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

by Lucy McConnell

  “How do you know?”

  “I just do. Please don’t compare me to that loser. I’m nothing like him.”

  “I know you’re not love, but you don’t understand. He was a decent person before his head injury then he became the monster that you remember.”

  A soft knock on the front door interrupted his response. “Don’t move,” she commanded Mason. Rushing to the front door, she flipped on the porch lights, opened the door and wasn’t sure if she was happy or upset to see Chayton standing there with flowers, a huge bag of Dove dark chocolate, and an even bigger package of beef jerky. She’d been grateful for his support at the hospital, but he’d been a little too nonchalant about the danger her son was in.

  “It’s all going to work out,” he’d kept promising throughout the ordeal.

  Emma wasn’t sure of anything, but she was sure that she couldn’t handle seeing Mason on the ground like that ever again.

  “These are for you.” He handed the flowers and chocolate to her. “I’m not sure Mason would appreciate them.”

  “Thank you,” she said stiffly.

  He held the jerky aloft. “But I know he’ll appreciate this. Never seen a guy like meat as much as that one.”

  She forced a smile. Chayton knew her son so well and he’d been good to both of them. Why was she so angry at him? The concussion hadn’t been anyone’s fault. Even the boy who had knocked him down hadn’t done it on purpose. She kept telling herself that at least.

  “Can I see him?”

  “He’s resting.”

  “Coach?” The rough call came from Mason’s bedroom door. She spun to see him leaning against the frame.

  “Get back in bed,” she demanded, tossing the flowers and chocolate onto a side table and hurrying to his side.

  Chayton was on his other side and helped Mason to the bed.

  “I’m fine.” Mason waved away their concern as he lay back on the pillows. “Did you win?”

  “Lost that game, but won the next one.”

  Mason nodded solemnly like them winning was all that mattered.

  “Josh took the water bottles?”

  Oh, my heavens. He was worrying about water bottles when he should’ve been worried about being braindead.

  “Yes.” Chayton nodded. “He said to tell you not to worry. They all want to come visit, but I told them to wait a couple of days.”

  Emma nodded her thanks though Mason’s face fell. She knew his friends meant a lot to him.

  “Hey, is that jerky?” Mason asked his smile restored.

  Chayton grinned and held the bag out. Emma snatched it away and placed it out of Mason’s reach. “You can have it tomorrow.”

  “My after-game snack,” Mason said.

  “What?” Emma’s entire body went cold.

  Mason and Chayton both looked at her in confusion, but then Chayton nodded at her like he understood. “Your mom wants you to follow the doc’s advice and wait a few days before you start playing again.” He smiled conspiratorially at her like they were on the same page.

  “Wait a few days? No, oh, no.” Emma shook her head and willed the fear to stay down before it choked her. She focused on Mason, wishing Chayton would leave. “You aren’t going back to lacrosse, ever. You’re done playing.”

  “What?” Mason exploded, sitting up in the bed then grabbing his head.

  “Mason!” Emma tried to usher him back down but he was too strong. “Do something,” she pled with Chayton.

  Chayton grasped Mason’s huge shoulders and forced him back. “Calm down, Mase. I’ll talk to your mom. She’s just scared right now.”

  Mason glared at her. He’d always been such a considerate, thoughtful boy. She’d never had him look at her like that before. “I’m never quitting lacrosse. It’s my life. I’ve got a scholarship to Syracuse next year. How many players dream of that and I’m doing it.”

  Emma bit her tongue. The caring mom in her knew she shouldn’t antagonize him when his brain needed to heal. The terrified mom in her wanted to make sure he knew he wouldn’t pick up a lacrosse stick while living under her roof.

  “It’ll all work out,” Chayton’s voice was low and soothing but it just ticked her off. “Your mom just needs some time and you need to rest.”

  Mason looked to his coach. “Talk some sense into her, please.”

  “Sure.” Chayton met her gaze, his dark eyes pleading. “We’ll go talk right now. Do you think you can sleep?”

  “I’ll try.” Mason glanced at her. “Please, Mom. Don’t ruin my dreams after one injury.”

  She bit her tongue to keep from saying anything. Chayton came around the bed and escorted her out of the room with an arm around her waist. His touch usually thrilled her. Tonight she wanted to push him away.

  Chayton shut off the light. “Get some rest, Mase. I’ll come check on you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Coach.”

  Chayton softly shut Mason’s door and kept his arm around Emma, escorting her onto the front porch. The night was crisp, but her anger kept her from feeling any chill. She pulled from his grasp and spun to face him. “How dare you encourage him to return to lacrosse? Do you not care at all about him? It’s all about your stupid team winning, isn’t it?”

  Chayton studied her. His eyes wide from her verbal attack. “You know that’s not true. I love Mason like a son and I love… you.”

  Emma blinked, not sure if she’d heard him right. “If you love us how could you side with him? He could damage his brain, change his personality forever. Never be able to be successful and normal.” She shuddered at the thought and wished she wasn’t so afraid of him changing like Beau had, but she’d lived through it.

  “Emma, beautiful Emma.” He pushed some hair from her face then cupped her cheek with his large palm. “He could have any of those things happen, it’s true, but he could also get killed in a car accident tomorrow. You can’t live life fearing the unknown.”

  Emma stepped back, away from his touch. “You don’t say something like that to a momma! I will do everything in my power to protect my boy. He will not play lacrosse for you and you are not welcome in our home anymore.”

  Chayton’s dark eyes lost their spark as he studied her. “Slow down. We can work this out.” He reached for her arm.

  Emma dodged away. “There’s nothing to work out. You want to put my son in danger.”

  “Come on, Emma.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know me better than that. I’m thinking about Mason and his future.”

  “He won’t have a future if he’s braindead from concussions.” She stormed into her house and slammed the door, only regretting the action a few seconds later when Maryn woke up crying. One glance through the side window revealed Chayton still standing on the porch. The sad look on his face as he studied their house almost convinced her to open up the door and take all her angry words back. The thought of not seeing him again sickened her, but she couldn’t put Mason at risk.

  She hurried away to comfort her daughter.

  THINGS WERE PRETTY TENSE the rest of the weekend. Mason moped and would hardly talk to Emma. She’d never had a taste for how grumpy a teenager could be, but this was awful. She’d been praying hard for some kind of solution that would work— protect him without hampering his future. She knew lacrosse was in his blood and she wanted that opportunity for him to not only play lacrosse at the next level, but get a college education. She’d always dreamed of going to college and had even bigger dreams of Mason going to a highly-esteemed university and because of lacrosse it could all come true.

  Sitting through church was hard, especially when she glimpsed Chayton on the back pew with Drew and Chelsea, looking much too handsome in his suit with his long hair brushed back from his face. He gave her a sad smile and she quickly turned around, her face burning. Oh, she missed him already and it about killed her to see him looking so bereft.

  After church she asked the girls to change their clothes and play in the backyard while she made dinner
, but she wasn’t ready to make dinner yet. Instead of cooking, she spent a hard hour on her knees begging, pleading, wrestling, and finally accepting the answer that came. Mason was right. He wasn’t Beau. Even though Beau had changed because of his head injury didn’t mean that Mason would. Mason was in the Lord’s hands and He had a plan for him. Apparently that plan included lacrosse even with the risk that was included.

  There was a sense of peace she’d been missing the past few days as she made an easy dinner of noodles, her homemade marinara sauce, and fresh parmesan cheese. She fed Addison and Maryn then took a plate into Mason. He was sitting up in bed, playing on his phone.

  “Hey, love. You hungry?”

  He eyed the plate and shrugged then admitted, “I want to say no, but you know that would be a lie.”

  Emma laughed. She sat down on the side of the bed. “Can I get you anything else?”

  “I’m fine, Mom. You don’t need to baby me.”

  “Sorry.” She bit her lip. “You’re just so big and you don’t really need me anymore so when I get the chance to baby you, I like to do it.”

  Mason actually smiled at her. That was something she hadn’t seen since his injury. “You’ve always taken good care of me.” He paused and studied her. “So?”

  Emma shifted on the bed. How did he know she had her answer? “So what?”

  “I know you, Mom. You’ve been stewing about me playing again and you’ve been praying about it. Did you get your answer?”

  Emma studied him. “Does it matter what I think? You’re going to do what you and Chayton want anyway.” She was just being prideful now. She sighed and prayed silently for help to follow through with the answer she’d been given.

  Mason shook his head. “That’s not fair. I’ve always listened to your advice.”

  “I know.” She plucked at a loose thread on his bedspread. “You’re such a great boy and I don’t want to take anything away from you. I know how you love lacrosse and I know the opportunities it’s provided for you.” She broke off and sighed.

  “Does that mean you’ll let me play?”

  “You’re right, I did pray, but I don’t want to accept the answer.”

  “Which is?” He leaned closer to her. His blue eyes earnest and hopeful. He reminded her so much of her first husband. So strong, kind, and handsome.

  “The Lord is watching over you, and I need to trust Him,” she finally admitted.

  Mason let out a whoop then clutched his head. “Ouch.”

  Emma scowled. “But you’ve got to promise to take a few days off of practice and to be more careful.”

  “Can today count?” Mason gave her a lopsided grin.

  “No.”

  “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  Emma had to smile at that. “Thanks for listening.”

  “Thanks for praying.” There was silence between them for a few seconds then Mason asked the question she hadn’t dared ask herself. “Are you going to make up with Coach?”

  Emma shook her head. “I don’t know.” The very idea of not being with Chayton twisted her stomach worse than a knife plunged into her gut, but she’d been pretty awful to him and she was still struggling with allowing Mason to play again. She didn’t know if she liked the idea of a man interfering in her children’s lives, but to live without Chayton? She didn’t know if she could do that either.

  MASON WAS GETTING PRETTY SICK of his bed by Sunday night. Most of his lacrosse teammates and some other friends from school and work had stopped by to visit today and that had helped pass the time, but he chafed at being cooped up. He finally talked his mom into letting him go outside. He wrapped up in a blanket to ward off the chill and sat in the old porch swing. It was nice to feel the fresh air. His mom wanted him to miss school and practice until Wednesday. Maybe she’d at least let him go sit and watch practice.

  A Jeep rolled up to the curb and Mason forgot about his aching head and the frustration of being stuck inside. Kaitlyn bounded out of the driver’s side door, clutching a plate wrapped in foil.

  “Hiya, handsome. How’s the head?”

  She’d come to visit him yesterday, but he’d still been a bit foggy and was sure he hadn’t been good company.

  “Much better now I get to look at your beautiful face.”

  “Ha.” She stuck out her tongue at him.

  “What’d you bring me?”

  She peeled back the foil. “My mom taught me how to make her famous chocolate chip cookies and I gotta admit, they’re delectable.” She offered him one then covered them back up and set them on the porch.

  Mason took a bite. A rich brown sugar and buttery taste balanced perfectly with sea salt and semi-sweet chocolate. “Wow. That’s the best cookie I’ve ever had.”

  She grinned. “Can I sit with you?”

  Mason stood and unwrapped from the blanket. He escorted her into the seat then sat next to her and spread the blanket over both of them. Kaitlyn leaned her head against his shoulder. Mason slowly rocked the swing and enjoyed his cookie and having her close. He was empty without her. He wondered if that was how his mom felt without Chayton. He’d watched them grow closer and warmed pretty quickly to the idea of Chayton being his stepdad. It might never happen now.

  “So, your mom changed her mind?”

  “Finally.” He shook his head. “I’ve never been so scared.”

  “Scared?” She lifted her head and stared at him.

  “Lacrosse is such a part of me. I don’t know what I’d be without it.”

  She smiled. “You’d still be my Mason. The hottest, nicest boyfriend any girl ever had.”

  Mason grinned back and trailed his hands through her silky hair. “My mouth tastes like the most delicious cookie I’ve ever had. Wanna sample?”

  She leaned in. “You know, that’s kind of gross, but you know I’d never turn you down.”

  She kissed him until his mom opened the door and pulled them apart. Mason’s head didn’t even bug him that night.

  CHAYTON LIMPED THROUGH the week, not sure how he was going to survive without Emma. He missed her, Mason, and those girls. She’d made it pretty clear she didn’t want him or his interference in her life. He hoped she’d soften and allow Mason to play. His mind constantly whirred with arguments about why Mason should play then he’d apologize to an imaginary Emma and promise he’d never tell her what to do with her children if she’d just allow him to be in her life. There was a thin line between coach and boyfriend and he’d obviously crossed it going the wrong direction. Yet all his arguments for Mason to play made sense. If Mason was his own son, he’d still want him to play. It had nothing to do with his team winning and everything to do with Mason succeeding in life and overcoming obstacles to be the best man he could be.

  Chayton groaned. This was why it was a bad idea to date a player’s mom and did he seriously just think about being Mason’s dad? Mason’s dad. Emma’s husband. He loved both ideas. If only he could think of a way to help Emma forgive him.

  Wednesday he saw Mason at school but didn’t have a chance to chat with him beyond asking how he was feeling. When Mason showed up for practice he was elated. He ran to the boy before checking himself and trying to act nonchalant, folding his arms across his chest and fidgeting from one foot to the other. “She said you could play?”

  Mason nodded. “She prayed about it. Women.” He grinned to show he was teasing.

  Chayton’s relief that Mason could pursue his talents and dreams was overshadowed with the ache to see Emma.

  “Did she call you?” Mason asked in a low voice as other players streamed around them.

  Chayton shook his head. “Did you think she would?”

  Mason shrugged. “I hoped. I kinda liked the idea of you as my stepdad.”

  Chayton managed a small smile. “I more than kinda liked it.”

  Mason slapped him on the shoulder. “Well, don’t give up, Coach.” He took off at a run to warmup.

  “Mason?”

  He turned ar
ound.

  “Take it easy today.”

  “Come on, Coach. You know me better than that.”

  Mason ran away and Chayton couldn’t help but laugh. He knew that boy better than any he’d ever coached. Mason wanted him for his stepdad. The idea warmed him more than the fall sun. Was there still hope? He wanted to rush over to Emma’s right now and beg her forgiveness. He shook his head. He’d give her a little more time and pray she’d soften to him like she had to letting Mason play again.

  EMMA HAD BROUGHT THE GIRLS to the Kid’s Day at the Harvest Hurrah while Mason worked at Jack’s Pizza. It had been a nice break from thinking about, missing, and aching over Chayton. The day before a microburst had caused a lot of damage in town. Emma had escaped with only some broken branches and ripped off shingles. As she picked up the broken branches she thought how her heart was as shattered and useless as the branches without Chayton around. She shook off the thought and tried to laugh at herself. She was fine. She had her children and that was all she needed.

  Friday night she decided to do something crazy and buy the girls dinner from the Dutch oven cook-off. Mason was off with Kaitlyn so it was just her and the girls. Mason told her Wednesday night that Chayton had asked about her at practice and it was all she’d thought about for the past two days. Should she go apologize? Would he even want to see her?

  The girls were balancing their plates of dinner while Emma spread a blanket on the ground for them. They sat and dug into the cheesy potatoes and barbecue chicken. Emma took a bite of the chicken, loving the tangy and smoky combination of the sauce. She always enjoyed food that she didn’t have to cook, but hadn’t had the opportunity very often. Especially now that Chayton wasn’t taking her out to dinner she probably wouldn’t have the opportunity again for a while. The chicken suddenly turned to paste in her mouth.

  “I’m going to grab us some drinks,” she told the girls. “Stay right here.”

  “Okay, Momma,” Maryn said with a mouthful.

  “Of course, Mother.” Addison dabbed at some grease from the potatoes with a napkin.