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Chapter 16
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2022-06-15 14:02:45Related chapters
Christmas Cove Chapter 17
Then she turned around and he took her hands, guiding her around the ice again."You're going to do it.""What? The triple?"He nodded."Oh no I'm not!""Get ready-.""Caden-.""Set-.""You're impossible.""Go!" He spun her around and threw her into the air, sending her into a perfect spin. She twisted three times in the air and then touched down perfectly on one skate. "See? I knew you still had it!""I'm a lot taller now.""Not by much." He took her hands again and guided her around the ice.They skated most of the day away. But when the sun began to set and the bitter cold began to set in, she came to a stop and sat down on the bench. She knew she would pay for this the next day. Her muscles were already sore. But she had a wonderful time. "Well, I think it's time to call it a day."Caden spun around to look at her, skating backward. "So soon?"Jocelyn laughed as she started unlacing her skates. "We've been skating nearly all day!"He skated around to look at her agai
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 18
The next morning, thoughts of Jocelyn filled his mind. When Caden walked out into the living room, his parents had already left for the tree lot. He hurried to eat, telling himself that he was eager to see Mallory. But in reality, he couldn't wait to see Jocelyn again. What are you doing? You're an idiot. He enjoyed spending time with Jocelyn, but he had given Mallory his heart long ago. Over the years, Mallory had occupied his mind and had helped him get through some sticky situations. When the going got tough and he didn't know if he was going to make it through the mission, he had thought of Mallory and promised himself that he'd see her again. Then he'd live.But now that he was here, everything had turned upside down. Mallory wasn't the person he had remembered her to be, and neither was Jocelyn. When he had left, Jocelyn was just a little girl that he thought of as his little sister. Now, she was anything but. Jocelyn had become quite a beautiful woman. But what he liked about h
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 19
"Oh no! I did enough of that when I was growing up," Caden objected. He looked up and his mother had already seen him. "Why'd you come here?"Jocelyn shrugged. "I just thought I'd volunteer. It's my day off and I like to feel useful." Then she leaned in conspiratorially. "Besides, it looks as if your parents could use the help."Caden sighed, giving her a smile. "Come on. I'll get you some gloves.""Now, that's the spirit!" she approved, climbing out of the car.As they walked over to the tree lot, Caden's father walked toward them. "Hello, son. It's good to see you here. Who's your friend?"Caden smiled. "This is Jocelyn, Mallory's sister."His father's smile faded, but he quickly recovered himself. For some reason, his parents had never liked Mallory. Although Caden knew they hated for his heart to be broken, he suspected they were secretly relieved when they broke up."What brings you two by on such a wonderful day?" Noah asked, motioning around him. "Well, we'd thought we'
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 20
"So, what's the verdict? Please tell me, not chicken again," Noah replied as Caden laughed. "Well," Emma replied, "it's either a bucket of chicken or hamburgers. You decide.""Hamburgers," Noah replied without hesitation.Jocelyn laughed. "You like fried chicken?" she asked Emma as both Noah and Caden rolled their eyes."Love it!" Emma replied. Caden chuckled. "Yes, she eats it nearly every day. We'd be rich if we had bought stock years ago.""Yeah, no wonder I'm getting sick of it," Noah added.Caden laughed. "Jocelyn, would you like to go with me?"She stood. "Sure. I could use a little break." Then she turned to Caden's mother. "Would you like anything else?""Um- fries and a Coke." She dug into her pocket and handed her a few bills. "And get yourselves whatever you want. Noah? What would you like?""Get me a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke." Noah pulled out another bill and handed it to her. Caden knew this was a rarity for his parents to hand anyone money other than hi
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 21
He looked into her eyes, his heart wrenching. There was no way that he would ever hurt her purposefully. She was such a wonderful person and vulnerable, it would be like hurting a puppy. And somehow, when she hurt, he hurt. Never had he ever felt that with anyone else before."Everything all right?"When Caden looked up, his father was standing a few yards away, obviously not wanting to intrude on a moment. "Yes, Dad. We're fine. Just a little misunderstanding."Jocelyn pulled back and wiped her eyes and gave Caden a slight smile."Well, pick up the bags and let's eat before the ants get it." Noah turned around and walked back to the tent. There were a few customers on the lot, but nothing that the other workers couldn't handle.Caden and Jocelyn picked up the bags and Caden whispered over her head, "I'd better warn you. My mother has a worried look on her face. Translated, that means that you're about to face the inquisition."Jocelyn laughed. "Come on. Let's go."When they wal
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 22
Multi-colored lights began to light up the night as they drove to the church. Jocelyn loved spending time with Caden. After spending the day with him and his parents, she knew she could never be just friends with him. He had ruined her for all other men at a very young age. And now that he was back, it was solidified. Soon, Caden pulled the car to a stop in front of the church and turned off the engine. "We're here."Jocelyn looked over at him and grinned. "So, are you ready for this?"Caden laughed. "As ready as I'll ever be.""Let's go." Jocelyn smiled, enjoying his discomfort a bit too much. She was glad that he had agreed to go caroling with her, not quite ready for the day to end. After the pageant and parade, Mallory would have more time to spend with Caden and Jocelyn's time with him would end. But she intended to enjoy spending time with him while she could.When they walked into the church, people were wearing their hats and scarves, ready to go. Red ribbons adorned the
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 23
As the night wore on, it grew colder and soon they headed back to the church. By that time, Jocelyn's hands were nearly frozen. She shoved them into her coat pockets, knowing she should have worn her gloves."Come here." Caden took her hands into his own and began rubbing them. "Your hands are freezing." He leaned down to blow on them and warmth filled her body. When she looked up, her eyes met his. He had the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen. Then he looked down and continued rubbing her hands."Thank you, but I think I'm fine now."She looked up, but he didn't let her hands go right away. Her heart fluttered, wondering for a moment what it would be like to have a life with him. But she pulled her hands away and shoved them back into her pockets, knowing it could never be.Turning, she continued walking toward the church and he placed a hand on the small of her back protectively. Heat rushed through her body from his touch and her heart went out to him. Although she kep
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 24
"What's wrong?" Caden asked, his eyebrows pulling together in concern.Jocelyn shook her head. "Nothing."He reached across the table for her hand, but she pulled back, leaning back casually. "Oh, come on. What is it?""Caden, why did you go away?" she asked, ignoring his question.Caden sighed as he leaned back against his seat, sitting across from her. "To serve my country."She raised her eyebrows. "Is that the only reason?""Here you go!" Angela chirped, setting down two cups of coffee in front of them. Then she pulled out a pencil and sketchpad. "What can I get you for dinner?"Jocelyn forced herself to look at the menu, even though she had it memorized. "I'll have the Rudolph burger and some fries."Caden closed his menu. "I'll have the same.""Okay!" She shoved the pencil back into her pocket. "I'll have those out to you in a jiff!" She walked away with an actual bounce in her step. Viewing her personality, Jocelyn could see why she got the job at Santa's Café, where ev
Last Updated : 2022-06-15
Latest chapter
Christmas Cove Chapter 111
The fresh aroma of flowers wafted toward her as Kiki walked into the doorway of the ballroom in The North Pole Lodge. She wrung her silk-gloved hands as she looked around the room. All eyes were on her, but there was only one person she wanted to see. Then she looked over at a group of people and her heart stopped. For standing beside his coworker was Taren, looking dashing in a black tuxedo, white shirt, and black bowtie, his dark blond-streaked hair combed to perfection, looking as if he had stepped out of a fashion magazine or a fireman's calendar.Kiki's heart leapt when their eyes met, but his expression was unreadable as he crossed the room to her. Taren stopped in front of her, and she could smell the fresh scent of his cologne, his muscles bulging beneath his tux."Why are you here?" he asked, his eyes soft and kind.Of all the things she expected him to say, that wasn't it. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come." She turned to leave, but he caught her hand."No- please stay."
Christmas Cove Chapter 110
Taren stepped out of her reach and adjusted his tux. "What are you doing here?"Through the doors to the ballroom, Dylan, Patrick, Erica, and other firefighters watched, ready if he needed them. Although he appreciated their concern, he just wished they would stay out of it."You invited me." Scarlett pushed out her lower lip. But he was no longer a child, and her silly games no longer worked on him."No, I didn't." Taren shrugged out of her grasp and tried to walk past her, headed toward the ballroom, but she grabbed his arm and swung him around. "Scarlett, just leave. No one wants you here." He turned to walk away."I'll go to court for Abby!" she shouted behind him.Taren stopped and slowly turned around. He walked toward her and stopped just inches from her. "Never threaten me with my daughter again."Scarlett smirked as she folded her arms across her chest. "Besides, my lawyer says we have a good chance of winning the case.""Oh yeah, Scarlett? What lawyer?" He waited for a
Christmas Cove Chapter 109
Later that night, Taren looked into the full-length mirror in his room, adjusting his bowtie once again. Then he smoothed a hand over his tux and pulled the vest down into place. Although he had given her a ticket, his heart sank, knowing that Kiki probably wouldn't be there. After brushing his hair into place, he laid the brush down onto the counter."Well, I guess this is as good as it's going to get."If it wasn't for the fact that he was obligated to go because it was his turn to host, he wouldn't be going. He just hoped that Scarlett wouldn't make too big of a scene. Although his friends and coworkers knew what kind of person she was, he still didn't want her to embarrass him in front of them. He sighed, knowing it was inevitable. But this time, he wasn't going to let her hold his daughter over his head to get what she wanted."Daddy!" Abby ran to him when he walked into the living room and he scooped her into his arms. "You look nice! Are you going to see Kiki?"Pain gripped
Christmas Cove Chapter 108
"Okay. What's wrong?" Jocelyn asked, her arms folded across her chest."Nothing." Kiki went back to rearranging the case. But she knew that Jocelyn wouldn't let up until she told her. She was a bulldog when she suspected that something was wrong.Jocelyn's hand appeared in front of her and slid the door of the case shut, the engagement ring prominent on her hand. "Come on. Spill."Kiki leaned against the glass case, her back toward the door. "Jocelyn, I'm fine.""No, you're not."Kiki let out a deep breath, letting her hands fall to her sides. "What do you want from me, Joce? I screwed up and I don't know what to do about it! I jumped to conclusions when I saw Taren with Scarlett, and I hurt him. You should have seen the look on his face." Kiki's eyes filled with tears, threatening to spill over. "He even said 'as for how I feel about you, I guess you'll never know'.""I can tell you right now that he cares deeply for you," a voice came from behind them.Jocelyn turned around an
Christmas Cove Chapter 107
At work the next day, Kiki held a set of rings that a young couple had been looking at."Are you sure this is the one you want?" the young man asked his future bride.She nodded, but bit her lip and released it. "Yes, but it's too much.""Would you like to see another set?" Kiki asked the young woman.The woman nodded, smiling. "Yes, please.""No, this is the one," the young man interrupted. "Could you hold them for me? Then I'll come by and make payments on them until they're paid off."Kiki looked between them and smiled. "Yes, of course." Kiki let out a deep breath. "I'll tell you what. Ten dollars should hold it for now. That is, unless you'd like another amount?"The young man returned her smile. "No, that will be fine. Thank you." He opened his wallet and handed her a ten dollar bill. "Thank you.""What's your name?" Kiki asked."Jared. Jared Thomas." Then he looked over at his fiancée. "And this is Rochelle Hall."Kiki smiled as she wrote down their names. "So, when's
Christmas Cove Chapter 106
"Daddy! You're here!" Abby yelled as he walked into the house the next morning, New Year's Eve. She ran toward him and he scooped her up into his arms. "Want to go sled riding?"He gave her a smile. Abby was the one thing that he and Scarlett had done right, and he was grateful for every second he had with her."We will in a little while. It's a little too early yet. Let Daddy rest for a bit." He carried her into the living room and sat with her on his lap as the bright morning sunshine streamed in through the windows. It was rare that the sun was so bright this time of year.She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. "I love you, Daddy."His mother walked in, carrying a cup of coffee and sat on the chair kitty-corner from them.Taren pulled his daughter close and gave her a hug. "I love you, too, pumpkin." Then he set her on her feet. "Now, go play and I'll take you sled riding in a little while.""Yeah!" she shouted, running off to her room to play.His mot
Christmas Cove Chapter 105
After Scarlett left, he had to grow up fast. Forced to become both father and mother overnight made him grow up quickly of necessity. He was just lucky that his mother had helped him. He'd have no idea what he would have done if it hadn't been for her. He pulled down the drive leading to The North Pole Lodge and evergreens dotted with snow lined both sides of the road. But as much as he tried, he couldn't push Kiki from his mind.Taren pulled his Jeep Cherokee to a stop in the parking lot and cut the engine. Even though he knew she wasn't there, he couldn't help but scan the parking lot looking for her familiar blue Mustang. Seeing that her car wasn't there, he forced her from his mind, knowing it was over between them even before it had really begun. Now, he had business to take care of.He locked up the car and shoved his hands into his pockets as he hurried toward the glass, double front doors. Even though it was still cold out, at least it wasn't snowing. He just hoped the weat
Christmas Cove Chapter 104
As she was combing through the rubble, a car pulled up in front of what was left of the house. She had just found her mother's jewelry box and her father's rifles in the glass case that was still locked up, so she didn't pay attention to who it was."You know you really shouldn't be here alone."Kiki's heart sank. She would know that voice anywhere. She flipped around and she was right. Taren was standing just behind her in all his golden good looks, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her. "Well, I just got off work and I thought I'd come over and see what I could salvage."Taren nodded and then pointed to the gun case with the rifles, now laying on its side. "Do you have a key for that?""Yes, of course." She fumbled with her keychain until she found the right one. But her hands were shaking so badly that it was hard for her to manage. Finally, she gave up and stared at him. "What are you doing here, Taren?"He stepped toward her, but she backed away. He let his arms fall to his
Christmas Cove Chapter 103
On the way back to the station, Taren had texted Kiki over and again, but she hadn't returned his texts. It was just as well. Taren shrugged, knowing it was better if she left now instead of waiting until he--and Abby--were in too deep."What's wrong?" Dylan asked, taking his time driving back to the fire station after the call."Oh, it's Kiki," Taren replied. "She won't return any of my texts."He shrugged. "Maybe she's just busy."Taren raised an eyebrow. "All day?""Hey! Carrie gets busy with the kids sometimes and doesn't even hear the phone ring, let alone text me back. Stop being such a girl and call her." Over the years, Dylan had become Taren's best friend on the fire department.Taren clicked his phone off. "Not right now." He looked out the window, watching as the scenery passed by in the dark. "I don't know, Dylan. After what happened with Scarlett, I can't help but think that maybe Abby and I would be better off without anyone in our lives."Dylan smirked. "You can't
