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

by Lucy McConnell

  They both ordered Lime Rickeys and then found a table to sit for a few minutes.

  Drew stretched out his legs and glanced around at the crowd. “It’s good to be back here. Good people.”

  “They are.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. She wanted to escape the crowd of good people and expand that kiss they’d just shared. He stared at her and she smiled and sipped a bit of the tart drink. Maybe he was feeling the same way, but she had no idea how to ask if they could go somewhere more private. “So… tell me about your exciting life in the city. I feel like I’ve missed out on Drew the past six years.”

  Drew shrugged. “I wish I could say it’s exciting but I work a lot of hours and then I try to find somebody to play ball or lift weights with, eat dinner, and go to bed.”

  Chelsea eyed him, so casual and relaxed. She wondered if the kiss had meant anything to him, but she also wanted to know about his life so she tried to focus. “But on the weekends you date up a storm.”

  He eyed her appraisingly. “No, not really.”

  “Why not?”

  “When I first left home and started school at Columbia, I dated a lot, but after Mom and Dad were killed…”

  Chelsea didn’t know how to fill the silence, luckily, Drew didn’t expect her to.

  “I responded a lot differently than anyone thought I would. Darcee was terrified I’d become a drunk womanizer, but I actually stopped going to parties or dating. I focused on school and basketball. Got through my master’s program before my basketball scholarship ran out, not that it mattered with the insurance money.” He grimaced.

  “That must’ve been hard.”

  “It was. You find out who your friends are. I had some who really stuck by me, but others that gave up and moved on.”

  Chelsea’s chest tightened. “Drew. I’m so sorry. I left messages on your phone that first year, but when you never answered or returned them.” She ducked her head and admitted, “I gave up.”

  Drew grabbed her hand. “Chels, no, I wasn’t talking about you. I never answered anybody’s phone calls, except Darcee’s because she would’ve beat me, but I loved your messages. At first, I hardly understood the words you were stringing together, I was that down. But I would play them over and over again just to listen to your voice and there was so much… peace in that, such a feeling of home and safety for me. Does that make sense?”

  Chelsea nodded, not sure what to say.

  “Then I started really listening and the words helped me, a lot. My counselor, that’s embarrassing to admit that I needed a counselor but I did.”

  “Not embarrassing, that’s a huge thing for a twenty-year old to go through.”

  “I think I was just wimpy, but he believed you were my contact with home, with something solid and real. Thankfully, he asked me to save your messages.” He glanced at his drink and then took a long swallow. “I still have some of them.”

  Chelsea tried to sort out in her mind what that meant. She’d given him peace and a feeling of home, but she still felt like a long-time friend, not someone exciting or interesting to him. “I’m glad they helped. When you never responded I figured I was just bugging you, so I stopped sending so many and then after a while I stopped completely.”

  “I didn’t know how to respond and then it got really awkward after a couple of years to know how to call and say, hey, remember me, your old buddy that’s a mess and never called to say thanks for caring?”

  There was that b-word again. She focused on the conversation and not the fears in her heart. “I would’ve been thrilled to see or hear from you.”

  He studied her. “That’s the thing, you were excited to see me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I came home a couple of times because Darcee begged. She was convinced I would heal if I could just be here.” His mouth twisted. “It never really helped. I’d go back to work more depressed than ever. I always wanted to come see you or call but I didn’t feel worthy of you. I even came to one of your basketball games and watched you coach.”

  “You didn’t.” Worthy of her? What did that mean?

  “Yeah.”

  “And you didn’t even say hi? Jerk.” She was half-teasing. That was pretty awful of him to sit and watch her coach and not even talk to her when she’d been so concerned about him, and missed him more than she could ever admit.

  “I was. I’m sorry.” Drew stirred his drink with his straw. “I didn’t think you’d care or want to see me after so much time had passed, but then I ran into you at Kenworth’s and it was like nothing had changed, except you getting even prettier.” He winked. “You’re still my Chels and we’re still best buddies like we always were.”

  Chelsea wasn’t sure she wanted nothing to change or to be “best buddies,” but it seemed a selfish sentiment when they’d been discussing his recovery from his parents’ deaths.

  “I wasn’t planning on coming back for Christmas, but seeing you changed all of that. Thank you.” His voice and look was so sincere she couldn’t possibly ask if he danced with and kissed all his best buddies.

  “Thanks for coming back home.”

  “Anytime.”

  He stood and offered his hand. They danced to a few more songs. It was fun, but Chelsea had so many unanswered questions in her mind. Had he really come back for her? Was there any hope of him staying? Her dressing up tonight and him saying she was gorgeous didn’t mean anything if they were just buddies and he was going to disappear after the New Year.

  Drew drove her home an hour later and though Chelsea had loved the fun night they shared, she still had no answers. He walked her to the doorstep with her hand tucked through his elbow. He didn’t say anything until they stopped outside her front door. It was freezing, but Chelsea wanted to prolong the night and hopefully get another kiss, so she tried to hide the fact that her legs were shivering.

  “Thank you,” she said, when it appeared he could stand there all night without saying anything.

  “Thank you for going.” Drew studied her with an intensity that electrified the crisp night. “I told you last night that I would hopefully show you what I see in you. Did I?”

  “Honestly. Not really.” She sighed. “I love being with you Drew, but you kissed me and then we just chatted like buddies.”

  Drew’s eyebrows arched. “Do you think I kiss my buddies?”

  “Oh, I hope not.” Chelsea laughed in spite of the angst she was feeling. She wanted to be more with Drew, but she was setting herself up for heartache. Even if he saw her as a woman he was attracted to, he lived in the city. What kind of a relationship could they build living hours apart?

  Drew wrapped his arms around her back and tugged her close. “I always hear in those chick movies how the guy is dense and doesn’t get it. I think our roles are reversed.”

  “What?” Chelsea tried to pull back, but his strong embrace didn’t give her much room.

  “You asked me what I see when I look at you?” He kissed her forehead, his breath warm and wonderful against her skin. “I see a natural beauty who doesn’t need makeup or high heels to have me thinking she’s the most gorgeous lady in the world.” He tilted his head to the side and smiled softly at her. “I see a smart, caring teacher, who would spend all of her extra money helping a student in need.” He tilted her chin up with his hand. “I see my best buddy who I love to play ball with or go get pizza with. A woman I would love to spend every minute with.”

  Chelsea stared at him, having absolutely no clue how to respond. Drew thought she was beautiful, smart, and caring. He wanted to spend every minute with her? If Jessica was here, the two of them would be holding hands and squealing. But Drew was here and that was exactly who she wanted. Should she be brave and share her true feelings? She wasn’t brave enough to voice them but she could try to show him.

  She rose up on tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled his head down to hers. The kiss started slowly, tenderly, but quickly built into a fire that roared in her ea
rs and had her seeing a white carriage and hearing wedding bells. Drew backed her into the door and she stepped up onto the ledge, almost level with him now and returning kiss for kiss.

  He ran his hands through her hair and moaned, “Chels.”

  Emboldened, she smiled and kissed him with all the passion she’d been storing inside of her. He deepened the kiss and she clung to his shoulders and enjoyed each sensation.

  Drew finally released her and she shakily opened the door to her house.

  “I’d invite you in, but…”

  Drew chuckled, it sounded a bit unsteady. “Not a great idea right now. You kissing me like that.” He pumped his eyebrows. “You’d have to chat with the Pastor tomorrow.”

  Chelsea smiled, her insides quivering at the thought of needing to repent. “Will you come to church with me?”

  Drew’s eyebrows dropped. “I haven’t been to church in a long time.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “But I’ll come. I can handle anything with you.” He gave her one more soft kiss, but pulled away quickly. “I don’t want to have to talk to Pastor though.”

  Chelsea gave him a tremulous laugh.

  Drew winked and then turned and jogged down the stairs.

  Chelsea stood in the cold, watching him go and thinking about those words, “I can handle anything with you” and “a woman I’d love to spend every minute with”. They seemed like the most wonderful promises in the world. Were they? She sighed. Only time would tell.

  THE PASTOR GAVE THE PERFECT SERMON for someone who hadn’t been to church in a while, inspirational but nonjudgmental about the Savior and His love. Drew seemed comfortable, holding her hand and filling up the bench next to her. She loved his long legs in those dress pants, knees jammed into the bench in front of him. He must be used to that. She really loved his large hand around hers and his upper body pressed close.

  As soon as the service was over neighbors and old friends rushed to greet Drew. Some had really nosy questions about why he hadn’t been home, but Drew handled it with his characteristic good humor. A few acquaintances from high school gave them pointed looks, but didn’t come over to say hi. Chelsea didn’t care. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this lit up and if someone didn’t want to share in that joy it was their loss.

  After church they had dinner with Drew’s sister, Darcee, and her husband, Jake. Their two adorable boys kept adult conversation to a minimum, but Darcee mentioned several times how thrilled she was that they were together. Chelsea wanted to ask if that was the case, if they were really together. Drew had said she was being dense not knowing that he liked her, but she wanted to rush past all these insecurities and know they had a commitment. The thought of him leaving town in a couple of weeks made her stomach feel like it was full of boulders.

  Drew’s phone rang and he gave them a quick apology and then answered it. He walked from the dining room into the kitchen and Darcee immediately turned to Chelsea. “I have never seen him like this with anyone. I’ve begged him to date, to get over his issues, nothing. It’s like he’s just been waiting for you.”

  “Really?” Chelsea loved the sound of this.

  Drew strode back into the room, his phone clutched in his hand and a scowl on his face. “I’ve got to drive back to the city right now.”

  “What?” Darcee jumped from her chair. “When are you coming back?”

  Drew looked at Chelsea. “I’ll be back. I have a client who’s insisting that I meet with him tomorrow morning and transfer a bunch of his investments. He has some big ideas that different stocks are going to plummet before the New Year.” He pushed a hand through his short hair. “I’m sorry, Chels.”

  “No, you’re fine. It’s… fine.”

  He walked straight to her and caught her hands in his. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

  “Kiss her, kiss her,” his nephew, Jarron, chanted.

  Drew smiled, the tension seeping from him. “I’ll kiss her buddy, but not while you’re watching.”

  “Dang,” Jarron groaned.

  Drew and Chelsea said their goodbyes and drove quickly to her house. He walked her to the door and Chelsea stared up at him, hating that they had to say goodbye, even if it was for a short time.

  Drew took her mind away from goodbyes as he kissed her. His lips explored hers with a sweet passion that had her tingling. “That one was for Jarron,” he said against her mouth.

  Chelsea laughed unsteadily. “What’s for me?” she whispered.

  He cocooned her face with his hands and took command of her lips in a way no one ever had. After several wonderful minutes he pulled away. “And that one was for me.”

  Chelsea swayed and he wrapped his arms around her back to hold her steady. He kissed her repeatedly, each kiss deepening in intensity until she could hardly stand on her own two feet. “And that one was for you.”

  “One? I can’t think straight, but I know that was more than one.”

  Drew chuckled and pulled her tight against his chest. “I’ll miss you, Chels.”

  Fear wrapped around her heart. “But you’ll be back soon.”

  “For sure. Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.”

  “The way you said you’d miss me, it scared me. Like not returning my calls for a year kind of scare me.”

  Drew’s eyes darkened. “I wouldn’t do that to you again, Chels. I promise.”

  She clung to him. “Don’t stay away long enough to miss me then.”

  He chuckled. “It wouldn’t matter. An hour is long enough to miss you.”

  “Wow. My buddy has turned into a romantic sap.” She winked. “I like it.”

  “I like you.” He kissed her one more time then turned and strode to his car.

  Chelsea waved as he drove away, hoping this was the beginning and not the end.

  MASON SAT IN COACH’S ROOM MONDAY during lunch and slowly pulled his peanut butter sandwich out of his backpack. He hoped Coach would come chat with him today. Most of last week Coach had spent lunchtime with Ms. Jamison. Mason smiled at the thought. He’d love to see his two favorite teachers dating, even though Ms. Jamison claimed there was no spark.

  The thought of dating and sparks pulled his lips down and he toyed with the wrapping on his sandwich. He hadn’t heard from Kaitlyn since Friday night. Not that he had a phone so she could contact him. He wanted to visit her at her house, just to see if she was okay, but the thought of it embarrassing her that he’d show up there had kept him away. Now Christmas was coming and if he didn’t see her at school today or tomorrow he wouldn’t see her for two very long weeks. She’d spend the break skiing with all the Ice Money people and he’d spend it working, trying to make Christmas good for his sisters and mom, and avoiding his stepdad.

  The door swung open and like something out of his dreams, Kaitlyn swept in carrying a sack full of food. He set his sandwich down and stood next to the desk, angling his body to hide his lame lunch.

  The scent of hamburgers and fries made Mason salivate. The beauty of Kaitlyn made him drool.

  “Hey.” She smiled broadly at him. “I brought you lunch from Fay’s.”

  “You bought me lunch?” Mason knew he looked as stupid as he felt, but this seemed all messed up. He should be buying Kaitlyn lunch, not the other way around.

  “I’ve heard the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

  Mason swallowed hard then licked his lips. She wanted a way to his heart? She smiled and bit at her lip and all Mason could think about was that kiss Saturday night.

  “Really, I just have no clue how to say thank you for saving me from Gabe,” she said.

  “The kiss was more than enough thanks.” Mason’s face burned. He rubbed the side of the desk with his palm. Did I really just say that?

  Kaitlyn grinned. Her eyes sparkled. She focused on the brown bag clutched between her fingers and asked, “Do you think you might ask me out sometime?”

  Mason’s stomach felt like it was bubbling. Kaitlyn wanted him
to take her out. He took a step toward her. “What are you doing this weekend?” He didn’t care if he had to work double shifts the entire Christmas break, he was going to take her on a real date and maybe she’d let him kiss her at the doorstep again.

  “Going out with you.” The shyness disappeared from her smile as she looked at him with those deep blue eyes.

  “Saturday night? Six?”

  She boldly walked to him, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “I’m more excited for our date than I am for Christmas morning,” she whispered, then set the bag of food on the desk and turned and walked out the door.

  Mason sank into the chair and pulled out a huge hamburger, dripping with bacon, cheese, and some kind of sauce that smelled amazing. He couldn’t wait to eat the lunch, but he would’ve gone hungry to talk with Kaitlyn for a bit longer.

  CAN’T WAIT TO HANG OUT with you when I get back.

  Chelsea glanced at the text and frowned. Drew had been gone three very long days and she was probably just doing the insecure girl who wants the boy thing, but all his texts had been funny or casual, no promises of moving to upstate New York or begging her to relocate to the city, no declarations of undying love. Not that she wanted those over a text, but she wanted something.

  When are you getting back?

  And what do you mean by hanging out? Hanging out and kissing? Hanging out and playing basketball and going back to being buddies? She shuddered, wondering when buddy had become a curse word in her mind.

  Probably Christmas Eve. I want to get everything squared away here so I can relax until the New Year.

  Tomorrow. It seemed like a lifetime away. What was she going to do with herself all day? Her life had been happy and fulfilling before she met Drew, but now she couldn’t imagine not spending every spare minute with him.

  Another message came quickly from Drew.

  We can go pick up the groceries for Mason’s family and then get everything ready for delivery.