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

by Lucy McConnell

  They pulled up to Kaitlyn’s door and Mason climbed out and escorted her from the truck. “Thank you so much, Ms. Jamison,” Kaitlyn said.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Chelsea asked.

  Kaitlyn grinned at Mason. “I am now.”

  Chelsea pressed her lips together. “See you on Monday.”

  “Bye.”

  Mason closed the door and escorted Kaitlyn up the decorative concrete steps like she was a princess. Chelsea knew she should look away, but she had to watch. Mason said something to Kaitlyn and turned to go. Kaitlyn grabbed his arm and pulled him back. A look of surprise crossed Mason’s face as Kaitlyn stood on tiptoes and brushed her lips across his. Mason wrapped his arms around Kaitlyn and returned the kiss wholeheartedly.

  A few minutes later Mason bounced back to the truck. He climbed in with a huge grin on his face then turned to her and his face reddened. “Did you…”

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t have watched, but it was the most perfect first kiss I’ve ever seen.”

  Mason chuckled. “I didn’t know you were a romantic, Ms. Jamison.”

  “I’m usually not.” She put the truck into gear and eased away from the curb. “I guess you like her?”

  “So much. What about you and Coach?”

  Chelsea shook her head. “We’re good friends. Not sure we have a spark like you and Kaitlyn.”

  Mason grinned. “Not sure anyone has that much spark.”

  Chelsea thought about Drew touching her face outside the restaurant’s bathroom earlier tonight and the fireworks that seemed to explode when she was around him and almost contradicted Mason. “So what’s going on in your life, besides fighting at dances and kissing Kaitlyn?”

  Mason stiffened, watching the houses out the side window. “Not much.”

  “You excited for Christmas?” It was a rotten question as he probably wasn’t, but this was too good of an opportunity to fish for info.

  “Not really.” He shrugged. “But my little sisters are.” His face lit up. “Addison wants dolls of course but Maryn is begging for her own lacrosse stick, but she calls it the cross. It cracks me up.”

  “You must love them a lot.” Joy built in Chelsea’s chest; Mason’s family was going to be so excited Christmas Eve when she and Drew brought the presents over.

  “They’re the best part of my life.” He blinked and looked away.

  “Them and a kiss from Kaitlyn.”

  He laughed. “You won’t tell Coach will you?”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  They pulled up to his house. Mason looked at her in surprise. “How did you know where I lived?”

  “I just live a couple of streets over and… well, neighbors talk about your,” she cleared her throat, “stepdad.”

  “I’ll bet they do.” His blue eyes clouded and he reached for the door handle.

  “Mason.” Chelsea touched his arm. “Does he hurt you?”

  Mason shook his head, focusing on the door handle in his grip like he wanted to escape more than anything. “Not physically. I don’t think my mom would put up with that, but you never know.”

  The ache in his voice ripped at Chelsea. “Your mom’s a good lady.”

  “She is. I just don’t know why she lets him stay.”

  “She’s been through a lot.”

  “Yeah, I get that, but he’s such a jerk. I don’t like him being around my sisters. I don’t know how she stands it.”

  Silence sat between them for a few seconds. “Will you please come to me or Chayton or whoever you’re comfortable with if he does something to you or your mom or sisters?”

  He turned to face her as if gauging her commitment to helping then finally nodded. “Yeah, I will.”

  “You’re an amazing young man.”

  He shook his head and pulled the door open. “Thank you for the ride and for… you know.” His shy grin returned.

  “Anytime.” Chelsea watched him walk to his door and saw it spring open before he got there. From the look of things his mom was cussing him out, but then she pulled him into a fierce hug and Chelsea could feel the love from her seat in the truck. Mason escorted his mom into the house and Chelsea slowly drove away. She was reassured that his mom cared for him, but would she stand up to her husband?

  The dance was almost over when she returned. Chayton filled her in on the tense conversation between Gabe, his dad, and the principal. “I think Kaitlyn was right, his dad will be much harsher on him than the police.”

  Chelsea’s stomach clenched. “Maybe that’s why he acts the way he does.”

  “Maybe.”

  They waited until the last couple left then shut down the lights and Chayton drove her home. He walked her slowly to the front porch and she wished she could just slip inside and avoid the whole scene.

  She worked the key into the lock with trembling fingers. Chayton wrapped his hand around hers, steadying it and helping her turn the key.

  “Cold,” she muttered, avoiding looking at him.

  “Thanks for going with me,” Chayton said.

  She nodded and when she felt his arms wrap around her, she buried her face in his chest and squeezed him briefly before pulling away and stepping into the house. “Thanks. See you Monday.”

  “Okay.”

  His voice sounded so sad she had to look at him. He looked like a stunning Native American warrior, even though he was dressed in a suit. She wanted to tell him how sorry she was that she wasn’t interested in him that way. That someday a lucky woman would be thrilled to have him in her life, but she just gave him an awkward smile and whispered, “Goodnight.”

  She closed the door before he could say anything and felt guilty that her thoughts immediately swung to Drew. They were going to a dance at Kenworth’s tomorrow night. If it weren’t after midnight, she’d call Jessica and celebrate. For the first time in her life, she wanted to go shopping and get dolled up. For Drew, she’d do about anything.

  DREW AND CHELSEA PUSHED THROUGH THE DOOR into her living room late the next morning, each holding shopping bags stuffed with clothing and toys from Kenworth’s.

  “I think you made Jessica’s year,” Chelsea said, setting her sacks next to the sofa. “Did you see her face?”

  Drew chuckled. “Her face when I pulled out my credit card and told her I needed a personal shopper to outfit a family of four and not to spare any expense. Is that the face you’re referring to?” He imitated Jessica’s look of surprise and happiness.

  “I thought she was going to kiss you.”

  “I was afraid of that too.” Drew faked a shudder. “That’s why I hid behind you and said it was all your idea.”

  Chelsea loved that he didn’t want a kiss from her beautiful friend. “She told me the only way she’d ever be this happy again was if I let her make over my wardrobe.”

  “You don’t need a makeover, you look great just the way you are.” He pumped his eyebrows. “But I did enjoy seeing you in a dress last night. Are you wearing the same dress tonight?”

  “Heaven forbid.” Chelsea placed a hand over her heart. “Jessica would skin me.” She was amazed how excited she was to dress up for him where last night had been a chore.

  “Well, I can’t wait to see what you wear tonight.” He paused and cleared his throat and the question Chelsea was hoping he wouldn’t ask all day came out. “How was the dance?”

  She was prepared. “Not much dancing. A fight broke out.”

  “Whoa.”

  “Yeah. It was pretty crazy. Mason was protecting the girl he likes from a kid who’s kind of a punk. So I ended up taking Mason and the girl, Kaitlyn, home.”

  “Oh? That’s good.”

  “Yeah.”

  An awkward silence followed as Drew seemed to want more details of the night, but Chelsea didn’t know how to tell him that she and Chayton were just friends and Drew had no competition, assuming he was as interested in her as she was in him.

  Drew sifted through some of the pink toy boxes at his feet.
“So we’ll pick up a bunch of food Christmas Eve and then take everything over?”

  “I’ll buy the food. You’ve already spent too much.”

  “Honestly, Chels. I haven’t had anyone but myself and Darcee and her family to spend money on in a real long time and it feels great. Let me do this.” He took her hand and gazed into her eyes. Maybe gazed was cheesy but that’s how it felt. “Please.”

  Chelsea was about to say yes to anything he requested when the doorbell rang. She broke away from Drew’s gaze and touch and yanked the door open. Chayton stood there with a long black lacrosse stick and a small pink one.

  “Hey.” His eyes flitted from her to Drew and back again.

  “Hey,” Drew and Chelsea both responded at the same time.

  Chayton held aloft the pole and smiled. “This is his dream pole.”

  “That’s so great, Chayton. Thank you.”

  “No, thank you.” He glanced at Drew again and forced a cordial smile. “Mason’s one of the best kids I’ve been around. This means a lot that you would do this.”

  “I’ve loved being involved,” Drew said, “But Chelsea is the super star here.”

  “Yes, she is.” Chayton smiled at her. “Can I talk to you outside for a minute?”

  “Sure.” Chelsea had no desire to “talk” but she needed to clear things up with Chayton.

  “I’m going to print off the vouchers for the lacrosse team and camps,” Drew said, backing away. “Thanks for all the info on that, Chayton.”

  “He’s going to love it.” Chayton nodded goodbye to Drew.

  Drew walked toward her computer station. Chayton set the lacrosse sticks next to the presents then opened the front door, gestured her through, and closed the door behind them.

  “Drew seems like a good guy,” Chayton said, studying the porch railing. “You really like him, don’t you?”

  Chelsea shifted from foot to foot. The porch was bitter cold under her stockinged feet. “You caught that?” She shrugged as her face filled with color. “He treats me more like a buddy than a potential girlfriend.”

  Chayton smiled knowingly. “He doesn’t look at you like a buddy.”

  Chelsea pushed some hair behind her ear, remembering Drew had said he would show her at the dance what he thought of her. She shivered and it wasn’t from the cold.

  “You and I are good, though,” Chayton asked. “Still friends, right?”

  “I sure hope so. You’re an amazing guy, Chayton, and a very good friend.”

  “But it’s just not anything more, is it?”

  “No,” she pushed the word out, feeling awful that it couldn’t be. He was an incredible man, but Drew had captured her in a way no one could compete with and it wouldn’t be fair to date Chayton if she could never be interested in him in that way. “Thanks for understanding.”

  He swallowed. “I wanted to try…” His shoulders lifted and lowered. “I get it though and I’m glad we’re friends.” He nodded and jogged down the porch steps.

  “Do you want to come with us when we deliver all of this to Mason?”

  “No,” he said the word forcefully then shook his head. “This is you and Drew’s deal. You do it. Mason will be stoked.”

  “Especially about that lacrosse stick.”

  “Hey. I happen to have insider info.” He gave her half of a grin and then walked away.

  Relief washed over Chelsea. Chayton hadn’t seemed thrilled, but he said he understood. She felt pretty positive that they could still be friends.

  Drew was busy inside, printing out confirmation emails from three different recruiting camps and one of the best elite teams in the state. The coach had agreed to place Mason on his team after reading the recommendation from Chayton and watching the highlight video. “I also got a gift certificate from Lacrosse Monkey, figured he could use some gear or something.”

  “Wow, thanks, Drew. That’s really thoughtful.” For claiming he hadn’t really bought gifts for anyone but his family in the past six years, he was very good at paying attention to details. He would be an amazing husband to some lucky woman someday. Chelsea had to hold in a sigh of longing.

  “How’s he going to get to practice and tournaments?” Drew asked, yanking her from her daydreams. “Shall we throw some cash in for travel and tournament fees?”

  “That would be great. I just hope that his stepdad doesn’t take it. Chayton did say that some of Drew’s buddies play on this team so he could travel with them. Chayton said he’d keep an eye on him and run him to tournaments himself if needed.”

  “Chayton’s a good guy.” He jerked the papers off the printer. His hand crinkled the edges.

  “Yeah, he is.” Chelsea bowed her head and pulled a doll stroller out of a sack. “Do you think we should wrap these or leave them unwrapped so Mason’s mom will know what we’ve brought for each of them?”

  Drew studied her for a few seconds, but then responded. “Let’s wrap everything for Mason and his mom and then leave wrapping paper so they can wrap the stuff for the girls. I think it would be fun for them to be involved.”

  “Kay.” Chelsea couldn’t meet his gaze. Why didn’t she just tell him there was nothing between her and Chayton? It seemed presumptuous to say, like she was assuming Drew wanted there to be something with the two of them. She hoped that was the case, but couldn’t bring herself to open the subject. Hopefully tonight she would know how he really felt and maybe he would be willing to keep in contact after he left for the city again. The thought of him leaving made her depressed, but there wasn’t really any hope of him being here for anything other than short visits. It seemed a long-term relationship with Drew was never going to be in her future.

  CHELSEA SWUNG THE DOOR OPEN and the look on Drew’s face told her that for tonight at least he realized she was female. She did a little twirl in the red dress. The calf-length skirt flared out of a fitted waist. Her dark hair fell in long curls down her back and it floated as she spun in a circle.

  “Ya like it?” she drawled.

  Drew grinned and ran his hand down the crushed-velvet sleeve. Chelsea shivered, biting her lip to keep from sighing with pleasure.

  “I love it,” Drew said. “I can’t believe you would endure shopping with Jessica again to look so good for me.”

  “It was torture, but she’s happy.” She grabbed her new dress coat off of the chair next to the door.

  Drew hurried to take it from her and help her put it on. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed then turned her to face him. “You’re absolutely gorgeous, Chels.”

  She blushed. Warmth spread throughout her body at his touch and his look. She grasped the door handle to hide her reaction. Drew reached over her head to swing the door open and then escorted her down the steps, holding her hand securely in his. It felt like he was making sure she was safe and he wanted to touch her. She loved it. Chelsea thought it odd that she’d been upset when Chayton had drooled over how she’d looked dolled up, but gratifying and exciting when Drew reacted almost the same way.

  “Thanks. You look great too.” She loved that the strong lines of his body were re-emphasized by his tailored suit. He looked more than great.

  They chatted throughout the short drive to Kenworth’s and joined the crowd milling into the store. Keira had organized the dance into a fifties style theme and it was fun to hear the old music Chelsea’s grandparents used to play for her. A lot of friends and neighbors had turned out to support the store and some were even dressed retro. Reese from The Candy Counter looked gorgeous in a dark pink dress that had a fifties flare but a modern cut and was perfect for the night. She didn’t know Reese was dating Andy, but the two looked really chummy.

  Jessica danced by with Gentry from the Men’s Department. Chelsea hid her surprise. She thought Jessica despised him.

  “You look fabulous,” Jessica leaned in and said. She winked at Drew. “You can thank me later.”

  Drew just laughed and the two twirled away.

  Chelsea and Dr
ew danced horribly to the old songs, laughing at their clumsiness and inexperience. Drew spun her out and she bumped into his chest coming back in. He held her there and leaned in until they were a breath away. Chelsea could hardly catch a breath as his large frame overshadowed hers.

  “We are awful dancers,” Drew whispered, his lips almost brushing hers.

  Chelsea laughed unsteadily. “If only these people could see us on the court.”

  He chuckled and spun her out and in again.

  Finally a slow song came on and Drew dropped all the teasing dance moves and simply held her close. Chelsea enjoyed every second. She’d been dreaming of being in Drew’s arms long before Jessica stopped forcing her to play with Barbies. The sensation of his strong arms around her and his sculpted chest pressed against her had her taking short breaths and trying to freeze time.

  Drew leaned back and glanced down into her eyes. Time seemed to stand still as their gazes connected. His dark gaze flitted to her lips then back up again. “Chels?” he whispered as if asking permission.

  She swallowed and said as sweetly as she could, “Yes.”

  Drew grinned. He bent down and gently brushed his lips across hers. Tingles shot through her. The intoxicating smell of his spicy cologne wrapped around her and the warmth of his body enveloped her in a joy she’d always dreamed about. He pulled back to look at her again.

  Chelsea waited to hear some declaration of like. She knew love was pushing it a bit fast, but at least a like would give her joy.

  “Do you want a drink?” he asked.

  Chelsea bit her lip to keep from laughing or crying. She was caught up in the romantic moment and Drew was thirsty. “Um, sure.”

  He took her hand and led her to the newly restored Soda Fountain. Jessica had told her the manager, Cecilia, was opposed to the Soda Fountain being restored, but Chelsea thought it was a smart business move and a fun thing for the community. She was sure it would be a big draw for both young and old.