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Chapter 51
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2022-06-15 14:02:46Related chapters
Christmas Cove Chapter 52
A few minutes later, he turned left down the long road headed toward the resort. The same snow-covered evergreens sprang from the white blanket of snow, along with bare maple and oak trees, among other species. If he was with Jocelyn, he would have appreciated it much more. But now, he was in a hurry to get his life back on track. He just hoped that he succeeded.When he pulled in, Mallory was already there, sitting in her car, waiting."I'm surprised you got here so quickly," Caden said to her as he closed his car door and she did the same.Mallory smiled as she tucked her arm into his. "It's not every day that I get to go to The North Pole Resort. Besides, I was eager to see you again." She was dressed in a short skirt, even though it was freezing outside. "Are you warm enough in that?" He helped her up the stairs and opened the door for her. She shrugged. "Warm enough." She released his arm and walked inside as every man within the vicinity stared and he followed.In the pas
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 53
On her way to work the next day, Jocelyn couldn't get Caden out of her mind. He and Mallory would be together during Christmas. Although Jocelyn was happy for them, she couldn't watch them, either. Not now. So, she resolved herself to spend Christmas at the Children's Home. She made a mental note to go shopping for some toys to take over when she went. It would be better than spending Christmas listening to Mallory gloat and watching the two of them together.But then again, Mallory and Caden might leave for California before Christmas, leaving her alone. Jocelyn didn't know which was worse. But she had better get used to being alone. After Mallory left, she would be completely alone.How did her life get so screwed up? Love is hard and can be cruel sometimes. Maybe she was just infatuated with Caden this whole time. But Jocelyn knew better than that. As strongly as she felt about Caden, she knew there would never be another man to make her feel that way. It was as if her body had cl
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 54
As she walked out to the car, she already missed him and their friendship. She had really screwed up this time. By letting her emotions get away from her, she had lost him completely.When she pulled up in the driveway at her house, Mallory's car was there. But Jocelyn went straight up to her room, not in the mood to hear her sister gloat. In her room, she took off her shoes and laid down on the bed, wishing that the world could just fade away and leave her in peace.At moments like this, she missed her mother more than ever. That, and around the holidays. Her mother had always made the holidays special. This Christmas, the only thing that Jocelyn had to look forward to was going to the Children's Home. But now, she would take one night to cry and get it out of her system. Then she would force herself to make the most of the holidays. After all, Christmas was just a few days away.Knock, knock, knock.Jocelyn sighed, but didn't say anything."Jocelyn, may I come in?" Mallory's voi
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 55
Caden pulled to a stop as close to the town square as he could get and ran. But the closer he got, the denser the crowd became. He just hoped that he could find Jocelyn in this mess. He had to talk to her. No matter what she said in return, at least she'd know- and so would he. Then, no matter what, he could go on with his life and finally let the past go.Within minutes, he stepped into the town square. All of the shops were decorated just as he had remembered it from years ago with lights, ribbons, and ornaments, and snow lay upon the ground, as if it had been ordered especially for the occasion.His eyes scanned the crowd, but Jocelyn was nowhere to be found. Then he saw Kiki and rushed up to her. "Have you seen Jocelyn?"She shrugged. "Earlier at work.""Is she coming tonight?"Kiki shook her head. "I don't think so. I tried my best to get her to come, but she kept saying that she was going home." Then a broad smile spread across her face. "I have an idea." She took out her ce
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 56
Over the next few days, when she wasn't with Caden, Jocelyn spent time with Mallory decorating their house for Christmas. They were getting along better now than they ever had. Somehow, Mallory had seemed to change. She was more considerate and not nearly as self-centered as she had always been. Christmas Eve morning, Jocelyn had wrapped a last-minute gift and carried it down the stairs. Everything looked beautiful. She bent down and turned the lights on the Christmas tree and set the gift beneath it."I'm going to California after the holidays," Mallory said behind her, causing her to jump. "Oh! You scared me!" Jocelyn rose to her feet and turned around. "I didn't know you were there."Mallory smiled. "Sorry."Jocelyn crossed the room to her and took both of her hands into her own. "Mallory, you don't have to do that. We can live here together, like we always have."Mallory nodded. "I know. But if I don't go now, I never will." Her lips curled into a smile. "I just realized th
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 57
Jocelyn nodded, and Mallory disappeared through the church doors. Then she linked arms with Kiki. "You could have waited inside, you know.""I know." Kiki shrugged. "Come on. The service is about to start."They both walked inside and took their places with the choir, standing off to the left. A moment later, Mrs. Miller, the choir director, raised her hands when Reverend Crane appeared in at the side of the altar. Then the service started with "Joy to the World!".During the song, Jocelyn looked for Caden, and he finally arrived with his parents before the end. After his mother was seated between he and his father, he looked over at the choir, and smiled when his eyes met Jocelyn's. His mother looked over at her and wiggled her fingers, giving her a little wave. Jocelyn smiled and nodded.The service was beautiful and Reverend Crane said a wonderful service. While holding a small baby, he said that God had given the world the greatest gift of all- in the form of a child. But all t
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 58
VOLUME TWO: FINDING LOVE IN CHRISTMAS COVE"Are you sure you don't want to come over tonight?" Jocelyn asked Kiki Long after the Christmas Eve service. They both sang in the church choir together and had been friends for years. "After all, it's Christmas Eve."Kiki shook her head as she slid her purse over her arm. "No, I don't want to intrude." Jocelyn and Caden had a rough road getting together and she and her sister were actually getting along now. Kiki didn't want to spoil anything for them. Jocelyn needed this holiday with her family. "Besides, I don't want to be a third wheel.""Yeah, right." Jocelyn scoffed. "Caden and I would love to have you, and so would Malory. Caden thinks the world of you, and his parents are coming over, too.""I promised Evelyn that I'd go over to the Children's Home today. They're expecting me, and I don't want to let down the kids." Since her parents moved to California and left her alone, she had spent just about every holiday at the Christmas Cov
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 59
"Call me Evelyn." She turned and hung up Kiki's coat on the coat rack in the foyer. "We've known each other far too long to be so formal.""Thanks, M- er- Evelyn." Old habits die hard.Evelyn placed her hand on her back and gingerly guided her toward the living room filled with people. "Now, go warm up and I'll be right there with some hot chocolate.""Thank you." Kiki walked into the living room, which was well lit with candles and soft light, and stood by the fire, the brightest light in the room. People chatted animatedly, drinking their coffee, hot cocoa, or hot apple cider while playing with or talking to the children, all dressed in their finest attire. The ladies of the town had either made dresses for the children or had donated store-bought clothing for them. Kiki had thought that it would be fun to work there with the children full time, but she had been working at the Christmas Cove Jewelry Shop far too long to think about leaving. But if they ever made her an offer she c
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
