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

by Lucy McConnell

  CHELSEA JAMISON SNUCK IN THE BACK DOOR of Kenworth’s Department Store. The entrance was for employees, but she couldn’t risk a front door entrance. If she reached The Hope Tree in the center of the store before her best friend, Jessica, saw her it would be a huge relief. Jessica was the buyer and manager of the women’s clothing department and would assume Chelsea’s appearance in the turn-of-the-century store was an automatic concession to their lifelong battle over Chelsea’s wardrobe, or lack thereof. She glanced down at her long-sleeved t-shirt and yoga pants. Was there really anything wrong with being comfortable? Luckily her job as the high school physical education teacher worked perfectly with her lack of desire to wear fabrics other than cotton stretch and spandex for any occasion.

  Raised voices came from the office door in front of her. She hurried her pace, hoping to avoid whoever was arguing. A tall, dark-haired man followed her friend, Kiera, out of the office.

  “Don’t get me wrong, Kiera, your Hope Tree idea is really… sweet.”

  The man didn’t seem like the type to say “sweet” in his tailored suit and perfectly-styled everything. Admittedly, she could only see his backside, but that was well, pretty near perfect too.

  “I just don’t know if it’s going to bring in enough revenue to keep the investors happy,” Prissy-man continued.

  “I’m not doing the tree for revenue and you’re the only investor who doesn’t seem excited about it,” Kiera snapped back at him.

  Chelsea smiled. This guy seemed a little stiff and uncharitable, Kiera should put some ginger with that snap and really cook the guy.

  Prissy-man’s phone rang and he slid his finger across the screen. “Yes?”

  Kiera turned away from him. She caught Chelsea tiptoeing backward toward the outer door. Her face lit up.

  “Chelsea!” Kiera reached out and gave her a quick hug. “I never see you at the store.”

  “Yeah, definitely not the shopaholic type.” Chelsea forced a grin. “I usually only sneak into The Candy Counter and have Reese stock me up with chocolate when I know Jessica’s not working.”

  Keira laughed. “No one can be without her chocolate for too long.”

  “It’s a bad place to be,” Chelsea agreed, sneaking a glance at the tall businessman’s back and wondering why the lines of his obviously athletic build seemed so familiar. She focused back on Keira. “I was just going to place one of my student’s names on The Hope Tree.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful. Drew was headed that direction. He’ll walk with you.”

  “Drew?” Chelsea’s breath hitched. As in my dream man who I’ve loved since before Jessica started waxing my unibrow at sleepovers?

  Drew ended the call, put his phone in his suit pocket, and spun to face her. “Chels?”

  Chelsea didn’t know if she was in a daydream or real life. The warm look in Drew’s eyes and excitement in his voice sent quivers throughout her body. It wasn’t a dream because he didn’t lift her off the ground and kiss her passionately, but the lingering hug he gave her was worth writing lengthy journal entries about.

  “What are you doing in town?” Chelsea asked.

  “What are you doing shopping?” Drew asked at the same time.

  They both laughed awkwardly. Kiera arched an eyebrow and turned back to her office. “See you two later.”

  “Bye,” they both said then stared at each other again.

  Chelsea broke the moment, turning and walking toward the center of the store. Drew fell into step beside her. She nudged his bicep with her shoulder, he was one of the few men who made her feel short. “I haven’t seen you in six years and all you can ask is what am I doing shopping?”

  Drew chuckled and she just had to look again. His throaty chuckle was still the same, maybe a little deeper. His brown sugar eyes and wavy dark hair hadn’t changed much, but his face had matured, if possible he was even more handsome than her fantasies about him, and oh, those lips, those perfectly sculpted lips. She withheld a sigh. If only he spent half as much thought on her as she did on him. Men never think that hard about their buddies and since Chelsea could outscore Drew on the court, the only time he probably spent thinking about her was when he strategized ways to get around her defense.

  They arrived at the white flocked ten-foot tall tree. It reminded Chelsea of a Norman Rockwell painting, which fit perfectly with this classic store. The tree was beautifully decorated with white twinkle lights, cream-colored snowflakes, and silver and gold bells. A wrought iron easel stood next to the tree, explaining about the Hope Tree and how customers could reach out to those in need and even offer suggestions of more names to add to the tree. That was exactly what she needed. Help for her student, Mason, and his family. Maybe she could contact the Echo Ridge Christmas Council and see if they couldn’t work together to give the family a bit more.

  Drew turned to her, taking one of her hands in his. “You look great, Chels.”

  A jolt of warmth raced through her body. She inhaled quickly and his spicy cologne messed with her brain waves. She leaned toward him before her good sense caught up with her hormones. It was a wonder that he didn’t seem at all affected by the connection because it was strong enough to wipe out a power grid. Wait, this was Drew. Of course he wasn’t affected by the connection, he thought of her as a little sister. No, that wasn’t quite right. He’d have to admit both of her chromosomes were X to think of her as a sister.

  “Thanks.” She hated the breathlessness in her voice. “You look… um, great too.”

  “Still into working out I see.” If he noticed her awkwardness he didn’t comment on it.

  She blushed. “I’m the P.E. teacher. Gotta dress the part.”

  He winked. “It fits you.”

  Now that was a compliment. Not. “And you,” She gestured to his perfectness, “all decked out in a four-piece suit.”

  “Four piece?” His eyebrow quirked up, amused at her. Well, that was lovely.

  “Three?”

  “Now you’ve got it.” He patted her hand like she was a small child.

  “Didn’t figure you’d turn into a prissy boy.” It came out a bit more curt than she had intended but he had just patted her hand as he corrected her fashion faux pas. Jessica would be mortified to see her embarrass herself like this. Her best friend was the only one privy to her secret crush. She hoped.

  He laughed. “Financial consultant. Need to dress the part.”

  Chelsea did sigh then. Drew had been one of her best friends in high school, but she’d always dreamed of dating him. If he’d been out of her league then, now he was on a different planet. Wealthy. Handsome. Still charming. She turned away and grabbed the ornament tag to suggest her student, Mason Turner, for The Hope Tree, adding a note that she would be happy to do extra to help him and his family. It was unnerving how Drew just stood there and watched as she wrote and then slipped the paper into the box. She turned to him. “Well, it was great to see you.”

  He shook his head. “Same old, Chels, always thinking of others, always trying to get away from uncomfortable situations.”

  “I’m not uncomfortable. You?” She arched her eyebrows and tried to look comfortable, if only she knew what to do with her hands. She folded them across her chest then realized that might come across as standoffish and hung them at her sides. They felt so awkward hanging there. Too bad she didn’t have pockets to shove them in.

  “Never when I’m around you.” He winked. “I’ve got to fly back to the city and spend some time in my office the next couple of weeks but then Darcee is forcing me to stay with her until the New Year. Can we get together for basketball or racquetball?”

  Chelsea knew she should be offended, coming home was a chore performed only for his sister and of course he didn’t ask her on a real date to dinner or something. That would be saved for one of the cheerleaders or dancers that he used to date. But good old Chelsea wasn’t a take-to-dinner kind of girl, unless you counted their Friday night Jack’s Pizza outings or shakes after every
home basketball game, which sadly she couldn’t because they’d always just gone as friends. Chelsea was a play catch or rough-up-on-the-basketball court kind of buddy.

  “Sure.” Buddy status or not, she wasn’t foregoing Drew time. She’d missed him horribly the past six years.

  He pulled his phone out. “What’s your number?”

  Chelsea rattled it off.

  A blur of blonde rushed toward her. “Chelsea! Oh, Chelsea. You’re here!” Jessica grabbed Chelsea’s arms and bounced on her high heels. “This is perfect, we can shop for Christmas dresses. Oh. Hi, Drew,” Jessica acknowledged him like she’d seen him yesterday. She was probably too excited about the opportunity to shop for Chelsea.

  “Hey.” Drew nodded at Jessica.

  Chelsea backed away from her shopping-addicted friend. “No. I’m not here to shop. I’ve got to go... watch game film.”

  “Game film?” Jessica shook her head, eyes filling with disappointment. “Are you joshing with me?”

  “Completely serious. Important game coming up.” Chelsea forced a smile. Jessica was the only person who ever used the term “joshing”, stolen from some eighties sitcom. “Come over later and we’ll make…” She tried to think what food would entice Jessica and help her forget about shopping, but Drew in this close proximity was frying her brain. Dang, he smelled good. “Nachos,” she said triumphantly, Jessica loved nachos and her mom’s home-canned salsa.

  “Fine.” Jessica heaved a dramatic sigh, placed a hand on her hip, and tossed her luscious blonde locks. She got a gleam in her eye. “Can I bring a few things for you to try on?”

  “No! Not tonight, please.” Chelsea’s eyes flitted to Drew, who pressed his lips together and turned his head. He was enjoying this. She was going to get back at him somehow.

  “Whatever.” Jessica turned and flounced away. Her skirt bounced at just the right height. Her red heels accentuated her lean calves. Oh, to look like that and actually be comfortable in the getup.

  Drew’s lips were pressed together and his entire body was trembling.

  “Don’t you dare,” Chelsea warned.

  The laughter burst out and soon he was chortling so hard he looked nothing like the distinguished businessman she’d first seen outside Kiera’s office as he leaned forward and enjoyed a gut-busting humor session.

  “Poor Jessica,” Drew said. “Looking out for her best friend and getting shot down. Some things never change. Is dressing like a girl really that hard?”

  For some reason that stung. “You try it.”

  Drew shook his head. “You know I would, but it’s murder trying to find heels in a size thirteen.” He held up one of his huge feet encased in a very nice dress shoe.

  “Excuses, excuses.”

  “What’s yours?”

  “Comfort, my friend. Besides, I wear a skirt to church.”

  “Guess I’ll have to stop by on Sunday so I can see that.” He winked at her.

  “It’s only for the hour that I’m in church. I take it off as soon as I get home.” But she loved the thought of him stopping by anytime and if he winked like that again she might need mouth to mouth resuscitation. Hmm. Good idea.

  Drew shook his head and chuckled again. “I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in six years.”

  That made her feel warm all over. “Maybe you should come home more.”

  “Maybe.” The laughter in his eyes changed to something substantial, something that she used to dream she’d see when Drew looked at her.

  Instead of flinging herself at him like she wanted to, she backed away. “I’d better go, I’ve got to…”

  “Watch game film?”

  “Right. Game film and get nachos ready for Jessica.”

  “Lots of prep time for nachos.”

  “Tons.” Chelsea turned away, fleeing from that look in his eyes and the desire to stay and banter, but she couldn’t do that with Drew. It had been too long and though she’d never stopped caring for him the past six years, she wasn’t ready to have her heart broken when he went back to the city and forgot about her again.

  “I’ll call you soon,” Drew said to her back.

  Chelsea turned her head, but kept her feet moving. “Great, thanks, oomph.” She ran smack into a mannequin and knocked the dang thing right off its pedestal. The mannequin’s dress went over its head and Chelsea sprawled next to it.

  Drew reached them quickly. He helped Chelsea to her feet and she could tell he was hiding a smile as he surveyed the mannequin. “I can see why you don’t want to wear a dress, look what could happen.”

  Chelsea gestured to her yoga pants. “No worry of that for me.”

  Jessica’s voice came from behind them in an unnaturally high pitch. “What mess are you two making now?”

  Chelsea pulled free from Drew’s grip and hurried for the exit.

  “You’re leaving me to deal with this?” Drew asked.

  “Game film is calling to me.”

  Drew’s mischievous smile as Jessica descended on the massacred mannequin was in Chelsea’s mind the entire night.

  JESSICA SLAMMED THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR of Chelsea’s cottage just after eight. Jessica never knocked before she came in, it would have been weird, like knocking on your sister’s bedroom door. Chelsea’s house was small, an open front area with a combination living room, kitchen, and dining nook, the rear of the house had two bedrooms and a shared bath. Jessica had dubbed it The Cottage because it was so cute and small. Chelsea loved the trellises and the wide front porch. She especially loved the vegetable and flower gardens that dominated the yard in warmer weather, and the close proximity to the high school where she taught.

  Jessica had an armload of feminine-looking clothing over one arm. “Before you say no, please listen for a minute. This jade-colored dress is going to bring out the aqua in your eyes and Drew won’t be able to resist you.”

  Chelsea piled cheese on the chips. “It’s going to take more than a dress to make Drew unable to resist me. Where would he even see me in it?”

  “Didn’t he ask you out?”

  Finally, Chelsea waited for her friend to add. Jessica had never dated Drew, out of courtesy to Chelsea and their friendship, but they would’ve been perfect together. The captain of the drill team and the basketball superstar. It was odd though, Drew had never acted interested in Jessica.

  “He sure did… To play basketball,” Chelsea muttered.

  “Oh, my.” Jessica sank onto the flowered sofa and chewed on her lip. “How long is he here?”

  “He’s going back to the city for a couple of weeks and then he said he’d be back here until the New Year.” She shook out the grater and set it in the sink.

  “A little longer than a month to make the magic happen,” Jessica muttered. “When he comes back into town we’ll have you looking so gorgeous he won’t dare ask you to play basketball.” Jessica spit out the word. “This calls for drastic action.”

  Chelsea backed into the opposite cabinets of her little kitchen. “No, no makeovers.”

  Jessica sprang to her feet. “Sista’, this is your dream man! You’ve loved him longer than you’ve loved the Knicks.”

  “Now that’s exaggerating a bit.” She turned to open the fridge and retrieve the salsa.

  “Stop. He hasn’t shown his handsome mug since his parents’ funerals and six years is a long time for my girl to wait. This is your chance to snag him.”

  “Even if I could snag him, then what? I’m not leaving Echo Ridge and there’s no way he’s giving up some Wall Street career for me.”

  “Holy crap you think too much! Snag the man, have some fun, and then worry about the insignificant details like where to live.” Jessica’s wide lips twitched. “Unless there’s someone else you’d rather be thinking about insignificant details with.”

  Chelsea’s eyes narrowed. She grabbed a bowl and dumped salsa in. “Don’t even think about it.”

  “Chayton Liechty.” Jessica sank down onto the sofa again and fanned herse
lf with her hand. “I would give away my Louis Vuitton purse to have him look at me.”

  Chelsea laughed. “Exaggerating again.”

  “I’m not. He’s perfect— hot, smart, athletic, nice. Please tell me next time he asks you out you’ll say yes.”

  “He’s just teasing me. He doesn’t really want to go out.” She shoved the nachos in the microwave and set it for thirty seconds.

  “Are you sure you’re straight?”

  “Jessica!”

  “I’m just saying. You can’t even discern when a man is asking you out. How could any woman turn down Chayton Liechty? I get warm all over just thinking about him. And Chayton and Chelsea? That just sounds so cute!”

  What are we, in junior high, rhyming names with the guy we like? “There’s not a spark there with Chayton.” That wasn’t technically true, but it would hopefully dissuade Jessica from the subject.

  “But with Drew?” Jessica asked.

  “Sparks, fire, desperate desire, you name it.” It was impossible to lie about Drew. The microwave beeped and she retrieved the steaming nachos. The smell of melted cheese was almost as intoxicating as Drew’s cologne.

  “Then let me make you up. We’ll get your hair styled a bit, rip that gorgeous mahogany mess out of a ponytail. Put on a tiny, teensy bit of mascara to make those green eyes pop, lipstick for those pouty lips of yours, and buy a few clothes.” She held her hands up, staving off Chelsea’s protest. “Just a few.”

  “Oh, Jess, I’ll do all that and Drew will punch me in the shoulder and challenge me to a game of one-on-one.”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. “You don’t know that. It’s been eight years since high school. You’ve—” she swirled her hands around “—matured.”

  “Let me think about it.” She pulled off a chip, cheese dripped down and she plucked it free and then swirled it onto the chip before scooping up some salsa and shoving the whole delectable mess in her mouth.

  “Fine,” Jessica harrumphed and stomped across the kitchen to grab a nacho. “But your month of opportunity is ticking away and then you’ll just have to settle for the gorgeous history teacher, Chayton Liechty. Man, I want your life.”