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Chapter 80
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Christmas Cove Chapter 81
After she dressed, she slipped into her coat, grabbed her purse, and headed out the door. When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, an attractive older woman stood behind the front desk, her hair in a bob that stopped just above her shoulders. A broad smile spread across her face when she saw Kiki."Good afternoon, Ms. Long." The woman placed her car keys on the counter and slid them across to her. "A friend of yours asked me to give these to you when you came down."Kiki smiled as she picked them up off the counter. "You're a mind reader. Thank you miss-.""Ms. Bennet.""Like the fictitious character Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen?" The woman's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Not fictitious. I have you know that I am a direct descendant of Elizabeth Bennet herself."It was all Kiki could do to keep from smiling, but the woman's face was so serious that she dared not. "The character Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most complex fictitious characters ev
Christmas Cove Chapter 82
Taren couldn't stop thinking of Kiki for the rest of the day as he prepared to celebrate Christmas with his family and her later that night. Even though he hadn't been away from her for long, he already felt her absence and couldn't wait to see her again.Later that afternoon, he brought in the last of the wood he'd chopped and dropped it into the wood box beside the fireplace."Careful there," his mother teased. "You don't want to break it."Taren laughed. "After all these years, I don't think anything could break that thing." Then he had an idea, something he had been thinking of while chopping wood and looked at his watch. It would be tight, but he could do it."Going somewhere?" Evelyn wiped her hands on a Christmas dish towel, threw it across her shoulder, and straightened an ornament on the tree as she spoke to him. Then she stood back to admire her handiwork. "I'll be taking down the tree before long. It's really a shame. It's my favorite time of year.""But don't take it d
Christmas Cove Chapter 83
She laughed, letting him drag her along. "So, you suddenly turned into a hillbilly?"He shrugged. "Sure! Why not?"Kiki raised her eyebrows. "Okay. Just checking.""What's that supposed to mean?""Oh no you don't!" Kiki laughed. "Let's go shopping."By the time they were finished, they had collected a chemistry set, a Teddy Bear, an old-fashioned set of Jacks, pick-up sticks, a sled, a Trouble game, and a few other things."Would you like anything else?" Mr. Cummings asked, smiling like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. Speaking of which-."Yes. Do you have the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?" Taren asked."Sure do." Mr. Cummings moved from behind the counter and approached a shelf filled with books. "It's in here somewhere-." He browsed through the books and then he jumped in surprise. "Ah ha! Here it is!" He pulled a book off the shelf and then headed back behind the counter. "Your daughter will really like this when you read it to her."Taren laughed as he p
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!
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