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

by Lucy McConnell

  “True.” She hadn't realized just how loaded the tourists were in the area, though. She knew rich vacationers kept their community running, but she hadn’t paid much attention before. It wasn't like the gallery’d had time to create a reputation— he'd been open less than twenty-four hours. “Do you want me in on Monday?”

  “If you can. I'd appreciate it. Even if it's slow for the rest of the weekend, I might not get through everything that needs to be done by Monday night at this rate.” He set a hand on her shoulder and leaned in, brushing a brief kiss on her lips. “I could never have gotten to this point without you. Thanks.”

  She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Will I see you in church tomorrow?”

  “With any luck.” He released her and returned to the back room. She shifted her purse up on her shoulder and went out to her car.

  Working at the gallery was exhausting. She appreciated the work, especially right now when things were uncertain in her own life, and she'd loved getting to know Jonah and really understanding what made him tick, but she looked forward to getting back to normal after the holidays.

  She missed being able to spend more time with her horses; and she had plenty to take care of on the farm.

  At the same time, part-time work might be okay. It would give her a financial cushion, and more time to spend with Jonah. Right now she craved his time and presence almost as much as she did her horses. She was afraid she was sliding dangerously close to full-blown love. He treated their relationship as little more than a convenience. Or maybe he thought more of it than that, but just didn't say so. She told herself to chill— they’d only had one date.

  On the way home, Kaya saw cars lined up at the memorial hall. A big poster out front proclaimed the high school art show was that day, but the few people who were outside didn't look happy.

  She flipped on the radio, and when it switched from music to a talk program, she changed to a local station for more holiday music. She was practically addicted to holiday music at this time of year. She caught the end of “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” and then an advertisement came on. Then the DJ briefed his listeners about what was going on in Echo Ridge for the next few days.

  “Now hold onto your hats, everyone. Or should I say, hold onto your paint brushes. The big art show put on by area youth that was supposed to take place today in the Memorial Hall has been postponed because of frozen pipes. The annual school art show is the biggest of the year and the winner earns a scholarship from the Kenworth trust. There's no news of when or where this event will now take place, but we'll post it on our website and Facebook page when they have more information. Stay tuned. And now, well go back to Mike who is at the Bazaar at the Big Barn Boutique talking to Keira Kenworth about what they’re doing today.”

  Kaya listened to a few minutes of chatter about the boutique and how it was being used to not only help vendors in the community, but the less fortunate as well. They cut back to the DJ, who put on the old classic, “Pinecones and Holly Berries.” It reminded Kaya of home when she was young and her dad had still been alive. She sang along with it, as she covered the two miles to her house. Bummer about the art show. Hopefully they could get things settled at Memorial Hall quickly.

  SUNDAY MORNING THE PASTOR SPOKE of the true meaning of Christmas and encouraged everyone to be generous in helping their less-fortunate neighbors. The organ music swelled to fill the room, the acoustics making a thrill of appreciation run up Kaya's back. The choir rose from their stand, highlighted by a splash of color from the sun beaming down through the stained glass windows.

  After the closing prayer, the congregants frequently stayed to talk, catch up on each other's lives, and share a cup of coffee. This is where she caught up with Reese from the Candy Counter at Kenworth's.

  “Hey, how are things going? I heard you quit at Kenworth's,” Reese greeted her.

  Kaya grimaced. “Yeah, I had to. Cecilia changed my schedule to all of my blackout times and days. I'm working over at the gallery now.”

  Reese nodded. “I heard that. How is that going?”

  “Great. We got everything up and running in time for the opening this week. Jonah's been busy since opening the doors Friday afternoon. Earlier, actually. He sold a piece that was in the window displays over the phone before we opened.”

  Reese’s eyes widened. “That's amazing. I'm so glad to hear it.”

  “How are things at Kenworth's?” Kaya hadn't had time to go in for the last of her Christmas shopping, but she ought to make some time now that the gallery was functional. Christmas was only days away.

  Reese let out a half laugh. “Cecilia is gone.”

  Kaya wasn't sure if she understood right. “On another one of her buying jaunts, or whatever it was she did?” The woman was apparently gone a lot.

  “No, like, gone forever. She went to New York to deal with some promotion, I guess. And she took a job while she was there. She just called up and quit. It was so crazy!” She snapped her fingers. “Hey, I bet they would hire you back on if he doesn't need you at the gallery anymore.”

  Kaya had liked working the perfume and makeup counters at Kenworth's. It had been a fun change and given her plenty of time to check out the new scents and learn about the newest products— not that she bought much.

  On the other hand, she was really enjoying working with Jonah. There was no way she could abandon him. Not until he could get someone else hired. And she needed to get back to her own business full time. “I'm glad Cecilia's gone— seriously, the woman was a menace— but I'm fine where I am. I need to be cutting back my hours some anyway, and getting back to my horses full time.”

  “Yeah? You sure that’s why you won’t come back?” Reese seemed a little skeptical of her reasons. “I've seen Jonah Owens. He's hot.” Her eyebrows wiggled. A tiny blond woman joined them and Reese asked, “Have you met Natalie? She’s the art teacher at the high school.”

  “I’ve seen you around,” Kaya said in greeting. “I’ve heard your name before; it’s good to have a face to put with it. I’m Kaya Fiedler. I’m currently working at the new gallery.”

  “Oh yes, I’ve been meaning to go by and see it now that school is out for the holidays. I met Jonah once.”

  “He’s such a great guy, really.” Much better than she had thought after they'd seen each other in Kenworth's. She shouldn't have been surprised, he was Ora's grandson, and he was here to take care of his grandmother. What man does that and is still a jerk? “He's totally gone all-in with the gallery. I'm glad it's working out for him.”

  “I wish the high school art show had gone as well as the gallery opening.” Natalie frowned.

  “I heard it had to be postponed. What happened?” Kaya grabbed three cups from the stack and poured each of them a cup of coffee while Reese explained.

  “One of the pipes froze and burst. Everything looked fine when they finished setting up Friday night, but when they arrived on Saturday morning, the floor was two inches deep in water. They had to pull the whole thing down and find somewhere else to hold it. The pastor offered the church, but there are so many other things going on here, plus the school is hesitant to hold a school art show in a church, regardless of extenuating circumstances.” Natalie pursed her lips. “I wish they could find somewhere else.”

  Kaya thought of the half-empty walls and pedestals at the gallery. Was it possible that Jonah would consider hosting the school display? “How many entries did the high school show have?”

  “I'm not sure exactly. Over fifty,” Natalie said.

  “Oh,” Kaya considered whether they could actually fit that many new items, and how they would have to juggle to make it happen. “That's not a small space.”

  “It's not a very big space, but not tiny, either. And we need enough room for people to mingle. We'd use the gym, but between school dances, holiday performances, basketball practices and games and whatever else, we can't get in long enough to set up and do the display.”

  “My brot
her is so disappointed— he was counting on this for his college applications.” Reese stirred in the cream and sugar.

  “What kind of displays do they have?” Kaya listened while Natalie listed the number of sculptures versus canvases, or other kinds of displays. It might be possible. Maybe. When Natalie finished, Kaya nodded. “I should take off, but if I think of anywhere that will work for the art show, I'll let you know.”

  She crossed to the parking lot and got into her truck. Maybe she needed to swing by the gallery on her way home. The space would be tight. Could she even get Jonah to agree? It would bring extra people through the gallery, but it would be a lot of work to set up.

  She stopped at Fay's Café and picked up a cup of hot cocoa, then carried it over to the gallery. If she was going to ask something like this of Jonah, a little sweetening up wouldn't go amiss.

  The bell rang over the door when she walked in. The room was more than half empty, she'd guess. They'd have to cram things together, but surely they could make it work. She found him wrapping up the last group of sold items, which they had set aside the previous afternoon.

  His face brightened when he saw her. “Hey, I didn't expect you to come in today. You can't stay away from this place?”

  “I brought you something to drink. I noticed you ducked out right after services.” She passed over the cocoa.

  He smelled it, grinning. “You do know how to brighten a man's day.” His glance flashed down her and back to her face again, taking in the dress she'd worn to church. “And I'm not just talking about the cocoa.”

  “Thanks. I ordered extra whipped cream. I know how you like it.”

  “Thank you.” He took a sip and made yummy noises. “I was flagging. I looked for you to sit with you at church, but I was late and you were hemmed in by the Bradleys. I had to get back here to open shop. So what news did you pick up after church?”

  Though she was a little nervous about broaching the subject, she thought she should come out with it. “Did you hear about the pipe breaking and flooding out the high school art show yesterday?”

  “Yeah, I picked it up on the radio last night. Have they found a new home for the exhibit yet?”

  “No.” She took another sip of her dwindling coffee. “I wondered what you’d think of holding it here. It would be a great experience for the kids. The teacher can arrange help to set up the display, since school is out. You were going to be closed on Mondays, so the hustle and bustle won't interfere with your sales. This could bring a lot more locals into your gallery to see what you've got left on display. And then the kids can say their work was displayed in a real art gallery, which won't hurt college admissions for those who are going into art.”

  Jonah stirred his drink with the hot drink straws and looked up at the corner of the room, his brow crinkling in thought. Then he set down the drink and walked back into the gallery proper. “What can you tell me about the exhibit types and amounts?”

  Kaya felt relief as she relayed the information she'd gotten from Natalie. “It would be snug, but I think we could manage it, with the overflow space upstairs.”

  They hadn't used the space upstairs much the previous week because though he had showed her where he’d planned for a vacuum tube elevator, it hadn't been installed yet, so it wasn't handicapped accessible.

  He nodded. “I could shift a few of our more delicate items there, then move the rest of these things over to that side.” He gestured to the right as he looked toward the front windows. “We could start with the best pieces near the window to draw people in. It might be a bit snug, but I think we can work it out. If it was only up for a couple of days. What kind of deadline do they have for getting the display available for people to look at?”

  Kaya couldn't believe her ears. He was really going to go for it. “Seriously? Thank you!”

  She threw her arms around him and hugged him close. Planting a big kiss on his mouth. “I can find out. Let me make a call.”

  “Just a minute.” He reeled her back in again, dragging this kiss out for a long moment. “Thank you for thinking of me. I think the kids deserve nothing less than the best, don't you?”

  “Um, yes.” A little disoriented from the kiss, Kaya fumbled with her cell phone, and picked up the phone book under the cash register in the back of the gallery. In a few minutes, she had found the art teacher's number and dialed. After filling her in, she passed the phone to Jonah so they could make arrangements.

  She couldn't believe it. She couldn't imagine how much work was ahead of them.

  ONCE JONAH GOT OFF THE PHONE with the high school art teacher, he was geared up to make room for the kids. Excitement raced through him, anticipation not unlike when he had been preparing for his opening gala. He grabbed a pad of sticky notes and walked through the gallery, sticking a blank note by each of the pieces that he would display upstairs. They would do only smaller items for now, things that he could photograph and carry down if someone couldn't go up to see them. He'd worry about cataloging them later. And updating his website. That could wait until after Christmas. It wasn't like anyone who hadn't been in the gallery already had the address yet.

  “What are you doing?” Kaya stood by the cash register computer, her coffee held at waist height as she watched him move around the room.

  “Just marking which works we'll take upstairs to make room for the kids' projects.”

  He'd already gotten approval for the elevator, and set aside part of the money, but he hadn't wanted to order it until he was sure he would have the cash flow— he still had his grandma's house to make payments on. His mind was moving a hundred miles per minute. “You want to help me move things out of the way, or are you taking your day off and enjoying it, now that you've caused me a lot of extra work?” He smiled, wanting to make sure she knew that he wasn't upset— he thought it was a great idea, it just wasn't the most convenient time to set this up.

  A slow smile spread over her mouth. It was a great mouth. “I could probably spare an hour or so.”

  “Good. I'll have a gallery full of kids first thing tomorrow, so making sure I have room for everything is a must. It’s a good thing you already agreed to come in tomorrow.”

  He'd made a round of the main floor of the gallery, then looked around the room and added a couple more tags to some pottery. Best not to tempt fate. If the pieces were upstairs, away from the high school exhibit, hopefully they wouldn't run the risk of being bumped. “All right. I think that's everything. I'll make adjustments when I see what all they bring in tomorrow.”

  Kaya drained her cup, then tossed it into the garbage can. “Don't forget your hot cocoa,” she said, gripping both sides of a tagged painting's frame. “Let's get this done.”

  Jonah turned up the radio a couple of notches so they could enjoy the Christmas music into the loft. As the Vienna Boys Choir started singing something in Italian, he hummed along. An hour with Kaya wasn't a bad trade-off for the extra work. He was definitely willing to take less if necessary.

  He was careful of her Sunday clothes, but they got most of the items that were going upstairs moved before Kaya took off for a late lunch, and then he had to arrange things on the main floor.

  He hummed to the music as he shifted things around, helped a few customers, and packaged up more of the items that had been purchased the previous week. He had several interested customers come in while he worked, and he sold a couple more pieces as well.

  Somewhere in there he took a few minutes to run next door to pick up lunch.

  He couldn't wait for the next day.

  Kaya showed up to work Monday morning wondering how things would go. She knew the teacher was supposed to marshal forces to bring over all of the entries for the high school art show soon. From what she could see, a few things had already been delivered

  She stopped on the front walk and looked at the outside of the building. The front display held a bronze statue on one side, and a mixed-media depiction of the Mona Lisa on the other. A huge poster boa
rd hung in the window announcing that the art show would open to the public at eleven the next morning and run through Wednesday.

  She knocked on the front door when she realized it wasn't open yet, and waved when Jonah stuck his head out to see who was there. He glanced at his watch and shook his head slightly as he crossed the room to her. “Hi, I didn't realize it was so late.” He let her in and flipped the sign from closed to open. He took her hand and pulled her toward the back room.

  “That's no problem. It looks like you’re ready for everyone to arrive.” Not that she could see much with the way he was rushing her through the room. He pulled her out of sight of the front windows and into his arms.

  “Thanks, we have a lot of work ahead of us, but first...” He kissed her. One hand lifted to her face, brushing back the hair over her ear, his fingers trailing down and around the back of her ear to cup her jaw and tip her face up for a better angle.

  Kaya couldn't argue with his version of hello, so she wrapped her arms around his neck and went up on tiptoe for more. She loved kissing this man. She loved the man.

  He eventually pulled back. “How are you this morning?”

  “Good. Better now than I was a few minutes ago. I can see you're doing well.”

  “I really am.” With a look of regret, he disentangled himself. “We should finish getting the last of the things settled before everyone shows up to set up the high school show.”

  Kaya removed her coat and passed it to him to hang up, then walked into the gallery again. “Looks like you got most everything moved yesterday.”

  Kaya was excited that he was so excited about everything. She was glad she had asked him about hosting the show. “Not that I'm not happy, but why are you doing this? I mean, it's been a lot of extra work for you, and potentially very little extra income. If any.”

  He directed her to help him shift a statue out of the way. “When I was growing up, my dad told me that art was a waste of time, that I'd never make a living at it and ought to give up. If it hadn't been for my art teacher pushing me to pursue the thing I loved, I might not have. I might have just painted a little on the side and been stuck in a job I needed instead of going after my dreams. It was a high school show, not much different than this will be, that really proved to me that I had a chance, that I had a future.”