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Chapter 69
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2022-06-15 14:02:46Related chapters
Christmas 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 : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 71
Kiki picked up the receiver and held it to her ear. She would have much rather talked to her on her cell phone, but she feared that it, too, had been lost in the fire."Hello?""Kiki, darling!" her mother's voice rang out from the other end. Constance Long, her mother, had been raised with a silver spoon in her mouth, having come from a very rich and prominent family. In rebellion to her parents, she had married Frank Long, Kiki's father, a working man. Kiki was never really sure if her mother had ever really loved her father, but it was none of her business. With such a domineering wife, her father was usually quiet and let his wife have her way- most of the time. But he was noted for going against his wife's wishes, upon occasion. "How are you? When I heard you were in the hospital, I simply couldn't believe my ears!""Mother, stop being so dramatic," Kiki chided. "So, you were so worried that you waited until now to call me? And I'd bet you're still in California.""I couldn't g
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 72
"If now's not a good time--""No, it's okay." Kiki replied a bit too quickly. "Come on over and sit down. I'm glad you came by."Taren did as she asked, and placed his hands on his knees. "Well, I have some good news for you. Or- at least I hope it's good news.""What's that?" Kiki asked, suddenly caught up in his enthusiasm.A broad smile spread across his face. "Well, I just came from The North Pole Lodge and Liam is going to give you a room until you get on your feet again--free of charge, for as long as you need it.""Liam White? Really? Isn't he the general manager of The North Pole Lodge?" Kiki's rose almost into her hairline. "Why would he do that?""He's a friend of mine." Taren shrugged. "I paid him a visit and when he heard about the fire and what happened, he didn't hesitate. In fact, he's giving you a suite, complete with a kitchenette, and he's having it fully stocked. And the townspeople took up a collection for you and wanted me to give you this check." He reached
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 73
He waved goodbye and rushed from the room. She had been surprised when he had kissed her forehead, but she told herself that he probably did it without thinking. Secretly, she was grateful that she would have a few minutes to herself. She felt grubby and needed to freshen up a bit before he came back- if he came back. Regardless, she needed a shower. She hit the call button to the nurses' station and waited."May I help you?" a female voice answered on the other end."Yes, you can. Do you have any soap, shampoo, and deodorant? I haven't taken a shower since I came here. Also, I don't have anything to wear." Then Kiki added for good measure, "I think it'll make me feel better.""Yes, of course," the nurse answered. "I'll be right there."Within minutes, the nurse came in and gave her a few toiletries and a clean pair of scrubs. She looked up at the nurse, grateful that she wouldn't have to wear another hideous hospital gown, especially if Taren was going to bring Abby back with him.
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 74
Taren sipped hot chocolate as he watched Abby with Kiki, pleased that his daughter had taken up so quickly with Kiki. They spent the evening hollering at the game and drinking hot chocolate. Once, Abby had even yelled at the referee for what she had thought was a bad call. At that moment, Taren knew he had taught his daughter well.After the game ended, Kiki and Abby looked tired, and Taren knew it was time to leave. So, he said his goodbyes as he put on his own coat and helped Abby on with hers. Then he scooped his sleepy daughter up into his arms and carried her out to the car.She fell asleep on the way home from the hospital in the back of Taren's Jeep Cherokee. He had a blast watching the game with Abby and Kiki. Kiki seemed a bit distracted, probably still feeling the effects of the fire. But he was glad that she was on the mend and would be going home the next morning.Snow flurries fell through the headlights as he drove Abby home. What are you doing? He asked himself. After
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 75
"So, how was the game?" his mother asked, handing him a cup of coffee, fixed just the way he liked it: Black with two sugars.He let out a deep breath as a crease formed between his eyes. "Good.""So, you like Kiki?" Evelyn asked, stirring her coffee as she studied her son's face."Good. Thanks," he replied, not paying attention as he took a sip of his coffee."So, the capital of North Dakota is Bismarck?" his mother teased."Uh huh." He stared into the fire, lost in thought.A sly smile spread across her face. "So, Rudolf and Dasher came over and had coffee with me today while Santa delivered the late presents.""What?" Taren asked, finally snapping out of it.Evelyn gave him a knowing look. "Son, what's wrong?""Nothing." He stirred his coffee as he looked into it.Evelyn sighed. "Why don't you invite Kiki over tomorrow and I'll make a Christmas dinner?""What do you mean?" Taren sighed. "We already celebrated Christmas."Evelyn cocked her head to the side. "But we didn't
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 76
Kiki came out of the hospital bathroom early the next morning, dressed in the clothes that Jocelyn had brought over for her. The money that her mother had wired her was safely stowed in her purse. True to her word, Jocelyn had picked it up for her that morning before coming to get her. The clothes she had brought for her weren't perfect, but Kiki was grateful that she didn't have to go home dressed in scrubs."There you go!" Jocelyn said, a bit too chipper. "Now you look more like yourself."Kiki smiled, knowing she meant well. "Thanks, Joss. I appreciate you bringing me something. I couldn't imagine having to go home in a hospital gown.""Now, that might be interesting."When Kiki turned around, Taren was standing in the doorway. "You came.""I told you I would." Taren smiled. "Would you mind if I take you home?""Home?" Jocelyn asked, her eyebrows pulling together in concern. Caden stood up from his perch on the edge of the hospital bed, his eyebrows pulling together in concern
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 77
Kiki smiled. Although she appreciated the invitation, she had to keep reminding herself that he was just being nice, but she had to keep reminding her heart. It seemed to pound erratically whenever he came near her or said things like that. It was almost as if her heart had already claimed him as its own. "I'd love to, but only if you tell me what to bring."Taren smiled. "Don't worry about bringing anything with you other than yourself.""Here we go!" A male orderly walked in, pushing a wheelchair. "I hear that someone in here is ready to go home!"Kiki smiled, knowing he meant well, even though he sounded a bit too chipper. "Yes, please.""Well, hop right on in here and we'll get you going," he instructed, locking the wheels into place. Then he held it steady, just in case.Kiki felt like an invalid, but sat in the wheelchair, as was instructed. "Home, James!"The orderly laughed. "Well, I won't be taking you home. Just out to the parking lot." He laughed at his own joke."Tha
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
