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Chapter 62
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2022-06-15 14:02:46Related chapters
Christmas Cove Chapter 63
"Let's roll!" Taren hurried to the bunkroom, pulled on his fire trousers, and slipped the suspenders over his shoulders as he kicked off his shoes. Then he pulled on his boots, slipped into his bright yellow jacket, and grabbed his hat and headed out the door. "Let's go, people!" Taren yelled into the station as he ran out the door and jumped into the passenger side of the fire truck. Erica and Bret jumped in the back."We're gone!" Dylan warned everyone as he threw the truck into gear and sounded the horn. "Ten-seventy-two in progress at 7877 Candy Cane Lane. Suspected people still inside," the dispatch agent's voice resonated over the radio as the fire truck barreled down the road."House fire," Taren announced.Dylan slowed down and blared the horn as they approached a traffic light in the town square. Once they were sure the oncoming traffic had stopped, they proceeded through and then picked up speed again on the other side. Then they turned down a few more streets and soon t
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 64
The next morning, Kiki opened her eyes and recognized the surroundings of a hospital. She took a deep breath and the cold rush of pure oxygen filled her lungs, but it hurt. Yes, she was wearing an oxygen mask. She took shallow breaths instead. She felt groggy and the pounding in her head wouldn't stop, so she closed her eyes."She has smoke inhalation. But other than that, she's going to be fine," the voice of a doctor carried throughout the room. Kiki's eyes were so heavy she couldn't open them, but she was strangely aware of the sounds of the machines beeping and the clean antiseptic smell. Yes, she was definitely in a hospital. "We'll need to keep her here for a few days until she's recovered enough to leave.""Yes, doctor," a woman replied in a professional voice. She must have been a nurse."Poor thing." The doctor's voice was sympathetic. In her incoherent state, Kiki wondered why. "I have no idea where she's going to go, once she recovers. From what I heard, her house burned
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 65
"Right now, you need to get some rest." The nurse's lips curled into a concerned smile. "My name is Olivia. If you need anything, just push this button right here." She placed a slender rectangular object with a call button next to Kiki's hand. "I'll be right back.""Thank you," Kiki replied and watched as the woman walked out.Jocelyn sat in the chair next to her bed and Caden stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders."See? I knew you should have come over to my house last night." Jocelyn patted Kiki's hand."No. I had a great time at the Children's Home." Kiki tried to sit up and Jocelyn helped her, adjusting the pillows behind her back. "I lit a fire in the fireplace and some candles and laid down on the couch. I must have fallen asleep without putting the fire screen back in place." She let out a deep breath. "My mother's going to kill me."Jocelyn's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "But you bought the house from them, didn't you?"Kiki nodded. "Yes, but they'
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 66
Once the last of the fire was out, Taren looked over the smoldering rubble that had been Kiki's house. They had fought the blaze for most of the night. Technically, his shift was over, but he wasn't going to leave until the last of the flames were out. In the light of day, Taren could see that the damage was extensive.As he was working, his thoughts went to Kiki, wondering if she had a place to stay. He made a mental note to see what he could do about that when he could. Suddenly, an orange and blonde cat with white socks walked timidly over to the edge of the rubble and laid down, mewing loudly."Come here, buddy." Taren walked over to the cat, but when he reached down to pick it up, the cat hissed and swatted at his gloved hand. "I know your upset, but your Mama's okay. She's in the hospital." Taren stooped down and took off his glove. Then he held out his hand to let the cat sniff him. "See? You can trust me. I'm not going to hurt you."The cat crawled toward him, her eyes wide,
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 67
When Taren walked into the kitchen, Sal, the next shift manager, was petting Prissy. "And who do we have here?""She belongs to a woman whose house burned down last night. Her name is Kiki Long." Taren replied, filling a shallow bowl with water. When he set it on the floor, Prissy ran toward it and started lapping it up immediately. "The woman's in the hospital and I thought this little lady could stay with us until she can go back to her mama.""You know her?" Sal's eyebrows pulled together in concern. Taren nodded. "We went to high school together."A sly grin spread across Sal's face. "Are you sure you're not keeping the cat to get in good with Kiki?"Taren laughed. "Oh, no! I had enough the first time around." After Scarlett left, he vowed never to fall in love again. "No, I just thought we could look after the cat until Kiki gets on her feet." He bent down and scratched the top of her head. The cat leaned into his hand, obviously enjoying the attention. "By the way, her name
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 68
Then she turned to Taren. "Please. Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I haven't seen you since high school. So, how've you been?"Okay, but I can't stay long." Taren perched on the edge of a chair. "I hope you don't mind me coming by, but I was worried and just wanted to make sure you were okay.""No, I'm glad you did," Kiki replied. "When did you become a firefighter?" Taren smiled, relaxing a bit. "Shortly after high school. I worked my way up and I'm a captain now."Kiki looked into his eyes and smiled. "I'm happy for you." She bit her lower lip and then slowly released it. "Taren, thank you so much for saving my life. I can't thank you enough." Kiki laughed. "Your mother won't believe it when she finds out that you were the one who carried me out last night."A crease formed between his eyes. "How do you know my mother?""Evelyn?"Taren nodded. "I volunteer at the Children's Home. In fact, I went there last night- before the fire. Then I went home and started a fire.
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 69
Evelyn's smile faded, obviously afraid of what he was going to say. "Is she all right?"He nodded. "Yes, she'll be fine."Evelyn sighed in relief. "What happened?" A crease formed between her eyes. "I mean, I just saw her last night-."He bit his lower lip and released it. "Her house burned down last night, but we got there in time." He couldn't imagine what would have happened if they had arrived just a few minutes later."Thank goodness for that." Evelyn took a sip of her coffee and swallowed, lost in thought. "She's such a sweet girl."Taren smiled. "Yes, she is." He looked into her eyes. "Do you know that we had study hall together in high school?"A smile lit her lips. "No, I didn't know that. I knew you two went to high school together, but I didn't know you knew her."Taren chuckled. "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but when we got bored, we pulled pranks on Mrs. Li.""Oh?" Evelyn laughed, placing her hands on her hips as she raised an eyebrow. "And what, pray tell d
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 70
Kiki woke the next morning with a start, thinking she was late for work. Then her chest felt as if an elephant had sat on it, as the events of Christmas Eve rushed to mind. She started to turn over in the hospital bed, but the IVs prevented her from turning too far. Groggy, she took the water from the side table and took a big swig. Her mouth and throat felt like sandpaper and the cool water eased it. The oxygen was back in place under her nose. Since Kiki didn't remember putting it back on, she figured that the nurse probably came in after she fell asleep and slipped it back into place. She made a mental note to thank her later.Kiki was about to fall back to sleep, but her thoughts went to Taren. He had filled out since high school and had muscles for days. Along with his blond-streaked hair and blue eyes, he was better looking now than he had been in high school. How men were able to do that, she had no idea. But he was married now. How could she be excited to see a married man? Of
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
