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Chapter 92
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2022-06-15 14:02:46Related chapters
Christmas Cove Chapter 93
After they ate breakfast and Abby had her fill of playing with her new toys, Abby jumped up and down, still dressed in her pajamas. "Let's go sled riding!"One corner of Taren's lips curled into a smile. "You didn't forget, did you?" he asked flatly."Nope!" She smiled, knowing her father's sense of humor. "Plus, I need to try out my new sled.""That you do, but let's get you dressed first." He leaned in conspiratorially. "I think it might be a bit cold out there if you go in your PJs.""Oh, Dad!" She took his hand and started pulling him toward the hallway. "Let's go!"Taren gave Kiki an apologetic look over his shoulder and then asked his daughter, "You can't dress yourself yet?"Kiki laughed as she watched the exchange."Nope! But you can teach me!" she yelled, both of them halfway down the hallway."Well, you know how to do everything else-." Taren's voice became muted when they disappeared into her bedroom.Kiki went to her room to change, too, knowing that she had better
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 94
"Wow! That was fun!" Taren cheered as the sled came to a stop at the bottom of the hill, enjoying the feel of Kiki in his arms a bit too much. They had veered a bit off course, but he had made a few turns and quickly got them back on track.He had guessed it was the same with his life. He had been so in love as a teenager and, somehow, his life had gotten derailed. Yes, Scarlett had left him, but he couldn't blame only her for his life. During their breakup, there had been enough blame to go around for them both.But he had no regrets. Abby had been a result of their marriage and the best thing that had ever happened to him. And no matter what Scarlett had done to him, she had given him the greatest gift of all- his daughter.Kiki laughed, bringing him from his reverie. Since he started seeing Kiki, he had thought of Scarlett less and less."Again, again!" Abby yelled, her voice music to his ears."Okay, pumpkin. Let Daddy get up first."Kiki got up first and then turned to him a
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 95
"Come on, baby girl," Taren said as he lifted her into his arms. "I think it's time to go in before you freeze to death.""I- I- I'm- n- not- c-c-cold." Abby curled her hands under her and laid her head down on her father's shoulder."Here." Kiki reached for the sled. "I'll take it and you carry her inside."Taren shook his head. "You can leave it and I'll come back."Kiki smiled. "No, I have it. Let's get her out of the cold."His daughter was too cold for him to disagree. "Come on, baby. Let's get you inside where it's warm."Taren knew she was cold and tired when she didn't put up a fight. He scooped her into his arms and rushed inside. "I'm so sorry, baby. I should have brought you in sooner.""N- n- no-"When she didn't say more, he knew she would probably be asleep as soon as they walked into the house."Well! It's about time you came in," Evelyn said, opening the door. "Lunch has been ready for a bit." She took one look at Abby and said, "Heaven's sake! She's chilled to
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 96
Kiki woke in her apartment the next morning with Prissy rubbing against her shoulder, trying to wake her. It was their usual morning routine. Prissy heard the alarm, Kiki hit the snooze, and Prissy went to work. This morning, the cat didn't need the alarm. The rays of sunshine glaring through the windows was enough.As she began to gain consciousness, memories of the day before rushed to her mind. The memory of spending a would-be Christmas with Taren and his family. The memory of Abby opening her gifts, of sled riding with her and Taren. Kiki's fear when Abby nearly froze, and the relief when she recovered.Prissy meowed loudly in her ear as she nuzzled against Kiki's arm again, determined to wake her this time. She knew Prissy really must have missed her."Okay, I'm getting up." Kiki sat up on the edge of the bed and Prissy nuzzled against her, wanting to be petted. "You don't seem to know that I haven't gone back to work yet, do you?"Prissy looked up at her as if Kiki had lost
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 97
Kiki smiled as she headed out the door and to the elevator. Downstairs, Mr. White was passing through the great hall."Mr. White!" Kiki called after him, hurrying to catch him.Turning, he raised his eyebrows and smiled when he saw it was Kiki. "Ms. Long," he replied, extending his hand. "Have you found your room to your liking?"Kiki smiled as she shook his hand. "Yes, sir. Thank you so much for all you've done. It's not a room, but an apartment. Thank you for everything. And the clothes-.""Well, you have Ms. Bennet to thank for that," he interjected.Kiki's eyebrows rose almost into her hairline. "Really? She did a wonderful job."Mr. White chuckled. "Actually, she had a ball shopping with my credit card, filling your apartment. Maybe a bit too much fun. She should be the one thanking you."Kiki's eyes opened wide. "Oh! We can return some things if it was too much. There are a lot of things I haven't touched yet--""Don't be silly," Mr. White cut her off as a smile spread ac
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 98
As she stepped over the crime tape, she sighed, knowing she would have to contact her parents about the insurance, but not now. At this moment, she just wanted to assess the damage and salvage what she could. Or so she told herself.Assessing the damage, she tried to disconnect her emotions, but when she saw her childhood doll, still sitting on the mantle half burned, tears started rolling down her cheeks. A charred stick was once the Christmas tree, remnants of wires and lights still on it. Most of the ornaments that had belonged to her and her parents were burned, except for one that was covered in soot. She wiped it away and it was one of her favorite ornaments, one that she had dubbed The Angel Ornament as a child. The angel's wings still sparkled as it had in her childhood and her kind eyes bored into Kiki's, as if reassuring her that everything was going to work out. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cradled the ornament next to her cheek, letting her childhood memories of C
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 99
"What are you doing here, Scarlett?" Taren took in the blonde woman standing before him and hardly recognized her. With her fake hair extensions and over-the-top makeup, he wondered what he had ever seen in her. "I haven't seen you in years and now you just come here out of the blue? What do you want?"She pushed out her lower lip in a not-so-attractive pout that used to work on him years ago, but not anymore. "Is that any way to greet your ex-wife?""Ex is the key here, Scarlett. Take the hint." He looked over and Erica was standing off to the side, watching. Then her attention went to something outside, but Taren was too preoccupied to find out what it was.Taren turned to leave, but Scarlett grabbed his arm. "Okay, then. Is that any way to greet an old friend?"Taren yanked his arm away and sighed. "We haven't been friends for a very long time, Scarlett."She pooched out her lower lip again. "You used to call me Scar-.""And I never will again." But one thing was right. She wa
Last Updated : 2022-06-15Christmas Cove Chapter 100
Then her expression softened. "How is she- Abby?""She's good." Taren took her arm and led her toward the open bay door. "But do us all a favor and leave her alone.""But I'd like to see her!" she wailed, teetering on her high heels. Taren held her arm, preventing her from falling, although he really would have liked to see her fall on her butt."The window for you to see her closed a long time ago." Making sure she was steady on her feet, he let her arm go. "Scarlett, go back to where you came from and leave us alone."She smirked. "I just can't do that." Then she ran a finger along his cheek and he pulled sharply away. "I'll be in touch." She tilted her head to the side. "Or my lawyer will be." Then she turned and strutted away.Taren's stomach turned as he watched her walk away, knowing he hadn't seen the last of her."Are you okay?" Erica asked behind him.He nodded. "Yes, I'm fine- or I will be when she's out of our lives for good." He walked back into the fire station, wit
Last Updated : 2022-06-15
Latest chapter
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
