The next morning, Caden rose early, dressed, and was out the door, determined to make things right. Outside, it was bitter cold, and the ground was covered with a white blanket of new fallen white snow. But at least it had stopped snowing.As quickly as he could, he slid into his car and was headed toward town, knowing what he had to do. He couldn't waste another minute. Soon, he pulled up in front of the Christmas Cove Jewelry Store, turned off the engine, and headed toward the front door. He tried it, but it was still locked. He looked over at Santa's Café, thinking that he could get something to eat while he waited for Jocelyn, but he wasn't hungry.Caden looked across the town square, and his parents' Christmas tree lot wasn't even open yet. Although there was a light on inside of the small shed, Dan hadn't come out yet.Caden sighed as he walked toward the gazebo and sat down to wait. He took in the town as he walked across the square, taking in the Danish architecture, reminis

On her way to work the next day, Jocelyn couldn't get Caden out of her mind. He and Mallory would be together during Christmas. Although Jocelyn was happy for them, she couldn't watch them, either. Not now. So, she resolved herself to spend Christmas at the Children's Home. She made a mental note to go shopping for some toys to take over when she went. It would be better than spending Christmas listening to Mallory gloat and watching the two of them together.But then again, Mallory and Caden might leave for California before Christmas, leaving her alone. Jocelyn didn't know which was worse. But she had better get used to being alone. After Mallory left, she would be completely alone.How did her life get so screwed up? Love is hard and can be cruel sometimes. Maybe she was just infatuated with Caden this whole time. But Jocelyn knew better than that. As strongly as she felt about Caden, she knew there would never be another man to make her feel that way. It was as if her body had cl

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

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

"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