"If now's not a good time--""No, it's okay." Kiki replied a bit too quickly. "Come on over and sit down. I'm glad you came by."Taren did as she asked, and placed his hands on his knees. "Well, I have some good news for you. Or- at least I hope it's good news.""What's that?" Kiki asked, suddenly caught up in his enthusiasm.A broad smile spread across his face. "Well, I just came from The North Pole Lodge and Liam is going to give you a room until you get on your feet again--free of charge, for as long as you need it.""Liam White? Really? Isn't he the general manager of The North Pole Lodge?" Kiki's rose almost into her hairline. "Why would he do that?""He's a friend of mine." Taren shrugged. "I paid him a visit and when he heard about the fire and what happened, he didn't hesitate. In fact, he's giving you a suite, complete with a kitchenette, and he's having it fully stocked. And the townspeople took up a collection for you and wanted me to give you this check." He reached

Taren sipped hot chocolate as he watched Abby with Kiki, pleased that his daughter had taken up so quickly with Kiki. They spent the evening hollering at the game and drinking hot chocolate. Once, Abby had even yelled at the referee for what she had thought was a bad call. At that moment, Taren knew he had taught his daughter well.After the game ended, Kiki and Abby looked tired, and Taren knew it was time to leave. So, he said his goodbyes as he put on his own coat and helped Abby on with hers. Then he scooped his sleepy daughter up into his arms and carried her out to the car.She fell asleep on the way home from the hospital in the back of Taren's Jeep Cherokee. He had a blast watching the game with Abby and Kiki. Kiki seemed a bit distracted, probably still feeling the effects of the fire. But he was glad that she was on the mend and would be going home the next morning.Snow flurries fell through the headlights as he drove Abby home. What are you doing? He asked himself. After

Kiki came out of the hospital bathroom early the next morning, dressed in the clothes that Jocelyn had brought over for her. The money that her mother had wired her was safely stowed in her purse. True to her word, Jocelyn had picked it up for her that morning before coming to get her. The clothes she had brought for her weren't perfect, but Kiki was grateful that she didn't have to go home dressed in scrubs."There you go!" Jocelyn said, a bit too chipper. "Now you look more like yourself."Kiki smiled, knowing she meant well. "Thanks, Joss. I appreciate you bringing me something. I couldn't imagine having to go home in a hospital gown.""Now, that might be interesting."When Kiki turned around, Taren was standing in the doorway. "You came.""I told you I would." Taren smiled. "Would you mind if I take you home?""Home?" Jocelyn asked, her eyebrows pulling together in concern. Caden stood up from his perch on the edge of the hospital bed, his eyebrows pulling together in concern

Liam gestured toward the elevator to the right. "After you."They stepped into the elevator and Liam punched a button. A moment later, it stopped on the fifth floor.Liam took a step back, allowing her to go first. Then he walked down the hallway straight ahead and stopped at a door on the left and used a key card to unlock it. But he held the door for a moment and turned to Kiki. "I hope you don't mind, but we took the liberty of getting you a few things." He opened the door before Kiki could say anything more.The room was not just a room, but a suite. They walked into a small living room with a fireplace on the right wall, with a couch, a reading table, and lamp to the left. The next room was the bedroom and a plate glass window stretched across the far wall, providing a lovely view of the ski slopes and the lightly falling snow outside. Through the doorway, to the right was a fully stocked kitchenette, with steel-faced appliances. A small round marble kitchen table with four cha

She looked under the sink and the dishwashing liquid was there, along with dishwasher pods. "Well, it looks like Liam thought of everything.""He usually does." Taren opened kitchen drawers until he found a dish towel and held it up. "Case in point."Kiki laughed as she ran the water."But his staff helps him think of everything, too." Taren leaned against the counter, his arms flexing without trying, his years of hard work and playing football had paid off.Kiki washed a bowl, rinsed it, and then handed it to him. "You know, it feels good to be out of the hospital and doing normal things." If you could call having Taren make lunch and do dishes with you normal.He nodded, but his lips turned into a frown. "I'm so sorry, Kiki.""Don't be." She smiled as she rinsed another dish and handed it to him. "I'm just glad you and the fire department came along when you did." She would have died if he hadn't come.He nodded. "All in the line of duty."Her heart sank. Duty. He did it for