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Chapter 92
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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
Christmas 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
Christmas 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
Christmas 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
Christmas 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
Christmas 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
Christmas 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
Christmas 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
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