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Chapter 83
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Christmas 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
Christmas 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.
Christmas 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.
Christmas 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
Christmas 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!
Christmas 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
Christmas Cove Chapter 90
Kiki perched on the edge of the couch in her stocking feet, leaning her elbows onto her knees, her eyes wide. He picked up the gift and tore it open, revealing a ski jersey and a gift certificate to go skiing at The North Pole Lodge. "Wow! This is wonderful! Thank you! You didn't have to do this!""Yes I did," she replied and then her eyebrows pulled together in concern. "You do ski, don't you?""Yes, of course I do!" He slipped on the jersey and it fit perfectly."Well, I knew you were into sports, so I thought we could go skiing together sometime- that is, if you skied....""This is perfect!" Taren quickly closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her in for a hug. "I haven't went skiing in a long time, so it'll be fun.""If you'd rather take a friend, that's okay, too--""The only way I'll go is if you go with me," Taren cut her off.Kiki's shoulders relaxed and she smiled in relief. "Good. I'm glad you like it. It's not as extravagant as wh
Christmas Cove Chapter 91
When Taren walked into the living room, it had already been cleaned and the wrapping paper stowed in bags and left by the door for him to take out. He made a silent promise to do it in the morning. Prissy was once again lying by the fireplace in what was quickly becoming her spot.Hearing the musical peals of laughter coming from the other side of the house, he followed the sound. He peeked around the corner into the family room from the kitchen. A fire already burned in the fireplace, and Kiki and his mother were sitting on the couch with steaming mugs."Hey! We're in here." Kiki waved to Taren when she saw him walk in."What are you two ladies doing?" Taren asked from the kitchen, amused that Kiki and his mother were getting along so well. He poured himself a cup of coffee, and then headed into the family room and sat on an armchair, kitty corner from the couch.They looked at each other and giggled. "Oh, just having a bit of girl talk," his mother replied and then looked back at
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