Kisses Between the Lines: An Echo Ridge Anthology (Echo Ridge Romance Book 2)

by Lucy McConnell

  Britta: Hey, I found something for you and I’m hoping for a chance to give it to you but I’m stuck here all day. Weren’t you coming to Oktoberfest?

  And then two hours later.

  I didn’t see you at lunch but I thought of you because the bratwurst and sauerkraut was so good.

  She had reached out to him. Milo chewed on his bottom lip. He wanted to be happy, but Britta was unchartered territory. He’d given his heart to her and she’d done a great job of trampling it underfoot before she ran away from him. But still, he loved her. Milo checked his watch. He had two appointments left, but he wished he could cancel them. His shift at Oktoberfest didn’t start until four o’clock. He replied to Britta’s texts.

  I’ll be there at four, so save some sausage for me.

  He felt like an awkward teenager again, unsure of what to say or do around a pretty girl. The confidence he’d felt in Britta’s affection when they kissed had dropped several notches when she’d rebuffed his efforts at the library after the windstorm. Did she have a goodbye gift to give him? No, he didn’t think she was that cruel, so that meant that she’d been thinking of him and maybe as much as he’d thought about her every day this past week. Milo finally allowed himself to smile. Britta wanted to see him, and he was going to take that as a sign that things were changing for the better.

  His last appointment ran late because the piano had a damaged key that needed to be repaired. Milo wanted to make a follow-up appointment, but the gentleman said it was urgent. In his face, Milo could see that music was important to him too, so he stayed the extra thirty minutes to repair the key. The kindness set off a chain reaction that had him racing to the Oktoberfest booth at a quarter after four. A plump woman with a name tag that said Hello, my name is Alice shoved an apron at him with a grin. “If you were any later I might have whacked you with this paddle, but I’ll forgive you if you work fast. I can’t believe how busy it is today.”

  Milo surveyed the crowds, noting the swarms of people at every booth. “It does seem busier than last year. Where is everyone coming from?”

  “That famous author, Armand, has been here every day,” Alice said. “He just shows up and people are so excited to see him. I think more have come each day hoping to meet him. And especially tonight. He’s doing that special reading tonight.”

  “That’s probably why.” Even though Britta was related to the guy, Milo still didn’t particularly like Armand.

  “Hey, Milo,” a familiar voice called. He turned to see Elise Gibson standing in front of the booth. “Did you and Britta kiss and make up yet?”

  Milo knew the tips of his ears were burning red, but he still smiled. “No, I couldn’t find her and I really did try, but she texted me today.” His voice held a hopeful note on the end. He was still uncertain about what might happen when he saw Britta.

  “That’s a great sign,” Elise said. “She’ll be at Armand’s reading for sure, so you’d better be there if you want to see her.”

  “I’m not going to that guy’s reading. I’ve never even heard of his books,” Milo said.

  Elise planted a hand on her hip and tilted her head to one side. “You’re going because it’s important to Britta and you need to talk to her.”

  “I’m working a four-hour shift and that’s the busiest time,” Milo protested.

  Alice was listening in on the conversation and said, “My son is coming to help. It’ll be busy, but it sounds like you’d better take off an hour early.”

  “I can’t do that to you,” Milo said, even though it was starting to sound more and more appealing. He could feel Elise’s stare drilling into his head. He turned, and she lifted her chin.

  “You’re going and I’ll cover the last hour of your shift. I already met Armand, and he is as good as he looks but not my type.” She arched an eyebrow as if to say, If you don’t fix things with Britta, you’re fair game.

  Milo chuckled and held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll go.” The fluttering in his stomach was out of his control now.

  The anticipation of seeing Britta made it hard to concentrate for the next couple of hours, but true to her word, Elise returned and pushed him out of the booth. “Go and have fun. Someone should be kissing around here.” She blew an air kiss in his direction. “Good luck!”

  Milo headed toward the book-signing stand just outside the Big Barn, where people were crowding around the replicated wooden barn wall. He saw Austin Burdett walking toward a different food booth and waved. Austin was close to Milo’s age and a native of Echo Ridge. He’d stuck around like Milo and was working to open a ski and mountain bike shop near the Ruby Ridge resort. Milo had seen Fay talking to Austin yesterday during one of the food-off’s judging rounds, and he wondered if they were more than friends. Did people wonder the same thing about Milo and Britta, or did they think he even had a chance? Milo swallowed hard. It was up to him to steal the heart of Echo Ridge’s librarian so everyone would know that they belonged together.

  He quickened his step past the barn, looking for the woman who had stolen his heart. Electric lantern lights hung from the three wooden sections set up in a backdrop for a sort of stage. Milo wove his way around hay bales, a pioneer wagon, and a huge pile of books as he searched for Britta. When he didn’t see her, he was afraid he’d be stuck between dozens of women waiting to drool over Armand.

  The town chitchat, Betty, used a bullhorn to announce the reading and asked everyone to take their seats. Where was Britta? He saw Lindy, but she looked frazzled and he decided not to approach her. When Betty finished speaking, Lindy searched for Armand, scanning the crowd as she clasped her hands tightly. Milo wasn’t listening; his eyes darted about the room searching for Britta.

  He retreated to the back of the crowd and stood next to a large woman clutching a stack of books that she probably wanted Armand to sign. Her sweater was covered in cat hair— orange cat hair on a brown sweater. For the first time, Milo felt something other than jealousy for the famous author.

  He was smiling to himself when he caught sight of Britta’s blond bun streaking across the room.

  The book-signing area was full to bursting, with media crawling all over and more people approaching from the big field. Betty’s earsplitting announcement had drawn quite a crowd. Britta guessed there were probably about two hundred people in attendance, with seventy percent of them female. A hush fell over the crowd as Lindy approached Armand to begin the most-anticipated event.

  Britta tried to listen, but she couldn’t help scanning the crowd again, hoping to see Milo. She walked behind the stage after someone that looked like Milo. She followed the man out onto the grassy field, but it wasn’t Milo. As she walked back to the setting for Armand’s reading, she could hear murmurs of excitement and people talking. The room buzzed with energy, but all she felt was heaviness around her heart.

  Britta checked around the room, a hitch in her breath as she realized that yet another day had passed without Milo. She’d hoped to get away so that she could give him his book and maybe talk to him, but it had been one thing after another since early morning. The only bright spot was when she’d received Milo’s text to say he was coming. If everything went smoothly with the reading, maybe Milo would still be at the German club’s booth serving bratwurst. Britta’s stomach grumbled and her mouth watered as she recalled the way her mother had slow-cooked cabbage and sausage in a Dutch oven for their family. The taste was divine, and the tender crunch of the cabbage took years of practice to perfect.

  “Britta, did you hear me?” Marian interrupted her thoughts. “Lindy gave the signal; it’s time for Armand’s reading.”

  Britta snapped out of her German food daydream and focused on the crowd before her. Everyone leaned forward slightly, waiting for the words to fall from Armand’s lips— which always looked so kissable, and now made Britta think of Milo for the millionth time.

  Armand lifted the book— and the lights flickered. With a loud buzz, the power went out.

  For a fe
w seconds, Britta stood there listening to the shocked voices, surprised screams, and even a bit of laughter. Then it hit her. Armand’s reading was going to once again be canceled. “No, this can’t be happening,” she whispered to herself.

  “Everyone stay put,” Betty announced through the bullhorn. “I’ll have Don check the generator. Just a minute.”

  “Wait, I have a lighter.”

  Britta would recognize that voice anywhere. Milo approached the front, weaving in and out of the crowd of people. There was a tiny click, and a blue flame licked at the candle on the table. When it took light, several people cheered. Britta took a few steps forward, tripped, and steadied herself. She turned the flashlight up on her phone and headed for Milo. He was here, at the reading.

  It took a few minutes, but Milo and Betty lit all the candles. The room filled with a romantic glow, the light dancing off the rustic wood of the barn. Britta lost sight of Milo as he walked around the backdrops. She hurried outside, worried that she was going to miss him again. Suddenly she didn’t care whether Armand read a word of his book or if they had enough money to paint the walls of the children’s section. None of it mattered without Milo.

  “Looking for someone?” a voice whispered at her side.

  Britta turned to her left and saw Milo standing there with a grin. She threw her arms around him in a hug. “You came,” she whispered.

  “For you,” he said.

  BRITTA STEPPED OUT OF MILO’S embrace, but grabbed his hand. Her heart cartwheeled in her chest when he interlaced his fingers with hers. “Milo, I’m sorry I could never catch up to you until now. It’s been nuts around here.”

  “I understand. I’ve been looking for you too,” Milo said. “Did you make your goals, then?”

  Britta nodded, a huge smile spreading across her face. “Preliminary numbers say yes. We’ll have enough to hire a children’s librarian, make all the renovations, and the repairs. I can hardly believe it.”

  “I can. I knew you’d make it.”

  Britta felt his confidence in her— in that moment— as if he’d built an impenetrable wall around them. Milo believed in her, and he would never let anyone hurt her again. Why had she ever doubted him? “Milo, I’m so sorry for the way I’ve acted. I need to talk to you, but not here. Will you come with me?”

  The look of surprise on his face made Britta feel guilty. She’d hurt him; hopefully he could forgive her. Milo looked around, and then back at her. “Are you sure?”

  Britta took his hand and tugged him toward the open field. “Sure that I’m not taking no for an answer? Yes, I’m sure.”

  Milo chuckled. “Well, when you put it that way … Where are we going?”

  This was the hard part. Britta wanted to take Milo on a moonlit carriage ride— something that screamed romance. She wasn’t sure how to describe that to him without looking desperate or foolish or both, so she opted not to answer his question. “I’m taking you to one of the Harvest features I’ve always wanted to do but have never been brave enough to invite someone along.”

  “It’s not a zip line, is it? Because I’m not really a fan of heights.”

  Britta laughed. “No, something much more relaxing.”

  They walked across the field under the light of the full moon just starting to edge its way higher in the sky. Britta could feel the change of Milo’s pace when he figured out where they were going. He hesitated, and then quickened his step. She took that as a good sign.

  They talked about the success of the Harvest Hurrah celebration, and anything but their relationship, while they waited in line. When they were finally seated in the carriage and on their way, Britta leaned back and let out a big sigh.

  “You’ve been running nonstop all month, haven’t you?” Milo said.

  “Pretty much. I think everything has finally caught up to me.” She rolled her shoulders back and then took in a deep breath. “I have some explaining to do, and I hope you’ll hear me out and maybe forgive me. And I brought you something as a peace offering.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the copy of Little Women.

  “My book. Where did you find it?”

  The way he said my book brought a smile to Britta’s face. “It was on my bookshelf all along, just waiting for you.”

  “But that’s your copy then. I don’t want to take it from you.”

  “I want you to have it, and hopefully read it because you might see a little of me in those pages.” Britta pressed the book into his hands.

  “I’ll do that. Thank you,” Milo said, watching her with those blue eyes that lit Britta’s soul on fire.

  She leaned forward and clasped her hands together. When Milo put his hand on top of hers, Britta felt his warmth and strength and she relaxed a tiny bit. “I want to apologize for the way I behaved. I could blame it all on the stress, but I won’t do that, because I’m going to admit that I’ve been afraid of you ever since the first time I saw you in Echo Ridge.”

  “Why?” Milo asked, clearly surprised and maybe slightly amused.

  “Because you’re German.”

  “And that’s scary?” Milo looked even more amused.

  “I made a pact with myself when I was young that I would never, ever date someone who was German or who spoke with a German accent. I didn’t want my children to have to go through what I did as a young girl.”

  Britta paused and swallowed. Milo listened intently as she continued. “But when I got to know you, I started to think that maybe those old fears were silly, that maybe it was time to let go and trust my heart. But that night when you said that you’d been teased because you were German, my past came back to haunt me. I feel like I’ve spent half my life running from who I am because of the way I was bullied as a child.”

  “Wait a minute,” Milo said. “I never said that.”

  “Yes, you did. You told me about how those kids threw books at you and it scared me to death. The only thing I could do was run because it hurt too much to think of what our future together would mean.”

  Milo held up his hand and shook his head. “Britta, I was never teased for being German. I was teased because I couldn’t read. I have a form of dyslexia.”

  “Wait, you couldn’t read?” Britta shook her head. “Kids picked on you because of a disability?”

  He hung his head. “I still have trouble with it, but I’ve learned lots of things that help. I don’t read much, but I love listening to audiobooks.”

  Britta sucked in a breath. “Were you ever teased for having an accent? For your German heritage?”

  “No, that was my strength. That was the one thing that people admired about me. I could speak a different language. I knew the melodies of famous German musicians, and I had their blood flowing through my veins.” Milo looked at his hands. “I thought being German might be enough of a connection to help you see past a man who doesn’t like to read books.”

  Britta wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t care if you have trouble reading.”

  Milo tentatively put his arms around her. “But books are everything to you. I thought that once you found out, you would think we didn’t have enough in common. And then I thought you knew and that’s why you left.”

  “Oh dear,” Britta said. “I’m so sorry. Will you please forgive me?”

  “I might, but I need to know something first.”

  Britta tilted her head and gave him a half smile. “What’s that?”

  “When you were planning out our future children and how they may or may not be teased for being German, how many kids were we going to have? ’Cause I kind of want four.”

  Britta’s jaw dropped. Then she saw the teasing glint in his eye, and they both started laughing. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but then she noticed the tips of Milo’s ears were red again and realized she wasn’t the only one planning their possible future. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Three or four sounds like a pretty good number to me.”

  Milo co
vered her mouth with his, kissing her tenderly. He held her close as the moon shone down on them through the pine trees that lined the slope of the mountain. Milo kissed her and leaned back slightly. “Do you hear that?”

  There was a soft whoosh of air and the screech of an owl, followed by a scattering of leaves as the horses pulled them slowly back around to the field. Britta nodded. “I think I hear your heart singing,” she murmured. Her heart swelled with love, and when she said those three words to Milo, they were in German. “Ich liebe dich.”

  MILO TOOK BRITTA TO CHURCH on Sunday. They arrived early and were lucky to find a seat. Milo kept looking at Britta, touching her hand, reminding himself that she was here with him and she’d told him she loved him last night.

  After the sermon, Milo saw a family approaching them. Britta squeezed his hand, almost as if she was anxious. As the man neared, Milo could see the family resemblance in Britta’s crystal-blue eyes and blond hair.

  Britta cleared her throat. “Milo, this is my brother, Ritter Klein; his wife, Stacy; and their daughter, Lila— my family. They live just outside of Echo Ridge.”

  Milo shook hands with each of Britta’s family. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Hallo, Milo. Freut mich,” Ritter spoke in German.

  Milo smiled and immediately slipped into his native tongue, asking the Kleins about their home and work. When Britta joined the conversation, also speaking in German, Stacy brightened and said a few words of rough German. Ritter explained that Stacy understood well and was learning to speak German even better.

  “We’d love to have you two over for Sunday dinner later,” Stacy said, speaking in English again.

  “Oh yes, please, Aunt Britta,” Lila said. “Bring your boyfriend so we can get to know him better.” Lila’s cheeks flushed as she blurted out the invite.