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

by Lucy McConnell

  He almost choked but instead said, “You got it.”

  Number one rule— tell them what they want then make it happen. But how exactly to show numbers by Friday in a podunk town that likely got the internet last year was more than unlikely. Was this worth the exec promotion? For the hundredth time he pushed aside the frustration of being in this small town in order to hopefully secure a better future.

  Then again, he had a few tricks up his sleeve. And getting that bonus was not an option, it was a done deal. It had to be.

  WHISPERING PINES CARE CENTER SAT nestled at the base of the Echo Ridge Mountain, just before the rise into the canyon. Keira had been able to secure a spot for her dad in the premier assisted living center despite a five-year waiting list.

  Although her dad was in early stages of Alzheimer’s, sometimes forgetting things and conversations, he was still sharp enough about the store. Even at the center he had watched over daily doings until turning the reins fully over to Cecilia as CEO a few years ago. Keira sighed. If only she had good news about the store’s progress. Hopefully he wouldn’t ask.

  “How’s it going today, Dad? Play any Bingo?” Keira fluffed her father’s pillow behind his head.

  Hal sat in brown pants and a striped sweater. His pillow-white hair framed a soft Santa-like face, minus the beard, with only a moustache. “Fine. No Bingo. Not today, Gumdrop.”

  He was “in” today. Gumdrop. He rarely called her that anymore. In the old days, he had kept a jar of them on his desk. After school she would run to his office where he would let her choose a favorite flavor. Then the secretary, Mrs. Lawson, would take her back down to the soda fountain until her mother came for her after helping at the hospital.

  “Alright, no Bingo. Then what’s something that interests you?”

  “How’s the cabin?”

  The usual questions. “I’m going this weekend, I promise. And yes, I’ll check the roof.” And the wonky fireplace and the cracked chinking. Keira smiled at her dad but inside the pressure squeezed. Another run down building in the Kenworth family— full of love and memories, and weekend warrior projects, none of which she had yet mastered. “Let’s talk about something joyful.”

  “How’s the store?”

  Her stomach dropped— right on cue. “The store’s great, Dad. The decorations are beautiful.”

  “Do you have the Merry Christmas wreath above the door? And the bell ringers?”

  “The wreath goes up tonight.” She skipped the ringers part. “And we’re doing something a little different this year, the Hope Tree. It’s for people to buy gifts for the needy. So far so good. I brought a picture of it.” She pulled out her cell phone to show it— ten-feet tall with white flocking and Norman Rockwell style ornaments.

  “Giving back, just like your mother,” he said.

  “Yes, she did. Even without an official tree.” Her mother had been the head of several philanthropic ventures in the town but mainly was known for everyday goodness to people no matter their station.

  For a moment her dad was lost in thought, somewhere in his seventy-one years of memories. And then the glassy look took over and she had lost him again. Well, maybe his memories were a happy place.

  “Knock, knock.” Carrie Jensen, the facility director and a friend, entered the room. A short petite thing with bobbed black hair, she radiated energy wherever she went. With a knowing glance at Hal, she gave Keira a quick hug. “Looks like he’s back in Hal’s Land.”

  Keira brushed her fingers across his forehead as his eyes closed, and smoothed a wispy strand of hair. “Somewhere with mom. That’s always a good place.” She kissed his forehead.

  Carrie squeezed her hand, leading Keira to the hallway. “He has some good days still, really good. I think he just needs a reason to get up, you know?”

  Keira nodded. “Like taking his built-from-a-two-room-shed store from possible bankruptcy back to its former glory days? Something like that?”

  Carrie winked. “Yep, that would do it. And what about you? What would get your mojo going this season?”

  “Me?” Keira frowned. “Nothing wrong with me.”

  “Yep, nothing at all. Except that you spend your nights in long john PJs with your two best friends, Ben and Jerry’s. Although I don’t know where you put it. Totally unfair genetics. Isn’t this the season you’re going to find a little romance? Didn’t we have this discussion at Thanksgiving?”

  “I remember nothing except ‘An Affair to Remember’ and a turkey coma.”

  Carrie put her hands on her hips. “Well, I remember. A certain promise that you would get out of the store and into some serious single life. A conversation about opening your heart to something warm and new?”

  Keira fished in her purse for car keys. “Sounds like Reese’s family cinnamon roll recipe, thanks for the reminder.”

  “You promised. A date. This week, get one.” She pointed a finger into her shoulder. “Santa’s watching.” With both a stern look and an arm squeeze, Carrie walked toward a woman waving her down.

  Keira sighed and turned toward the front entrance. Her dad could not slip from reality knowing his beloved store had failed. Whatever it took, the store would not close this year. Not if she had anything to say about it.

  The pit in her stomach reminded her of the truth: what could one lowly marketing assistant do, in the face of a belligerent Cecilia, no budget, and six-figure needs, all in less than four weeks?

  Opening the door to the frigid winter air, Keira braced herself for the worst Christmas ever.

  Tayton threw his black duffel on the settee and stood in front of the immense picture window overlooking Echo Ridge valley below. Thankfully, the firm was footing the bill on this one, the Ruby Mountain Resort views definitely lived up to its high-priced reputation. Snow-packed mountain sides led to the white-floor valley. In the distance, clusters of buildings staked their claim and there was Kenworth’s, smack dab in the center. Whether it was an eye-sore or an old-fashioned monument to a better time, who knew.

  He folded his arms across his chest. Only a few miles up the road from Kenworth’s was a whole different world. Parley’s Way had some serious money. Every third car was a Porsche, Lexus, or Mercedes. He guessed the Toyota trucks and Hyundais were for the hired help that inevitably went with the upkeep of the lifestyle.

  How Cecilia thought these people would ever be tempted to come down into Kenworth’s was beyond him. He’d scouted the area on the way in. The town itself had three different sections as clearly marked as if someone had drawn a white-chalked baseball line between them. The trailer people weren’t even in the running, zero profit there. And the Ice Money, as he learned they were called, likely wouldn’t be caught dead at Kenworth’s except for the handmade chocolates. What brand names could they stock that the boutiques up here wouldn’t carry?

  The buzzing of his phone brought him back to reality— a screen saver of him and a smiling blonde— Annie.

  “How’s my favorite girl?”

  “You say that to all your sisters.” Her cheerful voice carried that familiar worry. “Listen, I can’t talk long but we’re at the lawyer’s office talking with Mr. Windham. The papers were supposed to be ready to sign but now there’s talk of needing more money to get her released from the orphanage.”

  Tayton shook his head. “Don’t sign anything yet. It’s the third time they’ve pulled this. Have Windham call them on it and go back to the original agreement. No offense, but Windham needs to get more backbone.” As well as her husband.

  “He’s a family friend, Tay, we’re trying to be kind.”

  “That’s for Christmas parties, this is an adoption. I know your husband is trying to understand the legalese but time is running out. You’ve only got a few weeks to seal the deal.”

  “I know, that’s what I told him too,” she said quietly. “Well, I need to go. Keep a prayer for us. Luvs, Tay.”

  Tayton hung up the phone. He would get the money to help her. Annie was amazing in e
very single way and had always been there for him. Far too many times he had been preoccupied with his own life. This was the opportunity to make that up to her in a big way. If Cecilia was true to her word, that $20,000 bonus was his. Well, Annie’s.

  Staring out the window, Tayton watched a family in the neighboring condo driveway pack their SUV for skiing. A deep ache filled him. But why? He had everything— a great job, a shared apartment somewhat close to downtown, and he was poised for the senior promotion. And yet. Over the past few years, a gnawing confusing emptiness had crept in. He should be happy. But somehow his life didn’t touch him, not deeply.

  But he was following the prescribed path, and doing it well. What was wrong?

  Interrupted again, an alert sounded from his phone— Call Keira. An involuntary grin escaped as he reflected on their interaction. He had watched her dress that Drew guy down— not rude— just firm and clear. The way her loose strawberry blonde curls bounced as she moved her head. Her creamy skin with those pink spots on her cheeks, likely from being fired up. In heels she was up to his shoulders, where he got a very good look at her eyes— clear light green, like a pale gemstone, with those soft lashes. The way she had put her hand on her feminine hip— not overt but with a bit of sass, telling the guy what was what.

  And none too pleased to see him, the real Tayton. He shook his head. That was a first encounter disaster. She seemed less than enthused to be working together— what was that all about anyway? Didn’t she want the store to be successful as much as he did? Even more so. He’d have to find out more about that.

  Well, he’d tried to be light and hopefully they could both be professional about it because that was the focus. They both needed the store to succeed and he needed that bonus. The countdown had begun, 24 days to make it rain money. Let it begin.

  He dialed her number.

  Driving the winding road from the care center to their family cabin, Keira couldn’t stop thinking about her father’s request. She’d make sure the wreath was put up that very day. But where did they store that? Every now and then the new acting-CEO “wonder-hires” cleaned house to make way for a can’t-miss idea. One of the hires, long gone now, had created a teen video and game area supposedly to make Kenworth’s into a hip mall atmosphere. Then Cecilia had come in with her designer focus and instigated the new clothing section with the upscale brands. Each time more of the original Kenworth’s found its way into the storage rooms on the second floor. Thankfully Keira had been able to keep a few of the nostalgic items.

  Same old story, fighting for her voice in the store. And now, no meeting with Cecilia, a new hire on the scene, and the store still in jeopardy.

  She rolled down the old window to let in fresh air. What she wouldn’t give for a new car. Brisk winter air rushed through the car for a few minutes and she breathed it in. Think, Keira. She needed a new perspective. Slowing down, she accounted for Preacher Pass, a site of frequent accidents. Some day they would get this road fixed. Like the center plaza. Like the store.

  Her phone buzzed with an unknown number. “Hello?”

  “Miss Kenworth, this is Tayton Wells.”

  Oh. Him. Embarrassment from earlier that morning and the need to keep cheerfully professional battled within her. Not to mention the pleasant sound of his rich rumbling voice.

  “Oh, hello, Mr. Wells, how are you doing? Settled in yet? Where did they put you?” Her rush of words only conveyed her complete nervousness.

  “Um, good. And yes, as settled as a guy with a duffel bag and suits needs to be I guess. I’m in the— Ruby Mountain Resort.”

  Turning another tree-lined curve, she almost whistled aloud. Money place. “Nice. Looks like Cecilia is taking care of you.” A gorgeous restaurant there, The Overlook, was the dream place to take people for graduation or wedding dinners. Keira fought annoyance. An unfair feeling returned, like when the popular kids at the elementary school used to butt in lunch line because their daddy owned a chunk of the town property.

  Ridiculous. She physically shook it off and remained cheery, trying not to think how much it cost and how Cecilia allowed herself to fall all over big city people while refusing to grant the most basic requests of her own. “So what can I do for you?”

  “Cecilia said she’d like to see a promotional plan ASAP so I thought we could meet, get to know each other a little, and start discussing details.”

  “You mean you’re ready to work right now? It’s four o’clock on Monday.” She fought down surprise— most downtowners late on their first day would hit the upscale hot spots or the slopes.

  “Absolutely,” he said. “I’m not being paid to ski, unfortunately. Or, well, probably fortunately for me.”

  “Why? Are you a bad skier?” Wait, why was she asking personal questions? She did not need or want to know this man.

  “Not a bad skier, just a former one. High school team, bad fall, bum knee, that kind of deal. Made me less than Olympic material. After that it was baseball, nothing but flat terrain.”

  “They had a high school ski team in downtown New York?”

  He laughed out loud, easy and warm. “I’m originally from Colorado. But don’t let that get out. I could lose some clout.”

  A laugh escaped her too. “That would be bad, especially where you’re staying. Trust me, it’s in the vault.”

  He chuckled and she swallowed. Wow, he was surprisingly friendly. Rein it in, Keira.

  “So, Keira— I mean, Miss Kenworth— actually, which do you prefer? I know women nowadays like particular names. Some women, anyway. What do you like to be called?”

  She smiled involuntarily. “I’ve been called Sparkle and Sunshine since I was five but that’s thankfully faded. Keira is just fine.”

  Sparkle and Sunshine? Seriously? She was bantering with this virtual stranger like she did with the Benton boys at the hardware store. “And you?”

  “Keira’s great. I like it. I mean, I prefer calling someone by their first name rather than something official.”

  She grinned into the phone. “I meant, what do you want me to call you?”

  Awkward pause. “Tayton is fine.” Another pause. “Almighty Zeus for the big moments, of course.”

  Another escaped laugh. What was up with her today? And what was up with him? He was supposed to be an uptight downtown New Yorker, speaking three times faster than normal and drinking a latte. But here he was, all chill and open.

  She sighed and wound through another curve.

  “Keira?”

  “Oh, sorry, what did you say?”

  “How about in half an hour? Do you want to meet at your office?”

  Chagrined, she kept her voice upbeat. “Office space is prime main floor real estate at the store. I usually do most of my work at home.” Oops. Had that sounded too intimate, like she was suggesting he come to her home? Not a chance. “But there’s Chips Diner on Main Street— you can’t miss it. It has a giant rooster on the top of the building, a sort of local GPS.” She veered at the city turn off to head back downtown to Chips. The cabin would have to wait.

  “Got it. Half an hour then. That means we’ll be working past five. Will that be a problem?”

  Keira rolled her eyes. Oh yes, her after-hours exciting life. Tucker might be devastated not to be handfed Kibble Bones and watch a Netflix with her. But there was the tree lighting ceremony… “That should be fine if we can keep it short and focused. I’m supposed to help with the Tree Lights Night.”

  “What’s that?”

  Like a downtowner would care. “Oh, just a town thing. We light the big tree in the plaza, and all the families come out and sing carols, and they even have a free sleigh ride for the kids if there’s been a good snow— if not, they use Carl’s big duelie to pull a wagon. And Martha Jean makes her apple cider donuts…”

  “It sounds great.”

  Whoa, wait, what? Did she just invite him? No, she did not. But should she? Was that a host thing to do?

  “Oh, I mean, you don’t have t
o go. It’s, you know, the town thing. I just need to help with it. But, you can go if you want to—” She didn’t want to be rude but now she was sounding like a junior high first date call. “Anyway, if our meeting can be done by 6:30 or so, that would be great.”

  “You got it, Keira.” His tone was slightly amused. And then a pause, as if he wanted to say something, then chose not to.

  “Terrific. See you in a bit.” After hanging up, she continued to glance at the phone. Well, that was less than professional. What exactly had happened to her? One minute she was Cheerful Professional. The next she was Giggling Junior Reporter. Shaking her head, she drew in a deep breath and surveyed the gorgeous valley scenery opening before her, minutes before officially entering the town.

  Her favorite place was Echo Ridge Peak, just off to the right. Gorgeous, gorgeous views. Of course, it was also known as the prime romantic place, by night a make-out point for teens and by day a spooning spot for older sweethearts.

  Romantic. She frowned. When was the last time she had considered that? No time for fun when the store closing loomed over her like a constant threatening sky.

  She moaned with a sudden thought. Looking down she took it in— navy leggings, LL Bean tan boots with wool socks folded down and a chocolate brown body sweater. Absolutely not office wear but she didn’t have time to go home and change and get to the meeting.

  And why exactly did that matter? Because she needed a power suit, something to say, You can’t intimidate me, Mr. New York.

  Right.

  Another sigh. She needed to stop that. Blowing a loose curl from her forehead, she gripped the steering wheel. Well, she would just have to be intimidating in her manner. If her clothes were good enough for the Tree Lights Night, it would be good enough for Mr. New York-Take-Over-My-Job-Tayton Wells.

  KEIRA WALKED INTO CHIPS DINER to a few friendly hellos and the mixed smells of fried burgers and homemade apple pie. Tayton waved her over to a booth where he sat with two menus. After exchanging hellos, he handed her one and asked for recommendations.