’ll get the site up. I’ll fill the orders. I’ll make the Santas.”

  Joy held up her hand. “I can’t let you do that. The counter already eats up your time. You just worry about being young and free.”

  Reese slouched. Yeah. Young and free. Free to date everyone except the one man she wanted to, because after this conversation, if her mom ever found out she was running a side business behind her back, she’d be out of the will and never have her shot to run The Candy Counter.

  MONDAY MORNING AFTER UNMOLDING a batch of Santas and dipping a batch of vanilla nut fondant, Reese hurried to Kenworth’s for the unveiling of the front window at ten o’clock on the dot. It was a silly, yet fun tradition to reveal the windows each Monday morning throughout the holiday season. Reese loved it because it was part of what set Kenworth’s apart from the discount stores. People could come here, resident or tourist, and find beautiful, well-made merchandise at a reasonable price.

  Thankfully, the weekend storm had moved on to parts unknown, and the skies were bright, sunlight sparkling off every snow-covered surface, making sunglasses a necessity. A crowd gathered outside the main entrance to the store. There were a bunch of moms with big-wheeled strollers and preschoolers bundled in puffy coats alongside office workers who risked being late just to catch the first glimpse. Most people held cups with steam coming through the sipping holes, the scents of caramel, cacao, and mocha permeating the air.

  Reese positioned herself behind Cecilia. As the seconds ticked by, Reese became more anxious to see Kenworth’s manager’s reaction to the window. She wished her family were here. Grandma had a sore throat and a cough this morning, so Joy and Reese had insisted she stay in bed. Mom and Dad were taking her to the doctor later that day. Hopefully she could get an antibiotic and be on the mend before the congestion became something more serious.

  “It’s so cold. Jordan had better hurry up or she’ll be late.” Cecilia checked her watch and scowled.

  Great, she’s in a fantastic mood. Reese scanned the group and saw Andy on the other side of the crowd. He waved hello. Reese waved back, glad that he didn’t ignore her. However, he didn’t make a move to get closer either. Reese couldn’t blame him. After all, hadn’t she made it clear she wanted him close but not too close?

  Andy cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “Ten, nine …”

  The crowd joined in the countdown making the reveal all that much more special. Reese mouthed thank you to Andy, who shrugged like it was no big deal.

  It was a huge deal to Reese. Andy was a big deal. Her mom and dad were right. She wanted a family one day— not tomorrow, but not in ten years, either. She’d have to put forth an effort in the dating world if she was going to get there. The one guy she was interested in dating was out of bounds until …

  Reese fidgeted with her coat zipper. She should just shut down the site. A stack of orders filled her purse. She could send those out after work and then tell Andy to take down the order form, explaining that with things as they were, the family decided to hold off. They would have to find another way to pay someone to take care of Grandma, and Clark was so talented he’d surely get a full-ride scholarship. Her parents would rather have grandchildren than money. Reese knew she was making a big jump from going on an actual date with Andy to having his children. It seemed absurd and absurdly right all at the same time.

  There was a rustling around the window and Reese turned her attention back to the store just in time to see the curtain part and hear the excited gasps from those closest.

  Reproduced in miniature Christmas glory was Echo Ridge Main Street. Instead of facing the buildings toward one another, Mom had them both facing out with one slightly behind and above the other.

  Reese had spent a good deal of time figuring out how to string the airplane with Charlie Brown in the pilot’s seat so that it would fly back and forth across the top of the window. Even the people in the back could see that. Set deeper in the display was a hot air balloon that went up and down. The background had been covered with a canvas Clark painted to look like their very own Ruby Mountain, and there was a hill with skiers who made their way up the chair lift and down the groomed trail thanks to a creative set of magnets. An old-fashioned steam engine puffed down the street, went out of sight, and then came back to puff down the one above. Reese was really proud of the track layout, which allowed the train to disappear under the platform and return on a different level.

  And those were just the glitz and glam pieces.

  Joy had covered the manufacturer’s signs with her own; they were taped on so as not to ruin the finish on the original shops. Each business on Main Street, from Pop’s Shipping to Echo Express, was represented. Pop’s had a figurine out front that reminded Reese of Pop himself. Reese hoped Pop would get a chance to come by and see it. On top of all that, the whole thing lit up, the extension cords hidden under the “snow.”

  Reese glowed as kids pressed closer, pointing to the different pieces and exclaiming with joy as the train reappeared. Contentment poured into Reese. She was happy for her mom and the overwhelmingly supportive response to the window. She’d truly made the kids happy.

  “It’s ridiculous!” Cecilia spat as she turned on Reese. “Where’s the merchandise? We aren’t selling Christmas houses here. We sell clothes, and housewares, and toys. This display is a waste. There’s no way it will move inventory.” She grunted in disgust. “The sooner The Candy Counter leaves, the better.”

  Reese gasped.

  “I hope you have a backup plan.” Cecilia stormed through the crowed, brushing aside a man
holding his son up for a better look.

  Reese shook her head. Something was simmering at Kenworth’s, and Cecilia was just biding her time before she cranked up the heat. Reese could feel it, and she hoped her efforts would protect her family from getting singed.

  Reese glanced to where Andy had been standing just moments before. He was gone. Just as well. She couldn’t back out of the online store now. If Cecilia really did get rid of The Candy Counter, they’d need every penny from online sales just to make it.

  THE WEEK FLEW BY. Grandma’s cold was getting worse. The doctor had prescribed an antibiotic, but Grandma had developed a cough that sounded like someone shaking a tin full of cashews. She spent all day in bed. Still, no one dared to leave her alone, and so Reese covered several of her mom’s shifts so she could stay with Grandma Ruth. Clark had taken a half day off of school on Wednesday to come in early and relieve her. Reese had been so tired she’d barely made it to Pop’s and then home before falling on her couch for a nap.

  Because of the online orders, Reese had had to make another “extra” batch of Santas. It was good news. Word was spreading that The Candy Counter’s signature Santas were available outside of Echo Ridge. She’d received two emails from happy customers, who mentioned taking their families to Ruby Mountain in years past and how they were going to use the Santas to bring a little of Echo Ridge’s special Christmas spirit into their homes for the holidays.

  Kenworth’s was busy with holiday traffic. On top of the increase in shoppers, there was a renovation project going on at night. Reese loved the idea of bringing back the old-fashioned soda fountain. It would go hand-in-hand with their old-fashioned chocolates and candies. She’d long since thought the specialty sodas and shakes would bring in more customers. Clark said that Kiera, the assistant manager and daughter of the Kenworth’s owner, was the driving force behind it. Reese liked Kiera. She cared about Kenworth’s and about Echo Ridge just as much as Reese did.

  When Saturday night rolled around, Reese wished for nothing more than hot chocolate and a warm bath. Instead, she stood just outside the back door to Kenworth’s, waiting for her dad to bring the packaging for everything in the display window. They needed to have their stuff boxed up and hauled away before the next department could move in. The women’s department was next. Perhaps Cecilia would be pleased with Jessica’s design. She sure hadn’t been happy with Joy and Reese’s efforts, even though there hadn’t been a break in gawkers since the curtains opened Monday morning. Reese had even seen people posting selfies in front of the display on Facebook. Cecilia couldn’t argue with that kind of free marketing. Although, from the rumors floating around the sales floor, Cecilia was fighting with just about everyone over the contest for the highest commission going on between departments. It made Reese grateful The Candy Counter wasn’t involved.

  Dad pulled in and came around to open the side door. Reese pushed the cart over to the van and asked, “Hi. You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” Dad’s eyes cut to the door. “Where’s Clark? I thought he was working this afternoon?”

  Reese sighed. “He was. But Maddison came in, and I let him go early so they could hang out.” Marci had dropped Clark in favor of some football player who asked her to the winter dance, and Maddison needed help with an art project. Reese thought they were a better match, but Clark swore there wasn’t anything going on between them.

  Dad gave her a knowing wink as he began to load the cart. “How could you stand in the way of true love?”

  Reese laughed. For one cautious step she took in love, Clark bounded into it with wild abandon. Every date was the best. Every kiss was the ultimate. Every girl was the one. “He’s a romantic. There’s no harm in that,” Reese half-heartedly defended her brother.

  “He gets that from his mother— it can be exhausting.” Dad slumped his shoulders and let his face go slack.

  Reese gave him a little shove. “You love it and you know it.” She topped off the cart and turned it toward the door.

  Dad shut the van and fell in step beside her. “I do love it. She keeps my life interesting.”

  Reese suddenly felt very lonely. She wanted someone to keep life interesting with romance. Like her dad, she would probably find it exhausting at times, but what a wonderful way to be tuckered out.

  They made it to the door, and Reese held it open for him.

  “Come on.” Dad nudged Reese. “Just a couple more trips and we’ll have it.”

  “Sure, Dad.” Reese cleared her throat. “Let’s go.”

  “Wait. Wait!” someone called from behind the cars, and then he burst through the door before Reese could close it. They weren’t supposed to let anyone in after hours. Reese was really glad her six-foot, steel-working dad was there.

  “Where’d you come from?” asked Dad. His back hunched like a bull ready to charge.

  Andy whipped off his stocking cap and ran his fingers through his hair.

  Reese’s heart banged around in her chest. She suddenly felt shy and excited all at the same time. She wanted to throw her arms around his neck, but held back in front of her dad.

  “I thought I would stop by and see if you guys needed help taking down the display. I’ve been waiting by the front doors for a while and didn’t see anyone, so I decided to check back here.” Andy held out his hand. “How are you doing, sir?” He glanced down, realizing Ike’s arms were full of boxes, and then dropped his hand awkwardly to his side. He took a step back.

  “You okay with this?” Ike jerked his chin towards Andy.

  Reese lifted her chin. Andy had come to help, and she wasn’t about to throw him to the big bad wolf. “Yeah. I, I am.” Andy winked behind Dad’s back, and Reese fought the ridiculous urge to giggle. Her dad was as overprotective as he should be when it came to his only daughter. Not once had he made a date or boyfriend feel welcome in their home. It was almost as if he enjoyed keeping them on edge by acting like a bulldog about to bite. “With Clark gone and Mom spending the night with Grandma, we could use the help.”

  “Fine. Take these to the front window.” Ike shoved his load into Andy’s arms and went back to get more.

  Reese let the door shut behind her dad. “He’s in a mood tonight. Sorry.”

  “I’ll be on my best behavior.” He grinned back as if he were in on some game. If he only knew: it wasn’t a game to Ike— it was a matter of life or death— Andy’s. She hoped Andy would keep a low profile around her dad.

  “Reese,” Dad called as he kicked the door.

  Reese quickly opened it for him, and Andy hustled through the door that led to the sales floor.

  “If you can carry those three and get the door, I think I can get the rest in one trip with the cart,” said Dad.

  “See, Andy’s already saving us time.”

  “Don’t push your luck, young lady.”

  Reese rolled her eyes. Her dad only called her young lady when he wanted to warn her she was pushing his buttons.

  Dad scowled at the door.

  “Dad.” Reese’s voice took on a warning tone. One she hadn’t planned on. It surprised her just as much as it did her dad. “What happened to that dating pep talk you gave me just a week ago?”

  “Saying it is one thing. Seeing it happen is a whole other.”

  They made their way to the window display and found Andy on the floor with an open box. He was wrapping the post office in tissue paper.

  “Already sitting down on the job,” Dad whispered to Reese.

  “Play nice,” she hissed.

  Dad’s phone rang. “I’ll be right over here.” He eyed Andy before stepping away to take the call.

  Reese crossed to the display and opened the electrical box located under the platform.

  “Wow.” Andy whistled. “That’s a lot of cords for those old outlets.”

  Reese cringed. She and her mom had added several six-outlet taps to the plug in order to accommodate the lights for the Christmas houses. “I know, but the lights are low wattag
e, so we decided to take the risk.” Reese began to unhook them all, and the locomotive came to a slow, silent halt.

  They worked quickly to dismantle the train track and get it back in the original packaging. At least Grandpa had saved all the boxes and things. It made storage and transportation easier.

  “So how’s the skiing?”

  “Fantastic. That storm we had last weekend dropped some serious powder. It’s been awesome all week.”

  “You’ve been skiing all week?” Reese couldn’t imagine a week away from The Candy Counter or the chocolate kitchen. Her family had never been to Disneyland, nor had they spent their weekends camping. Somehow, that hadn’t mattered when she was growing up. There had been so much love in her home that she didn’t miss any of that stuff. They had weekly Sunday dinners with her grandparents, and the holidays were always special.

  Reese placed the train box on the cart and began pairing houses to boxes while Andy worked on the hot air balloon.

  Dad snapped his ancient flip phone closed. “That was your mom. She needs some more vapor rub and cough drops for Ruth.”

  “Do you want me to pick them up?” asked Reese. She’d managed to find all the right boxes and had half of them packed. The longer Grandma lay in bed, the more Reese worried. Ruth didn’t have the strongest lungs.

  Dad looked around at the already-cluttered area. He liked to have his ducks in a row, not strewn about with wild abandon. How he survived with three creatively driven types was a wonder. “No. I’ll take it to her and then come back.”

  “Sounds good. Andy’s here to help. We should be fine.”

  “Heh.” Dad shoved his arms into his coat and then pointed at Andy. “You behave yourself, young man.”

  Andy jerked back, surprised at the command. He’d been working quietly to pack boxes, and Reese felt sorry for him under her dad’s scrutiny.

  Dad’s phone beeped with a text. Eyeing it, he huffed before hurrying to the back of the store.