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

by Lucy McConnell

  Chayton’s eyes widened then he studied his feet for a second. “I helped,” he finally admitted. “Some good friends of mine did most of it.”

  Emma closed her eyes. How she hated being a charity case. She swallowed and stepped back into the living room. “Maybe dinner tomorrow isn’t such a good idea.”

  “Wait Emma.” Chayton held a hand out so she didn’t close the door. “Please don’t be upset that people care about you. I’m sure that was a tough time for you and Mason. We all love that boy and we were just trying to help.”

  “Don’t think I’m not grateful; it’s just humiliating to be the charity case all the time. I don’t want to be that to you.” The words were out and she wanted to hide from the truth of them.

  “You aren’t. Please believe me. I’m impressed with you, attracted to you, wanting to be with you. I don’t think of you as a charity case at all.” His eyes were sincere. Could she trust him?

  “Then why did you offer to help?”

  Chayton blinked and nodded. “I’ve been there, Emma.”

  “What do you mean?” She held in a grunt of dissent. Chayton couldn’t possibly know how it was to be destitute.

  “I grew up poor. My parents were great, big old hearts. They couldn’t have children of their own so they took in any they could find through adoption, foster care, or their church. They adopted me out of foster care when I was five. We had lots of love, but no money with twelve siblings in a house smaller than yours, a dad who taught at the grade school, and a mom with lots of health problems.”

  Emma’s throat filled with emotion. Chayton did understand. At least he had extended family. She’d been in foster care too, but never found a stable family and had married too young, grateful to escape that life when she fell in love with Jacob.

  “I would never judge you for struggling, Emma. You’re a great mom and it’s obvious how hard you work to make everything good for your children.” He touched her face gently. “You don’t have to do it all alone.”

  Emma smiled her thanks, too emotional to respond. Chayton gave her another brief hug. The girls came running in and he said goodbye to both of them and then walked down the porch steps. “Tomorrow?” he asked hopefully.

  Emma nodded. “Four o’clock okay?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  She watched him walk away then went in the house to get the girls ready for bed. Her elderly neighbor, Jalaine, came and sat with them when Emma had to work and Mason couldn’t be home. As she thought through their conversation, she loved that Chayton could empathize with her childhood, but there was a small part of her that wondered if he wasn’t interested in her because of her situation. He was a very charitable man. How would she know if he wanted her for her and not for an opportunity to help a family that reminded him of his own?

  MASON COULDN’T HELP BUT let out a pure shout of joy as he and Kaitlyn sped down the gravel roads of the ski slope on rented mountain bikes. Well, his was rented, Kaitlyn’s was a top-of-the-line Trek bike. They’d caught a ride up the gondola and cruised down the mountain three times now. He was busy with lacrosse, work, and his family. Kaitlyn was the only person he let loose and had fun with and tonight was the most fun he could remember.

  He liked having Kaitlyn in front of him so he could keep an eye on her. They were picking up speed when she turned to look at a deer next to the trail. Mason saw the huge boulder in front of her tire before she did. “Kaitlyn!” he screamed, right as her tire hit the rock and she flipped over her handle bars, rolling a few times before coming to a stop.

  Mason screeched his bike to a stop, pebbles and dirt cascading down the mountainside. He jumped off his bike and sprinted to her side. She sat up, brushing off rocks, dirt, and twigs. “Whew. That was exciting.”

  “Are you okay?” Mason’s breath was coming in short pants.

  “I think so.” Her blue eyes darted over her arms and legs as if to make sure.

  Mason crouched next to her and studied her. “Does it hurt anywhere?”

  She tapped her helmet. “This guy did his job.”

  He brushed some twigs from her long hair and smiled. “Good thing.”

  Kaitlyn tried to stand up. Mason reached out and steadied her. She leaned into him. “You know I might need some kisses to make my injuries better.”

  Mason’s breath shortened from something other than the fear he’d felt moments ago. He bent down closer to her. “Oh, really, where?”

  She held up her elbow that had a scrape on it. “Here.”

  Mason leaned down and gently kissed next to the scrape.

  “Here,” she whispered, pointing to a red mark on her neck.

  Mason swallowed and blinked. He’d never kissed her anywhere but her lips and that smooth neck had tempted him on more than one occasion. He slowly closed the distance, inhaling her sweet tropical scent as he placed his lips on her neck. He couldn’t force himself to pull away too quickly and she let out a little moan. Mason jerked back. He had to be careful or his desire for her might roar out of control.

  She wasn’t smiling as she looked at him and pointed to her lips. “Here.”

  Mason didn’t waste any time enfolding her smaller frame in his arms and kissing her gently on the mouth. Unfortunately, he couldn’t stop at gentle and their kisses became heated. Kaitlyn pulled back and gave him a shaky smile. “All better now. Thanks.”

  Mason’s hands were trembling slightly. He fisted them together and smiled. “Glad I could help.” He pulled away and walked to her bike, lifting it out of the brush. “It looks okay. Are you up to finishing the ride?”

  Kaitlyn strode to him and grabbed the handlebars. “What do you think I am, a wussy girl?”

  Mason looked her over. “No, I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

  She blushed, bit at her lip, and ducked her head. “Thank you.” She tugged at the bike again and Mason released it. Climbing on, she tossed him a saucy grin. “Race you to the bottom.”

  Mason’s jaw dropped. She was definitely not a wussy girl. He ran to his bike and pedaled after her, praying she wouldn’t wreck again. He didn’t like to see her hurt, and he really didn’t think he could stay in control if she needed anything else kissed.

  An hour later, he carried a picnic basket from Kaitlyn’s Jeep down to the tables by Chickadee Lake and they worked together to spread the food out and started eating. The thick roast beef sandwiches, chips, fruit, and apple pie were melt-in-your-mouth kind of good. They ate mostly in silence, enjoying the quiet night and the food. “Did you make all of this?” Mason asked as he ate his second piece of pie. “I don’t think my mom’s pie is even this good.”

  Kaitlyn shook her head. “No. I ordered it all from Fay’s. All I can cook is mac and cheese, but my mom is trying to teach me to bake.”

  “Well, you can’t be perfect at everything.” He winked at her.

  “I wish I was perfect at anything,” she said, her voice small.

  Mason’s head whipped up. “What do you mean by that?”

  “What am I perfect at, Mason? Besides using my daddy’s money and inheriting my momma’s looks.”

  Mason gulped at the sad look on her face.

  She clasped her hands together. “You’re the perfect lacrosse player with the perfect body and you’re perfectly smart at school and being so sweet with your mom and sisters. I’m just a spoiled rich girl who everybody thinks they have to be nice to. I haven’t earned their respect like you.”

  Mason set his fork down and stood, pulling her to her feet. She studied the picnic table. “Sorry. I’m not usually such a whiner.”

  He tilted her chin up with his palm. “You’re not a whiner at all and I wish you could see how perfect you are to me. You’re perfectly beautiful and the most talented flute player I’ve ever seen, plus you take the time to pay attention to everyone, even the kids at school that nobody seems to notice. You’re kind, funny, smart, and the best kisser I’ve ever met.”

  Kaitlyn smiled
sadly at him. “You’re prejudiced though because I’m your girlfriend.”

  “I’m the luckiest guy I know to have you as my girlfriend. Of course I love how beautiful you are.”

  She smirked at him.

  “I am a guy.” He softly kissed her. “But I never want to be apart from you because of how fun and real you are. You don’t have to be perfect, Kaitlyn. Just be you.”

  Her smile became more genuine and she melted against him. Mason’s blood ran hotter at the feel of her in his arms. “I love you, Mason.”

  Whoa. They had never gone there, but Mason had no trouble responding. “I’ve loved you since you brought me a hamburger from Fay’s last Christmas.”

  She grinned. “I’ve loved you since you stood up to Gabe for me at The Christmas Ball.”

  “So all I have to do is get in a fight to earn your love? Sweet.”

  “No, you’re a much better kisser than a fighter.”

  Mason’s eyebrows rose. “I must be an impressive kisser then because I rock at fighting.”

  Kaitlyn ran her hands along his chest muscles to his shoulders. Mason’s entire body tightened. “You rock at kissing more.” She kissed him and he didn’t know that he had any special talent for it, but kissing Kaitlyn was all he wanted to do.

  Kaitlyn dropped him off a little after midnight. They’d walked around the lake hand in hand, talking about his future of playing lacrosse at Syracuse and getting his degree in marketing and business, and her dreams of becoming an accountant. The way she loved numbers was a bit unusual to him, but he liked that she wasn’t the typical girly girl. He’d carved their names in the sweetheart tree and they’d kissed probably more than they should, but at least they’d stopped at kissing, even though it had taken every ounce of his self-control.

  Mrs. Wright was asleep in their recliner when he got home. He felt a flush of guilt. She was an older lady and the only option his mom had for a babysitter when they were both gone. Another reason he rarely went on big dates, but tonight had been so worth it. For him at least. He gently tapped her on the shoulder. He’d learned she’d rather get home to her own bed.

  “Mrs. Wright?”

  Her eyes opened. She looked confused for half a second then she grinned. “Hello handsome. How was the date?”

  Mason smiled. “Great. Thanks for staying with the girls. Sorry to be so late.”

  She waved a hand. “You’re fine. What else have I got to do? The girls are darling.” She pushed her way to her feet. Mason reached out and helped her up. She gave him a quick hug then turned toward the front door. “Now tell me you at least got a goodnight kiss out of the deal?”

  Mason laughed. More than a goodnight kiss. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good boy.” She tapped his face with her palm. “Such a good boy and so handsome.” Mrs. Wright made her way out the door. Mason escorted her across the street, making sure she was in her house before he hurried back home.

  The door had barely shut behind him when Maryn toddled out of her and Addison’s room and into the bathroom. Mason smirked as he waited. She was probably still asleep. The toilet flushed and she walked back into the living room. She saw Mason and her face lit up. “Mase’s home!” She jumped into his arms and he simply held her. He thought she’d probably fallen back asleep, but she suddenly looked up at him and said, “Momma was eating Coach.”

  Mason’s gut tightened. “What does that mean, my Mary?”

  “Like pushing her face up against him all yucky and stuff.” She made a kiss face and shook her little head.

  Mason’s eyes widened. He settled Maryn back into bed and sang her to sleep then he went to the couch and pulled out his phone. He could catch up on his friends’ social media posts while he waited to have a little chat with his mom. It was hypocritical, but him kissing Kaitlyn was so much different than Coach kissing his mom. What were they thinking?

  Emma dragged herself up the porch and through the front door. Thank heavens it was Sunday tomorrow and she could sleep until church, maybe nap in the afternoon, and not have to work tomorrow night. She smiled. Tomorrow she got to see Chayton again. His kisses had been all she could think about tonight and it’d taken her longer than normal to clean.

  “Hey, Mom,” Mason said from the couch.

  “Oh, hey, bud. Are you just getting home?” It was almost two a.m. Mason knew she expected him home close to midnight, but she wasn’t ever there to police it. She’d always trusted him, but she knew how it was when you were young and in love.

  “No. I’ve been home for a while.”

  “How was the date?”

  His face lit in a smile. “Really fun. We rode mountain bikes down Ruby Mountain then we had a candlelit picnic at Chickadee Lake.”

  “That sounds fun.” She wanted to ask what they’d done after the picnic. There were several hours unaccounted for.

  “Maryn said you were kissing Coach?”

  “Oh, um.” Emma set her purse and keys down and suddenly knew exactly how Mason felt when she grilled him about what he and Kaitlyn had done, but she was the mother here. “Well, yes, he did kiss me, but it wasn’t inappropriate. He’s a good man.”

  “I know that, but… this just seems weird. Are you two going to date?”

  “Yes,” Emma’s voice squeaked and she cleared her throat to sound more confident. “Yes, we are.”

  Mason pushed a hand through his longish strawberry-blond hair. “Does it matter that it’s awkward for me?”

  Emma sat down next to him on the couch. “I’m not trying to make it awkward for you, but I really like him. I haven’t felt this way since your dad.”

  Mason’s face softened at that. He looked so much like his dad that Emma felt the gut punch of losing Jacob all over again. It had been thirteen years. She should be over it, but losing her first love still hurt sometimes.

  Mason sat there stewing for a few seconds then said, “I want you to find someone great and be happy. Coach is definitely a great guy. I guess I just need some time to process this.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Aren’t you a little old for him?”

  “Actually, not that much.” Oh, no. Not this conversation. Not now.

  Mason eyed her strangely. “Coach is barely thirty. We had a big party for his thirtieth last year. I’m eighteen, Mom, and I know you always joke about being twenty-nine, but you have to be more like, I don’t know, forty or something.”

  She had basically evaded the question of her age every year since he was old enough to care. Why hadn’t she told him about this some other time? Why now when they were discussing her and Chayton, and Mason was already feeling awkward about it? “I’m thirty-four,” she squeaked out, her throat dry. She watched him carefully for a reaction.

  “What?” Mason stood and paced the living room. He stopped and pinned her with a stare. “You were sixteen when you had me? How old was Dad?

  She studied the side table. “Twenty.”

  “Holy crap!”

  Mason never got excited about much beyond lacrosse, but he was upset now, pacing the carpet and throwing his arms around. “You always tell me how awesome my dad was, how he was some hero, but he took advantage of a sixteen year old girl!”

  Fifteen when she got pregnant, but she didn’t need to clarify. Emma stood, grabbed his arm, and though he was much stronger and could’ve resisted, he turned toward her. “Your dad was every bit as good as I told you. When we met I lied to him about my age. I was alone in the world and I’d never known someone as charismatic and fun as him. I loved him so much and though I regret that you were conceived out of wedlock I would never give up those three years we had together before he was deployed.”

  Mason stared at her for a second, his blue eyes full of shock but luckily no condemnation. He sank into the couch cushions. Emma sat next to him.

  “No wonder his parents disowned us.”

  Emma half-laughed. “They were pretty bitter toward a poor orphan girl stealing him from them and him being killed just made it worse.” All laug
hter faded as she pictured seeing Jacob laid out in that coffin.

  Mason hung his head. “They never even wanted to see me. Didn’t they care that you and I suffered so much with him gone?”

  Emma rubbed his arm. “Everyone fights their own battles, sweetheart. I haven’t heard from them since Jacob’s funeral. I guess I could’ve gone to them for help, but I don’t know if they would’ve done anything.” She glanced at him. “Maybe they would’ve helped us escape from Beau, but it was so hard when he turned into such a jerk after his head injury. I was embarrassed and didn’t want them to see how low I’d gotten. I didn’t want them to think worse of me than they already did.”

  “What do you mean turned into a jerk, wasn’t Beau always a jerk?”

  Emma couldn’t believe she’d never told him about this, but throughout most of her marriage to Beau she’d been in survival mode. “You don’t remember him being nice?”

  “Maybe a few memories of him playing with me, but no, not really, mostly just fear and anger when I think about him.”

  Emma’s heart clutched. She hated that her children had been afraid. “He was good to us at first and he was a great fighter, but then he went up against someone better than him, a guy named Jack, who wanted to prove he was the best.” She’d shut these memories out mostly because they made her feel bad for Beau and he’d turned so awful she didn’t want any tender feelings for him. “He hit Beau repeatedly in the head and Beau blacked out and went down hard, but Jack went after him and just kept pummeling his head until the ref finally pulled him off.” She shuddered. “He was in the hospital for days in a coma. When he came out of it… he was never the same again. Mean and irrational.”

  Mason’s eyes darkened. “I didn’t know about that.”

  “You would’ve been about ten. You stayed with Mrs. Wright.”

  “I remember staying with Mrs. Wright while you were gone.”