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

by Lucy McConnell

  Sounds like a plan.

  Great. See you then.

  So casual, so uncommitted. Chelsea sighed and threw her phone on the bed. She paced the room, her eyes straying back to her phone over and over again. Finally, she shook her head. She wasn’t going to sit and stew over this. She and Drew had been friends for too long and she was too old to act this insecure. Also, she liked him, she more than liked him. She was going to call him and get some reassurance.

  She hit the button to call him from his text. It rang twice then a throaty woman’s voice picked up.

  “Hello, Drew Stirling’s phone.”

  “Oh, hello. Is Drew there?” Her stomach rolled. This woman’s voice literally made her sick. How silly. It was probably his secretary.

  “He’s with a client right now. Can I give him a message?”

  “I can just… call him back.”

  “I’m sure he’d prefer I let him know who called.”

  Chelsea couldn’t for the life of her figure out why she was so uncomfortable. This was his secretary, but Chelsea felt her breath hitching and a crazy voice in her head saying this woman meant something to Drew. It was dumb, but she had to test it out.

  “This is his girlfriend, Chelsea. He has my number.” She held her breath and prayed the response would settle all her fears.

  “Excuse me, I’m sure I heard you wrong. Drew and I have been dating for the past year so I’m certain he doesn’t have a girlfriend named Chelsea. Are you from that podunk town up north?” The woman’s voice dripped condescension. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, I’m sure Drew made you feel important when he came home for a visit, but it meant nothing. He only has one girlfriend and unfortunately for you, that is me.”

  Chelsea heard herself sputtering. Drew had lied to her. Did he think he could live two separate lives? Kissing her whenever he came to town but having his real girlfriend in the city? Obviously he did.

  The woman hung up on her and Chelsea couldn’t do anything but stare at the phone.

  CHELSEA HEARD ABOUT THE FIRE at Kenworth’s late Christmas Eve morning. She’d stayed up all night wallowing in self-pity and missing Drew then lay in bed way past when she usually woke up, ignoring Drew’s texts and phone calls and yet praying he would come over and make everything right. She didn’t know if he was even in town and it was sadly pathetic how she wanted to see him even though it was over. What could he possibly say that would resurrect anything between them?

  Jessica had called about the fire damage, sobbing that her clothes were ruined and begging Chelsea to come to the store and save them. Chelsea wanted to sob that her life had been ruined by Drew being a liar and a cheat, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell even Jessica. It would make it all too real.

  Drew’s name and number lit up her screen as she drove to the store. She couldn’t answer it. Did he not know that she knew? That woman had probably said nothing to him about Chelsea. That woman. Chelsea didn’t even know her name. She kept picturing a tall, gorgeous blonde kissing him in some office that Chelsea would never visit. Her stomach churned and her head ached. She wondered if the pain from Drew betraying her would ever dissipate. She wondered if she’d ever stop missing him.

  She entered Kenworth’s to see dozens of people working together to clear debris from the fire and haul out ruined inventory. A shriek from the women’s department had her running in that direction.

  “No. Not all the Alfani, please.” Jessica held onto Chayton’s arm as he hefted a pile of skirts.

  Keira shook her head. “They can’t be salvaged. Hopefully the insurance will cover replacements of everything.”

  Jessica wailed and sank to her knees. Chelsea hurried to comfort her friend. Not that she understood the obsession over clothing, but she knew how hard Jessica had worked over the past five years to bring the women’s department from a place only Grandma Ruth from The Candy Counter shopped at to amazing deals on name brands that everyone seemed to love.

  As Chelsea hugged her friend and gave her empty reassurances that it wouldn’t be too hard to rebuild her inventory, she heard the rumble of a deep voice she would recognize anywhere. He was back, but why hadn’t he come to her house and banged down the door the second he got into town and the more important question, why did she want him to?

  “Don’t worry, Keira. I’ve followed up with the insurance adjuster. They’re going to come through for us.”

  “I really appreciate all your help.” Keira sighed. “I hate all the financial stress.”

  “Hey, it’s my job.”

  What? His job was being some financial bigwig in New York and being a boyfriend to that woman. Chelsea shuddered at the thought.

  Jessica pushed off Chelsea’s arms. “I’m sure you’re right. If the insurance adjusters give us market value I might come out on top with the buyers who give me deep discounts. I’ll be able to purchase even more inventory.” She pushed a hand through her disheveled hair and forced a smile. “Guess I better go see if I can save… anything.” She stood and walked away.

  Chelsea didn’t have the heart to tell her from the reek of smoke in these pants, nothing would be salvageable. She peeked from behind a rack of Levis and saw Drew, Chayton, Mason, and Mason’s mom hefting piles of clothes. Maybe if she hid here long enough they would go drop their piles out front and she could escape out back then run around to her car.

  Chayton said something to Mason’s mom and the entire group laughed. Chelsea could only focus on the large grin on Drew’s face. He looked innocent and honestly, quite perfect. He was dressed up in a button-down white shirt and slacks but he didn’t even seem to care about the damage to his expensive clothing as he lifted a huge pile of smelly shirts.

  Chelsea thought she knew him so well. How could he be a two-timing jerk? Yet he’d been gone from home for a long time. Maybe he’d changed more than she could comprehend and this past couple of weeks had all been some huge act for him to see if he could have some fun with her. Why had he even come back?

  Drew started to walk away, but then glanced her direction. Chelsea crouched behind the rack. She held still and muttered under her breath, “Don’t see me, don’t see me.” Maybe if she said it enough it would come true.

  “Chels?”

  She turned slowly and stared up, up, up into those perfect brown sugar eyes and she swayed a bit from the warmth of those eyes and that megawatt smile directed right at her.

  “Oh, hey, Drew.” She straightened and yanked a handful of Levi’s off the round. Act chill. Don’t let him know you’re hurting.

  “Are you okay? I was worried when you didn’t respond to any of my calls or texts last night or this morning.”

  “Not worried enough to stop being a two-timer.” Oh, crap, had that escaped her mouth? She bundled the Levi’s in her arms and rushed toward the front exit, leaving Drew gaping behind her.

  Mason’s mom and Chayton chatted just ahead as they carried out their loads. Mason was laden with a huge armful but stopped to talk with Kaitlyn who looked like she’d just arrived. Chelsea speed-walked past The Candy Counter. Reese was generously handing out hot chocolate and donuts. Usually the scent of their hot chocolate would solve any ailment, but today it made Chelsea’s stomach churn. Dang Drew was ruining everything good.

  Chelsea hurried into the cold morning air and dumped the Levi’s into a pile for Goodwill. Hopefully they could get the smell out of them.

  Drew called out her name. Chelsea could see her car across the street. It was awful to leave when the entire community was bonding together to help Kenworth’s, but she couldn’t face Drew right now. Who knew when she ever could again? Hopefully he’d go back to the city and that woman and she could nurse her shattered heart without having to see his perfectness.

  She ran toward her car, but Drew was fast in those slick dress shoes. He pounded across the street and wrapped his arm around her waist, halting her progress before she could slip into her car.

  “What is going on?” Drew demanded, forcing her to t
urn and look at him.

  Chelsea studied his chin and muttered, “I called your phone yesterday and it must’ve forwarded to your office. That woman said you were her boyfriend.”

  “That woman?” Drew’s eyebrows arched. “My secretary, Ari?”

  “She didn’t tell me her name.” Chelsea’s eyes flitted to his before she ducked her chin. “Drew. Please just be honest with me. If you have a girlfriend already I don’t want to get in the middle of that.” She actually wanted to boot Ari out of the way completely, but that wasn’t fair. They obviously had a relationship where Chelsea just had dreams.

  “Chels. Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Drew released her and yanked his phone from his pocket. He hit a number on his recent callers list and then put the phone on speaker. “Ari?”

  “Hey, Drew. How was your flight?”

  It was that woman’s voice, no hope Chelsea could ever forget it.

  “The flight was fine. I need you to explain right now to my girlfriend, Chelsea, that you and I are not dating and never have been, or you can start looking for a new job.”

  My girlfriend, Chelsea? She finally allowed herself to focus on Drew. His mouth was set in a thin line of anger, but his eyes were focused on her, begging her to listen and to understand.

  “Oh, yes, I’m sorry. Your phone was forwarded to mine yesterday and when she called I thought I would just tease with her a little bit.”

  “She can hear you, Ari, please explain to her.”

  “I’m very sorry,” the voice dripped venom even as it apologized. She sighed. “Drew and I aren’t dating, but we like to tease each other. I hope you’ll forgive me for playing that silly prank on you.” She laughed like it was all a big joke.

  Chelsea said nothing. Anything that came out of her mouth right now would be rotten.

  “If you can keep our relationship professional and never talk to Chelsea like that again,” Drew said, “I won’t terminate you.”

  Terminate? Chelsea liked that word in relation to Ari. She seemed like a rat.

  Drew pressed end on the phone and dropped it into his pocket. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Chels. I probably should’ve done some romantic gesture to show you that you’re the only girl I want to be with, but I wanted you to have no doubts that Ari was lying.”

  Chelsea trembled as she realized what all this meant. Drew wanted her. He wasn’t a backstabbing jerk. He liked her. She entangled her hands in the hair at the nape of his neck and smiled up at him. “You can try the romantic gesture now.”

  Drew grinned and lowered his head to hers. “Guess I’d better make it a good one.”

  “Definitely.”

  He kissed her, softly at first, but then it grew and became all-encompassing. Chelsea hardly registered the whistles and catcalls until Drew pulled away and the world came back into focus.

  “Nice audience,” he whispered, turning her to face Kenworth’s.

  Chayton, Mason, and a bunch of people from the town were watching them, laughing, and some of the older people cheered. Chelsea ducked her head in embarrassment. Chayton saluted them with a forced smile on his face.

  “Thanks,” Chelsea mouthed, grateful that her friend was handling all of this so well.

  Chayton lifted his chin in acknowledgment and then directed the group back inside.

  “He’s a great guy,” Drew muttered. “I wouldn’t have been that chill if I’d seen you kissing him.” His grip tightened on her.

  “He is a great guy, but so are you.” She framed his face with her hands. “And you’re the only one I want to kiss.”

  “I’d better be.” Drew grinned at her and lowered his head to hers. The kiss was exquisite and she enjoyed every second, even though she didn’t need any convincing of how great his kiss was and his sincerity in wanting to be with her.

  They finally succumbed to the cold seeping through their embrace and walked arm in arm back to the store. Chelsea remembered what he’d said to Keira earlier.

  “So, what’s the deal with you helping with the insurance and financial stuff?”

  “The store manager, Cecilia, ditched everybody last week and Keira needed a financial manager.” He shrugged, looking so boyishly cute she wanted to kiss him again. “I guess I’m the best she could find.”

  “Does this mean you’re staying around for a while?”

  He glanced down at her with a smirk. “Do you want it to mean that?”

  Chelsea leaned into him. “Maybe.”

  He grinned. “It does.”

  “What about your clients in New York?”

  “I’ve already been managing accounts from here so I’ll just keep doing that and although Ari is obviously a piece of work she’s great at running the office. She’ll take care of the day-to-day work and setup appointments for one week a month for me to fly back and meet with clients.”

  Joy filled her. Drew was going to live here. This was a Christmas miracle she never thought would come true. “I didn’t dare hope you’d move back home.”

  He elevated one shoulder. “Lots of reasons to.” He winked and they entered the store. “Guess we’d better get helping.”

  “Sounds good.” Chelsea hoped one of the reasons he was staying was her. Who was she kidding? She hoped the main reason he was staying was her.

  MASON CARRIED ADDISON INTO THE HOUSE while his Mom lugged Maryn. He was happy they could help with the cleanup efforts, especially when Ms. Jamison’s new boyfriend, Drew, pulled Mom aside and said they would pay for her and Mason’s time today and give her regular pay for the days the store was closed. Mason had watched his mom’s eyes lighten with relief. Beau would’ve been really upset if her paycheck was less than normal.

  Keira had sent the little family home about three when she noticed how exhausted the girls were. She told them to enjoy their Christmas and there would be more opportunity to clean and earn extra money after the holiday. The girls had been great to help where they could and stay out of the way when needed. Mason grimaced. They were experts at staying out of the way because of their dad. He settled Addison into her bed. It was well past lunchtime and both girls had fallen asleep on the way home. Addison didn’t always nap, but she was probably exhausted after the morning.

  “Are you hungry, love?” his mom asked.

  “I ate some doughnuts from The Candy Counter ladies.” He grinned sheepishly, wondering if his mom had noticed how he’d sought out Kaitlyn at every break.

  “But you can probably still eat?”

  “Sure.” He walked into the kitchen as she started pulling the bread she’d baked yesterday out of the drawer.

  “What are you banging around for?” Beau staggered out of their bedroom, shielding his eyes from the sun streaming through the window. His bald head glistened in the sunlight. People always compared Beau to Vin Diesel but Mason thought Vin Diesel looked like a much nicer guy. He actually smiled sometimes.

  “Happy Christmas Eve,” Emma said with a forced smile. “Are you hungry?”

  “No!” He crossed the room and just his proximity to Mason’s mom made Mason want to push him away. “Why do you stink?”

  “There was a fire last night at Kenworth’s. We all went and helped with the cleanup this morning.”

  “Why would you help that stupid store that pays you next to nothing and treats you like dirt?” Beau leaned over Emma, spitting the words into her face.

  Mason couldn’t take it anymore. He crossed the kitchen in four strides and pushed between his mom and Beau. “Back off a bit. She didn’t do anything wrong.”

  Mason was an inch taller than Beau and almost as thick. Mason could tell it bugged his stepdad, but he reminded himself that Beau was a trained fighter.

  “Mason,” his mom whispered, her voice full of fear.

  “Back off a bit?” Beau shoved Mason hard. Mason couldn’t hold his position and knocked into his mom. Emma went flying into the cabinets, her back banging against the wooden countertop with a sickening thud.

  “Mom!”
Mason turned to her.

  She rubbed at her lower back, her face distorted with pain. “I’m okay.”

  Mason whipped back around to face Beau.

  “Don’t you tell me what to do, boy,” Beau roared.

  Mason stood up straight. “Don’t you ever hurt my mom!”

  “I’ll do whatever I like. She’s mine.” Beau puffed out his chest and advanced on Mason.

  Emma cowered behind Mason for half a second, then she came around his right side. He held up a hand and tried to push her to safety before Beau got to them.

  “You’re mean, Daddy!” The little shriek came from the living room where Addison had just padded out of her bedroom door, probably awakened by the loud voices.

  Beau’s eyes narrowed. He ran across the kitchen and into the living room. He grabbed Addison off the floor, shaking her. “You little brat.”

  Mason and his mom rushed to intercept as Addison’s head swung back and forth from her dad’s anger. Mason wrapped his arms around Beau from behind and squeezed the man’s huge biceps with everything he had.

  “What the—” Beau screamed, relaxing his grip on Addison.

  Emma ripped their daughter from his arms.

  “Get out of here, Mom. Take Addy to their room and lock the door behind you,” Mason all but begged. He’d never seen Beau out of control like this and he was not going to let his mom or sister get hurt.

  His mom sheltered Addison with her body and ran for the bedroom door. Beau strode toward them. He was quick and strong, plowing forward with Mason doing everything in his power to try to slow him down. Beau grabbed Emma’s arm and whipped them both around to face him. “Don’t you dare hide her from me. The little brat needs to respect her dad.”

  “You’ve given her no reason to respect you,” Mason ground out. He released his grip from behind and hurried to plant himself between Beau and his mom and sister.

  “I hate you, Daddy,” Addison shrieked.

  Crying came from the bedroom. Mason groaned. Now Maryn was going to get pulled into this nightmare.

  Beau’s arm snaked past Mason. He grabbed Addison’s little cheeks and squeezed. She screamed in pain and horror.