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Chapter 42
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2022-06-15 14:02:46Related chapters
Christmas Cove Chapter 43
He grabbed his coat and headed out the door. On the way over to her house, he thought of Jocelyn and how he would rather be spending the day with her. But this was his own fault. He should have talked to Mallory before now. Even if he weren't having feelings for Jocelyn, he would have broken it off with Mallory anyway. Jocelyn really had nothing to do with it.When he arrived, he pulled the car to a stop in front of the house and turned off the engine. When he looked over at the driveway, Jocelyn's car was gone. He sighed, wishing she was here. But what he needed to say to Mallory, he needed to say alone. Squaring his shoulders, he slid out of the car, but looked up at Jocelyn's bedroom window, where she had stood crying in the window the night before."What are you waiting for?" Mallory asked, standing on the porch, wrapping her cardigan sweater around herself. "Come on in. It's cold out here.""Mallory, we have to talk." He looked her square in the eye, but didn't move."Then com
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 44
"I was hoping that you could bring them down from the attic for me," she said in a flirtatious voice. "You mean, we can bring them down. I'll hand them down to you." He let out a deep breath. "Mallory, just be yourself and stop flirting."She sighed. "I don't know how.""Well- try. Or there will never be any hope for us even being friends.""Fine." She had obviously been hoping that she could just bat her eyes and get him to do all the work for her, as he did years ago. But he was a man now and was no longer a foolish boy who would fall for her flirtations."Where's the attic?" he asked, headed up the stairs."It's right this way." She stepped in front of him and stood in the center of the second floor. He had always liked their house. The upstairs must have been an apartment at one time and had a sitting room in the center, with bedrooms jetting off from it. Then toward the right had been a kitchenette and to the left, a bathroom."Where's the attic?" Caden asked, looking arou
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 45
On the way home from work that afternoon, Jocelyn wondered if Mallory was going to be waiting for her when she got home. If so, Mallory was sure to start in on her again. But Jocelyn didn't want another confrontation. She just wanted to go home, relax, and destress. Roxanne had been on a roll again, complaining that the store was a mess and that if Jocelyn wanted to keep her job as manager, then she had better start taking her job more seriously.Of course, Jocelyn had reminded her that she had told her to take the day off when Caden carried her out the door. She also reminded her that she was off the next day. Roxanne just waved her hand dismissively and went back to complaining.Jocelyn had been glad when her work day finally came to an end.As she drove along, she tried to push the thought of Caden from her mind. How was she going to survive him? She had given her heart to him long ago, but his visit this time had sealed the deal. He had texted her throughout the course of the da
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 46
Mallory sighed. "Could we just decorate the tree, please?"Jocelyn sat quietly after that, waiting for Mallory to finish stringing the lights. After all, they couldn't start decorating the tree until the lights were on. As she waited, her thoughts went to Caden. If he had something else to do, then why was he texting her off and on all day? She quickly pushed the thought aside."Done!" Mallory replied, standing by the tree. "Why don't you start decorating and I'll get some more hot cocoa. Would you like some?"Jocelyn shook her head, surprised that Mallory was actually trying to get along. "No, thank you. But you go ahead."Jocelyn started decorating the tree and Mallory walked back in, holding her hot chocolate."If you don't mind, I'm going to sit down for a bit. Then I'll help you decorate."Mallory blew across her hot chocolate. It was the first time in a long time that she remembered Mallory actually being nice to her. Usually, she spent her time running to this audition or
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 47
When she pulled into the town square, the streets were desolated--probably due to the snow falling heavily now--but the shops were all open. Although she told herself not to, she looked over at the Christmas tree lot. A man was stacking trees, but Jocelyn was relieved to see that Caden's parents weren't there. They would freeze to death out in this weather. No one should be out on a day like this. Thank goodness there was a little one-room white shed with a front porch where the man could to warm up. Secretly, she wondered if he lived there and watched over the tree lot. After all, it was large enough for one person to live in, but not big enough for more than that.The bell rang loudly as she walked into work. Kiki looked up from arranging jewelry inside one of the front cases and smiled."It's about time you got here," Kiki teased. "What took you so long?"Jocelyn looked at the clock, and it wasn't even eight o'clock yet. "Why are you here so early?" She walked around he counter a
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 48
Since Jocelyn didn't take his calls all day, Caden wondered if he had misread her signals, or maybe the romance had been all in his head. He had texted and called Jocelyn alternately all day, but her phone kept going straight to voice mail. Then his phone rang. For a moment, he hoped it was Jocelyn, but frowned when he saw that it was Mallory.He sighed as he clicked on the phone. "Hello, Mallory. What do you want?""Well, that's a fine way to greet an old friend," she replied on the other end. "Friendship has to be earned." Caden shook his head, not in the mood for more of Mallory's shenanigans. "As I asked, what do you want?"There was a pause and, for a moment, Caden almost regretted being so abrupt with her- almost. "Well, I was wondering if you'd like to go out to dinner with me." When he didn't answer right away, she added, "You know, for old time's sake."Convinced that everything with Jocelyn was all in his head, he relented. "Sure. Why not? What time shall I pick you up?
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 49
"Sure," he replied. "And some sodas, too."She smiled. "Of course.""So, what have you been up to over the years?" She shook out her napkin and looked into his eyes. "Were you in Afghanistan?"He let out a deep breath. Although he had served his country and had gone off to war, it wasn't something he wanted to talk about. "Yes, but I don't want to talk about it.""Good evening," the waitress said when she approached the table. "My name is Lisa and I'll be your waitress this evening. May I start you both off with something to drink?""Just Coke for me," Caden replied."Chardonnay for me," Mallory said without looking up from her menu. It was obvious that she only paid attention to people she thought she could easily manipulate.The waitress looked over at Caden and gave him a wink. "I'll be right back with that.""Thank you, but I think we're ready to order now, too," he replied, ignoring the wink. Turning to Mallory, he asked, "So what kind of pizza would you like?""Anythin
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 50
Jocelyn's heart dropped as she watched Caden walk away with Mallory. What had she done? But she would never hurt Mallory like that. Now, she knew what kind of person Caden really was. Since she hadn't returned his calls, he went out right away with Mallory. But that was who he had come back to Christmas Cove for, wasn't it? Jocelyn was so confused that she didn't even want to think about it anymore. "Want to go get something to eat?" Kiki followed her gaze and saw Caden walking away with Mallory following behind."No, I'm going home." Jocelyn walked away, but Kiki was hot on her hells."Joss, go out to eat with me." Kiki almost ran into her when Jocelyn stopped abruptly."Please, don't call me that," Jocelyn instructed, remembering when Caden had called her that. It reminded her too much of him.Kiki held up her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay! I won't call you that anymore.""I'll see you tomorrow." Jocelyn walked away, her eyes filling up with tears. She wanted- no needed- to
Last Updated : 2022-06-15
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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
