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

by Lucy McConnell

  She adjusted her name tag and walked past the fragrance counter holding her breath, even inhaling the rich scents seemed too expensive for someone like her. This was a seasonal job, but Anika wanted to work into a full-time position.

  They walked past The Candy Counter with its rows and rows of hand-dipped chocolates that made Anika’s stomach grumble. She’d skipped lunch, saving the last three slices of bread for Megan. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich she’d made for their dinner called to her from the sack inside her purse.

  “Can I have a candy, Mommy?” Megan tugged on Anika’s hand.

  “Not now. Mommy has to go to work.”

  Two boys stood next to the display, pointing at the neat row of mint patties. “These are Mom’s favorite. Let’s get them for Christmas.”

  The older brother, who looked to be about ten or eleven pointed at the prices. “Tommy, see how much it is a pound? I don’t think we have enough.” He studied a handful of coins, his lips moving as he counted. “We need seventeen more cents. We could get some of the taffies instead.”

  “But Mom loves those.” Tommy stuck his finger on the glass in front of the mint patties.

  Anika hesitated, watching the boys recount their money. She looked over at her daughter and remembered how last week Megan had begged to give a quarter to the Salvation Army bell ringer outside Kenworth’s. Anika had clutched tightly to the coin before giving it to Megan. When had she become so hard and tight that she couldn’t even let go of a quarter? What hurt more was watching another woman in a beautiful suede coat— likely one of the tourists everyone referred to as Ice Money— shush her child and drag him into the store, denying his same request.

  She slid the quarter out of her pocket and took a step closer to the Candy Counter. “Here, this might help you boys. I bet your Mom would love those mint patties.”

  Tommy looked up and grinned, then glanced at his older brother who studied Anika and the quarter in her outstretched hand. Anika nodded and moved her hand a fraction of an inch closer. The coin wasn’t enough to buy a treat for Megan, but maybe it could help the boys. The older boy took the quarter, adding it to his handful of change.

  “Thank you.” He grinned and both boys turned back to the counter.

  Anika smiled, and lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. She wasn’t counting on the quarter anyway, and it was cute to see how excited the boys were. Megan tugged on Anika’s other hand and she continued over to the women’s department.

  Usually Anika parked around back and entered near the offices and employee lounge, but she hadn’t figured out what to do about Megan yet. She led her daughter to the checkout station in the women’s department, happy that no one had noticed their arrival. Anika stowed the oversized bag full of Megan’s toys under the counter and pulled out a few dolls. She cleared a space in the cabinet under the cash register for Megan to play. It was breaking the rules to bring a child to work, but Anika hoped that she could keep Megan quiet and entertained for the next four hours. She was only scheduled to work part-time for the holidays, mostly covering a half-shift. She tried not to think about what she would do next week when she was scheduled for six-hour shifts.

  Thankfully Kenworth’s wasn’t overly busy for a Tuesday, even if it was December first and the Christmas countdown was officially on. The mad rush yesterday on Santa’s first day had spiked the store’s attendance, but things were slowing down a bit and the man in the red suit had left his throne for a break. Anika shushed Megan each time a customer approached and did her best to keep up with her duties in the women’s department.

  Megan munched on her peanut butter sandwich, looked at books, and played with her toys, but by eight o’clock she was tired and Anika had run out of ideas.

  “I want gummies!” Megan stamped her foot and cried.

  “Shh, Meg. We have to be very quiet so we don’t scare the shoppers,” Anika infused a soothing tone into her voice, but it wasn’t very convincing. Her own stomach tightened, grumbling with the gnawing hunger that she’d grown accustomed to. A pack of gummies, or any food right at the moment would be welcome. Anika picked Megan up and rocked her back and forth, humming along to the tune of Silent Night playing over the sound system.

  Anika saw her boss round the corner and wished she could climb under one of the racks of designer clothes she’d just arranged. The woman had steel gray hair, a temper that matched it, and eyebrows that were perpetually arched in a slant of disgust with everyone and everything she came in contact with.

  Cecilia Grange, acting CEO of Kenworth’s Department store walked toward Anika and pointed her long finger at Megan. “I take it this is your daughter?”

  “Yes, I apologize,” Anika’s voice was just above a whisper. “I didn’t have another option tonight.”

  “Was she the one I just heard crying? We don’t want to annoy our patrons.” Cecilia’s strident tone made it clear who was annoyed.

  “I’m really sorry. I’ve got her settled down now.” Anika turned so that Cecilia could see Megan’s angelic face. Her daughter smiled at Cecilia just as Anika had hoped. She saw her boss soften a fraction.

  Cecilia’s eyebrow lowered a millimeter. “Well, as long as she’s quiet, I guess we can make an exception.”

  Anika didn’t promise that it would never happen again because she still hadn’t figured out what to do with Megan tomorrow during her shift. “Thank you. She’s really a good little girl and won’t cause any trouble.”

  Cecilia pursed her lips. “I came to talk to you about the overtime you signed up for. Are you still capable of filling it?”

  “Yes, I’d be glad to help however I can.” Anika tried to tone down the desperate eagerness she heard in her voice.

  “We’re setting up a giving tree,” Cecilia said. “It’s one of Keira’s projects.” She rolled her eyes and huffed as though Keira’s ideas were only meant to torture her. “I’m going along with it because I have to humor some people. After the store closes tonight I need you to set up the tree.”

  Anika swallowed hard and nodded. “I can certainly do that.”

  “Then you’ll need to decorate it and help with the handmade cards we’re creating to hang on the tree. We have an association that will be supplying names of those in need this holiday season.” Cecilia pointed at a long box on the other side of the counter. “The tree is in there. We want it completed by tomorrow night.”

  “I can do that.” Anika shifted Megan in her arms. Thankfully, her daughter remained quiet, probably scared silent by Cecilia’s eyebrows.

  Cecilia glanced at Megan and back at Anika. “Good.”

  After the tapping of her heels faded, Anika looked at the box holding the Christmas tree and groaned. Anika’s stomach grumbled, protesting the lack of food. It was going to be a long night.

  “Megan, honey, move your dolls and car back behind the counter.” Anika pointed at the toys she’d nearly tripped over on her way to unbox the Christmas tree.

  “Okay, Mommy, in a minute,” Megan answered, and then continued talking to her dolls.

  It was nine o’clock and Kenworth’s was officially closed. Anika was tired but she still had to straighten the changing rooms and count out her till. Megan should’ve been in bed an hour ago, but since her little tantrum she’d been good-natured about playing in the cupboards and shelves behind the counter.

  Anika stooped and ripped the packing tape off the box. The artificial tree burst from its confines like a Jack-in-the-box, startling her. She sucked in a breath and put a hand over her heart. There were dozens of branches with color-tipped ends. She couldn’t see the trunk though it must be in there somewhere. The tree was squished and flat. It would take a degree in engineering to figure this thing out.

  “Stupid Christmas tree,” she muttered. If it weren’t for Megan, she’d skip Christmas altogether. The holiday was a slap in the face to someone like Anika— a divorced, single mom with a deadbeat ex. She hadn’t been able to locate Jimmy after he’d been released from jail t
he last time, but she was tired of hiding from him. When she moved to Echo Ridge a year ago, she decided a fresh start would be the best solution to her problems. The sleepy little New York town had been full of promises and hope, but after losing her job two months ago when Megan was hospitalized with pneumonia, everything had changed. Although the state had helped pay for Megan’s treatment, Anika had fallen farther and farther behind.

  Her chest tightened when she thought about what was around the next corner. This job was temporary, and Anika had run out of options. If she didn’t find something soon, she’d be evicted from her one bedroom apartment.

  She pulled the tree trunk upright and began putting together the sections of the tree. It took much longer than it should have with bits of the white flock crumbling and sticking to her clothes. One of the branches refused to straighten, the end was all twisted and it took her nearly ten minutes to smooth out the kinks. Anika grumbled to herself about the fake tree and its apparent mission to annoy her by not snapping together correctly. She fiddled with the pre-lit strands that had to be connected in several places. There were three different cords to test the lights, but she couldn’t get them all to work together. The box said the lights were supposed to twinkle, but Anika couldn’t even get more than one strand to turn on at a time. She grumbled and stepped back— on Megan’s dolls. Anika’s foot turned, she gasped, and fell forward into the tree with a shriek.

  Before she could react to the fake evergreen needles poking her in the face, strong hands pulled her back from the mass of lights and cords.

  “Are you hurt?”

  Anika blinked and looked up at the man who had spoken. Her mouth opened and closed, and she shook her head. If Enrique Iglesias had come to her rescue then she was definitely going to thank the blasted Christmas tree. She rubbed a hand over her face and saw that he wasn’t Enrique, but with the shadow of scruff along his chin and his slightly mussed black hair against caramel skin, he could be Enrique’s younger brother. Anika shook her head. She was gawking, and hadn’t answered his question. “I’m not sure,” she said.

  “Let’s get you away from this tree. I don’t think it likes you.” He cupped his hand under her forearm, carefully lifting her off the ground.

  Anika winced when she put weight on her foot. “Ouch. I kind of twisted my ankle.”

  “Sit down right here and I can take a look at it.” His dark hair matched his chocolate brown eyes and Anika found herself wondering again if Enrique did have a younger brother.

  He helped her sit, leaning next to the wood paneling of her checkout station. He crouched down and held out his hand. “I’m Carlos Rodriguez. I’m a volunteer fireman, so I have some medical training. Mind if I take a look?” He had a Spanish accent, not heavy, but alluring, and Anika listened to him appreciatively.

  “Oh, it’s just my ankle. I’m sure it’ll be fine in a few minutes.” Anika winced again when she moved her toes. “My name’s Anika Fletcher.” She held out her hand and Carlos shook it, his grip firm, yet gentle at the same time. Anika tore her eyes away from him and reached down to examine her ankle. It didn’t appear to be swelling, but every tendon around the bone ached. Maybe she should have him look at it. “Ugh, this is just what I didn’t need tonight.” She leaned over and massaged the tender side of her ankle. It wouldn’t cost her anything to have him look at it. “Okay, maybe I’d better have you look.” She moved back so that Carlos could see her ankle.

  He leaned over and gently pulled her pant leg up. His fingers were warm, and he pressed lightly around her ankle. Anika’s heart sped up— it was hard to ignore the flutter in her stomach as he carefully examined her foot. He looked over at her and smiled. “There might be a little swelling later, but it’s a good sign that it’s not turning colors. You need to ice it and wrap it to stabilize the area.”

  Anika let out the breath she’d been holding when he released her foot. “Okay, thanks for your help. I was trying to get that dang tree figured out. It definitely doesn’t like me and the feeling is mutual.”

  Carlos walked over to the tree, now standing almost ten feet tall, and shifted a few branches. Then he crouched down by the electrical outlet. “You know, this could be considered a fire hazard.”

  Anika straightened and leaned forward to look at the surge protector. Had she plugged in too many cords? She scrunched her nose counting the four cords snaking from the tree to the power source. “I didn’t think that was too many.” She looked over at him.

  Carlos grinned. He was teasing her! And his smile made those dark eyes light up— the ones that were looking at her with appreciation.

  Anika smiled, started to lean forward, but then she pulled back abruptly. “Thanks for your help. I’d better get back to work.” She gave her head a little shake, reminding herself that all men were off limits no matter how closely they were related to Enrique Iglesias.

  “The store’s closed. Aren’t you about finished?” Carlos glanced around the empty department store.

  Anika followed his gaze to the flickering light above the toys and strollers in the back of the store. Beyond that light in the back offices, Cecilia was probably still hard at work, and Anika couldn’t afford to be caught sitting around. “Yes, I’m just putting in some overtime to get this tree set up.”

  Carlos crouched next to the tree and fiddled with the cords. “This must be new. I don’t remember seeing a tree set up in this department last year.” When Anika gave him a curious look, he explained. “I’ve done a lot of the remodeling in this store over the past few years.” Carlos thumbed behind him. “I’m finishing up some shelves over in the children’s section this week.”

  “Oh, I noticed those. They look really nice,” Anika said. She forced herself to turn her gaze from Carlos’s muscular shoulders to the remodeling of the children’s section. There were three rows of new shelves against the wall, the light oak wood spanning a length of about five feet. She could imagine how nice it would be to display different items.

  “Thanks,” Carlos’s voice was muffled. “Now, let’s see if that works.”

  He flipped the switch and the tree lit up with twinkling white lights.

  “You fixed it,” Anika said. She hopped closer to the tree and touched one of the white lights. “Thank you.”

  Carlos chuckled. “Glad I could help.” He straightened the tree and turned to Anika. “How’s your ankle?”

  “It’s a little tender, but I think it will be fine.” Anika held herself carefully so as not to put too much weight on her foot. Her curiosity motor was spinning rapidly over the fireman who’d just saved her and the Christmas tree. The way he stood there with that bit of coarse stubble lining his jaw made her want to reach out and touch it. No, wait. She clenched her hands into fists. She most certainly did not want to touch him, or any man for that matter.

  This was Kenworth’s and she was an employee, she needed to focus. She wiped her hand over her mouth, straightened her shoulders and said, “Thanks again for your help. I’d better finish up now.”

  “How much work do you have left tonight? I’ll probably be here for another hour.” Carlos smiled at her and she could almost see the wheels in his mind turning. He looked like he was on the verge of asking her out. She didn’t have time for this.

  “Well, I’m hoping to be finished soon because my daughter—” Anika stopped talking and turned toward the cash register. “Megan!” She hadn’t heard a sound from her daughter for the past several minutes while she was caught up ogling forbidden territory.

  Anika scrambled around the counter. Megan wasn’t there. She looked up and met Carlos’s gaze, his eyes searched hers, and she could see her panic mirrored there for an instant.

  “Your daughter?” he came around the corner and scanned the floor littered with Megan’s toys.

  “She was right here playing. She’s four, with brown hair and blue eyes— looks just like me. I’ll check the break room.” Anika moved to pass Carlos, but he stopped her, putting a hand on her arm.
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br />   “Wait, what’s that?” he pointed to the corner of a pink and white polka-dotted blanket hanging out of the cupboard under the register— Megan’s blanket.

  Anika’s breath caught in her throat and her heart double-timed, pounding against her rib cage. She crouched and opened the cupboard. The breath whooshed out of her when she saw Megan curled up with her blanket, sleeping in the cramped space among rolls of receipt paper, sacks, and cloth shopping bags. Anika sat back on the floor and squeezed her eyes shut. “Thank goodness.”

  She felt a hand on her back and looked over to see Carlos crouching next to her. “She’s cute. That’s quite a hiding place.”

  “My word, that scared me to death. I’m so glad you saw her blanket. Thank you.” Anika moved to stand, but her ankle didn’t cooperate and she stumbled into Carlos.

  His arms moved around her, quickly righting her and then letting her go. “Do you need help getting her to your car? I don’t mind carrying her.”

  Anika opened her mouth to say no, but with her ankle she’d have to accept his help. Her mind was still a few seconds behind, feeling the strength of his arms as he caught her, the solid muscles of his body holding her upright. Focus, Anika! She glanced at the clock. It was already past ten, she was exhausted. “I guess I’ll finish the tree tomorrow night. Are you sure you don’t mind carrying her?”

  Carlos grinned. “Not at all. A fireman is trained to complete his rescues.”

  “Well, you’ve saved me twice tonight,” Anika replied. She was gushing, and thanking this guy way too much. He was just being polite. She needed to get a grip and quit smiling at him. But every time she smiled, he would smile back and it made her stomach do a little flip that she was sure meant trouble.

  “It’s my pleasure. Do you think she’ll wake up when I lift her?” he crouched next to Megan’s sleeping form.