The next morning, thoughts of Jocelyn filled his mind. When Caden walked out into the living room, his parents had already left for the tree lot. He hurried to eat, telling himself that he was eager to see Mallory. But in reality, he couldn't wait to see Jocelyn again. What are you doing? You're an idiot. He enjoyed spending time with Jocelyn, but he had given Mallory his heart long ago. Over the years, Mallory had occupied his mind and had helped him get through some sticky situations. When the going got tough and he didn't know if he was going to make it through the mission, he had thought of Mallory and promised himself that he'd see her again. Then he'd live.But now that he was here, everything had turned upside down. Mallory wasn't the person he had remembered her to be, and neither was Jocelyn. When he had left, Jocelyn was just a little girl that he thought of as his little sister. Now, she was anything but. Jocelyn had become quite a beautiful woman. But what he liked about h
"Oh no! I did enough of that when I was growing up," Caden objected. He looked up and his mother had already seen him. "Why'd you come here?"Jocelyn shrugged. "I just thought I'd volunteer. It's my day off and I like to feel useful." Then she leaned in conspiratorially. "Besides, it looks as if your parents could use the help."Caden sighed, giving her a smile. "Come on. I'll get you some gloves.""Now, that's the spirit!" she approved, climbing out of the car.As they walked over to the tree lot, Caden's father walked toward them. "Hello, son. It's good to see you here. Who's your friend?"Caden smiled. "This is Jocelyn, Mallory's sister."His father's smile faded, but he quickly recovered himself. For some reason, his parents had never liked Mallory. Although Caden knew they hated for his heart to be broken, he suspected they were secretly relieved when they broke up."What brings you two by on such a wonderful day?" Noah asked, motioning around him. "Well, we'd thought we'
"So, what's the verdict? Please tell me, not chicken again," Noah replied as Caden laughed. "Well," Emma replied, "it's either a bucket of chicken or hamburgers. You decide.""Hamburgers," Noah replied without hesitation.Jocelyn laughed. "You like fried chicken?" she asked Emma as both Noah and Caden rolled their eyes."Love it!" Emma replied. Caden chuckled. "Yes, she eats it nearly every day. We'd be rich if we had bought stock years ago.""Yeah, no wonder I'm getting sick of it," Noah added.Caden laughed. "Jocelyn, would you like to go with me?"She stood. "Sure. I could use a little break." Then she turned to Caden's mother. "Would you like anything else?""Um- fries and a Coke." She dug into her pocket and handed her a few bills. "And get yourselves whatever you want. Noah? What would you like?""Get me a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke." Noah pulled out another bill and handed it to her. Caden knew this was a rarity for his parents to hand anyone money other than hi
He looked into her eyes, his heart wrenching. There was no way that he would ever hurt her purposefully. She was such a wonderful person and vulnerable, it would be like hurting a puppy. And somehow, when she hurt, he hurt. Never had he ever felt that with anyone else before."Everything all right?"When Caden looked up, his father was standing a few yards away, obviously not wanting to intrude on a moment. "Yes, Dad. We're fine. Just a little misunderstanding."Jocelyn pulled back and wiped her eyes and gave Caden a slight smile."Well, pick up the bags and let's eat before the ants get it." Noah turned around and walked back to the tent. There were a few customers on the lot, but nothing that the other workers couldn't handle.Caden and Jocelyn picked up the bags and Caden whispered over her head, "I'd better warn you. My mother has a worried look on her face. Translated, that means that you're about to face the inquisition."Jocelyn laughed. "Come on. Let's go."When they wal
Multi-colored lights began to light up the night as they drove to the church. Jocelyn loved spending time with Caden. After spending the day with him and his parents, she knew she could never be just friends with him. He had ruined her for all other men at a very young age. And now that he was back, it was solidified. Soon, Caden pulled the car to a stop in front of the church and turned off the engine. "We're here."Jocelyn looked over at him and grinned. "So, are you ready for this?"Caden laughed. "As ready as I'll ever be.""Let's go." Jocelyn smiled, enjoying his discomfort a bit too much. She was glad that he had agreed to go caroling with her, not quite ready for the day to end. After the pageant and parade, Mallory would have more time to spend with Caden and Jocelyn's time with him would end. But she intended to enjoy spending time with him while she could.When they walked into the church, people were wearing their hats and scarves, ready to go. Red ribbons adorned the
As the night wore on, it grew colder and soon they headed back to the church. By that time, Jocelyn's hands were nearly frozen. She shoved them into her coat pockets, knowing she should have worn her gloves."Come here." Caden took her hands into his own and began rubbing them. "Your hands are freezing." He leaned down to blow on them and warmth filled her body. When she looked up, her eyes met his. He had the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen. Then he looked down and continued rubbing her hands."Thank you, but I think I'm fine now."She looked up, but he didn't let her hands go right away. Her heart fluttered, wondering for a moment what it would be like to have a life with him. But she pulled her hands away and shoved them back into her pockets, knowing it could never be.Turning, she continued walking toward the church and he placed a hand on the small of her back protectively. Heat rushed through her body from his touch and her heart went out to him. Although she kep
"What's wrong?" Caden asked, his eyebrows pulling together in concern.Jocelyn shook her head. "Nothing."He reached across the table for her hand, but she pulled back, leaning back casually. "Oh, come on. What is it?""Caden, why did you go away?" she asked, ignoring his question.Caden sighed as he leaned back against his seat, sitting across from her. "To serve my country."She raised her eyebrows. "Is that the only reason?""Here you go!" Angela chirped, setting down two cups of coffee in front of them. Then she pulled out a pencil and sketchpad. "What can I get you for dinner?"Jocelyn forced herself to look at the menu, even though she had it memorized. "I'll have the Rudolph burger and some fries."Caden closed his menu. "I'll have the same.""Okay!" She shoved the pencil back into her pocket. "I'll have those out to you in a jiff!" She walked away with an actual bounce in her step. Viewing her personality, Jocelyn could see why she got the job at Santa's Café, where ev
He ate a few fries, chewed, and swallowed. "You didn't answer the question.""What question?""Do you believe in love at first sight?" He casually took another bite of his burger, as if it was the most natural question he could ever ask. And with Caden, she guessed that it was. Everything was natural with him. They had always been able to talk about anything."Sure. Why not?"He smiled. "I think you can be attracted to someone, but true love happens over time."She nodded. "Yes, I think you're right." After seeing Caden again, she was more in love with him now than she had ever been, but she knew she could never act on it. It wouldn't be fair to him or Mallory. "Well, let's finish our burgers before they get cold."After that, the conversation turned to lighter topics. But Caden shied away when she asked him what he did while he was away and what countries he had visited. He only told her the lighter things, never anything serious."In Saudi Arabia, you had to be careful of the