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Chapter 53
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Christmas Cove Chapter 54
As she walked out to the car, she already missed him and their friendship. She had really screwed up this time. By letting her emotions get away from her, she had lost him completely.When she pulled up in the driveway at her house, Mallory's car was there. But Jocelyn went straight up to her room, not in the mood to hear her sister gloat. In her room, she took off her shoes and laid down on the bed, wishing that the world could just fade away and leave her in peace.At moments like this, she missed her mother more than ever. That, and around the holidays. Her mother had always made the holidays special. This Christmas, the only thing that Jocelyn had to look forward to was going to the Children's Home. But now, she would take one night to cry and get it out of her system. Then she would force herself to make the most of the holidays. After all, Christmas was just a few days away.Knock, knock, knock.Jocelyn sighed, but didn't say anything."Jocelyn, may I come in?" Mallory's voi
Christmas Cove Chapter 55
Caden pulled to a stop as close to the town square as he could get and ran. But the closer he got, the denser the crowd became. He just hoped that he could find Jocelyn in this mess. He had to talk to her. No matter what she said in return, at least she'd know- and so would he. Then, no matter what, he could go on with his life and finally let the past go.Within minutes, he stepped into the town square. All of the shops were decorated just as he had remembered it from years ago with lights, ribbons, and ornaments, and snow lay upon the ground, as if it had been ordered especially for the occasion.His eyes scanned the crowd, but Jocelyn was nowhere to be found. Then he saw Kiki and rushed up to her. "Have you seen Jocelyn?"She shrugged. "Earlier at work.""Is she coming tonight?"Kiki shook her head. "I don't think so. I tried my best to get her to come, but she kept saying that she was going home." Then a broad smile spread across her face. "I have an idea." She took out her ce
Christmas Cove Chapter 56
Over the next few days, when she wasn't with Caden, Jocelyn spent time with Mallory decorating their house for Christmas. They were getting along better now than they ever had. Somehow, Mallory had seemed to change. She was more considerate and not nearly as self-centered as she had always been. Christmas Eve morning, Jocelyn had wrapped a last-minute gift and carried it down the stairs. Everything looked beautiful. She bent down and turned the lights on the Christmas tree and set the gift beneath it."I'm going to California after the holidays," Mallory said behind her, causing her to jump. "Oh! You scared me!" Jocelyn rose to her feet and turned around. "I didn't know you were there."Mallory smiled. "Sorry."Jocelyn crossed the room to her and took both of her hands into her own. "Mallory, you don't have to do that. We can live here together, like we always have."Mallory nodded. "I know. But if I don't go now, I never will." Her lips curled into a smile. "I just realized th
Christmas Cove Chapter 57
Jocelyn nodded, and Mallory disappeared through the church doors. Then she linked arms with Kiki. "You could have waited inside, you know.""I know." Kiki shrugged. "Come on. The service is about to start."They both walked inside and took their places with the choir, standing off to the left. A moment later, Mrs. Miller, the choir director, raised her hands when Reverend Crane appeared in at the side of the altar. Then the service started with "Joy to the World!".During the song, Jocelyn looked for Caden, and he finally arrived with his parents before the end. After his mother was seated between he and his father, he looked over at the choir, and smiled when his eyes met Jocelyn's. His mother looked over at her and wiggled her fingers, giving her a little wave. Jocelyn smiled and nodded.The service was beautiful and Reverend Crane said a wonderful service. While holding a small baby, he said that God had given the world the greatest gift of all- in the form of a child. But all t
Christmas Cove Chapter 58
VOLUME TWO: FINDING LOVE IN CHRISTMAS COVE"Are you sure you don't want to come over tonight?" Jocelyn asked Kiki Long after the Christmas Eve service. They both sang in the church choir together and had been friends for years. "After all, it's Christmas Eve."Kiki shook her head as she slid her purse over her arm. "No, I don't want to intrude." Jocelyn and Caden had a rough road getting together and she and her sister were actually getting along now. Kiki didn't want to spoil anything for them. Jocelyn needed this holiday with her family. "Besides, I don't want to be a third wheel.""Yeah, right." Jocelyn scoffed. "Caden and I would love to have you, and so would Malory. Caden thinks the world of you, and his parents are coming over, too.""I promised Evelyn that I'd go over to the Children's Home today. They're expecting me, and I don't want to let down the kids." Since her parents moved to California and left her alone, she had spent just about every holiday at the Christmas Cov
Christmas Cove Chapter 59
"Call me Evelyn." She turned and hung up Kiki's coat on the coat rack in the foyer. "We've known each other far too long to be so formal.""Thanks, M- er- Evelyn." Old habits die hard.Evelyn placed her hand on her back and gingerly guided her toward the living room filled with people. "Now, go warm up and I'll be right there with some hot chocolate.""Thank you." Kiki walked into the living room, which was well lit with candles and soft light, and stood by the fire, the brightest light in the room. People chatted animatedly, drinking their coffee, hot cocoa, or hot apple cider while playing with or talking to the children, all dressed in their finest attire. The ladies of the town had either made dresses for the children or had donated store-bought clothing for them. Kiki had thought that it would be fun to work there with the children full time, but she had been working at the Christmas Cove Jewelry Shop far too long to think about leaving. But if they ever made her an offer she c
Christmas Cove Chapter 60
Kiki looked down at her, surprised. Then she checked the board. She was right. "You know how to play?"The little girl shrugged. "I play with my dad." She reached over and moved the piece for Kiki.Kiki's eyes opened wide. "You don't live here- at the Children's Home?""Nope." The little girl leaned forward, studying the board.Lines formed along Case's forehead as he concentrated. After a moment, he moved a piece.The little girl reached over and moved another piece, then looked up at Case. "Check."Case's eyes almost bulged out of his head. "No way!""I'm afraid so." The little girl sighed.Kiki bit her lower lip to keep from laughing. Case had turned into a regular Chess master over the past few months and here this little girl was beating them both.Case studied the board and then moved another piece."I see you've met my granddaughter, Abby," Evelyn said as she set a cup of hot chocolate at the edge of the table near Kiki. Then she leaned in and stage whispered, "Don't
Christmas Cove Chapter 61
Kiki waved back and then slid into the driver's seat of her own car, quickly turned the engine over, and listened as it roared to life. As she pulled the car out of the driveway and headed toward home, somehow, she didn't feel quite so alone.Snow continued to fall through the headlights as she drove home, enjoying the Christmas decorations that stayed up all year long in support of the town, in an effort to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for the tourists.A few minutes later, she pulled down the road leading to her ranch house. After her parents left, she bought the house from them, and made the payments directly to them. It seemed that over the past few years, the only time she ever heard from them was about the house. Kiki had thought of taking out a loan and paying her parents off, but never had enough money to make the down payment. Also, what bank would give a twenty-one-year-old woman a loan? But she had been saving and had good credit and was nearly ready. She made a ment
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