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Chapter 22
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2022-06-15 14:02:45Related chapters
Christmas 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 : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 25
He ate a few fries, chewed, and swallowed. "You didn't answer the question.""What question?""Do you believe in love at first sight?" He casually took another bite of his burger, as if it was the most natural question he could ever ask. And with Caden, she guessed that it was. Everything was natural with him. They had always been able to talk about anything."Sure. Why not?"He smiled. "I think you can be attracted to someone, but true love happens over time."She nodded. "Yes, I think you're right." After seeing Caden again, she was more in love with him now than she had ever been, but she knew she could never act on it. It wouldn't be fair to him or Mallory. "Well, let's finish our burgers before they get cold."After that, the conversation turned to lighter topics. But Caden shied away when she asked him what he did while he was away and what countries he had visited. He only told her the lighter things, never anything serious."In Saudi Arabia, you had to be careful of the
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 26
Caden woke up early the next morning. Having tossed and turned for most of the night, he finally decided to get up. Thoughts of Jocelyn rushed through his mind, making it impossible to sleep. And even though he had told her he was sorry that he had kissed her, he really wasn't. But now he had to figure out what he was going to do about it.After showering and dressing for the day, he hurried out the door and to his car, hoping to catch Jocelyn before she left the house. As quickly as he could manage without getting a ticket or endangering anyone, he rushed over to her house. Within minutes, he pulled in front, parked the car, and turned off the key. Then he hurried up the stairs, taking two at a time. But just when he was about to open the door, it opened. When he saw Mallory standing in the doorway, his heart sank."Caden! Just in time!" She turned and locked the door behind her. Then linked her arm with his and looked up at him expectantly. "So, what would you like to do today?"C
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 27
"Well! I'm so glad to see you, Caden!" Mrs. Mitchell chirped happily. Caden liked her. She had always been a pleasant woman. "I heard you were in town.""Yes. I arrived a few days ago." He looked down at the colorful rolls of wrapping paper and tape and smiled. "We thought you might be able to use a little help.""Volunteers!" Mrs. Mitchell exclaimed. "Hey, Alice! We have some new recruits! Could you set up a spot for them?""Sure!" a younger woman that Caden recognized waved to them. "Come on over here, Caden and Mallory! I didn't know you two were back together!""We're not," Caden corrected her flatly. He and Mallory had gone to high school with her. "Alice, it's good to see you." He pulled her in for a quick hug and looked down at her stomach. She was visibly pregnant. "So, it looks like there's been some changes since I've been away."Alice rubbed her stomach happily. "Yes, the baby's due any day now. I married Jeff Carmen eight years ago.""You and Jeff Carmen?" Caden's eye
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 28
But Caden didn't regret going away. He had done a lot of good in the world while he was abroad and had saved a lot of people's lives. If he went back, he knew he could save more, but was that what he really wanted to do? After all, he had had enough of war, famine, and heartbreak to last a lifetime."Here you go!" Angela chirped. When Caden turned around, she was holding three paper bags and a drink carrier with the drinks. "You can pay at the register.""Thank you. Here's a little something for you." Caden shoved a bill into her hand. "Why, thank you!" She shoved the bill into her apron without looking at it. "Please, come again! Enjoy your day at Christmas Cove!"She could be a spokesperson for the town, Caden thought as he headed over to the register. Tammy took his money without a word.Caden gave her a broad smile, unable to resist. "Have a nice day!" He turned around and walked out the door, not waiting for her reaction. Then he looked both ways and hurried across the stree
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 29
"Mandy! When did you start working here? I thought you had a modeling gig in California!" Mallory chirped, once again ignoring Caden.Mandy chewed her gum loudly. "Yeah, well, that kind of fell through. I just got back into town. I'm only working here until I can find something else.""Good luck to you." She leaned in conspiratorially. "If I hear of anything, I'll let you know."Yeah, that's likely, Caden thought to himself. "If you don't mind," Caden interrupted, "I'd like two popcorns and two large Cokes.""Diet for me," Mallory corrected.Caden let out a deep breath. "Correction: One large Coke and one large Diet Coke."Mandy's eyes traveled over his chest and one corner of her lips curled into a smile. "Well, hello--""We used to date when we were in high school," Mallory cut her off, giving Mandy a warning look.Mandy smirked. "Lucky you." Then she looked back over at Caden. "I'll be right back with your order."A moment later, Mandy placed a large popcorn and the sodas o
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 30
Jocelyn went to work early the next day, eager to get out of the house and away from Mallory's incessant bragging about having spent the day with Caden. Jocelyn internally smiled when Mallory told her that, although they had volunteered at the gift-wrapping booth, they had a great time at the movie. It had been the first time that Mallory had volunteered anywhere, especially at a Christmas wrapping booth. Secretly, Jocelyn wondered how much work she had actually done. But she quickly pushed the thought aside.Jocelyn was the first one at work, and she started polishing the jewelry right away. When she came to The Christmas Ring, she held it reverently. Too bad life wasn't as romantic as it was in movies. As she looked at the ring, the image of Mallory kissing Caden came to mind. She sighed and put the ring away. It wasn't good to dream of things that would never be.No, the only way her heart was going to survive intact was for her to stay away from Caden. After all, he came back hom
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
