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Chapter 24
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Christmas Cove Chapter 25
He ate a few fries, chewed, and swallowed. "You didn't answer the question.""What question?""Do you believe in love at first sight?" He casually took another bite of his burger, as if it was the most natural question he could ever ask. And with Caden, she guessed that it was. Everything was natural with him. They had always been able to talk about anything."Sure. Why not?"He smiled. "I think you can be attracted to someone, but true love happens over time."She nodded. "Yes, I think you're right." After seeing Caden again, she was more in love with him now than she had ever been, but she knew she could never act on it. It wouldn't be fair to him or Mallory. "Well, let's finish our burgers before they get cold."After that, the conversation turned to lighter topics. But Caden shied away when she asked him what he did while he was away and what countries he had visited. He only told her the lighter things, never anything serious."In Saudi Arabia, you had to be careful of the
Christmas Cove Chapter 26
Caden woke up early the next morning. Having tossed and turned for most of the night, he finally decided to get up. Thoughts of Jocelyn rushed through his mind, making it impossible to sleep. And even though he had told her he was sorry that he had kissed her, he really wasn't. But now he had to figure out what he was going to do about it.After showering and dressing for the day, he hurried out the door and to his car, hoping to catch Jocelyn before she left the house. As quickly as he could manage without getting a ticket or endangering anyone, he rushed over to her house. Within minutes, he pulled in front, parked the car, and turned off the key. Then he hurried up the stairs, taking two at a time. But just when he was about to open the door, it opened. When he saw Mallory standing in the doorway, his heart sank."Caden! Just in time!" She turned and locked the door behind her. Then linked her arm with his and looked up at him expectantly. "So, what would you like to do today?"C
Christmas Cove Chapter 27
"Well! I'm so glad to see you, Caden!" Mrs. Mitchell chirped happily. Caden liked her. She had always been a pleasant woman. "I heard you were in town.""Yes. I arrived a few days ago." He looked down at the colorful rolls of wrapping paper and tape and smiled. "We thought you might be able to use a little help.""Volunteers!" Mrs. Mitchell exclaimed. "Hey, Alice! We have some new recruits! Could you set up a spot for them?""Sure!" a younger woman that Caden recognized waved to them. "Come on over here, Caden and Mallory! I didn't know you two were back together!""We're not," Caden corrected her flatly. He and Mallory had gone to high school with her. "Alice, it's good to see you." He pulled her in for a quick hug and looked down at her stomach. She was visibly pregnant. "So, it looks like there's been some changes since I've been away."Alice rubbed her stomach happily. "Yes, the baby's due any day now. I married Jeff Carmen eight years ago.""You and Jeff Carmen?" Caden's eye
Christmas Cove Chapter 28
But Caden didn't regret going away. He had done a lot of good in the world while he was abroad and had saved a lot of people's lives. If he went back, he knew he could save more, but was that what he really wanted to do? After all, he had had enough of war, famine, and heartbreak to last a lifetime."Here you go!" Angela chirped. When Caden turned around, she was holding three paper bags and a drink carrier with the drinks. "You can pay at the register.""Thank you. Here's a little something for you." Caden shoved a bill into her hand. "Why, thank you!" She shoved the bill into her apron without looking at it. "Please, come again! Enjoy your day at Christmas Cove!"She could be a spokesperson for the town, Caden thought as he headed over to the register. Tammy took his money without a word.Caden gave her a broad smile, unable to resist. "Have a nice day!" He turned around and walked out the door, not waiting for her reaction. Then he looked both ways and hurried across the stree
Christmas Cove Chapter 29
"Mandy! When did you start working here? I thought you had a modeling gig in California!" Mallory chirped, once again ignoring Caden.Mandy chewed her gum loudly. "Yeah, well, that kind of fell through. I just got back into town. I'm only working here until I can find something else.""Good luck to you." She leaned in conspiratorially. "If I hear of anything, I'll let you know."Yeah, that's likely, Caden thought to himself. "If you don't mind," Caden interrupted, "I'd like two popcorns and two large Cokes.""Diet for me," Mallory corrected.Caden let out a deep breath. "Correction: One large Coke and one large Diet Coke."Mandy's eyes traveled over his chest and one corner of her lips curled into a smile. "Well, hello--""We used to date when we were in high school," Mallory cut her off, giving Mandy a warning look.Mandy smirked. "Lucky you." Then she looked back over at Caden. "I'll be right back with your order."A moment later, Mandy placed a large popcorn and the sodas o
Christmas Cove Chapter 30
Jocelyn went to work early the next day, eager to get out of the house and away from Mallory's incessant bragging about having spent the day with Caden. Jocelyn internally smiled when Mallory told her that, although they had volunteered at the gift-wrapping booth, they had a great time at the movie. It had been the first time that Mallory had volunteered anywhere, especially at a Christmas wrapping booth. Secretly, Jocelyn wondered how much work she had actually done. But she quickly pushed the thought aside.Jocelyn was the first one at work, and she started polishing the jewelry right away. When she came to The Christmas Ring, she held it reverently. Too bad life wasn't as romantic as it was in movies. As she looked at the ring, the image of Mallory kissing Caden came to mind. She sighed and put the ring away. It wasn't good to dream of things that would never be.No, the only way her heart was going to survive intact was for her to stay away from Caden. After all, he came back hom
Christmas Cove Chapter 31
Her voice cut off when he walked purposefully behind the counter, picked her up, and threw her over his shoulder. He started toward the door, but she called out, "Wait! My purse!" He stopped and waited for a minute.Kiki dug her purse out from under the counter and shoved it into her hand, laughing. "Have fun," she said in a singsong voice, wiggling her fingers goodbye."Caden, put me down!" Jocelyn yelled as she held on, watching Roxanne and Kiki share a laugh behind them. It was one of the first times she had actually seen Roxanne smile."Not yet." Caden pushed the door open and cold air rushed toward her, along with a few flurries. People on the sidewalk gave them a wide berth, laughing and pointing. He bent down and opened the passenger side of his car and then set her on her feet. "Where would you like to go?"Jocelyn let out a deep breath as she straightened her suit coat. "I can't believe you did that!""Well, what would you like to do?" He looked at her expectantly."Sinc
Christmas Cove Chapter 32
As he drove down the streets headed toward town, she wondered what she was going to do. After all, Mallory was her sister and she'd never do anything to hurt her, no matter how infuriating she was."You're overthinking again."She gave him a slight smile as she sighed.He shrugged. "I'll tell you what. Let's just have fun today. Try not to worry about anything, okay? Let's just enjoy the day."She sighed, relenting. What could it hurt to just have fun? She and Caden could just be walking down the street and have a blast. "Okay. So, what's on the agenda?""How about skiing?" One corner of his lips curled into a cocky grin.She laughed. "Yeah. You're a comedian.""Then how about a carriage ride? I haven't been on one in years. Wanna go? We could see the Christmas decorations."She smiled in disbelief. "You want to see Christmas decorations?""Sure! Why not?" He sighed. "Since I've been gone so long, I guess I've come to appreciate the town and what I've missed. Now, I don't want
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