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Chapter 108
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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 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 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 1
VOLUME ONE: Coming Home to Christmas Cove"Would you like to see your ring again, Mrs. Spencer?" Jocelyn Taylor asked the silver-haired woman. When Mrs. Spencer brought the ring into the jewelry boutique the week before, the staff had dubbed it The Christmas Ring because of the story behind it. The elder woman nodded, a smile donning her lips. "Yes, if you're sure it's not too much trouble."Jocelyn smiled. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer used to own the jewelry store, but sold it a few years back. Now, they couldn't seem to stay away. They had been coming into the jewelry store ever since Jocelyn started working there when she graduated from college. Although she had majored in Business Administration, Jocelyn couldn't find a suitable job in the town. Since Roxanne, the new owner, hired her, Jocelyn had worked her way up to manager and helped to turn the store around. Jocelyn had taught Roxanne about business management, and Roxanne, in turn, had taught her the jewelry business. Together, th
Christmas Cove Chapter 2
"You'll call me when it sells, won't you?" Mrs. Spencer raised her drawn-on eyebrows. Jocelyn smiled. "Yes. Of course we will." She turned to Mr. Spencer. "Will you be okay driving home?"He smiled. "Yes, of course. I may be getting old, but I'm not an old coot yet."Jocelyn laughed. "No, I didn't mean--""He knows that," Mrs. Spencer interrupted. "He just likes to tease.""Well, you both be careful driving home." Jocelyn opened the door for them and cold air rushed in, chilling Jocelyn to the bone. She almost went back for her coat, but knew she would only be out for a moment. Jocelyn never tired of the landscape. A blanket of crisp, white snow glistened in the sunlight. In the center of town was the square, where the gazebo set, decorated with colorful Christmas lights, along with the rest of the town. It was only three weeks until Christmas, the busiest time of year for Christmas Cove. At night, it would become a Christmas wonderland, complete with Santa Claus in the gazebo, l
Christmas Cove Chapter 3
Jocelyn's jaw dropped, but she quickly recovered herself.The May-December couple gave them a dirty look and moved aside.Jocelyn took the hint. "Mallory, come to the back."Mallory's eyes opened wide. "Isn't Roxanne here?" As Mallory knew well, Roxanne frowned upon bringing guests to the back.But Jocelyn needed a moment. "Kiki? I'll be right in the back if you need me.""Take your time." Kiki looked over at Mallory and frowned her disapproval.Turning her attention to her sister, Jocelyn said, "No, she's not here, but don't touch anything." Although Mallory had her faults, Jocelyn knew she would never take anything.They walked past small white boxes on shelves and cardboard boxes and then walked into the break room, containing a small, round table and four chairs. Luckily, Roxanne had the day off, but she was always in and out. Jocelyn never knew when she might stroll in- day off or not.Jocelyn pulled out a chair for herself, but Mallory sat down in it. Jocelyn sighed and t
Christmas Cove Chapter 4
Caden threw a duffle bag into the backseat of his new dark gray Corvette Stingray, the paint glistening in the early morning sun. He wanted to get an early start while the sun was out. A far cry from his hometown, Christmas Cove, where it snowed in abundance every year."Drive carefully, man." Brock Conner, his best friend, gave him a manly slap on the arm. "Stop when you get tired. Don't try to drive straight through."Caden pulled him in for a one-armed man hug. "Have a good Christmas." He pulled back and his lips curled into a mischievous grin. "And don't do anything I wouldn't do."Brock was too far away from his hometown to visit for the holidays, so he decided to party in California with a bunch of other guys who couldn't go home, either. He had been Caden's best friend as soon as he arrived in NAB (Naval Amphibious Base) Coronado. When he finished BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL), he was assigned to SEAL Team 5, the same team as Brock Conner.Brock had teased him abo
Christmas Cove Chapter 5
Jocelyn almost fainted when Caden walked into the jewelry store, looking more gorgeous than when he had left. But it was obvious that he didn't recognize her. She just stood there behind the counter with her mouth open, feeling like a complete idiot."I'm so sorry to bother you, but I'd like to buy a ring." Caden waited. When she didn't move, he pointed toward the front door. "This is still a jewelry store, isn't it?""Yes, of course." Jocelyn suddenly found her voice again. Now, if her heart would just restart-.He took a step toward the door, obviously questioning her sanity. "I can come back, if now isn't a good time.""No, no-." Jocelyn motioned him toward the counter. "Please, come in. What can I do for you?" She decided to wait to tell him who she was. She was secretly curious how long it would take him to recognize her, if he even recognized her at all.Caden slowly approached the counter and then became engrossed in the rings. "I was wanting to by an engagement ring."Joc
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