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Chapter 81
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2022-06-15 14:02:46Related chapters
Christmas Cove Chapter 82
Taren couldn't stop thinking of Kiki for the rest of the day as he prepared to celebrate Christmas with his family and her later that night. Even though he hadn't been away from her for long, he already felt her absence and couldn't wait to see her again.Later that afternoon, he brought in the last of the wood he'd chopped and dropped it into the wood box beside the fireplace."Careful there," his mother teased. "You don't want to break it."Taren laughed. "After all these years, I don't think anything could break that thing." Then he had an idea, something he had been thinking of while chopping wood and looked at his watch. It would be tight, but he could do it."Going somewhere?" Evelyn wiped her hands on a Christmas dish towel, threw it across her shoulder, and straightened an ornament on the tree as she spoke to him. Then she stood back to admire her handiwork. "I'll be taking down the tree before long. It's really a shame. It's my favorite time of year.""But don't take it d
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 83
She laughed, letting him drag her along. "So, you suddenly turned into a hillbilly?"He shrugged. "Sure! Why not?"Kiki raised her eyebrows. "Okay. Just checking.""What's that supposed to mean?""Oh no you don't!" Kiki laughed. "Let's go shopping."By the time they were finished, they had collected a chemistry set, a Teddy Bear, an old-fashioned set of Jacks, pick-up sticks, a sled, a Trouble game, and a few other things."Would you like anything else?" Mr. Cummings asked, smiling like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. Speaking of which-."Yes. Do you have the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?" Taren asked."Sure do." Mr. Cummings moved from behind the counter and approached a shelf filled with books. "It's in here somewhere-." He browsed through the books and then he jumped in surprise. "Ah ha! Here it is!" He pulled a book off the shelf and then headed back behind the counter. "Your daughter will really like this when you read it to her."Taren laughed as he p
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 84
"Kiki! What are you doing here?" Jocelyn wrapped her arms around her and gave her an air kiss over her cheek. "You should be home resting, not out and about!"Kiki's eyes danced. "We've come to shop."Jocelyn smiled. "Well, in that case, come right on in!"Kiki looked up at the woman with bright red hair. "Roxanne, this is Taren Davis. Taren, this is Roxanne Kincaid, the owner."A smile cracked Roxanne's face, not touching her eyes as she looked over at Taren. "It's a pleasure to meet you.""He's the firefighter who rescued me," Kiki added, "and we also went to high school together.""Well, thank you for saving our Kiki." Roxanne's voice suddenly sounded syrupy. "I'm glad you arrived when you did. I shudder to think of what could have happened--""But it didn't," Taren cut her off and offered her his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Kincaid."Roxanne smiled as she placed her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "The pleasure is mine.""Roxanne," Kiki said, claiming her at
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 85
"Hello! Welcome to Santa's Café!" a friendly waitress asked as they walked in. "Two for dinner?"Taren shook his head. "Just hot cocoa for me. We came in to warm up."A friendly smile spread across her lips. "Well, then. You came to the right place! Mrs. Claus just finished baking a fresh batch of her cookies, too, so you're in luck!" Taren could tell that the waitress took her job to heart. Her name tag read Angela."Thanks, Angela." It was obvious that Kiki knew her. After all, the jewelry store was close by. Taren assumed that Kiki and her coworkers frequently came in for lunch. "My pleasure." Angela walked over to a table, expecting them to follow, and laid two menus down. "I'm glad to see you're back. Sorry to hear about- what happened."Kiki nodded. "Thanks." She and Taren slid into the booth across from each other."So, what can I get you?" Angela asked, her voice spritely once again."Just hot cocoa for me." Kiki slipped off her coat and laid it on the seat beside her.
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 86
"What are you thinking about?" Kiki brought him from his reverie. "Nothing."This time, she reached across the table for his hand. "Oh no you don't! You made me tell you."One corner of his lips curled into a smile, wondering if she was going to kiss his hand and up his arm like he had attempted to do to her before she stopped him. For a moment, he was tempted to see if that's what she had in mind, but was a bit disappointed when she just held his hand and looked at him with pleading eyes."Please?" she batted her eyes, stirring his heart more than he had anticipated.His face suddenly turned serious. "I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have run into you again."She gave his hand a gentle squeeze and then released it. "I'm the one who's lucky."Taren shook his head. "I'm not talking about the fire." Taren paused for a moment, gauging his words. "I'm the lucky one that you came back into my life. I know that sounds corny, but--""I know what you mean," she cut him off.
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 87
In the Jeep, he turned on the windshield wipers and turned up the heat. After putting on the snow chains, he had left the car running and the cab was warm, at least. He took it slow, but the snow had let up enough for him to see while driving. The snowplow must have already come through, forming piles of snow along the side of the road, but, luckily, the roads weren't too slick. Or maybe it was the snow chains that helped. Either way, there weren't many cars on the road and after a few turns, he was driving down the long, winding road leading to The North Pole Lodge. He parked the car and left it running, but locked the door, knowing he wouldn't be gone long.Inside, he waved to Ms. Bennet, her white hair swaying just over her shoulders as she smiled and returned the wave. Lately, she was becoming more and more eccentric, but he knew that Liam would always have a job for her, for as long as she could still work.Not wanting to leave the Jeep running for long, he hurried to the elevat
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 88
Wind whipped around them as they hurried up the stairs and his mother opened the door. "Welcome!" Evelyn pulled Kiki in for a quick hug. "I'm so glad you came over tonight. And I'm glad that you're okay.""Thanks to your son." Kiki looked over at Taren and smiled. "I don't even want to think of what could have happened if he hadn't arrived when he did."Evelyn nodded thoughtfully. "Yes- well- you're here and safe now.""Daddy!" Abby ran into the room full speed into her father's arms.Taren swooped her up into his arms and nuzzled her neck. "And this is my daughter Abby.""We met Christmas Eve, Daddy," Abby replied. Turning to Kiki, she added, "It's a pleasure to see you again-.""Kiki," Taren supplied. "Abby, this is Kiki Long. Kiki, this is my daughter Abby.""It's nice to meet you- officially," Abby replied, holding out her hand.Kiki blinked, her eyes wide. "The pleasure is mine."Prissy rose from her perch by the fire and strolled toward Kiki, meowing loudly."Prissy!
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 89
After dinner was over and the dishes put away, they headed into the living room where the Christmas tree took center stage. During the course of the meal, Taren had excused himself and had placed presents under the tree. And from the look of it, Kiki had, too."Wow! Presents!" Abby clapped her hands excitedly."Kiki, would you like some hot cocoa before we get started?" Evelyn asked, smiling.Kiki chuckled. "I couldn't eat another bite if I tried. But thank you." She placed a hand on her stomach and sat down on the end of the couch, slipped off her high heels, and curled her feet under her. Prissy quickly made her way to her and curled up on her lap. Kiki started petting her, both appearing content.The room was aglow, bathed in candlelight and the colorful lights from the tree. Taren slid a wooden chair over beside the tree and Abby sat down on her legs in front of the tree, bouncing on her knees, and Evelyn perched on the loveseat, smiling."Look! Presents!" Abby clapped her han
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
