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

by Lucy McConnell

  “Home delivery.” He stood holding a Martha Jean muffin box, wearing a taut white T-shirt with a navy blue Eddie Bauer hoodie, designer jeans and the best man-cologne smell.

  “Are you the muffin man?”

  “The one from Drury lane.”

  She tugged him inside and pulled him into an embrace as he placed the box on the nearby ledge. Warm and close, Keira’s hand reached up and around his neck while they spent the next few minutes in a warm welcome.

  Tayton pulled back with a final kiss on her forehead. “Wow. I’m guessing you like muffins.”

  “More like the delivery service. Come sit down. I had an idea about…”

  “Already? It’s 7:30 in the morning. You’re a machine.”

  “Of your creation.” She gathered glasses and milk and brought them to the coffee table, the Christmas tree lights still on and twinkling.

  Tayton stood in front of the tree, thoughtful and pensive. Keira paused with a glass in her hand. What was up? Had they moved too fast? Was it stress with the store?

  “Anyway,” she continued but kept her eyes on him. “I was thinking about Christmas Eve coming up and what the town usually does. And I thought, maybe…”

  “Keira.” The soft clear way he said it made her stop talking.

  He turned from the tree and led her to sit down, taking her hand in his. “Keira. I don’t know how to say this. But I need to leave.”

  What? “You mean, leave Echo Ridge?”

  “Yes. Today. For awhile.”

  Keira stared, trying desperately to appear un-phased while her stomach twisted and soured and plummeted to the floor. Leave? But they just finally connected. Was he playing her? Was he in some kind of trouble?

  “Why today? For how long?”

  “You remember the phone call last night, by the Hope Tree?”

  Involuntarily, Keira warmed all over again. She remembered the Hope Tree. Then her insides froze. Was this about Sawyer?

  “It was my sister, Annie. The adoption issues have gotten messy. I’m the one who originally worked with the agency while her husband had been out of town. And this is not his forte, he’s a softer kind of guy. They’re playing games with documents for the baby, and she wants me to help sort it out. I’ve got a few lawyer connections downtown. I’ll consult with them, possibly fly to China. It could be a few weeks, it could be more.”

  Keira attempted to assimilate what he was saying, but it was all underwater and garbled. China? That was like a ten or twelve-hour flight. And how many days would he be gone? And they would miss Christmas Eve together. And Christmas. And why, oh why, had she fallen so hard right now.

  Watching her intently, Tayton stroked her cheek and caressed her hand. “Annie needs the moral support right now. After dad passed away several years ago, I became her family anchor. Anyway, I’ll text you what’s happening and come back as soon as I can. I’m so sorry to leave you in a lurch with the store, and the plans, and Cecilia gone, just when it’s all coming together. I’ll make sure there’s follow through to the end.”

  The store? She hadn’t even thought of that. Was this about the bottom line again? An anger surged through her, and she tried to fight it down. “I’m not worried about follow through, I can take care of this, you know I can. Are you thinking of numbers again?”

  A tear threatened at the corner of her eye and she tossed her head to hide it.

  “No, I’m not. But it would be wrong for me to not be concerned for you and what I’ve promised. This matters to me, you matter to me.” He tipped her chin to look at him. “Saving Kenworth’s isn’t just a job for me, Keira. It’s personal. Especially now.” His jaw hardened slightly and he swallowed. “But it’s even more than that. I meant what I said last night— it’s as true now as it was in the moment. And I spent a pretty sleepless night trying to figure out what all of this means for you, for me. For us.” He touched her lips with his fingers. “I don’t know and I don’t want to hurt you or do anything that would make your life less than amazing. I’ll use the time to think, and you can too. And I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “But how long will you stay?” Even if he only spent a week or two in China, what did that really mean for their future?

  He took both her hands in his. “I don’t know. I’m slower than you— that’s not figured out yet.”

  Keira knew the tears were ridiculous. She was being a baby and that’s something she prided herself on not being. And yet, they would come, one streaming after another. This was her own fault— too fast, too soon and too many pie-in-the-sky thoughts. For a moment playing strong and it-doesn’t-matter seemed appealing. But she had been vulnerable going into this and she wasn’t going to stop now. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “You have no idea. It already hurts.” He pulled her into him, close, then closer. She wrapped her arms around him and breathed in his smell, nuzzling into his neck and wishing they could redo the last twenty minutes, and make it go away.

  He spoke softly into her ear. “I’ve contacted Drew and Shennedy. If it’s okay with you, Drew can act as financial CEO and Shennedy will be the department liaison. They’re both on board to help with the backend and the events once you approve. Trav is good for social media. I’ve given him the logistics and posts direction for this week. We won’t lose the last mad push for gift-giving on the 23rd and 24th, it’s too important, we need that cash flow. He’s on it. I’ll check in with him as I can.”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  “This week is the culmination of everything we’ve done, and it’s unreal that I’ll miss it. But you’ll tell me everything and at least in my thoughts, I’ll be right there with you.”

  Okay. Keira willed herself to be brave and savvy and no-nonsense. They weren’t engaged for crying out loud. Life happens.

  Sitting back, she quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile.

  He pointed to the pillow that said, “It’ll all work out.” With one more soft kiss he stood to go. “I’m headed to the Albany airport right now. I’ll let you know how things go.” She walked him to the door for one more embrace and a passionate kiss that broke her heart.

  Waving to him from the front door as he drove away, Keira wondered two things: first, would he ever really return?

  And second, how would she go back to everyday life without his partnership?

  The next few days strung together like too many stuffed popcorn strings on the tree— pretty on the outside, fluff and no substance on the inside. After Tayton left, Keira had made herself put on regular people clothes and function. Checking on the Big Barn Boutique had been fruitful but unnecessary— the vendors were doing well and Shennedy worked her problem-solving magic. From her initial estimates, traffic was definitely up, perhaps 25 to 30%. Vendors were already talking about doing a spring event. A done deal there. She smiled and chatted and should have been elated.

  Later, she’d called Trav to find out the social media stats and his final Hope Tree campaign “see me” spots. All was going well and the responses hovering steadily at 3,000 percent. He had it set and ready. Nothing more for her to do there, either.

  After taking care of frustrating but essential administrative details that reminded her why she didn’t want to be CEO, Keira wrapped up for the evening. She drove past Chips but didn’t have the heart to go in. It was beyond ridiculous but she couldn’t help it. Leftover clam chowder and PJs sounded like the best way to spend Saturday night alone. She curled up on the sofa with Bing singing in the background, gazing at the Christmas lights, and avoiding the hollow within her chest.

  Everywhere she’d driven, stopped, or spent time today had reminded her of Tayton. When had he woven himself so fully into her life, so naturally that now she couldn’t imagine living it without him?

  On Sunday, putting on her mother’s earrings and pearl necklace made her doubly homesick for him. She sat in the pew where they’d touched knees and bumped elbows. The yearning to be with him made the Christmas cant
ata a mocking minus track. How could Christmas be the happiest and saddest time of the year with the exact same music?

  Keira drove to see her dad with a heavy heart and mixed feelings. She wanted to talk it through with him, hopeful he would be mentally clear today. And yet, she knew that instead of being bothered with her problems, he needed cheering. But joy was not a gift she could give today.

  Aghh.

  In a split decision, she turned back home before making it out of town. No need to spread the holiday blues. The thought made her feel guilty. The least she could do was take some of Martha Jean’s gingerbread to Mrs. Hopkins two doors down. To get out of herself, to serve. But she ended up with an old movie she couldn’t focus on.

  The need to talk with her mother almost overwhelmed her. She prayed for the feeling to leave and to focus on others. What should she do?

  Face the truth. She had fallen in love with him. Through and through, heart and soul. And she hadn’t fully felt it, until now. Being without him in life was not an option. The shocking truth of it made the unexpected fear sneak in like a joy thief. Did he truly feel that same depth? He cared, to be sure. But like this? This daily desire and need to partner with him through life?

  Over the past two days, Tayton had only texted twice:

  Not sure of plans, will keep you posted when something solid happens, working through some legalities. Miss you and hang in there.

  She’d told him about the Big Barn and that all was well, trying to sound cheerier than she felt. He had called her on it:

  Thanks for being brave, wrapping my arms around you right now, hope you feel it.

  Kind and connected, that was Tayton. Keira frowned. And now, someone could steal him and she would regret it forever. Why hadn’t she said something earlier? Why couldn’t she go back and redo? Where was Sawyer spending her holidays?

  Stop it.

  And yet, the truth was before her. If he did feel the same as she did, someone had to move cities. Would she do that? Could she do that? Her dad. The store. Her life. These three had been her world.

  Mentally, moving was a no. She had too much invested in all three to consider leaving. But her heart spoke differently. Deep within, she felt a stirring, as if her soul knew something she wasn’t up to fully embracing yet. It spoke of new choices, and potential solutions, and the sure, bone-deep thread that wound through it all. That the possibility of being without Tayton changed everything.

  So where in that soul-mind confusion did that leave her right now?

  Sighing in exasperation, she took the gingerbread to Mrs. Hopkins and went to bed early, ignoring the ache in her soul and the questions of a future life with or without Tayton Wells.

  Keira walked through the festively decorated store Monday morning, grateful the weekend was over. She’d refocused. The fight for Kenworth’s wasn’t over and if anything, the final Christmas shopping days would be their last hope for making the full store goal. They were so close, at about $130,000. If plans and promotions continued, they had a fighting chance, and without the dire situation becoming widespread news. And keeping it open beyond Christmas.

  She stopped by departments, saying hello and connecting, first for the needed support. How she loved these good-hearted people who fought just as hard for the store’s success. And second, to hear the swelling good news. Despite some inner rifts, the department contests had been another Tayton triumph.

  Throughout all departments an upbeat Christmas cheer thread through conversations and efforts. No doubt news of the marketing successes had reached them. And the products were selling. The children’s toy department’s deepest concern was keeping stocked on high-selling items like the Charlie Choo-Choo, Princess Snug-a-Bug, and the Clackers— a kid craze skill game based on num-chucks.

  All of this good news meant that partial proceeds rolled into Kenworth’s to help the needy with sales benefitting the store. People wouldn’t only buy once, but through these purchases, would begin a connection and hopefully a habit of turning to Kenworth’s. From here, they only needed to keep the momentum going. To find a new cause or focus to make people stay.

  To help make people stay. Like Tayton. Keira paused before heading into Cecilia’s office. If he were here, they’d be heading over to Chips with this thought in mind and running through initial ideas on where to take the store next.

  But he wasn’t here. And that was fine, she could do this. Just shake this off for crying out loud— she was still Keira and life moved on. But a dull ache continued within her. She’d never felt that before, not even in other relationships.

  Keira indulged in a quick stop to the Candy Counter. “How’s sales?”

  Reese eyed her up and down. “You look like death.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Where’s your partner in marketing mischief?”

  She relayed the story, with Reese alternately wide-eyed and purse-lipped. “And now you’re moping.”

  “Officially, yes.”

  “Then get your sorry carcass on that phone and text him something happy and self-confident and clearly stating you miss him and can’t wait to see him but you totally support his need to go.”

  “You mean fake it.”

  “Duh. Because he is doing a good thing.”

  “I know.”

  “And he cares about you.”

  “I know.”

  “And he is a good man. You do not let this one go.”

  “But he is gone.” Keira despised the whine in her voice. “And will be gone, and that’s the problem. He has a life in downtown New York. My life is here.”

  Reese paused and pointed a spatula at her. “Your life is with him. Wherever that ultimately takes you. Find the way, but Keira, don’t let a small-town umbilical cord keep you from the best thing in your life right now. Your dad will be good, you’ll make it work.” She tilted her head. “You need to live. He would want that. Do whatever you need to do, we’ll work out the details about your dad. Downtown is only a few hours away, not the other side of the world.”

  She handed Keira a few favorite chocolate caramels. “Now get going before you get sloppy. You need to tame the Carol Fest or Georgie Winfield will be singing off-pitch all night.”

  Keira spent the remainder of the day on finalizing details with each department for their last-day pushes, contests, and discounts. But Reese’s words continued to run through her mind. She paused in front of the Hope Tree, fingering the last of the cheery snowflake cards with the tinkling bell, sorting and sifting feelings. She warmed with memories of Tayton and her life here.

  Echo Ridge was her home, more than a home. It had become a focus for her— yes to unite the town and save Kenworth’s. But in the process, maybe an avoidance of living her own life. The past month had awakened her to that reality, and new possibilities. Reese was right. Tayton was the best thing in her life right now, and her forseeable future. Not simply because he was a novelty, but a fixture. A wonderful, partnered, soul-magnifying fixture and lode star in her life. How often did that come along?

  The Carol Fest that night sparkled as never before. The twinkling outdoor tree was covered in ornaments and hand-colored decorations. The live nativity began with the elementary school kids. High school and junior high choirs sang the final carols, the cool dark night ringing with the sound. As only a representative of the store and ad hoc of the mayor’s council, Keira had no official speaking part. Mainly she enjoyed the story of the birth of Jesus, listened to the tender carols, and simultaneously wished for Tayton’s firm hand in hers. She tried instead to be a self-assured single woman who didn’t need to have such a thing to be joyful.

  As if.

  Keira made her way to her car, bone-weary and heart-tired. Pajamas, a movie, and cuddling with Tucker. That was her life.

  Was that her future?

  Before turning in, she held her cell phone, drew a deep breath, and texted.

  Hey Marketing Man.

  Delete.

  Hey Miracle Worker…I m
iss…I miss…you.

  Send.

  A cell buzz. Miss you back.

  An elation filled her. She waited, wondered, tried a few texts then finally sent:

  Do you think about… ? She hesitated to finish it.

  A buzz. Us?... Only when I breathe…

  She couldn’t put into words what that meant to her, how it felt. So she curled up with her phone in her hand and finally went to sleep.

  KEIRA’S BEDSIDE TABLE PHONE RANG loudly in the night. Slowly, she connected the sound with the need to answer it. Why had someone awakened her? She cracked open an eye and checked the clock— 10:45 PM?

  Her heart pounded from hope— Tayton.

  “Hi Keira, this is Chief Warner.”

  The police chief?

  “I’m at the Kenworth’s store. I’m sorry to tell you but there’s been a fire in the store.”

  What? Keira sat up immediately. “How big? Is anyone hurt?” She rubbed her eyes, trying to come to.

  “One of your employees and her daughter were rescued from the flames, but they are unhurt and received proper attention. No one else was hurt. As for the damage, you’d probably do better seeing it for yourself, it’s worse around back. We tried calling but no answer. It started around 9 PM, give or take, and we finally have most of it out. Thought you should know. Someone needs to be here to talk with the fire chief and make decisions.”

  “Where did it start? No, that’s okay, I’ll be right down. Thanks for calling me.”

  Coming upon the fire scene, Keira bit back tears. Blackened fire bricks, hazy smoke, and the smell of petroleum oil assaulted her senses. The back glass doors were smashed to pieces. The toys. Her store. Her dad’s legacy.

  Kenworth’s was finished.

  A sob escaped her but she covered her mouth. All that work, all the products in the store to be sold or shipped. All the contests and remodeling. What had been affected? What did she do now?